looking to buy a new car: help

[FlamesKickAss]

Hi fellow cpers,

I am looking for a new car. I am looking to lease i think. I have it narrowed down to a few.

Mazda 3 GT sedan, ford fusion, toyota corolla, or a saturn ion quad coupe, nissan altima

thoughts/opinions?

I am leaning towards the mazda right now

[Reaper]

Toyota anything. Top car maker in the world with a tonne of reliability.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Reaper makes a strong case about reliability.

I haven't had personal experience with any of those cars, but I have a few friends who own Mazda 3s and really love the car.

[metallicat]

You have Nissan Altima down there, but have you looked at the Sentra's? I just bought one three months ago, partly based on advice from this website. It is more along the lines of a Corolla, and cheaper than an Altima. Although, if money was not an issue, I too would choose Altima or Maxima over the Sentra.

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

You have Nissan Altima down there, but have you looked at the Sentra's? I just bought one three months ago, partly based on advice from this website. It is more along the lines of a Corolla, and cheaper than an Altima. Although, if money was not an issue, I too would choose Altima or Maxima over the Sentra.

money is an issue. there is an incentive program through my work for ford and mazda thats why I am looking that way. I'm not really a ford guy though

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

money is an issue. there is an incentive program through my work for ford and mazda thats why I am looking that way. I'm not really a ford guy though

Isn't the Mazda 3 really a Ford Focus?

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I'm currently in the market for a new car as well.

Have you looked at the new Mitsubishi Lancer? The GTS has all the bells and whistles for a relatively cheap price.

The Altima is a good choice. If you are concern about the price of gas, the 2.5 is a good choice. THe QR25DE engine used to be a headache, but has since improved leaps and bounds. If you're not too concern about 2 doors, I suggest that you wait for the coup.

I would not suggest the Sentra. I've been a Nissan guy for a long long time. I'm most familiar with the b14s and the b15s, especially the b15s with the SR20 engine. Awesome awesome cars. The specv had a ton of problems because of the QR engine (same one as in the Altima) when it first came out, but I wouldn't hesitate to get the Altima this year. This years newly designed Sentra seems like a step back to me.

ok...I'm just rambling now...

[Mango]

I drive a 2005 Mazda 3 GT. The folks at North Hill Mazda were nothing but friendly and helpful to me.

I love my car. It is decent on gas, but also has good acceleration. I don't really know much terminology when it comes to cars, but I've been nothing but happy with my purchase. Good luck in your search!

[Mango]

Originally Posted by fotze

I haven't been to happy with my service there. Had to bring it back numerous times and you can tell they have been not so truthful at times. Both keys don't work now.

Really? Yikes. I'm a little paranoid now. Thank you for the headsup. I'll PM you for more information.

[Fobby]

the mazda 3 IS a focus.. but not the North America Focus, its based on the same platform as the best selling Euro Focus and some Volvo.

I drive an 04.. nothing but good thing to say about it. Got a few of my friends to buy one as well.

[fredr123]

Just make sure you don't get one of the Mazdas they fished out of the Pacific.

I have a 2006 Mazda 3 GT sedan. It's pretty good but the back seat leaves something to be desired. With the baby seat in the back, the front passenger kinda eats his knees. Probably okay if you're gonna cruise with your shorty though. We got ours at Sunridge. They were awesome to deal with until after the sale was consumated. From that point forward it was pretty much what you'd expect from a car dealership. The only experience I had with North Hill was for the odd oil change. They were fine but how can you really screw up an oil change? The other Mazda place in town wouldn't give us the time of day when we went to their lot looking to purchase. They lost a sale that day. Pooh on them.

[itcrossedtheline]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

Hi fellow cpers,

I am looking for a new car. I am looking to lease i think. I have it narrowed down to a few.

Mazda 3 GT sedan, ford fusion, toyota corolla, or a saturn ion quad coupe, nissan altima

thoughts/opinions?

I am leaning towards the mazda right now

Check out my sale - car is in mint condition

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=41995

[Nuje]

Correct. The American Focus (and the first generation Euro Focus) was a different car. European Fords (mostly built in Germany I believe, COULD be wrong there) are regarded as very good and reliable cars. (Volvo S40 is where the platform originated BTW, some car trivia there).

Great cars those 3s, I just bought one (a GT hatch). If the Fusion is similarly priced, it's not bad. They did a bit of tweaking with interior materials, taillights, front end....mostly comfort and appearance things this year, but I definitely see the difference (almost bought an 06 until someone snagged it, and it wasn't as nice)

The thing is, I'd bet you'd be going between a Mazda 3 GT, and a base Fusion. The Fusion is bigger, but it wouldn't be as well equipped. The Fusion is identical to the Mazda 6 platform wise (probably tuned to be a little more comfort than handling). Test drive both in a highway like environment and see how they go at those speeds, whether or not they're comfortable.

The New Altimas I don't know a ton about (even though I also used to be a huge Nissan guy) But a few friends own the previous gen one, and neither of them have a beef with it.

