YACT: Scion tC and Mazda 3 owners chime in.

[Aharami]

she's sick of her green 97 Nissan altima...well she's been sick of it for a while but this weekend got her thinking seriously of a new car. This weekend she had some problems with the altima. The problems were all fixed with a quick change of spark plugs, wires, and oil change, but that new car thought has already set in motion in her mind.

So she's considering either the Scion tC or the Mazda 3s (the 3i is cheaper, but doesnt really compare to the Scion), but leaning toward the Scion tC. Both automatic...I want her to learn stick, but she isnt willing

I've checked them out and,
-for the money, the Scion seems to come with more standard features than the mazda.
-she likes coupes better than sedans
-but coupes have higher insurance costs than sedans
-I priced out a tC and it came out to about 18K (from their website). The mazda 3s with similar options (moonroof, ABS) came out to 19K

Also i suggested she look into a certified 3s or a tC, but not sure if mazda or scion has a CPO program.

She/we havent test driven either as this is just a thought at this point. But I think we're gonna go test drive both in the upcoming week. So im just looking to get some preliminary feedback from you guys. Whcih do you have, and why did you buy it over the other. Did you test drive both when buying? What were the pros and cons of each in your opinion. Also how much did you get your car for?

I heard Scion has a no haggling policy, is that true?

 

[Koenigsegg]

It won't be easy to find a used TC..

 

[pray4mojo]

Yes it is true that Scion has a no haggling policy.

 

[CellarDoor]

If it were me I'd get the 3, they look a lot nicer to me. I'd also rather have a sedan.

 

[NFS4]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1644539&enterthread=y

 

[tami]

i'm a woman and i drive a 3s.

 

[freebee]

Originally posted by: tami
i'm a woman and i drive a 3s.

Same.

Except, I'm not a woman. And I dont drive a 3s.

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: freebee

Originally posted by: tami
i'm a woman and i drive a 3s.

Same.

Except, I'm not a woman. And I dont drive a 3s.

so then you're not the same after all!!!!!!!!

 

[Rent]

She won't consider a civic?

 

[aolj]

Wow, another one?

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: freebee

Originally posted by: tami
i'm a woman and i drive a 3s.

Same.

Except, I'm not a woman. And I dont drive a 3s.

lol

 

[intogamer]

tC's are fast ^_^

 

[aolj]

Originally posted by: intogamer
tC's are fast ^_^

I agree!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: intogamer
tC's are fast ^_^

You have a very poor sense of what fast is.

 

[tami]

i love how the 3s accelerates. it has great pickup. it's sexy.

 

[Rent]

Originally posted by: aolj

Originally posted by: intogamer
tC's are fast ^_^

I agree!

The tC is the poser car of this decade.

FWIW, my stock SVT Focus trashes any stock tC in any performance area.

 

[m2kewl]

tC - i ain't driving a ford

 

[intogamer]

Originally posted by: m2kewl
tC - i ain't driving a ford

hmmm I don't know but I saw a tC on 93... it was GOING!!!!
I don't think there were any mods... the guy was 30-37

also that bastard made a slick pass... boosted to around 75 on exit lane and took the space
:|

 

[GTaudiophile]

I have a Mazda 3S...and I'm a man...last time I checked...and it's a red one!

Then again, I have a Miata too

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: intogamer
tC's are fast ^_^

You have a very poor sense of what fast is.

or even quick for that matter...

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: Koenigsegg
It won't be easy to find a used TC..

thats what I figured. atleast not one thru a dealer. she doesnt want to buy private party...

Originally posted by: mribnik1
If it were me I'd get the 3, they look a lot nicer to me. I'd also rather have a sedan.

if it were upto me, id get the 3s hatch. I love hatches. But she doesnt want a hatch. she's probably at a 55/45 split between the tC/3s

Originally posted by: NFS4
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1644539&enterthread=y

saw that thread. got some good pointers from it. But wanted to create my own since she doesnt want hatches, so that rules out 3s hatchback and the civic SI.

Originally posted by: tami
i'm a woman and i drive a 3s.

nice! how do you like it? did you test drive the tC when you were shopping around? why did you pick the 3s over the tC? and if you dont mind me asking, how much did you get the 3s for?

Originally posted by: Rent
She won't consider a civic?

she wants a car thats peppy. I dont think the civic qualifies, except for the SI. but she doesnt want a hatchback. cuz i love hatches (look in sig )

Originally posted by: Rent

The tC is the poser car of this decade.

FWIW, my stock SVT Focus trashes any stock tC in any performance area.

I'd rather get the focus SVT also. But didnt Ford discontinue that car for this year? So fininding one might be tough. Also, not sure, but the SVT might be more $$ compared to the other 2.
either way, she doesnt want american :roll:

 

[43st]

Test drive both... she'll choose the 3. :thumbsup:

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: Aharami

FWIW, my stock SVT Focus trashes any stock tC in any performance area.

I'd rather get the focus SVT also. But didnt Ford discontinue that car for this year? So fininding one might be tough. Also, not sure, but the SVT might be more $$ compared to the other 2.
either way, she doesnt want american :roll:[/quote]

too bad about not wanting a focus - they seem like decent little cars that are somewhat peppy.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: Thera
Test drive both... she'll choose the 3. :thumbsup:

yea? both have 160 hp, the tC is about 100 lbs heavier, but has more torque than the 3s.

oh yea...and she wants me to mod her car once she gets it (with her money ofcourse)
so first thing im gonna do is stiffer suspension...

 

[vi edit]

Sell her your GTi and you get to buy the next gen one.



As for the original question, you can't go wrong with the 3s.