Corolla or 3Speed?

[oiprocs]

I need to buy a car now that I will be commuting to school, 60 miles one way, so I definitely need to get something dependable. I thought I would be able to haggle a brand new Corolla for 12.5K, but those dealer pricks are stubborn as hell. I guess I didn't do enough research

I got it down to 13.9K, so I'm sure I could push it to 13.5K and maybe even lower. But now that I know what range I'm dealing with, I'm interested in the 3Speed as well. I thought it would be pricer than the Corolla, and it is, but not by as much as I thought.

Options aren't a big thing for me; I'll be commuting for 3 years, so I want good gas mileage, a reliable car, and good resale value should I end up getting a nicer car when I graduate. I know the Corolla has all 3, but I like the styling of the Mazda and the little bit more zoom it has.

Any thoughts?

 

[alimoalem]

i'm not quite sure on the 3speed's price but isn't it closer to $18k? that's signficantly more than the corolla so i wouldn't say it's exactly in the same price range as the corolla.

either way, if you can, i'd definitely go for the 3speed. i've driven the 3 sport and i liked it much more than any corolla i've driven so i'm sure the 3speed will be a huge step above a corolla.

if you'll be driving 120 miles a day, though, the corolla may be better in the long run. the corolla's milage should be a lot higher.

have you considered a 3speed that's 1 or 2 years old? it should be a lot cheaper.

EDIT: i like your username (i don't think 99.99% of ATers know what it means )

 

[Itchrelief]

Mazdaspeed 3 seems to not really match your criteria for good gas mileage. Not horrible, but you could do much better. At least you'll probably be doing mostly highway miles.

I think you need to stay on top of oil changes with a turbocharged engine, as well. Probably will be wanting to look into synthetic if it isn't already specified by the manufacturer, as I hear turbochargers can be hard on oil if you drive hard.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
i'm not quite sure on the 3speed's price but isn't it closer to $18k? that's signficantly more than the corolla so i wouldn't say it's exactly in the same price range as the corolla.

either way, if you can, i'd definitely go for the 3speed. i've driven the 3 sport and i liked it much more than any corolla i've driven so i'm sure the 3speed will be a huge step above a corolla.

if you'll be driving 120 miles a day, though, the corolla may be better in the long run. the corolla's milage should be a lot higher.

have you considered a 3speed that's 1 or 2 years old? it should be a lot cheaper.

EDIT: i like your username (i don't think 99.99% of ATers know what it means )

Haha, how nice to see someone actually understanding it.

Yeah, after looking at the prices, it doesn't seem likely that I'll be able to get either one without getting help with the money. However, I did check out the Versa, Fit, and Yaris, and I really don't think they are bad cars at all. I'm not really into the Yaris as much, but the Versa and the Fit both appeal to me, and a less costly. The Fit is around the price of a base Corolla except it has power/everything and some other features, while the Versa base has the standard stuff you expect from a low trim except it does have a 6 speed tranny. Definitely intriguing. I'm not sure how much people know about either of these two, but any help would be nice.

 

[evident]

i don't think you should be driving fit/yaris/versa on the hwy... it could get dangerous with whatever's on the road. I was thinking about these cars as well, as i'm in the same boat as you, i'm about to settle on a civic though, good luck and keep us posted on what you end up with

 

[Gibson486]

Isn't the 3speed $20k? I bought my 3s sport for 17.6k....so i would imagine the 3speed would be much more. The Corolla and that are in two very different price ranges. What's wrong woth the Mazda 3 i?

Just an FYI....buying a Corolla (manual) for 12.5k is possible. From what I have seen, teh car is just not selling as hot as it used to. Try getting quotes from dealers online and pit them against each other.

 

[mitaiwan82]

it's so weird to see the Mazdaspeed3 refered to as just "3speed"...I would've gone with Speed3 or MS3.

Originally posted by: alimoalem
have you considered a 3speed that's 1 or 2 years old? it should be a lot cheaper.

The Mazdaspeed3 is new for model year 2007, so there's not much of a depreciation in the used market yet. The car is on a totally different ballpark from the Corolla...way over the OP's price range of $13K. The invoice on a base MS3 Sport is ~$20K, so it's doubtful that you can get one for less than $20K out the door. The limited production run also hinders your ability to haggle...people don't seem to mind picking them up at MSRP.

