Goin' car shopping next week, help we with my choices

[PeteyCPU]

I am going to be shopping for a new car next week and I have narrowed my choices down to this list (open to suggestions). I want to keep the price around 17,500 or less. I have contacted some dealers through the web. Only a hyundai dealer responded. How does this quote look:

I have both a 2005 and 2006 Black automatic Elantra GT 5-door with
Sunroof and ABS/TC in stock. Your cost on the 2006 is $15,746 and the
2005 is $14,792. Please let me know. Thanks

Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Excelsior]

mazda3

 

[MWink]

The Elantra is a great choice. I bought mine about 6 months ago and I love it. I don't think you can get a better car for the money. I would get the GT if possibe, but in my case they didn't have a GT that was close to what I wanted so they offered to upgrade a GLS that was close to what I wanted free (or give me $1000 off). After taxes, tags, and everything (no trade in or financing) I paid just over 14K. Here are the specs:

2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS Hatchback
5 speed manual transmission (which is apparently rare in the Elantra's, even moreso in the GT's)
Cruise Control
CD player + 6 speakers (I don't recommend this if you have a choice, the CD player sucks, doesn't even play CD-RWs)
Power sunroof (I initially didn't want this but I ended up loving it)
Fog lights (GT upgrade) (they help a LOT, even without fog)
Alloy wheels (GT upgrade)
Carpeted floor mats (GT upgrade)

Those are the non-standard features I got. Basically the only package option mine doesn't have is ABS/TCS which I didn't really want anyway. The only other thing I'd recommend is getting a cabin air filter. They have a slot for them behind the glove compartment but they don't come with one. You can get them for under $40. If you want to know anything else about the Elantra let me know.

 

[wasssup]

Out of those choices I'd go for the Mazda 3. Not sure what percentage (if any) are parts from Ford...

 

[JoPh]

dont buy a mazda 3. cause i just bought one. dont need more on the road

mazda 3 is like 95% japan built i think.

 

[PricklyPete]

If I were buying one of those you listed...I'd probably go for the Mazda 3.

I would probably prefer the Scion tC the most...but I don't think that is the style car you are looking for.

Also, the Mazda 3 I would probably end up buying would probably cost at the top end of the 17.5K you're wanting.

 

[Majunior]

I bought an Elantra GT, 5-speed manual, on August of 2001. I flipped 80000 miles this last weekend. Aside from standard maintnance (fluids, belts, bulbs, pads etc..) I haven't had to put any more money into the car. If anything, being that I used it as my STS Autocross car for 2 years, I beat on the car pretty hard.
I would recomend an Elantra to anyone interested. I love my hatch, and I haven't been bothered by reliability.

oh.. .check http://www.elantraxd.com forums for lots of Elantra oppinions.. you'll find me there as CaseyGT2001

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
mazda3

 

[PeteyCPU]

For those of you who said mazda 3, can you give me an idea of what you or others paid for your car? I just want to get another number to go in with besides the usual edmunds, etc... Thanks.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

The scion xA is butt ugly... worse then the xB.... go for the mazda 3

 

[sniperruff]

the elantra looks pretty good, and is a good value.

 

[IrocZman223]

I got a new mazda 3 in Feb. I have the sticker in my car and it says 19,500 or something like that. I would have to dig out the paperwork to see what I actually paid. It is the sport edition, bigger engine, moonroof, 6cd in dash, power, all that.

Edit: I have the sedan, don't like the hatch version

 

[cheesehead]

MAZDA3!
My dad bought one of those. He got the 5-door hatchback with all the goodies except the moonroof, including the larger engine. 17,400$.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: MWink
The Elantra is a great choice. I bought mine about 6 months ago and I love it.

Same here, had my Elantra GT hatch since March and I love it... being able to actually carry stuff in my car (thanks to the hatch) is awesome... When I got mine there were no Elantra GT hatches with ABS/TCS available, so I just got one with the sunroof. Didn't think I would use the sunroof that much, but now I can't live without it...

Dave

 

[PeteyCPU]

I'm going to get some quotes on the Mazda 3 soon (both sedan and hatch). Here is the latest quote I got on the focus hatch:

I did a search. The closest I could fine in Liquid Grey. Is auto,cloth,moon roof,6 disc and weather pkg. It list for 19340 and invoices for 18111. I'll do at least $100 under invoice. 1500 cash back available too.

Seems a little high, the 3 or hyundai would be a better value I think.