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Prius or Mazda3
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ValValline
Senior member
The Mazda3 tranny problems were for the older 4spd auto. The new 5spd auto is much better.
The reason the 3 doesn't get great gas mileage is because it is tuned for "zoom zoom'. It has an aggressive tip-in when you roll into the throttle and it responds very well for a 4cyl compared to the other cars in it's class. Drive with a light foot and you can get better mileage.
The reason the 3 doesn't get great gas mileage is because it is tuned for "zoom zoom'. It has an aggressive tip-in when you roll into the throttle and it responds very well for a 4cyl compared to the other cars in it's class. Drive with a light foot and you can get better mileage.
PricklyPete
Lifer
Have you done the math at all? There is no way that trading in your reasonably efficient SUV for even a PRIUS will give any real monetary benefit anytime soon...likely never as you'll get a new car before you make up the difference.
If you tricked your wife into letting you get a new car based on this "reasoning", that's cool and all...but keep the fantastic logic to just you and your wife.
If you tricked your wife into letting you get a new car based on this "reasoning", that's cool and all...but keep the fantastic logic to just you and your wife.
Ryland
Platinum Member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Have you done the math at all? There is no way that trading in your reasonably efficient SUV for even a PRIUS will give any real monetary benefit anytime soon...likely never as you'll get a new car before you make up the difference.
If you tricked your wife into letting you get a new car based on this "reasoning", that's cool and all...but keep the fantastic logic to just you and your wife.</end quote></div>
The math is mostly based on the fact that that I will be paying a car payment probably until I die and that the Tribute costs me approx $200/month in gas whereas a Prius would cost me about $50/month based upon the fuel savings. Trading my Tribute in is a wash (they pay me what I owe) and I can have the Prius paid off in 3-4 years.
I do agree that if I were to look at only the shortterm figures it would be utterly silly to do this.
Edit: My Tribute is also now out of warranty and is definitely going to need a new set of tires soon along with a $400 scheduled servicing.
I am not convinced at this point to bother getting a new car but the more info I can get the better (probably).
Have you done the math at all? There is no way that trading in your reasonably efficient SUV for even a PRIUS will give any real monetary benefit anytime soon...likely never as you'll get a new car before you make up the difference.
If you tricked your wife into letting you get a new car based on this "reasoning", that's cool and all...but keep the fantastic logic to just you and your wife.</end quote></div>
The math is mostly based on the fact that that I will be paying a car payment probably until I die and that the Tribute costs me approx $200/month in gas whereas a Prius would cost me about $50/month based upon the fuel savings. Trading my Tribute in is a wash (they pay me what I owe) and I can have the Prius paid off in 3-4 years.
I do agree that if I were to look at only the shortterm figures it would be utterly silly to do this.
Edit: My Tribute is also now out of warranty and is definitely going to need a new set of tires soon along with a $400 scheduled servicing.
I am not convinced at this point to bother getting a new car but the more info I can get the better (probably).
DanTMWTMP
Lifer
I have a Mazda 3 2.3, and I get about 28 MPG avg. Once, I did solely highway driving and get around 30-34 mpg (depending on how fast I want to go. I get 34 if I NEVER go above 70 mph.).
I have a pretty light foot though. I don't rev my car above 4.5k rpm often (only when i'm under road rage 😛, pass someone, or just launch for fun's sake). A lot of times, I wish I had a nice torqy sport compact..but I can't find any within my price range lol. Oh, and I drove SUV's most of my life before this car, so driving w/ torque and gas mileage in mind became habitual.
I get around 24-26mpg from city driving alone. I guess the California Mazda 3's are different because they lower the HP by 5 in the California model and do something to it to get that PZEV rating... oh and I try to avoid most stop-go driving. I know my area pretty damn well so that helps a lot in terms of fuel economy.
My car is a lemon though. I had to take it to the dealer 5 times to fix stupid fit/finish issues (rattling, fit and finish was not up to par as with my friend's mazda 3..etc). I guess my car being a dealer trade had to do something with it? not sure. Other than that,.. the car has no mechanical problems (it shouldn't! lol..i only have 12k miles on it).
I NEVER got below 24 MPG even w/ a heavy foot. The car's very peppy and responsive, and made my mom throw up when I tossed the car around the corners of So. Cal. roads hahaha.