 

[Tyrant222]

check out carsdirect.com and compare prices.

seems like your really undecided.

For compact cars i like:
Mazda3 S (156hp)
Civic (140hp)
Subaru 2.5i (173hp)
Cobalt SS (173hp)

I don't think I would look at the corolla. Its going to get redesigned next model year. Plus im betting it has no balls. Note that I like a compact car with at least some pep. All those cars are around 16-17k.

Im also not really into the sub-compacts. Too tiny to me with like 50% of drivers being HUGE suvs/trucks these days. Plus i think for little more you can get into a compact car that will have more space and similar fuel ecomony.

 

[NutBucket]

The Corolla is an ancient design, hence the excellent deals that exist for them. I'd go with a Civic as a commuter car.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82
it's so weird to see the Mazdaspeed3 refered to as just "3speed"...I would've gone with Speed3 or MS3.

Originally posted by: alimoalem
have you considered a 3speed that's 1 or 2 years old? it should be a lot cheaper.

The Mazdaspeed3 is new for model year 2007, so there's not much of a depreciation in the used market yet. The car is on a totally different ballpark from the Corolla...way over the OP's price range of $13K. The invoice on a base MS3 Sport is ~$20K, so it's doubtful that you can get one for less than $20K out the door. The limited production run also hinders your ability to haggle...people don't seem to mind picking them up at MSRP.

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume he meant a regular Mazda3, perhaps S trim level. He could probably get a Mazda3 i for around $14k or, depending on the dealer, a little lower.

 

[randomlinh]

Yeah.. a mazdaspeed 3 is MSRP 23/24, and going for more. and dammit, it's not a "3speed"... it's got 6 gears dammit

 

[ayabe]

Take a look at a Civic SI if you want something ~20K with good gas mileage that's also sporty.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Tyrant222
check out carsdirect.com and compare prices.

seems like your really undecided.

For compact cars i like:
Mazda3 S (156hp)
Civic (140hp)
Subaru 2.5i (173hp)
Cobalt SS (173hp)

I don't think I would look at the corolla. Its going to get redesigned next model year. Plus im betting it has no balls. Note that I like a compact car with at least some pep. All those cars are around 16-17k.

Im also not really into the sub-compacts. Too tiny to me with like 50% of drivers being HUGE suvs/trucks these days. Plus i think for little more you can get into a compact car that will have more space and similar fuel ecomony.

My GF has an '05 Corolla and I can confirm that it has no balls whatsoever, great gas mileage but painfully slow to accelerate on the highway - almost dangerous.

But I did used to hit the higways in my Suzuki Samauri with 69bhp with a top speed of 55mph on I-75. I would pretty much have to keep the throttle WFO to keep it at 55mph, though I could get up to 65mph on an extreme downhill. :Q

 

[DanTMWTMP]

corolla's coming out w/ a new redesign next year, and the 3 will the year after...so no, don't get either. Get the lower end civic to match all your criteria.

3speed is well over 20k btw.. I got my 3s 2.3 sport for around 17.4k (sticker..before tax/fees. OTD 19.1K). 3speeds sell really well, and most dealers won't sell it for less than sticker.

 

[dud]

shaytahn,

I too am shopping for a smaller car and have posted some interesting info here:

Buying a comapct car ...


I didn't consider the Corolla because it is so overpriced for what you pay.

Good luck ...

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
corolla's coming out w/ a new redesign next year, and the 3 will the year after...so no, don't get either. Get the lower end civic to match all your criteria.

3speed is well over 20k btw.. I got my 3s 2.3 sport for around 17.4k (sticker..before tax/fees. OTD 19.1K). 3speeds sell really well, and most dealers won't sell it for less than sticker.

Why would you not get a car just b/c a redesign is coming? i really do not understand why people say this.......

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
corolla's coming out w/ a new redesign next year, and the 3 will the year after...so no, don't get either. Get the lower end civic to match all your criteria.

3speed is well over 20k btw.. I got my 3s 2.3 sport for around 17.4k (sticker..before tax/fees. OTD 19.1K). 3speeds sell really well, and most dealers won't sell it for less than sticker.

