Well, I am really sorry if I am being the ultimate ignoramous…but I cannot figure out how to post a question and recommendations for a late model used car to buy…is that ok for this site?

I’ve enjoyed reading the reviews. I’d appreciate any guidance :)

thanks

kiva

Actually the car shares the same platform as the Mazda 3 and the Volvo S40/S50, but I think it is a much nicer car (although a tad more boring).

Also over here in Europe we have the Ford C-Max and the Kuga on the same platform. Wouldn’t those also fit for the US Market I wonder?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_C-Max
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Kuga

I’ll go back to the Boxster again. Here’s a story. My neighbor bought a new MX-5 recently. His jaw dropped when I told him that for half the price of his Miata, I bought a 99 Boxster. That man has not stopped thinking about what could have been, if he had only taken the time to investigate used Boxster prices before buying the Miata.

My point is that sure, the Miata is a nice car. For the money, I’d pick a lightly used Boxster every time.

Same with the MS3. Sure it’s nice for the money. Even if you dismiss the Civic (my preference), then I’d still pick a lightly used 3-series over this car. Heck, I’m seeing some pretty affordable lightly used C6’s here in Michigan which wouldn’t be too much of a stretch from a new MS3. So if I would pick other cars over this MS3, how can I say that it’s the best car available for sale today, then?

The Mazda is the most original on the entire list.

The rest is there purely for competition…

Not to mention, Bimmer’s service rep isnt good eenough to in my eyes for a taste of their stuff.. specially when the good stuff only gets good after 45..

And it doesnt even have a hatch.

Not to even mention.. that their cars are heavier and ya honestly cant use the 3 series Bimmer to compete with a 1 sized car… For 5-8g less..

What I dont also understand is..
Since when do ya need do drop 40-50g to get a car that ya can DRIVE?!

I think the Mazda3 has it over the others for soo many reasons. Heck, bring the Civic hatch SI to the US and ya’d have the same comparision. Same goes for the R32.

And when people buy the expeniv cars.. do they think they are enthusiasts… or just rich guys driving cars the rest of us cant afford.. (like this damn dingleberry up my street, with a Cayenne Turbo).

Inaddition, take the Audi, the GTR and the Caddy out for their sheer expense. The Caddy starts at about 35, with 4 wheels and a set of seats ya lookin at 35-40g. The rest is a rock’s throw from there.. int he dept of 70-80g. And in the market of the downfall of the SUVS.. the only one that has any ability to move anything (either put a smile on ya face or a xmas tree in its chute..
Is the MAZDA!)

Yes, I am aware of it.

But in defense of the “bloated” Accord, a 7th generation V6, 6 speed Accord outruns a Volkwagen R32 with ease. It also outhandles a gaggle of front wheel drive Audis. The 8th generation coupe is even faster still and a better handler.

Also, Honda has available upgraded suspensions for the Accord (A-Spec line) that gives the Accord a finer handling edge.

Ive seen that car do SCCA races and with ease. Its the porker that is the US Accord that makes me crazy.

Id also like to add that its getting to the point over at BMW that their cars just arent made to do the kind of driving that one would do.. when they initially thought to buy.. a B M W.

It used to be that ya buy a decent sized sedan and ya pay 25-28. Now that same sedan has gained weight and makin ya pay 35 for a stripped model and 40 for a decent version.

Forget the V8 M3.. for about 60.

But I do agree,
MY lonesome Accord often gets the short end of the stick in enthusasist circles..

The car can do pretty amazing things, if you know how to drive it.

I’ve seen many knocks here against the Honda Accord as being a blandmobile not worthy of an enthusiast. This opinion would point to the fact that they are unaware of the Accord being used as the basis for many racing cars in racing series all over the world. To me, that points to a car that has the inherent dynamics to be transformed in a very satisfying drive with just a little work.

The essence of being a car enthusiast is to have fun with all types of cars. I think that sometimes that thought is lost here.

Go look at the icons of enthusiast’ automobiles; the BMW 2002, the Datsun 510, the rear wheel drive Corollas, the original GTI, etc, and there’s no denying that affordability to the everyday enthusiast along with their performance (though they may have lacked a little in the style department) was the driving reason for their popularity and iconic status today.

When I read that $50,000 to $70,000 cars are “affordable” to the regular enthusiast today, I just shake my head. Even more, the idea that one is surprised by the goodness of a $50,000 vehicle I find mind boggling.

Just like the Accord sedan can sticker for $18g.