I have a pretty light foot though. I don't rev my car above 4.5k rpm often (only when i'm under road rage 😛, pass someone, or just launch for fun's sake). A lot of times, I wish I had a nice torqy sport compact..but I can't find any within my price range lol. Oh, and I drove SUV's most of my life before this car, so driving w/ torque and gas mileage in mind became habitual.
I get around 24-26mpg from city driving alone. I guess the California Mazda 3's are different because they lower the HP by 5 in the California model and do something to it to get that PZEV rating... oh and I try to avoid most stop-go driving. I know my area pretty damn well so that helps a lot in terms of fuel economy.
My car is a lemon though. I had to take it to the dealer 5 times to fix stupid fit/finish issues (rattling, fit and finish was not up to par as with my friend's mazda 3..etc). I guess my car being a dealer trade had to do something with it? not sure. Other than that,.. the car has no mechanical problems (it shouldn't! lol..i only have 12k miles on it).
I NEVER got below 24 MPG even w/ a heavy foot. The car's very peppy and responsive, and made my mom throw up when I tossed the car around the corners of So. Cal. roads hahaha.
SearchMaster
Diamond Member
While I'm sure you're trolling, my FWD Japanese car just passed 160K miles, transmission is still running strong (knock on wood). I don't know personally of anyone with a Japanese FWD automatic transmission who has had to rebuild as early as 100K, though I've known three American car owners who have.
I'm not a Japanese car fanboy or an American car basher, but blanket statements like yours serve no useful purpose.
Ryland
Platinum Member
I need to find out what tax incentives there are for getting the Prius because that could make the entire deal (as long as the wife and I like the car). It looks like there is a $787.50 federal tax credit and my state MAY give 1% back and have to pay no sales tax on it which would save me about $1700 making the Prius even with the cost of the Mazda3 but without a moonroof.
theeedude
Lifer
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Ryland
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: senseamp
If you have to ask, get the Prius.
</end quote></div>
I am taking one out for a test drive tonight.</end quote></div>
It's probably better car for you. Personally, I love my Mazda3, but the kinds of people I recommend it to usually are more on the driving enthusiast side, and don't consider the Prius in the first place.
I get about 30mpg in my 3, BTW, 50/50 city highway. Light foot, Prius style driving. Actually, because of the short gearing, I often get better mpg in the city than highway.
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: senseamp
If you have to ask, get the Prius.
</end quote></div>
I am taking one out for a test drive tonight.</end quote></div>
It's probably better car for you. Personally, I love my Mazda3, but the kinds of people I recommend it to usually are more on the driving enthusiast side, and don't consider the Prius in the first place.
I get about 30mpg in my 3, BTW, 50/50 city highway. Light foot, Prius style driving. Actually, because of the short gearing, I often get better mpg in the city than highway.
theeedude
Lifer
Seriously, if you like driving fast into corners, get the Mazda3, no brainer. It's absolutely nuts fun in the corners. You can basically throw it into a corner at very high speed, and there is NO drama. It just does exactly what you want it to do. In fact, so little drama that my tires are bald with 20K miles.
exdeath
Lifer
Not picking on Japanese cars or trolling, its just typical and not unusual of FWD auto transmissions. Thats the reason I took the extra time to find my Camry in the rare 5 spd configuration. Not sure why though, maybe the small packaging and heat from the engine bay or something. I just know an fwd auto transmission overhaul at ~100k miles is pretty much a matter of when. Not a quality issue or anything, just a fact of life, probably the same thing with domestics too, just the imports are much more expensive.
theeedude
Lifer
Underpinnings are from an Echo class vehicle. Tiny wheels, tiny brakes, pathetic acceleration, narrow, suppository shaped body. If Prius wasn't a hybrid, noone would even look at it. My rule of thumb is I wouldn't buy a hybrid version of any car that I wouldn't want without the hybrid.
theeedude
Lifer
http://www.breitbart.com/artic...Q5TDNG0&show_article=1
Al Gore III, 24, was driving a blue Toyota Prius about 100 mph
Al Gore III, 24, was driving a blue Toyota Prius about 100 mph
thomsbrain
Lifer
more than the Prius! it's also quicker through the lane-change than a Corvette.
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