Latest news with #Mazda
9 News
7 hours ago
- 9 News
Boys seriously hurt in crash on allegedly stolen motorbike
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Two teenage boys on an allegedly stolen motorcycle have been seriously injured in a crash in the Hunter region of New South Wales . Shortly after 2am, a police patrol discovered the scene of a crash between a motorcycle and a Mazda 3 hatchback at the intersection of Main Road and Lowry Street, Cardiff. Police immediately stopped and rendered first aid to the riders of the bike before paramedics arrived. John Hunter Hospital in NSW. (The Sydney Morning Herald) The rider and the pillion passenger, both 16-year-old boys, were taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Both were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The driver of the Mazda, a 52-year-old man, was uninjured. He was taken to hospital for mandatory testing. As an investigation into the crash continues, police allege they have established the bike was reported stolen from Edgeworth on May 11 this year. It had not been involved in a pursuit prior to the crash. Anybody with information or any dashcam or mobile phone footage is urged to contact Belmont Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. crime crashes car crashes New South Wales Australia national CONTACT US
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Crash on I-35 in Sumner County sends one to hospital
SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) — One person was hospitalized Friday night following a two-vehicle crash on the Kansas Turnpike in Sumner County. Tens of thousands crowd Sundown Parade It happened around 10:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-35 near mile marker 9.4. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 1997 GMC Sierra was slowing down when it was rear-ended by a 2013 Mazda 3. The driver of the GMC, a 28-year-old man from Wellington, sustained serious injuries and was transported to St. Francis Hospital for treatment. The driver of the Mazda, a 42-year-old man from Manhattan, was not injured. The crash remains under investigation. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Think You Can't Afford a Sports Car? These Rides Under $30K Prove You Wrong
For many driving enthusiasts, the desire for a proper sports car runs deeper than a need for speed or status — it's about the experience. And the experience isn't all about power either — a light chassis, mechanical connection, and a soothing exhaust note are more than enough to keep you silly with a smile. Carving corners in a slow, cheap, engaging sports car is far more enjoyable than a quick, watered-down electric vehicle, for example. Unfortunately, in a world dominated by crossovers and SUVs, sports cars have become a luxury few could afford. And since the importance of a spec sheet overshadows that of any subjective factor, 0 to 60 mph times have become more important than a fun driving experience. Fortunately, all hope isn't lost, and driving bliss doesn't have to cost a fortune. If you know where to look, you'll find plenty of affordable sports cars for sale on the used market — all below $30,000. Every car in this list can be found for under $30,000, based on its Kelley Blue Book (KBB) Typical Listing Price. In cases where the KBB value doesn't reflect real-world market conditions, an average price based on is used instead. Entries are limited to traditional compact sports cars with only two doors that prioritize fun over everything else. That means no muscle cars, no hot hatches, and no high-end performance cars like the Porsche 911. And to keep things fair, we're only including one Mazda MX-5 Miata. To ensure these cars are truly meant for driving enthusiasts, we went through dozens of professional reviews from trusted sources, including Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, Top Gear, and respected independent reviewers. I know that some may argue that front-wheel-drive sports cars aren't true sports cars. I acknowledge you won't be able to swing the tail around unless you have some sacrificial plastic trays nearby. However, the Prelude Type SH is a blast to drive, just ask Scott Oldham at Car and Driver. Its high-revving naturally aspirated four-banger produces 200 horsepower (hp). It's also the cheapest entry in our article today. There are countless Preludes for sale, some in better condition than others. But KBB reckons the average Type SH model should be listed for about $4,500. Most people who are in the market for an affordable sports car for under $10,000 have checked out the Nissan 350Z. It's rear-wheel-drive, has a powerful V6 engine, and costs pennies on the dime. That said, the 350Z has a more luxurious, mechanical twin, the Infiniti G35. Car and Driver says the 280-hp G35 is just as much fun as the 350Z, but comes with the benefit of rear seats and more cargo space. And of course, the G35 aged much more gracefully than the Z. You should find the average Infiniti G35 listed for just under $6,000. A large chunk of car enthusiasts believe the BMW E46 M3 is the best car of all time. But a high demand results in a high price. With that in mind, why not consider its slightly less powerful brother, the 330Ci? It's worth mentioning that a small handful of individuals, like JayEmm on Cars, go as far as to say it's better than its mighty M3 brother. Like the M3, the 330Ci is rear-wheel-drive and benefits from a healthy straight-six engine with 225 hp. Of course, it won't be as visceral as the M3, but if you're after something a tad more tame, it provides excellent bang for your buck, with the typical 2005 model listed for $6,300. Some TT models came with front-wheel drive, and others came with all-wheel drive. No matter the drivetrain, the TT's 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four and five-speed manual are more than enough to keep you grinning from ear to ear, with Car and Driver's Dworn saying the TT is 'a very cool car that is genuinely fun to drive.' The Audi TT was the perfect choice for those wanting a not-so-serious sports car that just delivers joy. On average, you'll find a 2000 model year TT listed for just over $6,500, according to KBB. The Acura Integra GS-R is one of the most sought-after front-wheel-drive sports cars money can buy. That's exactly why it costs an arm and a leg in today's day and age. Fortunately, you can buy its spiritual successor, the RSX Type S, for a fraction of what an Integra would cost you. According to MotorTrend, the Type S fills the Integra's boots quite well with its 200-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that redlines at 7,900 rpm. KBB reports that you'll find the majority of the RSX Type S models listed for $7,500, The BMW Z3 starred in the 1995 Bond film, GoldenEye. So, not only is it one of the cheapest ways to get behind the wheel of a Bond movie car, but also an affordable way to own an engaging sports car. Edmunds owner reviews praise the Z3 for its handling characteristics, performance, and reliability, especially those fitted with a 193-hp 2.8-liter straight-six. And thanks to depreciation, these classic German sports cars are more affordable than ever, with the typical listing price being $7,700. There's no shortage of used Z3s, but make sure you get one that was properly maintained. In all honesty, you can buy any generation Mazda Miata and rest assured you're driving a true enthusiast sports car without breaking the bank. While the first-generation NA is the cheapest way to get into a Miata, I'd urge you to check out the second-generation NB instead. MotorTrend's Jean Jennings claims it ticks all the boxes the NA does, but comes with less weight and more power at the expense of its pop-up headlights. In some instances, you'll find NB Miatas selling for less than equivalent NA examples, with the average 2004 model listed for nearly $8,200. And of course, with it being a Mazda, you can expect maintenance costs to be affordable too. The Pontiac Solstice is an American performance car that many forgot about. In its top trim level, called the GXP, the Solstice features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 260 hp and 260 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. Car and Driver's Tony Swan called the GXP 'arguably the most engaging entry at the affordable end of the sports-car spectrum'. Listed for $8,300 on average, it provides excellent value for money. But if its exterior styling isn't quite to your taste, you could also consider its mechanical twin, the Saturn Sky Redline, for $1,500 more. The BMW 1M is considered by many to be among the greatest M cars of all time. But as you'd expect, it comes at a premium. Therefore, I'd suggest checking out its slightly subtler brother, 135i. Car and Driver found their test car to do 0 to 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds. Of course, its performance shouldn't come as a massive surprise considering its tiny body and 300-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six, called the N54. KBB reports that the typical listing price for one of these pocket rockets hovers around $8,500. Although the N54 is one of the less reliable BMW engines, the 135i remains a tempting performance bargain. At its core, the MR2 is Toyota's mid-engined rival to the Mazda Miata. Car and Driver's Barry Winfield said that after spending some time with the MR2 Spyder that its mid-engined layout makes it a vastly different experience from the Miata — but not at the expense of fun. With a curb weight of about 2,200 lbs and 138 hp, it's one of the lightest sports cars in this article. And with used examples typically listed for around $8,500, it's also one of the cheapest ways to get four-wheeled fun. Despite what its badge may have you believe, the Crossfire shares a platform with the R170-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK. The Merc would have earned itself a spot in this article, but it's a more serious sports car than the Chrysler. In SRT-6 trim, Car and Driver reports the Crossfire benefits from a 3.2-liter supercharged V6 that produces 325 hp — more than enough to demand your attention. KBB states the average 2006 SRT-6 model is listed for $11,700. But if you don't care for power and only want the eye-catching design, you can find less powerful, base models for significantly cheaper, too. Believe it or not, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a strong contender in the affordable sports car segment. With rear-wheel-drive, a 348-hp V6, and a six-speed manual gearbox, you'll find it's much more fun than you'd think. Edmunds owner reviews corroborate with the majority of them praising its value proposition. You'll find 2016 model year Genesis Coupes, fitted with the 3.8-liter V8, listed at just under $13,000. And because it's not even ten years old, you'll have the benefit of modern tech and safety features. I know this is an oddball, but some driving enthusiasts prefer old cars over anything from the 21st century. While there's a plethora of choices out there, the Porsche 944 is one of the most unique, fun-to-drive cars money can buy. It's such a gem that Car and Driver claimed it was 'the best-handling car in America' in October 1984. Just like all good things, it comes at a premium, unfortunately. KBB did not have an accurate typical listing price for