Suggest a new car under $30,000 or around $300/m

[Tyrant222]

Originally posted by: GoatMonkey
How about a Subaru Legacy GT? Pretty fast, available as an automatic, safe.

Im glad someone posted this, because I was reading every reply to make sure someone said it or id have to chime in. Anyway also check out the Altima V6 coupe while your at it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: Tyrant222

Originally posted by: GoatMonkey
How about a Subaru Legacy GT? Pretty fast, available as an automatic, safe.

Im glad someone posted this, because I was reading every reply to make sure someone said it or id have to chime in. Anyway also check out the Altima V6 coupe while your at it.

The only problem I have with the Altima coupe is that its basically a cheapened down version of the G35/37. By the time I add all the features and get it up to the features in the G35....the total comes out to $31,000. For a couple $1000s more I can just get a G35.

And dealerships are jacking up the price on the Altima couple now because its "hot"

 

[alimoalem]

why not an '06 G35? there's 2 in my area for $23-24k. one has 21k miles, the other has 27k.

there are other options out there but since this is one of the cars you want but you can't afford, it seems like a good option for you.

i checked craigslist btw

 

[TangoJuliet]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
why not an '06 G35? there's 2 in my area for $23-24k. one has 21k miles, the other has 27k.

there are other options out there but since this is one of the cars you want but you can't afford, it seems like a good option for you.

i checked craigslist btw

I'm definately looking for a CPO G35 right now. Infiniti offers a 6 year / 100,000 warranty on their CPO cars. Lexus has a 3 year / 100,000 and BMW has a 2 year / 100,000.

If I can't find a CPO G35 then I will look at the used car lots, craigslist, etc.

 

[TangoJuliet]

anyone else?

 

[mitaiwan82]

I second the used G35 idea. You can get a '05+ model (slight refresh) for less than 30k easily.

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: Strk
How about a Mazdaspeed 3?

The Speed6 is a all around better car, and can be had for about the same $$$ since it's not marked up like crazy at the dealers like the MS3 is. You get more HP, AWD, and no throttle games in 1st and 2nd gear.

sorry OP for taking this slightly OT:

MS3s are not marked up anymore. I was able to get a price of $24k OTD (about $500 off MSRP) for a MS3 Sport at a local dealership. I haven't driven a speed6, but the speed3 is a lot of fun when I drove one last weekend. The torque steer was not a problem for me. I also have doubts of the MS6's agility compared to the MS3 since it weighs 500 lbs more.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82
I second the used G35 idea. You can get a '05+ model (slight refresh) for less than 30k easily.

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: Strk
How about a Mazdaspeed 3?

The Speed6 is a all around better car, and can be had for about the same $$$ since it's not marked up like crazy at the dealers like the MS3 is. You get more HP, AWD, and no throttle games in 1st and 2nd gear.

sorry OP for taking this slightly OT:

MS3s are not marked up anymore. I was able to get a price of $24k OTD (about $500 off MSRP) for a MS3 Sport at a local dealership. I haven't driven a speed6, but the speed3 is a lot of fun when I drove one last weekend. The torque steer was not a problem for me. I also have doubts of the MS6's agility compared to the MS3 since it weighs 500 lbs more.

First off..couple of things. You got a MS3 sport, the lower end model, and you paid $24k. The MSRP for a sport is $~$23k, so I'm not sure how $24k is under MSRP. http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWe...lsMain&vehicleCode=MS3

I paid $25K for a loaded GT that stickers at $32k.

Anyway..both are great cars, and handle well. The Speed6 is heavier, but you are completely throwing out the stiffer chassis and AWD. In stock form the MS6 rides high, but with a couple of easy suspension upgrades, it can made much tighter/stiffer very easily if you want.

The Speed 3 also had a slightly detuned motor over the Speed6, and it plays throttle plate games in 1st and 2nd gear to limit wheelspin. From a stop, the MS6 will win every time because you get full throttle and total traction with the AWD. People who drag them (no idea why they do) consistently pull 1.6-1.7 60fts. From a roll the the MS3 would probably have the edge by a hair due to the weight difference.

All that being said...the MS3 is a great car. If they had AWD and weren't only offered in that hatch body style, I might have considered one.

 

[mitaiwan82]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
First off..couple of things. You got a MS3 sport, the lower end model, and you paid $24k. The MSRP for a sport is $~$23k, so I'm not sure how $24k is under MSRP. http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWe...lsMain&vehicleCode=MS3

I paid $25K for a loaded GT that stickers at $32k.

The $24K is the out the door (OTD) price, including TT&L + other fees. The price of the car would be right around $22K. The Grand Touring model is about $1700 more (according to MSRP), so I'll let you do the math there.

I understand you got a great deal on your MS6, because they weren't selling very well and Mazda put a lot of incentives on them. The 2007 MS6s do not have the huge price "drop" as the '06 models (although I just saw an ad in the local paper stating $5k off MSRP on all '07 MS6).

Like I said, I've never driven a MS6, so I can't comment on the differences in weight/AWD in acceleration. I have read somewhere, that out of the MS3/MS6/CX-7, the 2.3L DISI is best utilized in the Mazdaspeed3 (you probably disagree).

I do want to check out the MS6 sometime. I had no luck with test driving the speed3 (nor a Civic Si for that matter) at the dealership, until I found a friend of a friend who had just recently bought one. And he bought it without test driving it...a testament to the Mazdaspeed product!

 

[jlarsson]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

All that being said...the MS3 is a great car. If they had AWD and weren't only offered in that hatch body style, I might have considered one.

I got to test drive both back in December, and wound up purchasing the speed 6. I greatly enjoyed driving both cars, but ultimately, the styling (both internally and externally) is what decided it for me. I'm not saying the MS3 is bad, but I wasn't crazy about the hatch look either, and the fully loaded MS6 GT just has a very nice interior.

Looks like I got the same color as yours Insane3D, and the AWD certainly helps for these NH winters 🙂.

 

[TangoJuliet]

I am probably going to buy a 3 for my wife later this month early September. Just waiting for the other Labor Day sales to come out.

Mazda has 0.0% APR on the '07 models for 36 months. We were also looking at the new Sentra which Nissan is offering 1.9% APR for 36 months. Hopefully other dealerships will have a sale for 0.0 as well.

If we do go with a 3 then maybe I can get some sort of deal for myself. I really like the speed6 but its not automatic. I also would prefer to have AWD since my job is 24/7 and I have to drive in snow storms. I know this contradicts the G35....but I love that car.