Specifically Mazda 3's and 6's. I'm looking to pick up a new or 1 or 2 year old fuel efficient 4-door, 4 cyl car. I've been mainly considering a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, but was wondering about Mazda's offerings. I've noticed their resale value is a lot less than Toyota or Honda. People want so much for a used Honda or Toyota I might as well buy new.
I have considered a Miata, but I think it would suck in winter and I'd regret the lack of utility.
(This would be a souless, fuel efficient daily driver that I put gas in and change the fluids.)
Full Version: Opinions on new Mazda's?
My friend has a recent Mazda 3 and loves it. It's been trouble free, gets good mileage, somewhat fun to drive and reliable. I had a Mazdaspeed 6 and it was reliable, quick, only fair on fuel (turbo/AWD) and roomy. I'd buy either one of them. I also had a 2002 Protege 5 wagon, it was under powered, good mileage and a fun car on back roads...did I mention under powered? 
I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.
I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.
MazdaSpeed3. We have a couple of people who autocross them regularly, and use them as DDs, and love them. Hey, a 13-second FWD 5-door can't be bad!
The Ford Fusion is basically a Mazda 6 in bad clothes and their resale is pretty abysmal, especially for a 4cyl/manual.
Malibu/ fusion. Ford and/or GM really need our help and are building some great cars.
We just put a brand new Pontiac Vibe in our driveway. My mom is the one driving it and it's averaging 30mpg. It's just the base model but it doesn't sound like you need anything fancy. Maybe you can get on deal on a Pontiac since they shut down? I think it's the Toyota Matrix that is almost the exact same thing as a Vibe. I think the only reasons we went with the Vibe were because the seats were more comfy and it is an American product.
As far as utility is concerned... with the back seats folded down I recently fit 4 18x10.5 wheels with tires on them and 2 extra tires in the back with some room to spare. My dad has put a motorcycle frame, wheels, gas tank, and some plastics in the back when he was bringing it home from the painter.
As far as utility is concerned... with the back seats folded down I recently fit 4 18x10.5 wheels with tires on them and 2 extra tires in the back with some room to spare. My dad has put a motorcycle frame, wheels, gas tank, and some plastics in the back when he was bringing it home from the painter.
QUOTE (matt f @ Dec 7 2009, 03:20 PM) 
Malibu/ fusion. Ford and/or GM really need our help and are building some great cars.
I'd love to buy a GM, but they don't make anything that compete fuel efficiency wise. It looks like I'm going to end up with a Corolla LE.
QUOTE (Racing Geek @ Dec 7 2009, 04:19 PM)
We just put a brand new Pontiac Vibe in our driveway. My mom is the one driving it and it's averaging 30mpg. It's just the base model but it doesn't sound like you need anything fancy. Maybe you can get on deal on a Pontiac since they shut down? I think it's the Toyota Matrix that is almost the exact same thing as a Vibe. I think the only reasons we went with the Vibe were because the seats were more comfy and it is an American product.
As far as utility is concerned... with the back seats folded down I recently fit 4 18x10.5 wheels with tires on them and 2 extra tires in the back with some room to spare. My dad has put a motorcycle frame, wheels, gas tank, and some plastics in the back when he was bringing it home from the painter.
As far as utility is concerned... with the back seats folded down I recently fit 4 18x10.5 wheels with tires on them and 2 extra tires in the back with some room to spare. My dad has put a motorcycle frame, wheels, gas tank, and some plastics in the back when he was bringing it home from the painter.
My father in Law just purchased a Vibe two months ago. It basically meant he could get a Toyota for a rock bottom price. I might look at the last minute and see if any are still on dealer's lots.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.