Used 2012 Mazda3i Touring: 5k miles for $16k or 41k miles for $13k?

[JEDI]

Both cars were rental cars.

5k miles for $16k at Carmax:
http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car...2-8628-484e2c4997eb&Ep=search:results:results page

41k miles for $13k at Enterprise car sales:
https://www.enterprisecarsales.com/car/200435/2012_MAZDA_MAZDA3_i_Touring_Sedan_4D


the 5k one is probably still under the manufacturer's 3yr/36k bumper to bumper warrenty.
But why is it only 5k miles for a rental?!


This car will be used as my daily commuter to replace my 2005 Mazda3i (200k miles).

Which would you choose?
or something else?? WHAT?

 

[Ferzerp]

Fleet does not automatically mean rental.

 

[tortillasoup]

Did you give up on the car already? You haven't even gotten to the difficult part yet... Man you're a stubborn fuck!

 

[JEDI]

Did you give up on the car already? You haven't even gotten to the difficult part yet... Man you're a stubborn fuck!

I'm learning towards the 41k miles one at Enterprise.
but it's listed as Last Chance meaning it'll be off the lot soon.

so I either spend time with trial and error in fixing my 2005 mazda3i or buy the 2012 mazda3i.

and what difficult part?!

 

[toronado97]

Maybe a stupid question but with the 2015's out, is it possible to pick up a used 2014 Mazda 3i anywhere? I feel like 5k miles for 16k is a no-brainer, but at the same time it wouldn't take much more to put you into the new gen which is a far superior vehicle in every single facet.

 

[Tuanies]

Couldn't you get a new 2014/2015 3i similarly equipped for not much more? The 3rd Gen gets better gas mileage, has a better interior and overall driving dynamics. Imo that's worth the cost to buy new. Plus you can be the first person to fart in it.

 

[tortillasoup]

Couldn't you get a new 2014/2015 3i similarly equipped for not much more? The 3rd Gen gets better gas mileage, has a better interior and overall driving dynamics. Imo that's worth the cost to buy new. Plus you can be the first person to fart in it.

I agree, if OP is going to buy a new car, he should get the Sky-activ models otherwise it's not going to be any different from what he currently has now. I think he should spend a little more time working on his car before giving up. If his car lasts a year or two more, then he can save a bit of money on the newer replacement car.

 

[toronado97]

Just a quick search on Cars.com for 2014 model year used Mazda 3's in the US. There's two Tourings on there for under 15,000, both very low mileage. Absolutely no idea where they are in relation to you, but if these are out there I'm willing to bet there's more to be found, and honestly for the upgrade in vehicle quality I'd consider renting a car and making a trip to drive one of these back over picking up a 2012. Just my opinion.

Edit: Nevermind, I had a search parameter input incorrectly. There's actually hundreds of these available for what you're looking at with the 2012's, and you could probably knock the price down a little more through negotiation as well.

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...efined&prcId=28577&searchSource=GN_REFINEMENT

 

[JEDI]

I agree, if OP is going to buy a new car, he should get the Sky-activ models otherwise it's not going to be any different from what he currently has now. I think he should spend a little more time working on his car before giving up. If his car lasts a year or two more, then he can save a bit of money on the newer replacement car.

2012 mazda3i Touring also has the skyactive engines

 

[JEDI]

Maybe a stupid question but with the 2015's out, is it possible to pick up a used 2014 Mazda 3i anywhere? I feel like 5k miles for 16k is a no-brainer, but at the same time it wouldn't take much more to put you into the new gen which is a far superior vehicle in every single facet.

Couldn't you get a new 2014/2015 3i similarly equipped for not much more? The 3rd Gen gets better gas mileage, has a better interior and overall driving dynamics. Imo that's worth the cost to buy new. Plus you can be the first person to fart in it.

Just a quick search on Cars.com for 2014 model year used Mazda 3's in the US. There's two Tourings on there for under 15,000, both very low mileage. Absolutely no idea where they are in relation to you, but if these are out there I'm willing to bet there's more to be found, and honestly for the upgrade in vehicle quality I'd consider renting a car and making a trip to drive one of these back over picking up a 2012. Just my opinion.

Edit: Nevermind, I had a search parameter input incorrectly. There's actually hundreds of these available for what you're looking at with the 2012's, and you could probably knock the price down a little more through negotiation as well.

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...efined&prcId=28577&searchSource=GN_REFINEMENT

is the 3rd Gen w/skyactive engine that much better than the 2nd gen w/skyactive engine?

the reason for buying used is that it's cheaper and someone else paid the depreciation.
(I bought my 2005 mazda3i new.)

