85iroc

We are been searching for a vehicle for my daughter for her university this september, our budget around max $10.000 and we really don't know what to get between these 3.....Any advise will be greatly appreciated.




Peace.

LuvMyTSX

Civic or Mazda3.

Both take regular gas and get decent gas mileage. Good for a college student. Plus, for $10k, you will only find an 04 TSX, which has some first year model issues that would be irritating and expensive for a college student to deal with. And it takes premium gas.

85iroc

Thank you for pointing out the gas type, i for got about that, and yeah tsx way expensive, i mean rsx.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Civic for reliability, M3 for driveability.

jangkai

Can't go wrong with a civic but I'd try the Accord as well. 4cylinder accords get decent mileage and is a bit roomier than the civic as well. You could probably pick up a nice 05ish Accord without leather (lx trim) for that price.

Will Y.

You might want to check with the insurance company to see if there is much of a difference in rates between the cars (esp. if a Civic coupe is a possibility).

JD23

I'd go with the Mazda 3. Like the Civic, it is reliable and gets good mileage, but it is far better looking (IMO) and more fun to drive.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I'm not too sure about the good mileage part, JD23. Several of my friends have Mazda3's and most of them are getting 11 to 13L/100km, or 18 to 21mpg. They aren't car enthusiasts and don't drive very hard. I would imagine I drive more aggressively than them yet I am getting better gas mileage than them in my TL-S. Even for 100% city driving, that number is still a bit too much. May be my friends are just unlucky? lol.

Dima1978

I have traded my 05 MZ3 hatch: wheel bearing noise starts at about 60K, still 3rd engine mount problems on prev gen(the one you are looking at)., depending on the car option will need winter wheels(the school is Canada right?). On the other side, it is very fun to drive, I mean it is like on rails. It has ellipsoids instead of reflector based headlights(they suck but hey-- it is a projector and looks cooler). In my experience MZ3 has been fun, hard driving -- hence, whining bearings. I have been lucky not to have a problem with the engine mount but you have to test drive the car: listen to the whining noise and moderate shaking at 45-65 mph(mount). Get a repair list from a Mazda dealer. IMO MZ3 is better choice. PS You'll need winter tires for most trims. Check out mazda3forums.com

Dima1978

Is it Mazdaspeed3? There was a fix in 2007 to increase MPG and to reduce fun but still I was getting 29MPG with 50/50 city to HWY ratio.

JD23

I have a Mazda 6 with the same 4 cylinder engine that is in the 3s. In the city, the mileage is not spectacular, but I get 30-31 mpg on the highway. I would assume that the smaller and lighter 3 should do at least as well. The mileage might not be as good as that of a Civic, but the 3s also has more power than anything besides the Si. I also think the 3 has an interior that is a step above that of the Civic.

Dima1978

Both cars are good cars. MZ3 is sportier, Civic is probably less maintenance hungry. PS MZ3's steering wheel is the best looking s.wheel out there. Come to think about, I think have purchased my mazda because of it. I miss it so much, i am going to cry like a girl.

S14 n Tsx

I will pick TSX over 3 and civic, great car. I never had an issue with my TSX.

off-topic..
you are 30, and have a daughter that is going to college?

sorry, I just had to ask.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

+1. That's exactly what I'm wondering?! .

Crazy Bimmer

I been driving my moms 08 Mazda3 for the past month till my car comes in.

Car only has 5k miles on it after a year of ownership but I still enjoy it. Great handling (im picky when it comes to that) and has a solid feel to it. Around city it has plenty of power to get around. Only complaint is its a turd on the highway.

Gas mileage is OK. I get around 23mpg in the city with a heavy foot.

I'd totally pick it over a civic though.

85iroc

Hahaha you noticed that, yeah i realize after a while supose 40 not 30, i tried go back to fix it but i couln't figure it out....

Thank for all the advise guys, my wife she like the look of mz3 and i sure like the rsx cuz its Acura........but we thought rsx too fancy for a girl student and the insurance might be up high.......And yes she will be in Toronto Canada for school.

