A friend is looking for an entry level, first car. Safety and reliability (and price of course) is the main concern.

I think out of the three I'll recommend the Corolla. Not a big fan of the styling but it seems to have the best balance of safety, reliability, and price. Mz3 has the best styling imo but reliability and resale value is questionable. Civic....I don't know what to say, it's not good, it's not bad, it's not cheap for what you get.

What do you guys say?

 

I would have to agree, but I would swap the Mazda and Corolla. The Corolla is nice, but I find the engine over buzzy and the ride a bit...funny...I don't know how to describe it.

The Mazda 3 is a bit more expensive, but should be a quieter and more fun car (besides you can get it in a wagon if needed).

The Civic...unfortunately I'd have to agree. Resale is okay, but it's just....BLAH.

These are of course NEW CAR observations. You could go for a 1-2 year old car and still have the same choices (aside from the Mazda) and same some cash.

 

As a Civic owner, I can say that Honda really didn't keep themselves in a competitive position in the small car market. Look elsewhere.

I do like the Mazda3, and I don't know that I'd judge the worth of a car on its resale value unless you plan to dump it within a couple years.

 

Right. personally, I would pick the MZ3. The thing is, she doesn't have a stable income and she's still in school with an intership, so it's hard to tell how long she'll be keeping the car. That's why resale value will be a considering factor...

I know the natural reaction will be to think....then either not get a car or get a used one, but that's beyond my control.

 

haha yeah in that case I'd push heavily toward a used car to lower the chance of taking a beating on depreciation, but I also understand the appeal of having a brand new car -- and I know it's not easy to talk someone out of it once they make up their mind.

 

Drove a new corolla and civic back to back the other week. Before I would have said civic just cause it looks a little better than the corolla, but after driving it I was totally disappointed. Corolla was a much nicer car to drive- power, ride quality, comfort, etc. Wouldn't be surprised if the mazda was better than the corolla, but I'd say scion TC. The corollas price gets up there fast, past 16k with only a few options as will the mazda most likely depending on what she wants. Tc comes with everything at 16.5. Talked to the scion dealer and they said order whatever you want and the car will be on the lot in 2weeks.

 

Good call. I had forgotten about the Scion Tc.

 

If safety is one of your top priorities - I'd pick the Mz3 with the optional SAB/Side Curtains. Plus I like the HID option. I'm pretty sure neither the Civic or Corolla have Side Curtains.


PistonFan: who'd thinks Side Curtains are more important than resale value. Can't put a pricetag on safey.

 

as a former 2002 civic EX 5-speed..i can truly say..that civic is really a great reliable car. Although it does lack speed, it still can be a little fun car. It takes corner very well and has a amzing MPG. Plus you can't beat civic's resale value either! after driving 45,000 miles with NO problems, i still got $11,500 for it @ the acura dealership when trading it in with my TSX.

 

I say either the Mazda 3 or the Corolla, both are fairly sporty, anything but the aging Civic!

 

I like Civics, and think you can never go wrong with a Honda product.

But, the MZ3 is soooo much better than the other cars in this segment.

 

I think the Corolla is the best choice. Civic is just aging, it's got its qualities, but still, the Corolla offers more (biggest advantage is the Corolla's larger engine...less fuss to get up to speed). Don't know what an Mz3 is, pretty sure you mean Mazda 3. I think it's an amazing car, but reliability isn't proven, nor is safety (Civic and Corolla received 4-stars on the NHTSA crash tests; Mazda has not been tested yet).

 

isn't there a big diffrence in price with the mazda 3 and a civic? i think top of the line civic is around $16k..and mazda 3 is around $20k or so..

 

Actually, in the first 9 months of 2004 Civic was the best selling car in Canada. Corolla 2nd and Mz3 the 3rd. Resale value and realiability sure matter to Canadian people.

source:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/041112-2.htm

 

Civic Range = $13.6K - $18.9K ($17.6K TMV)

Corolla Range = $14.2K - $18K (Price out to similar Civic EX $17.3K)


Mazda 3 Range = $14.2K - $17.2K (Priced out to similar Civic EX $19.7K w/ added big engine, $18.3K without)

 

$18.6k for a civic?

i paid $15,800 for my EX~

 

Typo there son. $17.6K.

That's a 2005 Civic EX with manual and side airbags (includes destination). Obviously as the year goes by, the price will drop.

 

Agree with most of what you guys said

Seems like it's gonna be either Civic LX or Corolla LE (I'd say Corolla), similarly equipped Mz3i (power package+auto) is about the same cost as a 3s, which is like $17k. Damn I didn't know the Mz3 was going to be that expensive.... although if you get a loaded 3s it's a good deal, like $20k with leather, climate control, hid, etc.

and if I were her I would get a Scion tC like some of you guys said.... but I think 160hp 2.4l is too much for a new driver like her... Probably the 115hp SOHC Civic has the most suitable engine..

 

word, I would pick Tc over those 3

 

My fiance has a 2004 manual sedan. I drive it pretty regularly. Its nice for what it is but I can't stand how unbearably slow it is. It makes me appreciate the TSX more and more everytime I get in it. While I do say getting 35 mpg is nice but we've only had the car since May and we are already discussing trading it for something else.

She helped her friend at work buy a new Corrolla and she wished she had gotten a Corolla instead. I can't say much for the Mazda 3 except it seems like a nice car but you gotta pay alot to dress it up nice.

I'm with everybody else and look at the Tc. I love that car more and more every time I see it.