the Porsche 944. Therefore, I found that the average used example listed on was just under $14,000. For some, the Porsche Boxster seems unattainable. Fortunately, the 986-generation Boxster S has depreciated enough for it to be affordable. In S trim, the Boxster comes equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter flat-six that churns out nearly 250 hp. When describing the Boxster, Top Gear said, 'It simply works with you in a deeply satisfying way.' According to KBB, the average 2002 Boxster S is listed for less than $15,000. To make the deal even sweeter, Revolution Porsche Specialists says that the 986 Boxster is generally reliable, but buying one with a full service history is crucial. The latest-generation Mazda Miata is a great value for money sports car. However, it's almost become a cliche at this point. So, if you want to stand out from the crowd, consider the Fiat 124 Spider — an Italian sports car that shares the ND Miata's platform. MotorTrend tested the Abarth variant and found the 124 Abarth wasn't quite as balanced as the Miata, but was a bundle of joy in every other aspect. Instead of a naturally aspirated engine, the 124 utilizes a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that produces 164 hp. You should find used 124 Abarths listed on the market for around $16,500. We've already covered the Nissan 350Z's more refined brother — next in line is its successor, the 370Z. Although Edmunds doesn't love the V6's harsh sound, they're impressed with its 332 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. And since it's rear-wheel-drive, with most models featuring a stick shift, it adheres to the traditional fun-to-drive sports car recipe. Despite costing about triple the price of an old Infiniti G35, the Nissan 370Z is a big improvement over its predecessor. Therefore, it's still considered affordable, despite its typical listing price of $18,300. Although your heart might yearn for an older BMW M2, I'd recommend taking a deep breath and looking at the M-Lite alternative, the M240i. Sure, it might not have an M badge, but it still offers impeccable performance thanks to its reliable B58 engine. When Car and Driver got behind the wheel, they found the M240i does 0 to 60 mph just 0.3 seconds slower than the equivalent M2 — 4.3 seconds. If you're willing to settle for an M-Lite, you'll find yourself behind the wheel of a compact BMW sports car with 335 hp. Some M240i models came with a six-speed manual, making the driving experience even more engaging. KBB reports that the average 2017 model year M240i is listed for $21,400. Usually, the Lexus brand is only associated with the elderly and those after a fancy Toyota. However, Lexus builds a fun-to-drive sports car every now and then, with the RC being a prime example. Albeit not the bonkers RC F, the RC 350 still packs a decent punch with its 306-hp V6. Car and Driver's K.C. Colwell said the all-wheel-drive RC 350 was engaging and had 'good body control and a well-damped suspension'. Of course, these aren't qualities you necessarily crave from a full-blown driver's car, but it's traits you'd love to have in your daily driver sports car. The typical listing price for a ten-year-old RC 350 is $21,500. Just like its predecessor, the second-generation Subaru BRZ is an affordable, fun-to-drive, stickshift sports car. Car and Driver's Jamie Kitman and Mike Sutton said it improved on its predecessor's shortcomings, while retaining the highlights like its shifter feel and light weight. The BRZ and its near-identical twin, the Toyota GR86, benefit from an upgraded flat-four engine that puts out 228 hp. But for some reason, the average listing price of a used BRZ of $22,500 is $2,000 less than the Toyota GR86. The Honda S2000 is many enthusiasts' dream car. Car and Driver's Larry Webser had an absolute blast behind the wheel of one, explaining that the S2000's magic sits in chasing its 240-hp four-cylinder's high 8,900-rpm redline, and confidence-inspiring handling characteristics. Even Doug DeMuro said the Honda S2000 lives up to its hype, with one of his favorite parts of the S2000 being the shifter. With the Honda S2K being an iconic sports car, they're pretty pricey. The average listing price for one is $22,300 — quite the chunk of change for a 20-year-old Japanese sports car. The 987.2 Cayman S is the best bang-for-your-buck used Porsche sports car money can buy. It might not be as prestigious as a 911, but its 320-hp flat-six will grant you many more smiles than an IMS repair bill on a high-mileage 996. When Car and Driver compared the Cayman S to a C7 Corvette Grand Sport and a Lotus Evora, they crowned the Cayman as the winner, describing it as a combination of 'the hard edges of a pure sports car with the convenience we've come to expect in modern cars'. Despite being more than a decade old, the facelifted 987 Cayman aged like fine wine. Yet, in traditional European sports car fashion, the Cayman has plummeted in value. As a result, the average listing price for a 987.2 Cayman S is less than $30,000. A true sports car isn't defined solely by a spec sheet or a price tag — it's more complicated than that. Performance matters, of course, but different things resonate with different enthusiasts. Some are drawn to a symphonic exhaust noise, others to the satisfaction of shifting their own gears, or the joy of carving canyon roads with the top down. Ironically, these very experiences are what many modern sports cars, with all their technology and hefty price tags, often fail to deliver. And that's exactly why so many driving enthusiasts turn to used sports cars. They're not just more affordable; they're downright more fun.
