LuvMyTSX

I prefer the feel of the materials in the Accord over the Mazda. The Mazda is pretty good for the price range it's in, but the Accord is better. The dash lights in the Accord are also more pleasing to my eye....all the bright red in the 3 bothers me. Plus, he'd have a little more space for passengers and for carting stuff around. I assume this is the car he'll also have in college. He'll need space to bring stuff back and forth from school to home.

S14 n Tsx

S14 n Tsx

accord then.

LuvMyTSX

What? I don't like that much red, what can I say?

S14 n Tsx

I guess you don't like bmw's interior huh?

gocubsgo55

I have been comparing the Si and GTI for quite some time now. Although I like Honda and think the Si was fun to drive, I must say that the GTI was better in almost ALL categories. Even insurance is cheaper. Honda would not budge on their price, while VW gave us a GREAT deal on an 07. Actually picking it up right now.

I'd go with the Mazda 3.

LuvMyTSX

Haven't been in one, so I can't really say. But if it's too much red, or even worse, orange, then no, I don't like it.

Eoanou

Get him a Saturn Sky and call it a day.

mltk53

mltk53

ok hmm, another update. so heres our lil evaluation from what we know:
mazda s grand touring(w/ navi) is packed with plenty to enjoy for the same price as the accord ex coupe. accord for that price is just a pretty decently packed car but i think (i have no reference) the accord is better built? and the accord has a bit bigger engine and is stronger. does anyone kno the driving experience and further into the performance of these two cars?

03bl AC k CL

personally not a fan of the new styling but how about the 07 sentra? my sister just finally got rid of her 99 corolla crap box lol and picked one up... leather, bluetooth, keyless ignition... all under 20k... and i believe the se-r just came out which comes in 6 speed... not bad by any means in terms of bang for your buck... or why not a new altima 2.5 5 speed... not sure how easy the 4 cylinder manuals are to come by though

mltk53

^^we did consider the sentra at first, but the more we look at it, the uglier it looked. and the altima, he doesnt like how long it is(looks like a family car) and hes not a fan of the taillights

LuvMyTSX

I don't like them either. I think the new Altima looks like ass . I'd go for the Accord....it uses better materials and has a nicer feel than the 3. The 3 still feels like an economy car to me.

cheepung

I have both auto TSX and manual Mazda3. I spent more time with the Mazda service than the Acura service and i still love my 3. It is a very fun car to drive. imo, accelerate, stop, toss and turn better than TSX.

Moog-Type-S

Mazda 3 FTW

S14 n Tsx

I guess you won't like audis either.

LuvMyTSX

Eh, they're alright. The red seems much less glaring in them compared to the Mazda 3 for some reason.

S14 n Tsx

guess you don't like me either.

mltk53

gotta love the BLUE in our Acuras!

r3mix3r

I have a 06 Accord Coupe, and love it

mltk53

oh mann~ u guys are really makin it harder~haha i get all these comments that the mazda3 is great, great value too and how it is a lot more fun to drive compared to the tsx. but here we have annother accord praiser. i mean..dont get me wrong, i and more than delighted by all the inputs im gettin on the car decisions but mann~its really tough. hmm anyone know/have any mazda3 vs. accord coupe specs? like experience, joy, and other various mechanical numbers?

LuvMyTSX

Most definitely!

So, enough of our opinions I think. What does your brother like the best? He should go off of what HE likes, not what we like!

mltk53

well thats the thing, thats the dilema that he is havin and im trying to help but im in the same boat as him. I personally wouldnt kno which to pick either. he and i both like the mazda 3s Grand Touring and the Accord Coupe EX. basically, if we break it down, one(mazda3 w/ navi) has many features for around 23k and the other(accord coupe) has a bit more power and its a honda=P. soo, yea its pretty hard~

ShavedH22CL

I think the TC is an awesome car. My friend has a 06 and i think its very quick, handles well and looks good with a simple lip kit wheels and decent drop. There is a girl around here that drive a white one that is probably the cleanest modded TC i have ever seen. I would like to have her car. (i dont care its a girls car she knows how to mod and drive. boosted TC = Very Quick)

mltk53

^^ ehh~ neither of us are fans of the interior...just feels soo~what would u say...feels cheap!

LuvMyTSX

Well if it were me, I'd for the the Accord. Have him go on a few more test drives, that should help narrow it down.

bl^5

I say step back and look at the total cost of ownership. There is evidently a concern for price here as a pricepoint has been set. When I looked for cars I would do the following:

1. After coming up with a list my first stop before the dealership would be to my insurance agent. My first question would be what is the cheapest new car to insure and then I would give them my wish list and compare.
2. Gas Gas Gas. The most frequent money put into the car will be gas money. If there is going to be a lot of roadtripping (as most college students should do) get the car with great gas mileage. The end of the semester usually marks empty pockets, so help out your bottom line here.
3. Tires Although big rims and low pros can be nice they can wear out QUICK and cost big dollars to replace. Keep this in mind. - on a side note, you can usually go to discount tire and purchase road hazzard warranty on your new cars tires after purchase.
4. Where will he parking? Freshman parking at Universities is horrible and door dings are the norm, as well he may not see his car for weeks if living on campus.


All in all, if money is an issue, look at the big picture and know where the money will be going.

I too like the Mazda3 but the navi is NOT honda navi and it really is not as user-friendly (ie no touchscreen).

I would still lean towards a civic (I know it isn't an option) if the insurance wouldn't be to high maybe your friend will like the civic interior more with navi than without.

If he really likes the accord, I say find a used one with navi and just sit in it to see if he could live with a used car (it won't hurt to try).


OK, I'm done with ramble....

Edit: Replace friend with brother

RyeCL

that's just it. it is cheap. comes well equiped for under 17k. plus there is huge aftermarket for it.

wish i got a new car at 17. all i got was a $500 1969 plymouth...

mltk53

ive posted before, hes not into used cars. and insurance..both cars are not That different, just a couple hundred

S14 n Tsx

buy the god damn car already.

mltk53

LMfao I knooo! but deng it why does this have to be soo hard.

S14 n Tsx

this is your brother's car right? not yours..

mltk53

yea this is for him. he has a very similar taste in cars like me. he wants a decent power and interior/exterior designing.

S14 n Tsx

let him decide...

CLpower

well, it is cheap

mltk53

thats the thing though. he cant, hes bothering the crap out of me to tell him which ones better.

LuvMyTSX

Tell him this is not a life altering decision, for pete's sake. Tell him to go for another test drive of both and just pick with his gut instinct.

r3mix3r

Get an 07 Accord Coupe...Problem solved. Reliable, good on gas, looks nice...etc

cheepung

Tell him to get TSX. I bet you love your car. Forget Accord and the 3.

gdubb

Tell him he is lucky just to get a new car at his age, just pick one. All the choices listed are good cars.