Which Mazda model should I get??!!?

Question

I am looking to get into a car.... now that gas prices suck!! I have been driving around a Ford F150 and its time to get something different. I have been looking at the Mazda3 and Mazda6, both cars are gorgeous. I have an 18 month old and I know that the 6 is more roomy but I also want a car that has some "get up". Something not to pricey (13,000-16,000) preferrably.. Any kind of Mazda model would work really not just the 3 or 6. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Well my mom got the Mazda3 and she is pretty happy with it. It is fairly roomy and gets good gas mileage.

Answer 2

Mazda 6 for sure b/c it has an avalible V6. Plenty of power there & it's roomy as you said.

The Mazda 3 provides the better mpg's overall. If you have a child, you know how tight the cash can be right now.

The Mazda 5 uses the same 2.3L 4 cyl that the Mazda 3 uses, but it has a bigger van like body with bigger doors. Because it's heavier, it doesn't get the same mpg's as the 3. But for trip & hauling stuff on a small scale, it's a good choice.

You could find an older Mazda MPV van. It came in 3 trim levels if I recall. The DX, LX, & ES. The ES was top of the line with leather, stereo etc... I attached a link to eBay that has an MPV for your consideration. They are good vans & can be had in the price range you mentioned. Look at Carmax, autotrader.com, & so forth to find some in your area.

For the price range you mentioned, I would go with a used Mazda6 (3 yrs old) or an MPV (3-4 years old). I have owned two mazdas in the past and co-signed for a family member on one. They have been w/o a doubt the best cars we have ever owned. I don't know why I get one & then get out of it a few years later. I should just get one & drive it into the ground.

G'luck.

Answer 3

I recommend you to look other brands! you never know what you can discover. The New Toyota Corolla is bigger, better, faster, a lot more beautiful, and is not very expensive! You have also a lot of options and Toyotas a very good cars!! Or you also can look at VW or Honda. Both are more expensive to buy and mantain but are very very good cars and have some models you may be interested on so as the Bora and the Civic. Back to mazda I would recommend the simpler 6... It is still very equiped is very nice looking and much bigger than the mazda 3. Yet the mazda 3's top end will probably have 1 or 2 aditional things than the midly equiped 6... It still is a better buy the mazda 6!!

One thing regarding fuel economy.... I've had plenty of mazdas till today and they are not as economic as Toyotas or Hondas... I think that is because they are quite heavier and the engines are not as efficient. Still Mazdas are EXCELLENT cars durable and are not expensive to mantain.

Answer 4

I say the Rx7 would be a nice buy. =] perferably the '86 model. =\

Answer 5

Per consumer reports:

Small car ratings:

1. Elantra SE Within your price range even new

2. Civic EX - probably not within your price range new

3. Mazda 3i - outside your price range new, but can be bought within your range if you are willing to haggle.

Since you have a child, I would not go with any mazda 3 model under the 2008.5 i touring value edition.  It has all the available airbags that the upgraded "s" trim offers. The i touring VE's invoice is a little over 15,500.  I would not - under any circumstances put your child in a mazda that does not offer the side airbags that cover the front and rear.  Their impact crash test results without the SABs are poor.  If you want used, you can probably find an "s" within your price range.  

The other safety feature that will be mandatory on all cars beginning in 2012 is traction control/stability control. Elantra se, the sporty civic si, and the mazda 3 "s" trim offers this.    

The Elantra se does not have the same "get up and go" that the 3 does, but it is still a nice car.  Plus a 2008 se maybe hard to find, but if you can, then you will be able to steal an awesome deal!  Due to your price range, you may have to sacrifice power for safety if you want new.  

Good luck!