So I test drove some cars today...

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Originally Posted By: JHZR2

Case-in-point, wife's VW rabbit was made in Germany. An equivalent Jetta was made in Mexico. The delta in price was within a few hundred - the real cost, likely thousands of dollars different. Now, one may say that the Mexican sales are subsidizing the price of the German-made car, but show me proof to such a concept. i have yet to see it.

I'm guessing it's a bit more complicated than this. If Jetta cost thousands less than Rabbit/Golf, it would be perceived by the marketplace that it is somehow inferior, less of a car - an image which VW wants to avoid. They want you to feel that you're getting the same quality, regardless of where the car is made. Or, alternatively, nobody would buy the Golf thinking that it is way overpriced in comparison. I seriously doubt many people would dish out a few extra grand for it just because of country of origin. Besides, the 2.5-liter engine in that German Rabbit/Golf is still made in Mexico... the transmission comes from yet somewhere else...
 
Originally Posted By: javacontour
I think you are beginning to see why folks didn't care for the Cavalier.

I drove my mom's from Dallas to Denver for her. It was brutal.

Hers was a 2000 or so vintage with about 30K miles on the ticker and more tiring to drive than my 1994 Geo Prizm with almost 250K on the clock.

The Mazda 3 is a pretty incredible car.

I was a long time GM guy. I loved my Chevy Beretta GTZ, but I wonder if that's because I hadn't looked at much else before then?


I read your account, and was pretty suprised by it. I wouldn't hesitate to drive my Cavalier across the county. It's a fine highway car for a compact....JMO!
 
rudolphna,
you never out of the blue go and test drive cars, for exactly the same reason as you don't go out and test drive wimmen.
 
You might test drive the mazda6. It is made in Michigan. More roomy than the Mazda3.
 
Originally Posted By: Shannow
rudolphna,
you never out of the blue go and test drive cars, for exactly the same reason as you don't go out and test drive wimmen.

Haha... there is something to it, Shannow.
 
Does the Mazda3 still have that red instrument lighting? When I drove one as a rental a couple of years ago, I hated that lighting. It made me feel as though the Springfield nuclear plant was going to blow any second.
 
We purchased the 2009 Fusion SEL with the V6. The auto-matic 6 speed trans has a tag on it that says Manufactured in Japan. Nice vehicle though. I drove it on a 1,800 mile trip and averaged 31 mpg. I don't drive it much, the better half drives it more, however, I have not heard a negative comment from her about it. She still loves her 2002 Mustang GT though.... lol
 
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Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
If you liked the Mazda, you should drive the Golf. It will make the 3 feel like your Cavalier.
The Base Golf 5sp MT with the inline 170HP 5 cyl is an intriguing car for about $16K discounted out the door - worth a drive I suppose - but VW ownership can be scary. Just always have box of Bosch (Botched!) sensors and relays at hand!
 
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Originally Posted By: badtlc
You might test drive the mazda6. It is made in Michigan. More roomy than the Mazda3.
Has the flat rock plant got their act together yet? Mazda can be nice just out of the box but frustrating over years of ownership. I had a 626 made at flat rock - worst car I ever owned.
 
I'm sorry, but that 2010 Mazda 3 is the most ridiculous looking car I've seen in awhile, at least from the front. It looks like something you'd seen on a cartoon, like it's a big smiley face or something. I don't doubt it's a solid car though.
 
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
If you liked the Mazda, you should drive the Golf. It will make the 3 feel like your Cavalier.

A friend just got one (the Golf) - a leftover 2009 model. While it drives nice, the interior isn't the greatest. I think I'd have to give Mazda3 the advantage in this area.
 
Last summer I had a brand new 2010 Mazda 3 rental car. It was a horrid vehicle. The base engine is woefully underpowered, the seats gave me backaches, and it had a face only a mother could love. The handling was pretty good, though.

I'm sure the power situation is better with the optional engines. I hope the optional 8-way seat fixes the comfort issue.
 
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Nissan Altima was nice, it was the 4 cylinder with CVT (they only had the 4 cyl critic) and it was very impressive. The interior had a little bit of an odd layout, to me anyway. Other than that, the big downside for me was the CVT, it drove me nuts.


The 4-cyl one is pretty awful. You've gotta drive the V6, they aren't even remotely similar.

Originally Posted By: Stu_Rock
Last summer I had a brand new 2010 Mazda 3 rental car. It was a horrid vehicle. The base engine is woefully underpowered, the seats gave me backaches, and it had a face only a mother could love. The handling was pretty good, though.

I'm sure the power situation is better with the optional engines. I hope the optional 8-way seat fixes the comfort issue.


My friend has a 2010 3i Touring and I find the seats to be outstanding. The base engine isn't anything special, but it's on par with the other anemic four-cylinders in that price range. The 3s is definitely worth the extra money IMO, even if it results in a decline in fuel economy. The improved handling, power and braking makeup for it.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic


My friend has a 2010 3i Touring and I find the seats to be outstanding. The base engine isn't anything special, but it's on par with the other anemic four-cylinders in that price range. The 3s is definitely worth the extra money IMO, even if it results in a decline in fuel economy. The improved handling, power and braking makeup for it.


While you are right about the power increase from 3i to 3s, handling is identical between the two, braking can be debated as 3s has larger front discs, but same pads and is heavier. If you wanty handling and braking improvement, you need to buy MS3.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
My friend has a 2010 3i Touring and I find the seats to be outstanding.

No matter how I adjusted it, I couldn't prevent the backaches that would come after 15 minutes of driving. I am 30 and I don't have back problems. I am a short-legged, long-torsoed person, and it just didn't fit me. Possibly a lumbar setting would help. You probably have the right body shape for the seats.

I know lots of reviewers had this problem with the previous generation 3, so I doubt that it's just me.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: badtlc
You might test drive the mazda6. It is made in Michigan. More roomy than the Mazda3.
Has the flat rock plant got their act together yet? Mazda can be nice just out of the box but frustrating over years of ownership. I had a 626 made at flat rock - worst car I ever owned.


my 2006 6i has had zero problems in 60k miles. quality is better than any other car I have owned.
 
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