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Help Me Choose!

3289 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 6:56 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA3, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 265 of 330

#2632 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [bpizzuti] by andres3

Apr 03, 2012 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Apr 03, 2012 6:55 am)
I have. My Mazda3's engine threw a rod at about 72k miles. My property manager had a Mazda3 who's engine went at 20k, and then at 65k. The air conditioning on mine never really worked well.
  
 Then again, while it was drivable it was an absolute BLAST to drive.
 
I agree.... Mazda's reputation went into the pits when they lowered their warranty (I believe in 2005) by 25%, or from 4 years to 3 years, and equivalent ratio of loss in mileage as well.
 
I just can't let them get away with that until they have as many red dots as Honda or Toyota.

#2633 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [andres3] by backy

Apr 03, 2012 (3:31 pm)

Replying to: andres3 (Apr 03, 2012 2:51 pm)
The Verano is a nice little car, saw it at the auto show last month. Interior is especially nice. But it will be awhile before it comes with the really good powertrain, i.e. the turbo maybe with a 6-speed stick. But starting price is in the OP's ballpark. Reliability? Hmmm... will it be up to Toyota levels? Or even Mazda levels?
 
Could get a nicely loaded Mazda3i Touring hatch for same money as a base Verano... more fun to drive, more versatility, better economy. Not as nice an interior though.

#2634 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [backy] by kirstie_h HOST

Apr 03, 2012 (3:43 pm)

Replying to: backy (Apr 03, 2012 2:45 pm)
Thanks for the correction - I skimmed rather quickly.

#2635 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [backy] by andres3

Apr 03, 2012 (3:47 pm)

Replying to: backy (Apr 03, 2012 3:31 pm)
Reliability? Hmmm... will it be up to Toyota levels? Or even Mazda levels?
 
If your asking me what I predict Buick Verano's reliability will be..... I'll point out GM is only alive because of a massive bailout... and Cruzes seem to catch fire... which the Verano is based on... so... yeah....

#2636 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [whatdafxup09] by whatdafxup09

Apr 03, 2012 (4:28 pm)

Replying to: whatdafxup09 (Apr 03, 2012 1:01 pm)
Hey all I want to thank you guys for the great advice. I think I'm pretty set on the mazda 3 hatch. With my budget of ~25k, I could get the fully loaded version with the larger engine, but is it worth the loss in mpg? any thoughts?

#2637 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [whatdafxup09] by backy

Apr 03, 2012 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: whatdafxup09 (Apr 03, 2012 4:28 pm)
Why not drive both and decide? There is a HUGE difference in fuel economy but only 12 hp more in the 2.5L (11 hp for PZEV e.g. CA). Also you said you probably won't get a stick, and the Skyactiv has a 6-speed auto while 2.5L has only 5 speeds. The Mazda3i Grand Touring comes pretty well equipped, including leather. Plus you get the better fuel economy.

#2638 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [whatdafxup09] by plekto

Apr 03, 2012 (8:48 pm)

Replying to: whatdafxup09 (Apr 02, 2012 2:42 pm)
Well, if you're new to the job-world in this economy, you need something used, fun to drive, and dirt cheap to repair.
 
Toyota's least expensive car to repair in the last decade is... the Celica. It's the ultimate get-around town car that is fun to drive and won't break your bank keeping it running. A 2005 GTS model in near mint condition is a very affordable and good choice, as it should have at least 5-7 more years life in it. It should cost you well under $10K for a low mileage one.

#2639 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [whatdafxup09] by bobw3

Apr 04, 2012 (4:04 am)

Replying to: whatdafxup09 (Apr 03, 2012 4:28 pm)
Have you already test drove a Mazda3 hatch with five people in the car. If you think you're going to be driving five folks around pretty often, you might want to test drive with that many. I don't know how big you or your passengers may be, but three in the back of a Mazda3 will be pretty tight. For ~$25K you could get a Ford Fusion that's more roomy. Also, if you're concerned about MPG go for the manual transmission.

#2640 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [whatdafxup09] by anonymousposts

Apr 04, 2012 (6:57 am)

Replying to: whatdafxup09 (Apr 03, 2012 4:28 pm)
Why not look at a VW Jetta or Golf? We bought a VW Tiguan after years of being Honda/Toyota loyalists. So far it has been more trouble free than the 09 Accord, 11 Genesis, and 11 Odyssey we recently owned. We just took it on a trip to Florida with 2 adults and 2 kids in 90 degree heat with the AC running. It averaged 28 MPG over the course of the 1200 miles we drove it. This is with the 2.0t engine and 6-speed manual transmission. The Jetta TDI would be fun to drive and gets 43 MPG+, though some of this is offset by the higher cost of diesel.

#2641 of 3289 Re: Help a college graduate pick a new car! [anonymousposts] by kdshapiro

Apr 04, 2012 (7:55 am)

Replying to: anonymousposts (Apr 04, 2012 6:57 am)
It's not really a young persons car but the RAV4s circa 2005/2006 are perfect. Extremely reliable, lots of room, very good gas mileage. Extremey low maintenance costs. In six years, not any "repairs", only scheduled maintenance. And a ton of room inside.
 
Took 2 adults and 3 teens on a weekend 1000 mileage trip in the summer. We were all very comfortable during that trip.

Messages Page 265 of 330

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