YACT: Choosing a car is hard

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PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
13,837
4
0
Hello ATOT,

I am looking into getting a used car. My current car is a 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass supreme. While she has served me well and fits the definition of "takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin", I fear she might not last much longer.

Anyway, here are the cars I am most strongly considering(although I have driven and looked into others)

Mazda 3s - Very practical car. Great gas mileage(would get the manual). Decent engine for the car size. This would cost approx. $14000 - 15000 for a used sedan model w/30,000 or so(rough estimate)

Mazda 6s - Only like the look of this car in the hatchback model with the sport package. The engine is more peppy than the 3, but its a much larger car and it feels like it when you are driving it. Obviously, the hatchback is nice with the trunk space. Not that great of gas mileage for a 6 cylinder engine. This car comes out to $16750 for the hatchback w/25,000 miles. This felt like too much to spend on "just a sedan" to me...

Mazda RX-8 - Yes, quite different from the other options. Obviously, the most "sports car" of these listed. Eats up gas pretty bad and takes premium. Cost is around the price of the 6 through a private individual. Most fun to drive(manual) and IMO the best looks wise. Cost is about $17,000. Could drive the Olds' in the winter.


Yes, that's a whole lotta Mazda, I know. I have driven the following:

Ford Mustang(pre-2005) - Crappy interior
Acura RSX Type-S - Interior design seemed "old" to me
Scion tC - Come cheap interior elements, but a decent engine
Saturns - bleh
Mitsubishi Eclipse(pre redesign) - Drove like a boat
Pontiac Grand Am - Nothing special

There's probably more that I just can't think of at this moment. If you guys could comment on my options and/or suggest others it would be appreciated.


 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Look into a VW? My wife got a '03 Jetta for 11k this year and it gets 30 mpg and runs great. Certified pre-owned as well.
 
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PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
13,837
4
0
Originally posted by: TruePaige
No VW GTI ? The Nerve. =D

Sounds like you already want a Mazda though.
Click to expand...

Fully open to trying other cars. I just think the mazdas tend to have a nice interior IMO
 
K

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
How old are you again? Have you checked insurance rates on those cars yet?

I remember shopping the 3s hatch, the 6 hatch/wagon rav4 and others such as that. I'm happy with my subaru legacy.
 
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PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
13,837
4
0
Originally posted by: Kelvrick
How old are you again? Have you checked insurance rates on those cars yet?
Click to expand...

21, I have only done a quick quote on the 3 which came to $1000/year I believe, I would have to check again
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,666
21
81
The Mazda 6s are fun cars to drive. I own a 07'. Pre 06's have horrible exhaust in case you cared. They are actually small sedans compared to the Nissan Altimas, maximas, and Honda Acuras.
 
T

TruePaige

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2006
9,874
2
0
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: TruePaige
No VW GTI ? The Nerve. =D

Sounds like you already want a Mazda though.
Click to expand...

Fully open to trying other cars. I just think the mazdas tend to have a nice interior IMO
Click to expand...

In that case check out the VW GTI's.

You can add the interior package and get dual climate control systems and leather heated seats.

I personally like the interior design too.
 
J

jackace

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2004
1,307
0
0
Originally posted by: Kelvrick
How old are you again? Have you checked insurance rates on those cars yet?

I remember shopping the 3s hatch, the 6 hatch/wagon rav4 and others such as that. I'm happy with my subaru legacy.
Click to expand...

I second the subaru cars. They all have all-wheel drive and get pretty good gas mileage. I'm an avid snow skier and outdoor person so I like the cargo space they offer as well.

The mazda cars are all very nice looking though. Don't think you could go wrong with either, but the insurance for an RX-8 could cost a small fortune.
 
A

alimoalem

Diamond Member
Sep 22, 2005
4,025
0
0
i actually like the mazda 3 and with a manual transmission it actually moves pretty well. when i went to the mazda dealership, they let me drive the stick mazda 3 but the stick mazda 6's battery was dead and they let me drive the automatic. the 3 was MUCH better imo. and yea, u do feel the size difference.

i'd check out the other cars people have recommended as well.
 
HeroOfPellinor

HeroOfPellinor

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
11,272
1
0
Originally posted by: TruePaige
Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Meh, I'd pick up a brand new pickup truck and lower it a little.
Click to expand...

Truck? 0.0
Click to expand...

Sure. My best friend growing up had one. Everytime we went any place, he and his girlfriend got to ride alone in his truck........any time more than two friends wanted to go some place, he didn't have to drive.......and the only cost was once or twice a year helping somebody move or something.

And there's the utility of having the bed. And I wonder if they aren't built fractionally more ruggedly because they end up being work-related vehicles a lot of times. Certainly not as agile as a sports car, but the ones I've driven have a lot of torque and light frames so they, if lowered as I said, can be a little zippy.

Plus, mostly, it's more original and iit would be brand new.
 
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Dudewithoutapet

Golden Member
Oct 10, 2005
1,854
0
76
Dude what do you want to do with your car? You talk about the trunk space of a hatchback but then you list a sports coupe as well.
 
meltdown75

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
i like my '03 Mazda Protege, but it's the old-style sedan. one day i hope to stumble upon some money so i can do something other than add an aftermarket stereo. wheels, tires, stuff like that. it's my little commuter :)
 
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