What car should I get this October/November?

[Azurik]

I need another car (will be under my company name, but will also use it for personal pleasure). Before you guys ask WTF the Mazda is in there when it isn't even close price wise to the other two... let me explain.

Money isn't an issue. I'm looking for balance in luxury, reliability, and performance, along with getting the most bang for my buck. Navigation is one thing I do require, and all three have that option. The Mazda will save me 10k+ I can put for other uses, and includes navigation so I added it in there as an option. Reviews by you and magazines are giving it the greens too.

Resale value/depreciation isn't a factor at all. I plan on keeping the car for about 8-10 years.

 

[imported_Mike]

TL or IS 350

 

[Koenigsegg]

How is money not an issue if you want to save 10k? Go with the Mazda then.

 

[RossMAN]

It depends on what's important to you.

Why not upgrade to the Acura TL? Sporty, luxury and a great bargain.

 

[imported_Mike]

The mazda shouldn't even be an option if you're deciding between an IS 350 and it.

Money isn't an issue. I'm looking for balance in luxury, reliability, and performance, along with getting the most bang for my buck.

I add G35

Should be

G35 vs TL vs IS 350

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Go drive them and decide yourself as much as possible

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: CheapArse
TL or IS 350

else it's the mazda. These choices are not comparable. if you want to save money get the mazda. if want a great car get the tl or is.

 

[Azurik]

Originally posted by: Koenigsegg
How is money not an issue if you want to save 10k? Go with the Mazda then.

I said it would save me 10k, I didn't say I needed to save the 10k. In my mind, it was a struggle between Acura and Lexus all along (once I found out what the new IS looks like) and then I found more info about the Mazda, and it looks pretty nice too.

ROSSMAN, stop changing AVATARS!!!

 

[RossMAN]

Also doesn't the Mazda 3:

Have better fuel economy?
Can use regular unleaded gas instead of premium?

 

[RichieZ]

you think the new IS looks nice? It looks too much like the scion tc for me

 

[redgtxdi]

Since you're considering Mazda's 3 series, I'd include the Mazda 6!!!!!!!! You'll get more car & *still* be under the price of the other 2.

 

[Azurik]

Before anyone says something about buying new, I know you lose a few thousand driving it off the lot... but in the long run, it doesn't cost me that much more.

Say if I plan to keep it for 10 years. Buying a car 10k more expensive would result in it being 1k/year more for better luxury. That's how I see it. Plus, at the end of this year, the Acura TSX is being revamped, the IS model is new, etc.

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Also doesn't the Mazda 3:

Have better fuel economy? approx 28 mpg on city/hwy mixed driving. Results then vary based on how well the car is built.
Can use regular unleaded gas instead of premium? Correct, manufacturer specs is 87 octane.

 

[zerocool84]

if i were you i'd buy the mazda and put the $10k i'd save into something like say SLI-7800GTX's

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: Azurik
Before anyone says something about buying new, I know you lose a few thousand driving it off the lot... but in the long run, it doesn't cost me that much more.

Say if I plan to keep it for 10 years. Buying a car 10k more expensive would result in it being 1k/year more for better luxury. That's how I see it. Plus, at the end of this year, the Acura TSX is being revamped, the IS model is new, etc.

By the way what happened to your xanga, and are you making a new blog? Hows your ebay enterprise going?

 

[sygyzy]

Mazda is a non issue. GET OUT OF THERE Mazda!

Acura has best navigation in the business. Before reading any reviews of the new IS, I'd pick it. I like the way it looks and just love Lexus and the IS300. I just couldn't bring myself to buy a car that has not been redesigned for 6(?) years. And of course after I bought my TSX, 2 months later they announce the new IS.

 

[Chrono]

IS350 baby

 

[moks78]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
It depends on what's important to you.

Why not upgrade to the Acura TL? Sporty, luxury and a great bargain.

..I agree. YOu get more for your buck. Features include voice recognition or activated commands for the DVD navigation, XM radio and your blue tooth cell phone. It has 270 horses which is good enough power although it's front wheel drive...which doesn't really matter unless you're a pure car enthusiast.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Money isn't an issue...

-Koenigsegg CCR

 

[Vegito]

The TSX is seriously underpower compared to a IS350.. as said its more like the TL

 

[GTaudiophile]

IS 350 is certainly the nicest (and most expensive) of them all. The Lexus and Acura are of course luxury brands that will have higher resale value in the long-term. In terms of overall fit and finish and long-term quality, the Lexus and Acura will most likely edge out the Mazda. While I have personally not driven the IS 350, I have driven the Mazda 3 (I own one) and the Acura TSX. The TSX costs around $8K more than a loaded Mazda 3S. The TSX has a better interior with far more standard luxury features. But the TSX is way under-powered and has a very soft ride with detached steering. The Mazda 3S MT is slightly faster to 60 than the TSX AT. The Mazda also has better skidpad results and braking I think.

I bought my MZ3 in January, and my decision came down to it for around $20K loaded or the Subaru Legacy GT Limited for about $9K more. In the end, I decided the MZ3 was good enough, would cost less to insure, would save me at the gas pump, and would allow me to bank $9K for grad school. So far, I have not regretted my decision.

The IS 350 would definitely be tempting if it came with a 6-speed MT. Since it does not, I would not even consider it.

In terms of bang for the buck, I don't think you can beat the MZ3. Now if the TSX came with a 250 HP engine for the same price, it might be a different story.

 

[DaWhim]

is350, I think they have the AWD verzion? rwd is not gonna be with in NH

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi
Since you're considering Mazda's 3 series, I'd include the Mazda 6!!!!!!!! You'll get more car & *still* be under the price of the other 2.

Mazda6 dosent have Nav, Hid's, etc....

 

[aphex]

I picked up a loaded Mazda3 back in April and i LOVE it!!!

http://aphexii.com/pics/mybaby.jpg

Black Mica Mazda3s
Auto
Black Leather
Navigation
6-Disc In-Dash CD
Sunroof
17" Wheels
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Side Sill Extentions
ABS
Side Airbags
HID Xenon

all for 20.9 + tax

BTW the nav ROCKS... Only one ive seen that allows you to enter a destination and use all its functions while driving.

As for Gas, i get 28-30 highway, 22-24 city.

 

[m2kewl]

outta those three,

IS350 > TSX > MZ3

for the '06 MY, the only difference btw the TSX and TL are the engines. honda put 15 extra horses on the TSX (215hp non-SAE net), but that'll still discourage some buyers b/c it's not a v6.