The mz3 and mz6 do they have any thing to do with Ford like engine, tranmission, electrical ect......or are they still original Japan made?. I don't really have good impression with ford, well it's just me lol....

Thankz again guys, peace.

85iroc

I know the title said tsx but i mean rsx punch in wrong like 30 instead of 40 lol...tsx would be out of the question i'll pick tsx in no time ........sorry for the mistake.

Eggplant-EX

Lots of decent cars for that price. I like Craigslist for looking. Here is one...

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/cto/1231947689.html

Haelous

I personally would go with the RSX, but I had a 98 Prelude throughout college. It was an awesome car.

A 4 door Civic is more practical and will give better insurance rates, but the RSX would probably make her happier if she has any interest in cars at all.

Happiness vs practicality is an eternal debate when it comes to vehicle purchases.

bl^5

This is the best advice yet! More than likely the insurance will be as much or more than the car payment. At this age (female under 21) your best bet is to get advice from your insurance agent on cars that are cheap to insure and role from there.

Has she had her first accident yet?

JD23

The 4-cylinder engines in the 3 and 6 are both Mazda engines, not Ford. The 6 is assembled at a joint Mazda/Ford plant in the US, while the 3 is assembled in Japan. If you check sources like Consumer Reports or JD Power, both are rated as having good reliability. I know that my 6, for instance, has been at least as reliable as my parents' TLs.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

PM an admin (Scrib, Ron A, or Astro) with the correct birth year and they can update it which will automatically update your age.

Or you can click "Your Account" across the top, then on the left under "Your Profile", click "Edit Your Details". Then change your privacy option to something that does not show your age and you won't have to worry about it even showing how old you are

85iroc

I just did , can't change the age but remove thankz man.
peace

gdubb

We have an 07 Civic LX and 08 Mazda3 hatch 2.3

Civic close to 40 mpg
Mz3 close to 30 mpg
both on mixed driving

Civic is a great commuter
Mz3 is a decent fun car to drive

We both think the 3 is more comfortable as far seats and long distance drving

The 3 is also quieter on the road as well

For me I would choose the 3 but you really cant go wrong with either.

Moog-Type-S

3 ftw

Derk's K24

Normally I would also side with the Mazda 3 because I sell em. However in this area at least Mazda 3's around the $10K range are almost non existent at times. Reason being is that they first came out in 04 so there arent as many available as the timeless Civic. Also people love the cars to death and dont trade them in because they're just as reliable as the big brands, better looking in most peoples opinion, and less expensive with more bang for your buck. So if you can find a 3 within or close to your budget snag it otherwise of course the Civic is no slouch as a second option.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

i don't know why, but i just love rsx.

shrykhar

Mazda3 hatch. Decent driving dynamics, ability to carry lots of crap, decent passenger space for road trips. Civic's not bad either, but I like hatches.

RSX (disclaimer: I drive one) is MUCH less practical (cramped interior, long doors, crap back seat, high trunk liftover, shit turning radius, bad rear visibility), plus you don't want her catching the mod bug and spending all her time/money on it while in college.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Lol none of my friends have MS3's...haha

I guess my friends just do more city driving, and perhaps that's the price they have to pay for that extra performance with the 2.3L engine. I have driven them though, and they are fun to drive. I think they have great throttle response.

JD23

You do know that I was referring to the Mazda 3s, which has a NA 2.3L engine, not the Mazdaspeed 3, right? The Mazda 3s and Mazda 6i shared the same 2.3L NA engine. I'm not sure if you thought I was talking about the Mazdaspeed 3.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

lol, my first sentence was for Dima1978 because he asked "Is it Mazdaspeed3?"

Don't worry, I know you have been talking about the normal Mazda3.

85iroc

Still looking for a vehicle for my daughter......Found a 2005 RSX, ~66,000 miles, $10,500 (see link) and spoke to the seller today. Seller said it's accident free and has a lien. Should I be concern with the lien and how can I confirm that it's accident free (seller is not first owner)? How will I know if it's a good buy i.e. listing price? First time buying a vehicle from a private seller in the US, any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the responses!!!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb