Mazda3i, Civic, and what others?

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The GF is thinking very tentatively of replacing her 93 Volvo. Leaning towards getting something new, but late model used is a possibility depending on price. Reliability and fuel efficiency are the top objective concerns, and of course she's got her styling preferences. Has to have a stick shift, four doors and should be reasonably fun to drive.

She test drove a Mazda3i today (the 2.0 liter engine) and loved it. She likes it better than my 2 door 07 Civic so I don't think the 4 door Civics are really on the table (at least AFAIK, the coupes handle better than the sedans). Maybe I'll get her to test drive a 4 door anyway.

But my question is this: Besides the Civic and the Mazda3, what other fun to drive econoboxes should I suggest to her to test out? I'd try for the Rabbit but its FE numbers aren't really up there. I may be able to get her to test drive a new Focus (but only if it comes without the speed holes :) ). Can't score a new Fit test drive around here right now, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't want a hatch anyway, for some reason. What models am I missing?
 
If you can get a Ford Focus for a good price then that would be a good option. There's also the Hyundai Elantra, but it certainly isn't as sharp looking as the 3 or Civic. There are people here who really like their Saab 9-3s. And from what I gather here that Saabs depreciate fast so maybe a used 9-3.

edit: Also take a look at the Scion tC
 
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Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Suzuki SX-4 sedan (since she doesn't want the hatch) w/AWD, Toyota Corolla S, Nissan Sentra, VW Jetta.. Just to name a few.



Forgot about the Sx-4 Sedan. I did some promotional work for Suzuki over the summer and got to drive one. You really get alot of car for the money and its pretty sharp with the factory wheels and rides great with the stiffened suspension. Can't beat the warranty. Only downside is the back seats don't fold down due to rear bracing in the trunk cavity.
 
Originally Posted By: firemachine69
The downside is the fuel economy. It's atrocious, for such a small car...


It's not the greatest, but at least it does better than a 120 hp Sunfire! Really, what car with similar power does better? At 20,000km per year and 90 cents/litre, it costs under $200 a year more to fuel than a Yaris. It's really not that bad.
 
Thanks, lots of good suggestions. She's thrown out the Corolla, Focus, Sentra, and Elantra based on styling unfortunately (I guess she's pretty particular). I thought about the Astra but I'm not sure there's a dealer close by so a test drive might be difficult.

Mini's out because she wants four [real] doors. Not sure how low prices go on Jettas. WRX is out on price and fuel economy, and SX-4 is out on fuel economy. Really there's no need for us to go AWD. It's not like she's going to be tracking the thing.

TC is out on FE and being a two-door.


Wow, I'm sure shooting down a lot of cars. Truthfully more of these would be on my list if I were looking, but she's got stronger styling preferences than I do. I'm thinking the 3 is gonna be it if we get something new, unless she decides to test drive the Civic, Focus, Sentra, or Corolla.
 
I had a 3i and loved it. Upgraded the wheels and tires (from 16 to 17 and went with a 225-series tire) and it handled like it was on rails. But it was plenty fun with the stock 16s. If she has any desire to shift for herself, I definitely suggest the 5-speed.

If she's really the sporting type, look at the Mazdaspeed 3. It's a bargain hot hatch.

My 3i

Mazda3LR34.jpg
 
My vote is for the Corolla.
thumbsup2.gif


great gas mileage
low insurance and maintenance costs
smooth shifting 5 speed trans

0% financing
 
Since she wants something fun to drive that will also be reliable, the Mazda 3 will probably be the best car for her. They are great little cars, which explains why there are now three 3 owners in my family. My sister got hers in 2006 and loves it. Aside from the clock resetting itself it has been pretty much trouble free. I think it has about 40K or so miles on it now. My mom bought a 2008 3 because she liked my sister's car so much. Shortly after, my cousin bought one for his daughter. They are all happy with them and would buy them again. Repeat car/truck purchases are very rare in my family except with Rangers, 3s, and F-Series trucks.
 
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Ranger,

Did they improve the A/C on the Mazda 3 ?

I rented one when I had to visit Texas and the A/C barely cooled, I've read some BITOG members mention the weak A/C on the Mazda 3.
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
My vote is for the Corolla.
thumbsup2.gif


great gas mileage
low insurance and maintenance costs
smooth shifting 5 speed trans

0% financing

The new '09 Corolla is just an awful car IMO. Yes, it has the best fuel economy of all of the small cars, but the interior is just awful. It reminds me of a Cavalier. Hard plastics everywhere, it's definitely several steps back from the previous generation (03-08). In addition, I'm only 5'11" and I was unable to find a comfortable driving position. The Civic is a much better car.
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Ranger,

Did they improve the A/C on the Mazda 3 ?

I rented one when I had to visit Texas and the A/C barely cooled, I've read some BITOG members mention the weak A/C on the Mazda 3.

The AC is still a little weak. The fan has to be at speed "2" for the AC to be effective.
 
The Mazda3 AC is adequate for my climate, but if I use it in the city my car becomes very boggy. It doesn't really affect me because I normally only use AC on the highway.
 
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