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Rabbit vs. Matrix....vs. whatever

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The vibe/matrix is compact built on a Corolla platform. the Fit Versa Yaris Kia rio5 Aveo are sub-compacts.
I bought a Versa, but if I wanted larger Mazda 3, Focus Wagon, Subaru, Vibe all would have been cars I'd have looked at.
 
vibe or caliber. a friend has a dodge caliber, its seems like a really nice little car with a lot of space in it.
 
Originally posted by: herm0016
vibe or caliber. a friend has a dodge caliber, its seems like a really nice little car with a lot of space in it.
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Have you gone for a ride in it?

The base price on it looks nice, but I don't think it comes with A/C.... which would pwn my face in south florida.
 
yea, i have been in it quite a few times. his has a/c, the cooler thing in the glove box, and the Boston sound system. It rides really nice and you can fit 4 guys in it without a problem. it also has nice trunk space, the seats fold nice too. he has yet to let me drive it though 😛
 
Originally posted by: herm0016
yea, i have been in it quite a few times. his has a/c, the cooler thing in the glove box, and the Boston sound system. It rides really nice and you can fit 4 guys in it without a problem. it also has nice trunk space, the seats fold nice too. he has yet to let me drive it though 😛
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Let's not forget the ocean of rockhard cheap Chrysler plastic. I don't even group how cheap Chrysler interiors are with the other two domestics. They are in a world of their own crap.

The Caliber doesn't even fit in this equation IMHO. Not great fuel economy and Chrysler reliability....

Test drive the following:

Honda Fit
Nissan Versa
VW Rabbit
Pontiac Vibe (if used) or Toyota Matrix (if new)
Mazda 3 if you can afford it...they are kind of in a pricing class on their own
Ford Focus ZX3 or ZX5
 
The Nissan is probably the best value...although not the best gas mileage. If I was buying one though, I'd go for the Rabbit or the Mazda 3.
 
Originally posted by: JDub02
Originally posted by: toolboxolio
Ok, I am getting turned onto the mazda 3. But only a 3 year warranty?

Worth it?
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3 year warranty? I bought a mazda6 a year ago and the warranty was 4 years. 😕
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If the OP lives in Washington state, apparently a law was passed prohibiting the years to be a factor in a car warranty (or so my car dealer said). So now, the warranty for my sister's car (I didn't get the new car 🙁) lasts until 150,000 miles.
 
everyone is all hot for the Mazda3. I like it, but I'd stay away from the 2.3L if you are really concerned with reliability. The 2.3L is a Ford engine. Not bashing Ford, just saying.

Also, $15000 isn't gonna buy you much of anything new. I assume you are looking at used?
 
The matrix is nice. Based on the corolla, so a good engine/platform in my opinion with good gas mileage and very versatile cargo area.

EDIT: Mazda 3 is nice, but I just don't think it'd last as long as the matrix and well, the mpg sucks ass for that size car imo. Impreza is nice, but he'd have to wait for the 08's for the hatch, and at least it has an excuse for the bad mpg (awd).
 
Originally posted by: dmw16
everyone is all hot for the Mazda3. I like it, but I'd stay away from the 2.3L if you are really concerned with reliability. The 2.3L is a Ford engine. Not bashing Ford, just saying.

Also, $15000 isn't gonna buy you much of anything new. I assume you are looking at used?
Click to expand...

The Mazda3 is a product of Ford Europe. The platform is a joint venture between Volvo (S40), Ford-E, and Mazda.

The Mazda3 is based on the European Ford Focus, which is one of the best cars in the world, and is rated higher than Toyota and Honda by a wide margin in the European markets.

The only difference between the Mazda3 2.0 and 2.3 engines is the pistons and crankshaft. The 2.3 has a longer stroke and a larger bore. Both engines are incredibly reliable. The only downside is fuel economy in the 2.3L, because it is tuned for "zoom zoom" and is larger than any of the other engines in the class.

All Mazda3's are built in Japan.

The Mazda3 consistently rates as one of the best models in it's class for performance, reliability, and value.

Dollar for dollar you get a LOT more buying the Mazda than you get with a Honda Fit or Toyota Matrix.
 
I wouldn't even consider the Matrix (new or used) when the Vibe is essentially the same car and if new comes with a better warranty. The name on the outside doesn't change anything.
 
The 1.8L I4 base in Vibe/Matrix requires a hearty foot on accelerator to have good pickup. Going to hear it when you mash on it, unlike a nice V6 or V8 with power in reserve. Gets the job done though. Vibe GT (discontinued for 07) has stock turbocharger installed though, much better response. Can also add a supercharger to the base I4. Check out GenVibe.com or MatrixOwners.com for opinions and info on either, can get a good sense of issues and pluses/minuses. There's a good thread in Genvibe with what people can fit in it. 8ft ladders, massive grills, 36" TV, add a trailer with ORV's, 1500lbs cargo, full size water heater in box, etc.

Here it is: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5887&page=1

The Mazda's have been looking really nice lately though, definitely get some test drives in.
 
Originally posted by: iversonyin
SUBARU WRX hatchback 2008 HOTTTTNESSS
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FUGLY

the mazda 3 is one of the better looking hatchbacks i've seen and i'm not a great fan of hatchbacks. i've test driven a manual one (krunchykrome must've driven an automatic one) and its power wasn't bad. i wouldn't go with the matrix.

test drive them and go with whichever one feels best
 
Originally posted by: Scouzer
Originally posted by: herm0016
yea, i have been in it quite a few times. his has a/c, the cooler thing in the glove box, and the Boston sound system. It rides really nice and you can fit 4 guys in it without a problem. it also has nice trunk space, the seats fold nice too. he has yet to let me drive it though 😛
Click to expand...

Let's not forget the ocean of rockhard cheap Chrysler plastic. I don't even group how cheap Chrysler interiors are with the other two domestics. They are in a world of their own crap.

The Caliber doesn't even fit in this equation IMHO. Not great fuel economy and Chrysler reliability....
Click to expand...

let me quess, you have not been in one? there is a lot of plastic just like any other car in this class. i personally like the interior of the caliber, its not fancy and it gets the job done. there are a lot of nice detail things included in the interior. My friend has had no problems with his car from day one. he got it about 9 months ago.
 
I personally drive a matrix and I would recommend it over any of those other cars... I have an 04 xrs. I think the new matrix design is too reserved and they can look pretty boring without the ground effect package. If you pickup an 05+ you can always switch back to the original bumper style (and I highly recommend it although some people prefer the new style... ew)

I think the vibe is hideous.. as is the caliber. VWs = reliability issues. The Mazda3 is the only other competitor but I think it's out of the price range.

Only problem I have ever had with my car is the xrs's come with an inferior clutch (same one used on the 1000lb lighter Celica)... so it wore out quickly but I have a good dealer who was able to take care of me... Most guys just spend the 300 on an aftermarket clutch and can convince their dealer to replace it since they go out anywhere from 20-45k miles.
 
I'm going to add another vote for the Vibe. It's identical to the Matrix mechanically, but still gets hit with more depreciation because it carries a Pontiac badge.
 
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