Stuff.tv
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Stuff.tv
The Mazda CX-80 is one of the most comfortable cars I've ever reviewed
Stuff Verdict If space is a top priority the Mazda CX-80 is one to watch. Comfort levels are glorious, but there are rivals who pip it to the post in the six- and seven-seater stakes Pros Oodles of room front and back Posh equipment levels and very practical too Relative rarity will probably work in its favour Cons PHEV isn't as refined as the diesel Battery-only range is good but not great A hefty thing to manage in small spaces Introduction After a week spent behind the wheel of the teensy-weensy Leapmotor T03 city car, I've just followed it with seven days in this. The Mazda CX-80 sits at the complete opposite end of the space spectrum, with room for up to seven people to enjoy high levels of comfort. It comes as a plug-in too, so could prove a better option for anyone with a growing family and multiple school run stops than the diesel edition. Mazda's flagship SUV is certainly a beefy proposition. The downside is its bulk, which needs to be carefully managed in less spacious surroundings like multi-storey car parks and tight country lanes. The good news is that driving one is much easier than expected, helped along with sumptuous levels of comfort no matter which row you're in. The 2.5-litre, 323bhp, all-wheel-drive CX-80 I've been testing is a top-of-the-range treat in Homura Plus trim, featuring Mazda's Captain Console 6-seat layout. Need more space? Mazda also offers this sizable SUV with a seven-seat layout, which puts it in the same niche bracket as the Hyundai Santa Fe or Mercedes GLB. Those with less to spend will get the same kind of space with either the very good Peugeot 5008 or excellent Skoda Kodiaq though. How we test cars Every electric car reviewed on Stuff is tested on a range of road surfaces and, where possible, in varying weather conditions. We use our years of experience to compare with rivals and assess ergonomics, technology features and general usability. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. The styling The Mazda CX-80 is a smidge under 5 metres long, over 1.7 metres high and has a width of nearly two metres. That sounds colossal when you see it written down, although it doesn't feel that bulky to drive. The styling is typically Mazda, with an agreeable front end that looks the part even if it's not especially interesting. The slab-sides and back-end are similarly dependable, with the odd fleck of chrome trim lifting the look slightly. Out back, the neat twists and turns that make up the tailgate section make this angle the most interesting of the CX-80, I think. Thankfully, high profile tyres helped remove a little of the bulky appearance of my test car and made it less worrying to park near rim-crunching kerbs. The Homura Plus trim level of my test car meant it came fully loaded with lots to make longer journeys effortless and super-comfortable. Lashings of Napa leather, a panoramic sunroof and some cool ambient lighting added to the overall premium feel, as did the gloss black 20in rims on the exterior, which contrasted well with the Rhodium White paintwork. There really is stacks of room inside this SUV too, with its height and panoramic roof offering a cavernous experience even if you're sat in the second row. Seven seat versions are slightly less generous, but the Mazda CX-80 is certainly not miserly with the space quotas in either model variant. The drive I wish I felt a little more enthusiastic about choosing the PHEV version of the Mazda CX-80 over the diesel. However, it isn't a huge amount of fun to pilot. Sure, once it gets going, the SUV trundles along very nicely – but attempting any kind of acceleration over and above the norm is met with lots of frantic revving and a slow uptake in speed. On the other hand, driving the CX-80 using its small battery power is very enjoyable, although range is limited to about 30 miles or so in real world scenarios. There's no disputing the commanding position delivered from behind the wheel though. Views towards the front are impressive, helped with big door mirrors but things are less great looking towards the back. The rearward glass is quite enclosed and not helped by the headrests that pepper the interior. As a result, those mirrors and a reversing camera are essential items for backing in to less generous parking spaces. The quality of the ride is compensated for by the quality interior provided by this car. If it wasn't for those forgiving seats, the Mazda CX-80 would feel quite rough and ready when being bashed by the worst bit of British roads. The thick tyre walls offered some respite from this battering, but overall, the Mazda CX-80 seemed to struggle a bit with our rough and tumble surfaces. However, when it was being nursed around urban streets using EV-only power, the SUV felt much better than when it was fighting that horrible concrete section of the M25. Again, that's good news for the school run crew. The