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Economy Sedans (~$16k-$20k)

1205 messages,  Last post on Jul 16, 2009 at 5:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Fit, Mazda MAZDA3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sentra, Sedan

Messages Page 121 of 122

#1192 of 1205 Folding Mirrors by sandman_6472

Jul 07, 2009 (6:55 pm)

All four of our fleet have them and there a g-dsend. Parking in the garage can be tricky so we fold 'em in. Whomever parks on the driveway folds 'em in. Pulling into my side of the garage, I pull it in so I don't scrape against the brick surrounding the entrance. Did that numerous times with my 2 last drives.
 
The Sandman

#1193 of 1205 Elantra Hybrid. by gy563

Jul 08, 2009 (11:02 am)

I found some pictures of Elantra Hybrid if anyone's interested.
 
http://www.bobaedream.co.kr/board/data/data_view.php?code=national&No=127280&pag- e=1&select=&content=&r_no=53&search_gubun=&s_pagescale=&search_day=&Answer=13

#1194 of 1205 Mazda 3i touring man vs. Elantra SE by joegiant

Jul 11, 2009 (4:09 am)

Just curious. What is it that the Japanese made Mazda has over the Korean made Hyundai to allow them to charge somewhere between $2500 to $3500 more for a comparably equipped car? I have looked at these two "economy cars" extensively and can only figure the 2010 Mazda is a new generation ("smiley face") while the Hyundai is still offering the '09 carryover from '08. Assuming the '10's in the Fall from Korea will be different? Backy...you out there? Your opinion is always appreciated. TIA.

#1195 of 1205 Re: Mazda 3i touring man vs. Elantra SE [joegiant] by lilengineerboy

Jul 11, 2009 (7:09 am)

Replying to: joegiant (Jul 11, 2009 4:09 am)
Just curious. What is it that the Japanese made Mazda has over the Korean made Hyundai to allow them to charge somewhere between $2500 to $3500 more for a comparably equipped car?
 
Drive them both. If you can't feel the difference and don't note any additional features, get the cheaper one. The Mazda isn't really marketed as an economy car, its a "premium small car." The Focus is an economy car.
 
I don't see how you get $2500-3500 more. According to Edmunds, the difference between an Elantra SE and a Mazda3i Touring is ~$100, and the Mazda3 comes with floor mats.

#1196 of 1205 Re: Mazda 3i touring man vs. Elantra SE [lilengineerboy] by joegiant

Jul 11, 2009 (7:32 am)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jul 11, 2009 7:09 am)
From Fitzgerald's website: $16,286 for a Mazda3 i Touring (manual)...$13,662 for an SE (manual) w/mats (doesn't come with floor mats ). There's your $2500ish number. Can go up another grand depending on how you juice 'em with the various option combinations.
 
I've driven the Elantra SE. Rode like a new car. Imagine that. The 3 probably drives alot like my old Protege' with an engine (The Pro' only had a rat under the hood going around on a treadmill but admittedly the car could do corners if you could look beyond the rodent propulsion system.).
 
$3000 for...image? Again, not trying to be smart. Just curious as to what exactly causes the disparity in price between these two.

#1197 of 1205 Re: Mazda 3i touring man vs. Elantra SE [joegiant] by lilengineerboy

Jul 11, 2009 (7:39 am)

Replying to: joegiant (Jul 11, 2009 7:32 am)
From Fitzgerald's website: $16,286 for a Mazda3 i Touring (manual)...$13,662 for an SE (manual) w/mats (doesn't come with floor mats ). There's your $2500ish number. Can go up another grand depending on how you juice 'em with the various option combinations.
 
And one is a brand new just launched model and one is a 5 year old end of life model on closeout. Closeouts can be great deals, that's how I got my TV. Some of those options, according to Edmunds, are only offered on the Mazda.
 
I've driven the Elantra SE. Rode like a new car. Imagine that. The 3 probably drives alot like my old Protege' with an engine (The Pro' only had a rat under the hood going around on a treadmill but admittedly the car could do corners if you could look beyond the rodent propulsion system.).
 
$3000 for...image? Again, not trying to be smart. Just curious as to what exactly causes the disparity in price between these two.
 
Right...so you are comparing a brand new car, as you said, to your 15 year old car...yup sounds like a good plan. Like I said, drive both NEW cars, and pick which one is the best value for you.

#1198 of 1205 Re: Mazda 3i touring man vs. Elantra SE [lilengineerboy] by backy

Jul 11, 2009 (9:15 am)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Jul 11, 2009 7:39 am)
Well, the Elantra is NOT a five-year-old model. The current generation was introduced in the fall of 2006, so it's not quite 3 years old. But I think there are two main reasons for a price disparity: labor cost differential between Japan and ROK; and a costlier engine in the Mazda (modern aluminum high-output 2.0L engine vs. relatively ancient iron-block, lower-power 2.0L engine in the Elantra). I don't think there is a huge difference in sticker prices. The Elantra, being an older model than the 2010 3i and also being a Hyundai (not a shot, but Hyundai tends to offer good incentives on their cars), does have a lower real-world price. It will be interesting to see as we get into 2010 and the Mazda3i is no longer quite as new, if pricing will get closer. Also I have a feeling (based on some facts but it's my opinion) that the 2010 Elantra will see a refresh, since it will be 3 years old and its cousin the Kia Forte has shot past the Elantra in sophistication--something I don't expect the Hyundai part of the Hyundai/Kia partnership will sit still for. For instance, I predict we'll see new all-aluminum engines in the Elantra with similar power (actually a little better I think) compared to the Mazda3, for 2010. The Forte has these now, also a 5AT Shiftronic and 6MT on some trims--not available on the Elantra now. We'll probably also see a tweak to the Elantra's exterior--maybe a nose job at least, and maybe an updated interior.

#1199 of 1205 #1193 by bhmr59

Jul 11, 2009 (4:01 pm)

Is it the link in that post which is screwing up my margins so I cannot see full lines of text (or the reply button)?
 
Edit: Must have been. This post brought me to the "next page" and everything displays correctly.

#1200 of 1205 Re: #1193 [bhmr59] by pat

Jul 12, 2009 (2:33 am)

Replying to: bhmr59 (Jul 11, 2009 4:01 pm)
The link in that post wraps for me in Firefox 3.0.11 so that everything displays fine. Are you saying that it tries to appear all on one line for you? What browser/version are you using?

#1201 of 1205 Re: Mazda 3i touring man vs. Elantra SE [backy] by joegiant

Jul 12, 2009 (6:31 am)

Replying to: backy (Jul 11, 2009 9:15 am)
Thanks backy for your input. I think you're onto something with the labor costs 'tween the two countries AND the newer more high tech engine coming out of Japan as opposed to the somewhat dated Beta II engine in the current generation Elantra. Btw, in my research I did see that Mazda has already had a recall on that "new high tech engine" having something to do with the spacing under the hood and possible problems. Thinking the Hyundai has probably got those type of kinks worked out by now. But the Elantra IS an '09 for depreciation's sake although I suppose that's where the deals lie for those of us who run 'em into the ground and don't trade every two and a half years. The thing just screams VALUE to me. Call me whacked but I guess I just don't see the need to pay the markup on the 3i right now. Point A to point B over the great American highway. Guess that's why I've never considered Honda or Toyota much as I can't stand the thought of paying for a name badge.
 
Again, thanks for your comments.

Messages Page 121 of 122

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