- #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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- #28 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [dchev]
by dispencer2
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Dec 23, 2007 (8:38 pm)
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Replying to: dchev (Dec 19, 2007 4:37 pm)
I would look for a certified 2007 Impala with the 3.5 litre 6. I had a 2006 model and it consistantly got around 20 mpg in the city and 30-32 on the road. Why put up with a small 4cyl compact car when you can be more comfortable, get the same or better gas mileage and hold more people and luggage in an Impala for less money. A new Impala is throwing money down the drain considering that it depriciates 50% in the first year. Buying a 5-10k mile one for about $15k is worthwhile. Paying $23k for a new one like I did is stupid.
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- #29 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [dispencer2]
by jtk152
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Dec 24, 2007 (4:44 am)
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Replying to: dispencer2 (Dec 23, 2007 8:38 pm)
I agree, a late model, low mileage Chevy Imp is an awesome buy. You get a lot of car for the money. We've got a few in the family. Problem is- you are not going to average ~30mpg per tank with an Impala unless it's nothing but a long steady hywy run. You'll average say 30mpg with a Cobalt and 25mpg per tank with an Imp. It adds up with gasoline the price it is.
Joel
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- #30 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 24, 2007 (7:33 am)
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Replying to: backy (Dec 23, 2007 10:43 am)
The Jetta was kinda equipped, with leather seats as well as alloys, but somehow, from the distance, it seemed like wheel covers.I really don't wanna spend 20k on a Jetta. Its not worth it. I also found a totally base Mazda 3i(it came with power windows, and locks, though i am not sure that's an option) for $14,500 total. But I saw a fully equipped used Mazda for $11,355 , and it only had 13,500 miles. The owner was a private guy, and he had no intention to make money. Everything was in good shape, with the exception of a small 1/2 inch scratch in the back fender. Sure it had plastic wheel covers, and fur seats, but it was better of than the corolla. Which deal is better? The Chevy a good deal, but I noticed some loose plastic trim pieces. And the plastic pieces were cheap too. Though this is a compact sedan, I would still want some quality stuff.  For some reason, Mazda's trim pieces felt more quality.The gaps were so tight, I don't think a penny could go through the gaps. The corolla's quality was good too, but I noticed some inconsistent gaps, and some rough edges. In fact, I'm wearing a bandage now, as I am typing this sentence. I am surprised with the Jetta's build quality too. The materials were even better than the Mazda, but it had inconsistent gaps more than the Corolla had. I have a question: does the Mazda 3(in any trim) come with wood trim. I personally prefer wood trim (even fake) to metallic trim(the metallic trim is fake anyway). I own an Acura MDX, that has woodtrim, so I like the grand feel. I mean its kind of weird that the Corolla comes with fake woodtrim in LE, and that leads to a luxury like feel.
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- #31 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 24, 2007 (7:46 am)
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Replying to: tpulak (Dec 24, 2007 7:33 am)
Power windows/locks are an option to the 3i, or part of a trim package like the Touring package.
If you can wait awhile to buy, the 3 is getting a Touring VE package (kinda like that on the 6) in January. It's supposed to be like the Touring "plus" with 17" alloys, and I think standard safety package (side bags, ABS) plus some other goodies. If it's anything like the VE package on the 6, it will be quite a bargain.
The 2008 3i is supposed to have "zebra-pattern" wood trim standard--doesn't it? I recall it's a very dark grained plood, not your traditional orangeish plood. Looked quite tasteful (for plod).
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- #32 of 49
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Re: Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt [jtk152]
by dispencer2
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Dec 24, 2007 (12:49 pm)
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Replying to: jtk152 (Dec 24, 2007 4:44 am)
I used to average at least 30 on the road in the Impala on trips from Clovis NM to Dallas. There were small towns and 2 lane and 4 lane roads. I normally went 70-72 except for 35 in the small towns and there was often heavy traffic and several lights between Jacksboro and I-820 in Ft. Worth. On steady freeway travel I would usually average 30-32. In town it was normally 19-22. I felt that a smoother ride and enough horsepower to pass someone as well as comfortable seating for 5 and plenty of luggage space outweighed the small difference in gas mileage. The Chevy Impala is a good all-around car. A Corolla isn't. It is simply too small. Another thing to factor in is the ridiculous dealer charge for the "15,000 mile checkup" and so on on Toyotas and Nissans. With the Chevy all that is done is to change the oil periodically. I did it at 3,000 miles - the book calls for 7500 as I recall. If you follow the book on Japanese car services it will cost much more than an American car will, out -weighing the gas savings.
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