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Hatchbacks Mazda3 Mazda3i vs Elantra GLS
23 messages, Last post on Dec 20, 2008 at 10:50 AM
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Oh I see why it's cheap It's privately owned now but it was a rental car for 4 months and it has about 4000 miles from rental car. Since then, another owner has used it. I am going to get it checked by mechanic but this requires thinking 20000 miles (2 owners- I will be 3rd) $12000+tax No accidents or anything else on autocheck though still a good deal? |
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Just to Update, I got the car and I ended up getting mazda 3i. More fun to drive and less out of pocket expenses and loan payments now. I checked CARFAX and AutoCheck I had the car checked out by a Mechanic I called the dealer to see if any work was done (bulb change) and if it was still under warranty (yes!! till 50,000 or 2010) Everything checked out and I drove home with it  Summary:- Age: 22 19,600 miles 2006 mazda 3i touring 4.6% CU loan with Auto Debit payments No Gap & No extended warranty $12000 +$350 (Sales Tax and title and plate transfer) Having a car to drive!! Priceless!!! Thank you all for your help and input. I am happy and that's the most important thing!! |
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hello all, im in a similar position like the original poster and i figured it wasnt worth a new thread. the 09 Mazda3 s Touring HB and 08 Elantra SE sedan are my top picks the mazda has the advantage of handling/power, more cargo room, better exterior styling, solid reputation and made in japan, 5 speed AT the hyundai has the advantage of more MPGs, better warranty, lower price tag, more safety oriented the prices are (according to edmunds) w/AT: mazda $20,075 msrp, $18,799 invoice hyundai $17,670 msrp, $16,949 invoice still trying to find a good quote on the mazda, but i found an 08 at 16.5k(+destination) in one place ive gotten three quotes in the range 14.6-15.3k for the hyundai im looking for a commuter car, so mpg and safety are a plus im paying cash and want to keep the car for a while, so depreciation is not a big deal but reliability is important im looking to buy in the next few weeks and take advantage of the slow economy i would appreciate any and all opinions thans for reading
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Replying to: ogurek (Dec 16, 2008 10:17 am) You say depreciation is not a big deal, but you never know how your needs may change, I'd feel better getting something that will hold its value better. As for reliability, the Mazda3 is well regarded. I hear good things about Hyundai all the time too. Now, the intangible - let's be honest, isn't the 3 just a whole lot cooler? It might cost a bit more than the comparably equipped Hyundai, but overall I find the Mazda3 to be the best looking and most enjoyable small car to drive and that's gotta be worth something. You know, zoom zoom, and all that. The other small cars that got my strongest consideration before I bought my Mazda3 were the Mitsu Lancer (great value for the money, good looks, and now with a more powerful 2.4 instead of the old 2.0), Subaru Impreza (good interior room, fun to drive, very safe resulting in cheap insurance, but too expensive when optioned out, and mediocre gas mileage), and Honda Civic (I liked everything about the Civic, but they don't wheel and deal on those things, so I saved about $2000 going with Mazda3 comparably equipped. Plus I'm not crazy about the looks of the Civic, especially in 4-door).
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Replying to: ahightower (Dec 17, 2008 6:46 pm) So why would anyone go with the Elantra? Here's a few points that IMO are in the Elantra's favor, beyond those already mentioned: * Standard ESC on the SE; not available on the 3i (but available on the hatch). * Roomier rear seat on the Elantra, if you frequently carry more than a couple of kids back there. * Smoother, quieter ride on the Elantra, if you travel over rough roads a lot. * Standard XM radio on the Elantra--might be extra cost if available on the 3i. I like both cars, and looked closely at both before buying a used car recently. But when looking at the used market, I found that the Mazda6 was no more dollars and usually less than the 3, and much more car for the money. Similarly, the Sonata is a much nicer car than the Elantra and costs no more as a slightly used car. So if you don't have to have a new car and you don't mind a larger can than the Mazda3 and Elantra, maybe look at a 2007-8 Mazda6i or Sonata GLS too.