There is a huge difference in what ya get for 18g, and what ya get when ya add on the nice wheels, the decent tire packages and the features of what is in the LX 4cycl, EX 6cycl…

Im sure the G with the standard options.. nav, awd etc etc… tops out a 40…

The Infiniti G37 is not $50 grand. It’s $34,000.

I… appreciate all of the cars listed on the top ten list…

But the majority of them are ghastly too expensive for normal people to drive around.
While I do appreciate the R8, the Bimmer and the Vette, the CTS just doesnt do it for me, and the GTR, the Mini and the G are just not right for this list.

Thee Mini gets miliage Id expect any ordinary car to get. Not the pittance it does get, specially not for the premium price.

The G is decent but its kissing 50g.
The CTS is in the same catagory as the G only with extra doors, with compares it to the M and the Maxima / Altima twins.

SO basically, the only cars ya got under 35g, is the Bimmer who has horrible service, and high mait. Not to mention low resale. SO THATS OUT.

Ya got the Fit, thats a decent car, but for the frugal minded. This isnt a sporty vehicle..

And then ya got the Mazda3. Which happens to be everything in the list at a price people can actually pay. Specially when its big brother and its wagon / hatch versions got canned.

Ive driven the 3. Its got features Id be happy to have. Its got front and rear strut bars. Its in the b/c segment. Its got a hatch, its got a decent interior with some decent color and diversity. Yes its avail in only black, which doesnt make me happy. Id prefer a lighter color (tan, light red, something interesting.. yet contrasting). its got a nice system and runs decently. Not to mention, if Volvo can work the Focus frame into a secent car why cant Mazda.

Its a lot of what I am looking for these days. But It does bother me.. that fit and finish and noises / rumbles / creaks / groans are something this car is going to have after 40-60k miles.

Not what I want.
Ive been the owner of 2 High milage Accords. One was picked up at about 159k, the other was picked up with about 106, the latter did 60k mi in 2yrs, the first did another 75k and passed away. Point is, Im having decent luck with high miliage Accords. Long story shorter, I really want the Civic, (because Accord gained too much weight) but theres no hatch. I dont think its even offered with a front and rear sway bars, or a decent system. I know there is no hatch, and while the interior is a nice tan, and the fuel economy is better than my car now, and better than the Mazda, it doesnt exactly wow me.

SO.. what other info can be said about the Mazda3 are they really squeak and groan machines?

And the list.. really is lacking.

Just randomly asking and out of curiosity, do you also own a Mustang? Perhaps a BOSS?

Give me a big block Galaxie any day of the week over a Boxster! Space, luxury, performance, ride, comfort, and bullet proof Ford reliability.

The only things that was great about the Lancer before the 08 model was the suspension and the tight handling which Mitsubishi work so hard for years to perfect them. They perfected the handling and now they built a better looking car with all the gadget that you cannot find in a Mazda3 or with the Big three Japanese car manufacturers.

Where can you find a Japanese car that doesn’t have a reverse gear but can do reverse? Only The Mitsubishi car can do that nope not the regular Lancer but the big brother EVO X.

The Lancer since the 70’s was already out in the market while Mazda was still trying figure out what the right emblem for their company and the right commercial to show on tv with ZOOM ZOOM marketing lingo for everyone to enjoy.

The Truth About Cars began it’s life as an online magazine dedicated to delivering honest and crticial reporting on the car industry. The blog’s appeal was found in it being an alternative to the lifeless fluff printed in mainstream car journalism. Farago’s commendable GM Death Watch gave the site it’s credibility for unbiased reporting…

Fast forward several years and every article on this site is written with the same boilerplate architecture plaguing the automotive press.

I said that a Mazdaspeed3 is $12,000 less than the Evo, when adjusted for differences in features. I just thought that I would throw that comparison in their along with the standard Mazda3 versus the Lancer. I also provided the comparison between the base Mazda3 and base Lancer as well as loaded versions of the two. In that comparison they were basically equally priced, which makes the decision based on personal preferences regarding appearance and how well the car fits you. A Mazda3 fits me nicely, the previous generation Lancer not really (I haven’t test driven a Lancer since 2003).

Try doing a 65 mph or 45 mph turn on a Mazda when you exit the Interstate and you will know what I am talking about.

I regularly take a 25 mph on ramp each morning on the way to work at 50 to 55 mph in my Mazda6, provided I don’t have a bunch of slow pokes in fornt of me. I doubt that the smaller Mazda3 would need to take it any slower, though it may.

Overall Id say the list is pretty solid but now that I drive a boxer-powered subaru, nothing else seems ‘right’ to me. So my top ten list would have to include one…and that is the Boxster S.