Why would you not get a car just b/c a redesign is coming? i really do not understand why people say this.......

because if you wait 6 months you can get a vastly better vehicle for barely any more money.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
corolla's coming out w/ a new redesign next year, and the 3 will the year after...so no, don't get either. Get the lower end civic to match all your criteria.

3speed is well over 20k btw.. I got my 3s 2.3 sport for around 17.4k (sticker..before tax/fees. OTD 19.1K). 3speeds sell really well, and most dealers won't sell it for less than sticker.

Why would you not get a car just b/c a redesign is coming? i really do not understand why people say this.......

because if you wait 6 months you can get a vastly better vehicle for barely any more money.

how do you know it will be better and how do you know there will be no mark up? Also, he will have to wait a year and a few months, not just six months. Like everything else, if you always wait, you will not buy because something new is always around the corner.

 

[dud]

"because if you wait 6 months you can get a vastly better vehicle for barely any more money."

Not necessarily true. Case in point: Mazda dealers are practically giving away the Mazda 3I Sport right now because the '08 models are coming out. The '08 models are selling at MSRP while the '07s can be had for significantly less. I received a quote for less than $14K OTD (with 7% tax).

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
corolla's coming out w/ a new redesign next year, and the 3 will the year after...so no, don't get either. Get the lower end civic to match all your criteria.

3speed is well over 20k btw.. I got my 3s 2.3 sport for around 17.4k (sticker..before tax/fees. OTD 19.1K). 3speeds sell really well, and most dealers won't sell it for less than sticker.

Why would you not get a car just b/c a redesign is coming? i really do not understand why people say this.......

because if you wait 6 months you can get a vastly better vehicle for barely any more money.

how do you know it will be better and how do you know there will be no mark up? Also, he will have to wait a year and a few months, not just six months. Like everything else, if you always wait, you will not buy because something new is always around the corner.

i was under the impression that the resale value would drop a bit, but i could be wrong.

i mentioned a used speed3 in my first post at the top of the page. yes, it was a typo (thanks for noticing strk). i had a long day, my bad

i haven't driven a mazda speed3 yet but the MT mazda 3s was a wonderful drive. i drove an AT mazda 6 right after it (their MT mazda 6 would've taken 20+minutes to get out) and i thought the 3s was a lot better.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: alimoalem

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
corolla's coming out w/ a new redesign next year, and the 3 will the year after...so no, don't get either. Get the lower end civic to match all your criteria.

3speed is well over 20k btw.. I got my 3s 2.3 sport for around 17.4k (sticker..before tax/fees. OTD 19.1K). 3speeds sell really well, and most dealers won't sell it for less than sticker.

Why would you not get a car just b/c a redesign is coming? i really do not understand why people say this.......

because if you wait 6 months you can get a vastly better vehicle for barely any more money.

how do you know it will be better and how do you know there will be no mark up? Also, he will have to wait a year and a few months, not just six months. Like everything else, if you always wait, you will not buy because something new is always around the corner.

i was under the impression that the resale value would drop a bit, but i could be wrong.

i mentioned a used speed3 in my first post at the top of the page. yes, it was a typo (thanks for noticing strk). i had a long day, my bad

i haven't driven a mazda speed3 yet but the MT mazda 3s was a wonderful drive. i drove an AT mazda 6 right after it (their MT mazda 6 would've taken 20+minutes to get out) and i thought the 3s was a lot better.

the 3s is great. it drives even better once you have broken it in. Infact, there is only 3 things i do not like about the 3 .....

1. The air conditioner roars and and has this weird clunk sound
2. No that many small compartments (like a glasses compartment)
3. the six speakers system (non bose) suck...sorry, but they do not sound that good.

 

[oiprocs]

Wow, a lot more responses than I figured. I guess posts are more insightful if you wait some time, instead of the usual 5 second response time I see on ATOT.

After checking out prices, and driving some of the vehicles, I realized I don't have enough money to push in to the better car range. It's unfortunate, but I don't really have a problem with getting a used car. I'm looking at Accord's with roughly 50-75K miles on them, in the price range of 7K-9K, and I've found quite a few, so hopefully I'll be able to get one.

Thanks for all the advice!