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Best car to purchase for $18k or less? New or used...

M

MrsBugi

Platinum Member
Of the below cars, which is the best to purchase new for $18k or less?

What used car would you recommend in the same price range? Reliability, mpg, and reasonable comfort are key. Luxury, looks/sportiness/etc. not a factor.

Mazda3
$16,440
26 / 34 mpg
5 year 60 k warranty

Yaris sedan
$16,100
34 / 39 mpg
3 year 36 k warranty

Fit 5-door
$15,200
31 / 38 mpg
3 year 36 k warranty

Versa
$13,855
28 / 35 mpg
5 year 60 k warranty

Accent
$14,105
28 / 36 mpg
5 year 60 k warranty

TC
$18,390
23 / 30 mpg
3 year 36 k warranty

Are there any that you would strongly recommend against considering?
 
I'd say it's your choice between the Mazda3 and the Accent.... Doesn't the Accent have that 10-yr powertrain warranty? 😕 Or are you looking at just bumper-to-bumper?

EDIT: And you should be able to price a Sonata under 18K for the non V6 version, I think. If that's the case, I'd take a look at that and compare the drive between that and the Mazda3.
 
Originally posted by: Otaking
I'd say it's your choice between the Mazda3 and the Accent.... Doesn't the Accent have that 10-yr powertrain warranty? 😕 Or are you looking at just bumper-to-bumper?
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Just bumper-to-bumper at this time, thank you for your feedback. Would you choose one over the other?
 
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
Originally posted by: Otaking
I'd say it's your choice between the Mazda3 and the Accent.... Doesn't the Accent have that 10-yr powertrain warranty? 😕 Or are you looking at just bumper-to-bumper?
Click to expand...

Just bumper-to-bumper at this time, thank you for your feedback. Would you choose one over the other?
Click to expand...
Read the Edit above.. for me, its a tossup between the Sonata and the Mazda3. I would choose the Sonata, but the SO would prefer a Mazda3; she ended up buying the Mazda6 instead because she was able to price one for cheaper than a Mazda3. :Q

We paid ~16800 before TT&L for a new 2006 Mazda6 - pretty much barebones except it's an automatic and has an in-dasc changer.
 
Originally posted by: Otaking
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
Originally posted by: Otaking
I'd say it's your choice between the Mazda3 and the Accent.... Doesn't the Accent have that 10-yr powertrain warranty? 😕 Or are you looking at just bumper-to-bumper?
Click to expand...

Just bumper-to-bumper at this time, thank you for your feedback. Would you choose one over the other?
Click to expand...
Read the Edit above.. for me, its a tossup between the Sonata and the Mazda3. I would choose the Sonata, but the SO would prefer a Mazda3; she ended up buying the Mazda6 instead because she was able to price one for cheaper than a Mazda3. :Q

We paid ~16800 before TT&L for a new 2006 Mazda6 - pretty much barebones except it's an automatic and has an in-dasc changer.
Click to expand...

WOW, what a deal! Do you mind if I ask how your resourceful SO managed to price a Mazda6 considerably cheaper than a Mazda3? 2006? :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
Originally posted by: Otaking
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
Originally posted by: Otaking
I'd say it's your choice between the Mazda3 and the Accent.... Doesn't the Accent have that 10-yr powertrain warranty? 😕 Or are you looking at just bumper-to-bumper?
Click to expand...

Just bumper-to-bumper at this time, thank you for your feedback. Would you choose one over the other?
Click to expand...
Read the Edit above.. for me, its a tossup between the Sonata and the Mazda3. I would choose the Sonata, but the SO would prefer a Mazda3; she ended up buying the Mazda6 instead because she was able to price one for cheaper than a Mazda3. :Q

We paid ~16800 before TT&L for a new 2006 Mazda6 - pretty much barebones except it's an automatic and has an in-dasc changer.
Click to expand...

WOW, what a deal! Do you mind if I ask how your resourceful SO managed to price a Mazda6 considerably cheaper than a Mazda3? 2006? :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

You can get a Mazda 6 cheaper than some 3s easily, but you won't get a base model 6i cheaper than a base 3i. Looking at edmunds.com a 6i with an automatic is $20.5k and has an invoice at 19k. On top of that there's a $2000 incentive, plus another $500 if you finance through Mazda so you should be able to easily get it under $17k.
 
Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
Originally posted by: Otaking
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
Originally posted by: Otaking
I'd say it's your choice between the Mazda3 and the Accent.... Doesn't the Accent have that 10-yr powertrain warranty? 😕 Or are you looking at just bumper-to-bumper?
Click to expand...

Just bumper-to-bumper at this time, thank you for your feedback. Would you choose one over the other?
Click to expand...
Read the Edit above.. for me, its a tossup between the Sonata and the Mazda3. I would choose the Sonata, but the SO would prefer a Mazda3; she ended up buying the Mazda6 instead because she was able to price one for cheaper than a Mazda3. :Q

We paid ~16800 before TT&L for a new 2006 Mazda6 - pretty much barebones except it's an automatic and has an in-dasc changer.
Click to expand...

WOW, what a deal! Do you mind if I ask how your resourceful SO managed to price a Mazda6 considerably cheaper than a Mazda3? 2006? :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

You can get a Mazda 6 cheaper than some 3s easily, but you won't get a base model 6i cheaper than a base 3i. Looking at edmunds.com a 6i with an automatic is $20.5k and has an invoice at 19k. On top of that there's a $2000 incentive, plus another $500 if you finance through Mazda so you should be able to easily get it under $17k.
Click to expand...