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Replying to: ahightower (Dec 17, 2008 6:46 pm) i know that comparing a hatchback to sedan is not really fair, but id much rather get a mazda hatchback than sedan. more room for shopping, luggage or other stuff. i agree that the MPG difference is not huge, and probably the Mazda i models are better matched. but the hatchback is only available with 2.3 so thats that. im not really concerned about the 2010s, since i like the appearance less, and i wouldnt buy a first-year model of anything. as for depreciation, i think they hyundai will be affected more, since korean cars still have a poor reputation of quality or reliability. so the mazda wins there even though the initial cost is more. i agree the mazda IS cooler. the exterior has much better styling. the hyundai is rather inoffensive but i dont dig those cutesy headlights and high hips. all the reviews have praised mazda handling, while hyundai was called buick-like. i ruled out the subaru because of mediocre reviews. the only edge it really has is the awd. i also ruled out the civic because of the near-MSRP selling price. and i agree about the looks, although the 2009 face-lift is more appealing. the mazda and hyundai both offer more value than either of those cars. all this considered, i am leaning more towards the mazda. i guess im just trying to justify the higher price tag 
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Replying to: backy (Dec 17, 2008 8:08 pm) the models i compared both had standard: Braking Assist, Anti-Lock Brakes w/EBD, Traction Control, Stability Control, head and side airbags (according to edmunds) so i guess they are matched on safety features. as for room, i estimate most of the time ill be driving by myself, so room in the rear seat is not a big deal. but that is a pro for elantra. it is important that that the front seat is roomy since i am on the tall side. yes, im pretty sure the elantra will offer a softer ride. i live in NJ and there are plenty of potholes. that is a plus in the elantra column. i did read a lot of complaints in this forum about alignment problems, so that has me worried though. i dont care about satellite radio. i listed to cds and now plan to listen to mp3s, since both cars can play them. both also have auxiliary input jacks. some other pros for elantra: i like the heated mirrors, actual car alarm and not just engine immobilizer, trip computer, remote trunk release, overhead console... i do remember reading that the 6 can be bought for less or similar to the 3. i dont know why though. i guess the 3 has a 'cooler' image. i would prefer a small compact car. i think its easier for parking (smaller size and turning circle) and has more agility. im thinking new car cause i like the peace of mind. mazda 6 is not offered as a hatch and the sonata was redesigned for 09, so both have strikes in my book. i realize that in terms of getting more 'car' the midsize cars offer a better value. but if you think about it the small cars are not really that much smaller that the midsize. the wheel base of a sonata is only 3 inches more than an elantra. |
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Replying to: ogurek (Dec 17, 2008 9:50 pm) Also FYI the Sonata was not "redesigned" for 2009, it was merely a mid-gen refresh. But the refresh has a lot of improvements over 2008, including a new interior, retuned suspension and steering, and a 5AT on the I4 with more power (more power on the V6 also, with better FE on both). 2009 GLSes with AT can be found around $15k before T&L, about the same as a best price on the Elantra SE or Mazda3i. I am not sure where you read about a lot of alignment problems on the current-gen Elantra. I haven't seen them and I follow the Elantra discussions here closely. There were problems with "wheel shimmy" on the previous-gen Elantra, almost always rectified with a proper tire/wheel rebalancing. The 2004-8 Mazda6i hatchback is a very nice car, if you can find a certified car with a lot of warranty left might be worth considering. I almost bought one of those, but went with a used 3-Series instead.
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Replying to: backy (Dec 18, 2008 8:23 am) While I wouldn't go so far as to say that the SE version of the Elantra was "Buick-like", I will also say that it cannot hold a candle to the handling of the Mazda3 i Touring; the difference is very apparent when performing a back-to-back test drive between the two. Best regards, Shipo
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Replying to: shipo (Dec 18, 2008 8:30 am) |
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