About the Ion, it is mechanically a Cobalt, but costs less, and there are good reasons for it. The interior of the one I was inside once was nothing but plasticky. Not an extremely pleasant place to be. I personally don't like the Cobalt either, so I'd recommend steering away from the Ion, but do test drive it. If you like it, it may be a decent buy, as mechanically, I don't foresee any problems, but with that much plastic inside a GM, something's bound to break and annoy you a few years down the road unless they've improved substantially.

About service, if North Hill Mazda is bothering anybody, try Kramer (if it's not TOO bad a drive...which it likely is). I haven't gotten to my first service yet, but the purchase portion of the deal was top notch.

[Dynamic]

My gf just bought a 04 Mazda 3 and I was pleasanly surprised. Drives nice, quiet at cruisin speeds, and just feels like a solid car. The only thing is that it isn't as good on gas a I would of thought

I wouldn't go for a Corolla just yet because IIRC they are being redesigned for the 08 model year so maybe you might wanna wait. The 07's are a six year old design that needs a serious makeover, but they would be reliable I assure you.

[Hemi-Cuda]

i own a 05 Mazda 3 GT as well and love the car. haven't had anything more serious than a flat tire since i bought it and it's the perfect balance of performance/practicality/price. i have since done a couple of upgrades to my car (Injen cold air intake, Borla cat-back exaust) and for around $1000 the performance increase is incredible, AND those upgrades actually increase gas milage

the biggest thing for me though is that the 3 is very fun to drive. the others you listed don't even come close from my experience. don't know how big a part that plays into your purchase process, but i enjoy driving a lot more now than before i got this car (and with satellite radio even deerfoot gridlock is tolerable)

[The Yen Man]

My friend just bought a Mazda Speed 3, in fact I believe he is picking it up today. It's a little pricier, but I guess depending on what you want in a car, it's well worth it. My girlfriend has the Mazda 3 GT, and that thing's solid as a rock. Fun to drive and handles real nice.

If you can find one, the 2007 Civic SI (which I drive) is also a very fun car to drive, and I love it. The new Sentra Spec V looks pretty killer too.

I'm not a big Toyota guy, so I have no idea whether or not the Corolla's any good.

[Fobby]

ooo... the sentra spec v might be something to look at for best bang ... the new Si is pretty sweet too.. but closer to the price of the MS3.

I have AEM and Full mandrel bent catback... it does increase the gas mileage.. i get about 32mpg in the city!

[Burninator]

Mazda 3 GT Sedan

I own the same car. It's a 2006 that I bought last summer at Kramer Mazda. I got the GT sedan with the GFX package, the only options I didn't get were the heated leather seats and the cd changer. I very happy with the car. I've only a short time, but I've no problems and it's ran like a gem.

I did a lot of shopping around and a ton of research. I had it narrowed down to the civic and the 3, honestly everything else in the class didn't come close to those two cars. I chose the 3 because it had more options and features than any car for that price.

Things that sold me on the 3:
Automatic windshield wipers
4 disc brakes (civic had two at most trim levels)
2.3 L engine, good performance with decent gas mileage
Sunroof, stearing wheel controls and 17" wheels
Style, just a good looking car

Some of the downsides are; it has louder road noise than the civic, weaker AC system than the civic, backseats could be more comfortable, and it didn't have side air bags. All are pretty minor (except the air bags, that would have been an excellent addition) and it out classed every other car I test drove in performance, comfort, handling and ride.

After all the terrible domestic cars my family has owned I stayed clear of them all together. I wasn't impressed by the styling of the Toyota at all, and the Altima was out of my price range, and I thought the Sentra was bland.

If you are interested there is decent after market for the 3. Everything from performance parts to styling to electronics. Some of the items I have bought for my 3 are angel eyes, eyelids, shark fin antenna Ipod adapter (which comes with the '07 now) HID match fogs and high beams, and my personal favorite has been my HID low beams. I can see everything on the road, makes it so much safer for me (perhaps not the people in the on coming lane) and they look great.

So in my not so expert opinion I recommend the 3. I also recommend you pick the Lemon Aid guide to new cars (it gave the 3 a 5 out of 5 btw) it's an excellent resource for buying a new car. Give reviews and lots of tips about buying a new car. Enjoy your ride, whichever you pick up.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Nuje

Correct. The American Focus (and the first generation Euro Focus) was a different car. European Fords (mostly built in Germany I believe, COULD be wrong there) are regarded as very good and reliable cars. (Volvo S40 is where the platform originated BTW, some car trivia there).

I believe the North American Focus is one generation removed from the European one, just like the VW Golf's. Always one body shape behind. Fusion isn't bad, but styling is kind of blah.

Originally Posted by Half the people in this thread

I have a Mazda 3

Wow, it seems like the Mazda 3 is the "official vehicle" of CP...

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally Posted by fotze

I haven't been to happy with my service there. Had to bring it back numerous times and you can tell they have been not so truthful at times. Both keys don't work now.

Knock some displays over in there, too?