That makes sense, thanks DeviousTrap. We look forward to test driving several models.
 
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
WOW, what a deal! Do you mind if I ask how your resourceful SO managed to price a Mazda6 considerably cheaper than a Mazda3? 2006? :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Hey, I did all the negotiating. She just sat there looking pretty. 😛

Oh, the car has the safety package as well - Side airbags.

It was pretty easy. Around here, the salesguy even said that Mazda6's will often sell less than Mazda3's because they're not as popular, and Mazda is willing to give a larger incentive for the Mazda6. Be sure to check your newspapers and all the normal car sites to see what dealer incentives and rebates exist.

But during the buying process, I first got a quote from a big dealer in the area where I pretty much said, "I'm not looking to buy today, and if you're going to offer me something, it's got to be $15k. That's my price." Of course, they tried hard NOT to let me leave, and they went down to $16.5K for a barebones Mazda6 with a spoiler.

I said, "thanks" and walked out to visit other dealers. I eventually found out that $16.5K was actually a pretty good deal, so at the 3rd dealer, there was a Mazda6, same color and everything, except it had the safety package rather than a spoiler, and we really valued the side airbags more. So I said, "We were quoted $16.5K for this car with a spoiler and no safety package. Will you give me this car (safety package, cargo net, auto, no spoiler) for $16.5k?"

After much deliberation, he said OK. But then the SO wanted a 6-disc in-dash changer, and I was able to talk him down from $500 to $350.

And that's pretty much it.. just remember to have patience when you negotiate, and always be ready to leave if they don't meet your [reasonable] price. 🙂
 
I've heard the Fit is a POS, so I'd just cross that one off your list to begin with.

I don't know anyone who has tried the Yaris yet, but the good fuel economy could be a boon for ya. But it's still hard to recommend a Yaris over a Mazda3 for the same price, better look, and better warranty.

I'd say go with the Mazda3 or one of the new 2007 Sonata's, if you don't mind spending an extra $2,000.00.
 
Originally posted by: AdamK47 3DS
All of your options are sad.
Click to expand...

"i dont need a fancy car. im not a egomaniacal bastard, not a ladies man, not a racer. im an old fart who likes to dream and work out. i want a car i can take into the woods (yes car...not an suv)."

😛
 
Originally posted by: Otaking
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
WOW, what a deal! Do you mind if I ask how your resourceful SO managed to price a Mazda6 considerably cheaper than a Mazda3? 2006? :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Hey, I did all the negotiating. She just sat there looking pretty. 😛

Oh, the car has the safety package as well - Side airbags.

It was pretty easy. Around here, the salesguy even said that Mazda6's will often sell less than Mazda3's because they're not as popular, and Mazda is willing to give a larger incentive for the Mazda6. Be sure to check your newspapers and all the normal car sites to see what dealer incentives and rebates exist.

But during the buying process, I first got a quote from a big dealer in the area where I pretty much said, "I'm not looking to buy today, and if you're going to offer me something, it's got to be $15k. That's my price." Of course, they tried hard NOT to let me leave, and they went down to $16.5K for a barebones Mazda6 with a spoiler.

I said, "thanks" and walked out to visit other dealers. I eventually found out that $16.5K was actually a pretty good deal, so at the 3rd dealer, there was a Mazda6, same color and everything, except it had the safety package rather than a spoiler, and we really valued the side airbags more. So I said, "We were quoted $16.5K for this car with a spoiler and no safety package. Will you give me this car (safety package, cargo net, auto, no spoiler) for $16.5k?"

After much deliberation, he said OK. But then the SO wanted a 6-disc in-dash changer, and I was able to talk him down from $500 to $350.

And that's pretty much it.. just remember to have patience when you negotiate, and always be ready to leave if they don't meet your [reasonable] price. 🙂
Click to expand...

You are quite the skilled negotiator! I wish we could take you along with us once we go out to make the purchase. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story and tactics.
 
Originally posted by: MrsBugi
You are quite the skilled negotiator! I wish we could take you along with us once we go out to make the purchase. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story and tactics.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'd be glad to go car shopping with yall. :beer:

If you have the time, I'd recommend going through http://www.carbuyingtips.com/ for some good reading. There are some useful tips in there, albeit over the top (and 😕 advertisy-ish) sometimes.
 
Originally posted by: RaistlinZ
I've heard the Fit is a POS, so I'd just cross that one off your list to begin with.

I don't know anyone who has tried the Yaris yet, but the good fuel economy could be a boon for ya. But it's still hard to recommend a Yaris over a Mazda3 for the same price, better look, and better warranty.

I'd say go with the Mazda3 or one of the new 2007 Sonata's, if you don't mind spending an extra $2,000.00.
Click to expand...

Get a civic EX Sedan $18,460...........with all the money you save is maintenance versus the Mazda it will end up being cheaper.......
 
Originally posted by: pray4mojo
Nice buy Otaking. I got my 06 Mazda 6i for ~16K OTD. Bone stock and MTX.
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Nice car 😉

The newspapers here advertise the 6i MTX for ~$15500 or so with the MAC (Mazda Approved Credit) $500 discount. Did you finance through Mazda? They gave me horrible horrible rates, and I have a pretty good credit score! :Q I ended up not taking the $500 discount because I would have had to pay several thousand more if I had financed with them.
 
If safety is a concern, base price on a Subaru Impreza is $18,295 and it has pretty good crash test ratings.
 
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