 

[cbrsurfr]

2014 by me for 16K: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...[MAZDA[MAZDA3[]][]]&listingId=388304608&Log=0

 

[JEDI]

2014 by me for 16K: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...[MAZDA[MAZDA3[]][]]&listingId=388304608&Log=0

interesting.. for the 3rd Gen, the lower 3i Sport models have the skyactive engine.

for the 2nd Gen, you needed to go one step above and get the 3i Touring.


edit:
seems like ALL 3rd gen mazda3's come w/the skyactive engine.
still, I need cruise control so that rules out the base 3i SV model.

the 2014 3i Sport has cruise control but steel wheels. ugg... losing hubcaps due to potholes.

3i Touring has cruise control and alloy wheels but do I want to pay that much more just for alloy wheels?

 

[Tuanies]

I sold my stock wheels and tires off my 5 for $180. Oem wheels in smaller sizes are easy and cheap to come by off CL.

 

[michal1980]

brand new 2015 for under 16k. but you have to use mazda finance

http://www.fitzmall.com/Inventory/Detail/0919718776882/NEW-2015-Mazda-Mazda3

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Brand new one for less than $18k. Wouldn't bother with the used ones to save 1 or 2k, that's silly.

 

[JEDI]

brand new 2015 for under 16k. but you have to use mazda finance

http://www.fitzmall.com/Inventory/Detail/0919718776882/NEW-2015-Mazda-Mazda3

thx but its a base 3i (no cruise control) and an manual.
hm.. but the website has lots of other Mazda3's! THX!

Brand new one for less than $18k. Wouldn't bother with the used ones to save 1 or 2k, that's silly.

but the 2012 mazda3i touring w/41k miles is only $13k.
$5k cheaper

 

[tortillasoup]

thx but its a base 3i (no cruise control) and an manual.
hm.. but the website has lots of other Mazda3's! THX!




but the 2012 mazda3i touring w/41k miles is only $13k.
$5k cheaper

and is a crappier car with worse fuel economy. Think about it this way, you wait 3 months into next year and you'll have a bigger discount on a decent vehicle like a 2014 model. Your car should last that long if you actually bother to do some basic repairs. Why is it so difficult to listen to advice like use a colder spark plug?

 

[toronado97]

Do yourself a favor and go drive the refresh of the Mazda3. It's a COMPLETELY different vehicle. The 2010-2013's aren't even on the same planet. The build quality, interior quality, fit and finish of my 2014 3s GT are best in class right now. I'm not directly comparing them, but it gives the impression of a European car like a BMW 2 series or something, rather than a Toyota econobox which is what the older Mazda 3's felt like, in spite of their sportier stance. The 2010-2013 also offered the Sky-Active engine starting in 2012 I believe, but the 2014 model was the first to pair the transmission with the engine, rather than using their older transmission technology mated to the new engine design in 2012. Just test drive and post results.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Do yourself a favor and go drive the refresh of the Mazda3. It's a COMPLETELY different vehicle. The 2010-2013's aren't even on the same planet. The build quality, interior quality, fit and finish of my 2014 3s GT are best in class right now. I'm not directly comparing them, but it gives the impression of a European car like a BMW 2 series or something, rather than a Toyota econobox which is what the older Mazda 3's felt like, in spite of their sportier stance. The 2010-2013 also offered the Sky-Active engine starting in 2012 I believe, but the 2014 model was the first to pair the transmission with the engine, rather than using their older transmission technology mated to the new engine design in 2012. Just test drive and post results.

Don't the new Mazda 3's have 'skyactive' bodies as well? Ultrahigh tensile steel is used to increase stiffness and reduce weight.

 

[toronado97]

Don't the new Mazda 3's have 'skyactive' bodies as well? Ultrahigh tensile steel is used to increase stiffness and reduce weight.

Yes. The engine tech was done in 2012 but the rest of the tech was a bit behind, so they rolled out the all new 2014 Mazda3 with the whole package. I know the new vehicle has more horsepower, is lighter, gets better fuel economy, and still managed to ace IHSAA crash tests and get a 5-star rating and I believe highest rating in class.

 

[HitAnyKey]

Brand Brand new car or something in the $10k or less and bank the difference. Buying used to save $1K-$2K is just not worth it. Especially if you pay cash.

Have you considered any other brands? Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are great options and hold their value much better. Food for thought.

 

[T2urtle]

I dont like either options, carmax isn't normally far from the lowest dollar and well rental cars could be great cars or bad cars.

At 16k, new car would make sense to consider.

So you stated someone taking the hit on depreciation, you drove your car last car 200k and almost 10 years. I think you fully depreciated that car and will the next car, so it shouldn't be too much of a factor. If you were jumping cars every 3-5 years, then maybe.

When you talk depreciation, i think $$$ dollar cars that can be had for 1/2 price at 3 years old. Look at most 50-60k luxury cars, when off lease they can be had for a nice 28-36k. Those are great buys if they suit you.