YaWhateva

I have recently been given the chance to possibly buy a new car that can cost me at the most $15,000. I was thinking of getting a Mazda 3, but I was just wondering what fellow tfp'ers thought might be the best buy. Thanks in advance.

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“If the Americans go in and overthrow Saddam Hussein and it's clean, he has nothing, I will apologize to the nation, and I will not trust the Bush administration again.” - Bill O'Reilly

"This is my United States of Whateva!"

silent_jay

The 3 is a good choice, haven't heard anything bad about them.

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Stare At The Sun

To bad you can't spend around 16k and get this:

The Scion TC. Pretty cool car.

However, since you're dealing w/ the 15k budget...

It really depends what you're looking for in a car.
If you're looking for gas mileage, get a Toyota Echo. My girlfriend has one, its a bloopy little car, but 43mpg on average, and is actually very roomy inside.

If you're looking for a sportier car, I'd say go for the Mazda3.

However, if you can get a car that is like a year or two old, and not brand spanking new, you really could get a few great deals.

Don't forget about Hyundai either. They have a great warrenty, and the Tiburon is a pretty impressive car looks wise. And the GT model is pretty nice. Though, at around 16k, a bit to much.

YaWhateva

that scion looks awesome. I went to the mazda dealership here today and I really like that car. But I still might go for a used car if I could find one that I really like. If I went for a used car what would be your choice?

the only thing is insurance is gonna kill me.

__________________
“If the Americans go in and overthrow Saddam Hussein and it's clean, he has nothing, I will apologize to the nation, and I will not trust the Bush administration again.” - Bill O'Reilly

"This is my United States of Whateva!"

THGL

I'm assuming you're a young driver.

Anything sporty or a 4x4 is gonna cost you insurance-wise, new or used.

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"The truth is merely an excuse for lack of imagination." - Garak

Scorps

If you go with the Mazda 3 get the sedan and not the hatchback, I think the hatchback(Sport) looks a little wierd

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Jam

cavalier is cheap my 04 was 14k canadian after everything which is like 9k us

Scorps

I think the new design looks like its cross eyed! I like the 93' to 02' looks much better!

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Jam

well i got the type z with the body kit, i think it looks pretty snazzy.. other then the wimpy ass spoiler

YaWhateva

ya i like the sedan much better. I think I am going for the mazda 3. hope everything works out right

__________________
“If the Americans go in and overthrow Saddam Hussein and it's clean, he has nothing, I will apologize to the nation, and I will not trust the Bush administration again.” - Bill O'Reilly

"This is my United States of Whateva!"

Scorps

If I got Full Time at work(which I didn't) I was going to go with either the Mazda 3 or the Mazda 6 Sport with the big V6 and 5 speed Auto Trans

Thats the only thing I don't like about the Mazda 3 is they don't come with a V6 but I believe they have a choice of 2 Inline 4's

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lefty8080

The sedan may save a little on insurance also.

MSD

A friend of mine is constantly car-shopping (when he isn't, he's pretending he is so he can test-drive cars,) and he had less-than-favorable things to say about the Scion tc and the Tiburon, both of which were mentioned. The Mazda 3, on the other hand, was a nice car.

G5_Todd

get a used beamer!

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Scorps

Any 4-door will save a lot of money...I know that for sure

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desal75

You can get a Hyundai Elantra cheap as hell. Not as fun as the Mazda but probably cheaper and longer warranty.

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Scorps

If you don't love this car I don't know whats wrong with you

Mazda 6 Sport:





Mazda 6 Sedan:



Love the stock tail lights to

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desal75

The six is an awesome car but I think it is a little bit out of his price range. For what a V6 costs I think you are pretty much in WRX territory anyway.

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The Man in Black fled across the desert and the Gunslinger followed.

Scorps

Then he can go for the cheaper inline 4...they have 2 engines for that car!

Unless you get the station wagon, that only comes with the V6

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desal75

How much is the 4 cylinder though? I think it is still almost 20 thousand. Don't get me wrong, they are one of the most exciting sedans on the market.

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The Man in Black fled across the desert and the Gunslinger followed.

crow_daw

I am on the verge of buying a 2004 Dodge Neon, electric blue.






I wanted one of the SRT4's, but I'm eighteen and my cosigner said he wouldn't sign for a car that dangerous, plus insurance would kill me big time. I absolutely have to have something new, being in college and all, and I'm quite confident that, unless something goes wrong, I can afford the Neon. I really like the '04s too.

So I hope I'm not fucking up.

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Scorps

SRT-4 danguerus......HAHAHAHAHA.

It's a 4 door shouldn't be high in insurance, even if it has a turbo still not much, a guy I work with has a Supra(don't know year) he insured it for 140 a month and it has a turbo.

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crow_daw

I'm eighteen friend, insurance is ridiculously high for me. Maybe it's just where I live, I don't know. But it would be SUBSTANTIALLY higher than 140 a month, and I know that for a fact.

__________________
"We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

Scorps

I know people that pay 600 a month must be nice

your 18 I'm 21 and I would pay the same I feel the pain, it sucks I had a 2 door sport car with a turbo before now that was a lot(450 a month with a part-time job). If you can help it try and get a car without a turbo.

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otter

If you're planning on doing any upgrading to the stock stereo, run away from the Mazda 3 and RUN FAST. Unless you or someone you know is very skilled with fiberglass and/or plastic fabrication, you cannot currently install an aftermarket head unit in the Mazda 3 dash. You'd have to mount in the glovebox or armrest, or get really creative and put it in the headliner.

If you can bump your budget up a bit more, get what I have, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. The car is FAST without breaking the bank, plus insurance companies don't see it as a sports car =D

Scorps

Fiberglass work isn't that hard....I'm going to get a custom sub box made when I get my next car....I know someone who will do it for cheap, I don't think fiberglass work ever cost that much!

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A.K.A. PainTrain