Buying New Car - Need Thoughts

[i30daretodif]

So my brother is buying a new car. Infiniti is out due to cost (I know, I tried)....

So he's narrowed it down to a Mazda3s or a Jetta 1.8t.

He seems to be sold on the Mazda - but I have concerns about their reliability. He's a student and will not really be able to pay many large bills, so the idea is to get something that will run for a long time, yet is still fun to drive. Can anyone with more historical knowledge give us some insight to figure out what to do???

[w1ngzer0]

mazda 3 is awsome. I haven't herd a single problem with those things. I would have him test drive both and see what he could live with.

[i30daretodif]

Thanks for the reply - he's test driven both, and claimed to have the most fun td with the jetta... but I think the styling of the Mazda3 have him sold - he likes watching rally, so I think that is influencing him a little! He's going to go back tomorrow and test drive the Mazda again to compare.

[BadMojo]

Out of those two choices, I'd go with with the Mazda 3S...no doubt. IMO, I feel that VW is overpriced and has had dubious reliability over the last several years.

I didn't check JD Power, but I'd be willing to bet that Mazda is beating VW in overall long term reliability. Here's some anecdotal evidence...neighbor had a newer (2002, I think) VW Passat. The thing was in the shop constantly. She finally got rid of it and bought a...wait for it...another Passat! D'oh!

Anyway, as much as I'd like to shy away from first model years of any new car, I also think your brother should take a look at the Scion tC. It's a hell of a lot of car for the money and IMO, it looks pretty nice. Toyota tends to build **** that runs forever too.

I'd eye up the tC and the Mazda 3S and see how they pan out price and feature-wise.

[skydragoness]

Mazda's are just as reliable as Nissan and Toyota. The Protege's, Miata's and some of their other cars have been constant CR 'Best Buys' since they came out in 1990. The Mazda 3 is just the new Protege, I happened to be reading CR not too long ago and their review made it seem to be the best in the compact car market (thus another award). The only Mazdas that aren't reliable (without constant work) are the RX-7's, and I think there was a point for the 626 in the mid 90's where the engines were having issues, and I never heard too good about the last generation MX-6. Otherwise, they're great cars.

edit: if Infiniti is out of the question, why not a Nissan? :P

edit: VW's are great, but they're so troublesome in repairs.

[w1ngzer0]

i would rather get a mazda 3 then a sentra. sorry...

[Mr1der]

mazda's have come a long way.

don't get an auto though, I still fear those...

[i30daretodif]

hmmm - thats good information. mojo - thats a good thought, we did test drive the non-tc scions (xa,xb), but at 100hp they left something to be desired. the 160hp tc looks sweet - just not sure its his style (but I'll try)...

not sure Nissans have been on his short list (although I've tried that too!)....

[Mr1der]

get him to drive a Spec!

or a three five Quest!

[skydragoness]

i would rather get a mazda 3 then a sentra. sorry...

The regular Sentras do leave something to be desired. I'm a fan of Mazda's new designs myself

[BadMojo]

hmmm - thats good information. mojo - thats a good thought, we did test drive the non-tc scions (xa,xb), but at 100hp they left something to be desired. the 160hp tc looks sweet - just not sure its his style (but I'll try)...

Yeah, I think the xA and xB are slow, ugly turds. The tC, however, although maybe a bit bland has a much more refined look to it. I believe the designers said they looked towards the BMW 3-series for styling cues.

I believe the tC starts @ about $16K for manual transmission....there is also that TRD Supercharger (covered under warranty if installed by the dealer at the time of purchase, I believe).

I might be wrong, but I think the Mazda 3 shares the same platform as the new Ford Focus (the one everyone in the world but us gets).

[Rex]

Matrix XRS? 170hp@7,600 - 6 spd - MSP $19,265. If they only offered the AWD system on the XRS.

[Zydeco]

get a VW TDI it gets like 40mph. You cant beet that with a stick.

[wangless]

i would go with the 3...

[Bubba1]

I'd personally lean toward the Mazda. Veedub is a very nice car, but it'll cost more when you need repairs (after the warranty expires). And if you intend to keep the car long after the warranty expires, that is something to consider. That is why I went an Altima instead of a Passat.

[twelv]

$24,000 bone stock 3.5SE V6 Altima with about 215whp in a 5 speed. or a Spec V which a even less then that.

[krazy skwerel]

My friend bought a Mazda 5 door 3. Sweet little cars, but mazda has plastic interior out the rear. after a few years it gets real squeeky. this hjas been my experience. AND NEVER EVER BUY AN OLD 626, MX6, or Probe. Not a good time nope nope nope. Other than that I love mazda. Oh and stay away from the Mazda Automatic. BOOO!