- #18 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [jtk152]
by backy
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Dec 22, 2007 (12:24 pm)
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Replying to: jtk152 (Dec 22, 2007 7:40 am)
The Mazda3i is also a pretty basic, 4-cylinder car with a choice of a 5 speed or automatic. In fact, I think the Mazda3i is the most well-rounded car in this bunch. It has good power (over 150 hp), great handling, good fuel economy (esp. with the 2.0L and 5-speed), good reliability, is reasonably priced (especially for a car made in Japan), and is good looking inside and out (subjective). The Mazda3i will be more fun to drive than either the Corolla or Cobalt. It's possible to get a Cobalt or even a Corolla for less money than the Mazda3i, but IMO they are not nearly the car that the Mazda3i is.
If price is THE object, one option to consider is the Spectra--starts at around $11k in real-world pricing and is at least as good as the Corolla and better than the Cobalt, IMO.
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- #19 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [backy]
by aviboy97
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Dec 22, 2007 (12:43 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Dec 22, 2007 12:24 pm)
You get what you pay for....it's as simple as that. Cobalt, Spectra are priced pretty low, but you don't get much in terms of options or quality. Although, the Spectra is turning out to be a decent car. Mazda3 is more of a car then both, hence, it costs more plus it has been reliable.
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- #20 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by jtk152
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Dec 22, 2007 (2:58 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Dec 22, 2007 12:24 pm)
You have to bump up to the Spectra EX to get standard A/C. If you add AT, you are close to $15K. For a [lower end] Kia? C'mon. A Mazda3 will be thousands more than a Cobalt LS. Again, I think we are getting into an apples to oranges comparison. IMO, if you intend to spend $15K+ on a small vehicle, why even consider a Cobalt??
Joel
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- #21 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [jtk152]
by backy
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Dec 22, 2007 (3:41 pm)
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Replying to: jtk152 (Dec 22, 2007 2:58 pm)
Did the Cobalt LS AT you bought for $12,100 have a list price of $12,100, or did you buy it for $12,100? (I noticed a 2008 Cobalt LS base model with AT lists for $15.5k.) Likewise, just because a Spectra with AC and AT lists for close to $15k doesn't mean that's what the negotiated price, with rebates, is.
I agree though, if you are going to spend $15k for a vehicle, there are much better options than a Cobalt.
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- #22 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by jtk152
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Dec 22, 2007 (6:01 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Dec 22, 2007 3:41 pm)
The sticker on my 2007 LS 4dr,AT, was $14640. I qualified for a $2000 rebate and a $500 "conquest" rebate.14640 - 2500= 12140. Which was the cash price. To complicate matters, I traded in our 2005 Trailblazer, which I owed some money on, but came out ahead in the trade in. All said and done, I got the Cobalt for just over $8K. I financed and put nothing down.
Joel
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- #23 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [jtk152]
by poncho167
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Dec 23, 2007 (6:06 am)
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Replying to: jtk152 (Dec 22, 2007 6:01 pm)
I think you made the correct choice. The Mazda maybe the most stylish of the group but the Cobalt is very well rounded and will get better mileage than a Mazda which is probably the lowest in the group. The Cobalt has so many nice standard features and options that to me it stands out in the overall value catagory.
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- #24 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by tpulak
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Dec 23, 2007 (7:15 am)
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Replying to: jtk152 (Dec 22, 2007 2:58 pm)
Whoooa!!! Standard A/C?? I mean, how many cars come without A/C!! I need A/C here, especially because of all these heat blazes in the summer. Also, I need to know which of these cars come standard with power windows, and power locks, in base trim.
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- #25 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt
by tpulak
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Dec 23, 2007 (7:27 am)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Dec 22, 2007 12:43 pm)
Yeah, the Mazda is quite a pit pricier. I got a price quote the other day, on a Mazda 3i, that had leather seats, and alloys, that costed me $17,490 final. But with a corolla, with was loaded with nothing(the plastic wheel covers where cheep looking!!), I got a deal of $15,380 final. I noticed, that the Toyota's options were so expensive! Like when I tried to opt for the alloy wheels, they said the price would have been around the 16,000 's. I did,'t want to go that far(with a toyota). I am still waiting for the prices of a chevy Cobalt, and , finally, for the Jetta, its outta mind. The only reason-- it costs tooo much for a compact sedan. I got a price on it for $19,855 final. So far , what do you people think of these prices?
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- #26 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [tpulak]
by backy
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Dec 23, 2007 (10:36 am)
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Replying to: tpulak (Dec 23, 2007 7:15 am)
Why does it matter whether features like A/C and power windows/locks come standard in base trim, if they are readily available as options? It's common for low-end cars like these (although Jetta is not really a "low-end car" compared to others) to be offered in a bare-bones "price leader" trim so that the automaker can advertise a low starting price. Then you have some low-end cars that don't offer standard A/C and/or power windows/locks on the base trim, but do offer important safety features like six airbags and even ABS as standard on all trims. Again, what is the big deal as long as the equipment you want is readily available?
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- #27 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [tpulak]
by backy
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Dec 23, 2007 (10:43 am)
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Replying to: tpulak (Dec 23, 2007 7:27 am)
A final price for a Mazda3i with alloys and leather of $17.5k seems pretty reasonable (although it must have been custom leather, since the 3i doesn't offer leather as an option). The Jetta can be pretty reasonable if you get the base model with no options, but even that car is pretty well equipped for this class. I don't know what trim you were quoted on the Jetta for $20k, but it must have been an up-level trim. The base Jetta 2.5 S 6AT starts at around $18k invoice, add about $400 for 16" alloys. That Jetta quoted for $20k must be pretty well equipped!
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