The wife wants a Mazda 3. The 5 door model. Thoughts????

 

Great small car. I think the 5 door actually looks better than the 4 door,

Gets great reviews and until the civic/corolla go through their next makeover it really is the best small car out there. And you can get a Nav

Good choice on her part

 

I feel the same way. I like the car..I just naturally wanna hesitate a bit and get some opinions before buying a (Dare I say) MAZDA.

But the car comes well equiped, enough horsepower and it's kind of a wagon, which will come in handy taking the dogs to the dog park.

Thanks for your input.

 

For what its worth my uncle has had his for about a year and is very happy with it. No problems to report.

Forgot to add that in above

 

those cars catch my eye everytime they go by. Great lookin car. They get good reviews, too! Plus....you can get NAV in em' ...wow.

 

I'd stay away from the Mazda automatics... those have reliability issues... but the 5spd's are still Japanese built and bulletproof.

 

I'd be more inclined to the Mazda 6, but the 3 would make a good wife's car...

 

Wait to see what the 06 Civic has to offer

 

Nice car. Check the crash rating though.

 

Think we are going to make this happen this weekend. I too am a died in the wool Honda Guy...but she LOVES that mazda 3. Oh well.

 

Will do.

 

The Mazda 3s seems like a nice little car. Have you considered the Mazda 6 wagon or hatch as another option (just thinking if perhaps you're looking for a larger car). Also, I agree with that it might be worth your while to wait and see what the new civic has to offer, though I don't know if you can wait that long since the wife is the one who wants the car...

 

yes, but we want to keep under $20k And she doesn't like teh Civic.

 

I was looking at getting one a little while back. I test drove it and I really liked it, and the price is not bad at all.

The 5 door looks sooo much better that 4 as well.

 

Couple of my lady friends drive it. They are solid.

 

i personally like the four door. Either way its sharp looking ride - my neighbor has one and loves it. I like the fact that it has some "big car" options - i.e. Navigation, and Leather. I also believe that the platform has received some positive reviews and it also underpins the nxt gen focus.

There might me a MazdaSpeed option down the line.

You mentioned your wife didnt like civics. Has she seen the NEW civic (2006)

 

Its a great girl car, go for it

 

This has to be the first post I've seen killer post that is actually car related.


I was gonna suggest the new civic when it comes out, but if it has to happen this weekend, 3 aint bad, I suppose.

 

i test drove it when i still had my civic...

i would take my old civic over the 3~just my

 

However, all those options wind up making the 3 a pretty expensive proposition (i.e.: very close to TSX territory).

 

i test drove the mazda3s 5door before

i liked it, thought about getting it for the gf

 

I am a second gen cls whore.

 

A Mazda3 with leather, navi, xenons etc. isn't that close to a TSX in price. I priced a Mazda 3s 5dr with those options and it came out to $23,595 MSRP. A TSX without navi starts at $27,760 MSRP.

 

2005 Mazda 3 SP23 (Navi, Leather, SP23 Sec Pkg, Moonroof, Spoiler, 4AT) = $24,745 (MSRP & TMV)

2005 Acura TSX (non-Navi, 5AT) = $27,560 (MSRP/TMV)

With a price differential sub-$3,000, I'd say that my term 'approach' (used in my orig post) is FULLY applicable in this circumstance.

 

The 3 is the best small car bar none. Its an amazing vehicle for the price. Great fit and finish, options galore but even without, its fun to drive. It also looks very good.

It was the only non luxury car I remember checking out at the auto show.

 

It still isn't that close in price and if you add navi to the TSX it widens the price gap even more if you're looking at the navi option on both cars. BTW you can get a 3 close to invoice dunno about the TSX.

 

Not according to Edmunds (ref: SP23 Mazda 3, not a 3i). That's www.edmunds.com . But the point by Vishnus was that the 3 has a good equip option pkg (which it does) but, it does get pricey.

 

Yea, I agree the Mazda 3 does get pricey when you add in those expensive options that are typically found in higher priced cars. And I was using the 160HP S model as a comparison, which you can get one with xenon, navi, leather, SAB, auto dimming mirrors, etc for $23.5K MSRP which is more reasonable. The SP23 is a special limited edition same as the S but with Bose radio and SIRIUS satellite radio, heated seats, auto sensing wipers, auto headlights, etc and it's only available in one color.

 

^ yeah but you can also get a mazda 3/6 for invoice (or less). cant do that with a tsx.

 

I really like the mazda 3 but got TSX. I bought my 04 TSX for 24.9K and it was pretty close in price with the 3. No regret.

 

It beats the hell out of the current Civic. And the new Civic is too far off to even speculate about. I'd say pull the trigger if you can stand the color of the interior lights.

 

I'm still rubbing my eyes to make sure...

Delete: Navi, Leather, SP23 Sec Pkg, Moonroof, Spoiler, 4AT

Add: Xenon TPMS Package, Anti-Lock Brakes/SAB/SAC Package

= $18,956 including destination in Motown. Not too shabby...

If the wifey can drive a manual, me thinks this is a pretty sweet ride for $19 gizzle.

 

At that price level, the choice is quite clear.

 

 

Sub $20K for a new car, I would look at the Scion tC

 

The people I share my garage with have a blue Mazda 3s fully loaded. Very, very nice. I still prefer two door cars though.

 

Drove it last month and honestly loved it. I think its a great buy. Dont forget is a snob too

 

driven it? I thought it was horrible.


IMO

 

The interior of the tC isn't all THAT great ... unless you're a sellout to Toyota in the national media. The features list is decent though.

 

Yup, but is was an auto.

And if you don't like it now wait until the TRD supercharger comes out