technology The CX-80 strikes a sensible compromise between buttons and screen activity, with one landscape-orientated, 12.3in infotainment area in the middle of the dash. Down below are lots of actual buttons, for climate controls and the like, which is appreciated. I quite liked the mix between traditional and modern. Mazda have got it about right in that respect with a delicious driver display supplemented by a cool head-up offering in my car. Mazda likes to do its own thing when it comes to in-car tech and, a bit like Lexus, the experience looks premium on paper and expectation levels are high. It's not always such a great user experience though. I felt this about the voice control system, which seemed unable to help me get to London Heathrow airport after an unexpected detour due to a road closure. I gave up in the end after trying just 'London' with no luck. Disappointing. Once I'd got my head around the way the system works it wasn't bad; the fonts and overall layout are okay. A big round dial on the centre console let me scroll through and select lots of options in transit and, for the most part, this worked quite well. However, much as I like my Japanese cars, I do think infotainment systems on a lot of them do leave a little bit to be desired. I'm adding the Mazda CX-80 to that list. The adaptive LED headlights on my trim level were impressive, mind, and Mazda has added in a duo of three-pin plug sockets to the CX-80 so laptops and the like can be plugged in for convenience. Elsewhere, my car had wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, lots of Google interactivity and integration with Amazon Alexa if that's your bag. A quick nod of approval to the Bose audio system too, which worked a treat in the cathedral-like confines. Mazda CX-80 verdict I drove a top-of-the-range CX-80, which meant that its price tag was in the region of £55,000. However, lower levels variants are in the £40k ballpark, which is a little more bearable. The upside of spending the extra cash is the premium feel of the interior. That might seem like money well spent but if, as I suspect, the Mazda CX-80 will likely end up ferrying kids around, a cheaper trim level might be a more practical option. Either way, this car feels a lot less bulky to drive than it actually is, but if you're intimidated by the tight parking scenarios found during school run time, it might just be a little too bulky for comfort. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 If space is a top priority the Mazda CX-80 is one to watch. Comfort levels are glorious, but there are rivals who pip it to the post in the six- and seven-seater stakes Pros Oodles of room front and back Posh equipment levels and very practical too Relative rarity will probably work in its favour Cons PHEV isn't as refined as the diesel Battery-only range is good but not great A hefty thing to manage in small spaces Mazda CX-80 technical specifications Powertrain 2.5-litre petrol motor, plus permanent magnet synchronous motor Battery 17.8kWh Power 323bhp Torque 406lb-ft 0-62mph 8.4sec Top speed 122mph Range 38 miles (EV only) Charge rate 7.2kW Cargo volume 566 litres
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
MG Cyberster
What even is a 'sports car'? I only ask because most of the cars that fit the accepted person-in-the-street definition aren't in fact sporty at all. Traditionally, a sports car was low to the ground, had two doors, two seats and probably an open roof. It had a powerful engine. And its top priority was driving dynamics. That's as close as you'll get to a quantifiable declaration of sportiness. Advertisement - Page continues below But is a current BMW Z4 a sports car? Was the Mercedes SLC/SLK? Don't be daft. I've heard convincing arguments that the Mazda MX-5 is too limp in the engine department and too roly-poly in the corners to really be a sports car. I choose to ignore them because I adore the current MX-5, but I sort of get their point. So, the Cyberster. It's got skin in the game here: the MGB, MGF and MG SV were all sports cars, of varying sorts. Does it do the business? Dynamically, it's a bit of a pudding. An MG engineer told me the car's been softened off again from its original European spec: they felt they'd overdone the 'stiffen it up for those aggressive-driving, B-road warrior Brits' and had to smooth the edges back off because 'it's not supposed to be a track car". For me, they slightly overdid it, allowing too much wallow into the suspension. There's a sense of top-heaviness to the car, some of which comes from the too-high driver's seat, and some of which is down to the restless damping, which never settles in one assured movement after it's been disturbed. Advertisement - Page continues below The steering is dead: a pity as I'd hoped going for the RWD 'Trophy' model would liberate the steering of corruption from the front motor in the 'GT' and unlock a bit of road feel. Not to be, I'm afraid: it's computer game stuff, without Forza 's handy re-wind feature.
