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Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3 Hatchback
2744 messages, Last post on Nov 17, 2008 at 9:48 AM
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You can buy a NEW Mazda3s Touring 4dr Wagon with auto for under $18K. Is $4,000 less enough of a discount? Hard to say - but I would adjust the $4,000 to try and get your real savings. Some things to consider - Wear items - tires and brakes - for sure need to be looked at - if the used car needs these soon you should add them into the cost. If you finance you will be able to get a lower interest rate on a new car loan VS a used car loan - you may also get a lower rate even if you finance over 60 months VS 48 months - the new car payment may still be higher but it is something you should look at. Warranty? The 2004 only has 16K miles left - a new 2006 will have 50K - not saying if you buy used you must buy an extended warranty (I never do and never will) but you could find out how much an extended warranty would cost - if its $1,500 (I have no idea what is should be) then in a way you are only "saving" $2,500 buying used. I am using the cost of the extended warranty as a way to estimate the EXTRA costs of repairs you will have if you buy used - of course you may get lucky and pay no repairs - you may be unlucky and replace the engine and tranny. Insurance may cost more on a new car. But that depends on many factors - so you just need to check it out. Will you keep the car for 10 years? Then resale is not that big of a deal - but if you trade every 3-4 years the 2006 will be worth a few thousand more when you trade it in. I have look at these factors a few times and always end up buying a new car - |
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Replying to: mfgreendeer (Jul 19, 2006 11:25 am) Prepare yourself for sticker shock if you buy low-profile winter tires. |
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Replying to: mfgreendeer (Jul 19, 2006 11:25 am) |
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Just recieved a Sept. 2006 Consumer Reports mag. In it was an article comparing Mazda 3, Audi A3, Saab 9-2x, and Dodge Caliber. The order above is how they ranked. CR basically said the HIGHS: Nimble handling, engine and trany, braking. LOWS: Road noise, intrument contrast. Also mentioned Electric stability control will be optional on 2007 models! 
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Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 09, 2006 7:28 pm) I'll bet the Caliber didn't fare very well in that comparo.
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Replying to: backy (Aug 10, 2006 5:27 am) 
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Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 09, 2006 7:28 pm) Protege5 forum. The Protege5 is the predecessor to the Mazda3 hatchback. In most cases the Mazda3 hatchback is a big improvement over the Protege5 but it looks like Mazda dropped the ball when it came to fuel economy since both automatics only get 25 mpg. Also, the Protege5 had an Excellent reliability rating back in 2002 whereas the current Mazda3 gets a Better than Average rating. "In the current crop of hatchbacks the Mazda3 tops CR's list over the Caliber, Audi3, Saab 92X, Matrix, Vibe, Focus, Malibu Maxx, PT Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR, Prius, and Scion XB. Quite an accomplishment considering some of these vehicles cost thousands more. The one surprising deficit of all of the hatchbacks tested in the Sept. 2006 issue (i.e. Mazda3, Caliber, Audi3, Saab 92X) is the cargo area! Surprising because that's the one area of a hatchback that one would think that a hatchback would score well. In August 2002, Consumer Reports recommended the Protege5 even though it came ninth in the list of hatchbacks. The top choice that year was the VW Jetta Wagon. Since I had a copy of CR's earlier hatchback review back in 2002 when the Protege5 came out, I found it interesting to compare the specs for the Mazda3 hatchback against those of the Protege5. As you can imagine in most cases the Mazda3 bested the P5 (horsepower, torque, acceleration, transmission ...). But here are a few places where the P5 scored better: the Protege5's brakes stop you in the dry from a 60mph in 126 ft compared to the Mazda3's 129 ft. The P5 weighs nearly 10% less than the Mazda3 hatchback and likely because of a heavier front end the weight distribution is better on the P5. Finally, it is interesting to note that both the P5 and the Mazda3 hatchback average the same 25 mpg." |
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"Finally, it is interesting to note that both the P5 and the Mazda3 hatchback average the same 25 mpg." What did they drive, an auto? The Mazda3 2.3 with manual gets an average of 28 mpg.
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Replying to: blueguydotcom (Aug 10, 2006 10:11 am) What did they drive, an auto? YES.
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Replying to: autonomous (Aug 10, 2006 11:39 am)
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