Can I mention another brand of car in this forum?

[mindpenn]

Hi, Sorry for this question but I need to ask.

I am considering in getting a Versa SL but a friend send me a link of another car. I like both (Versa and the friends suggestion). Can I mention the car model here or not?

Thank you!

[Clipsed]

yup, many other cars are mentioned here, like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit.

[mindpenn]

ok, thanks for letting me know....

I like the Versa SL, but I would like to compare it with the Mazda3 5-door s sport. It has good things but also some bad things.Mileage is lower, no curtain airbags on the basic model.

I might be going to test drive it one of this days and probably going to test drive one more time the Versa. Both agencies are next to each other and next to the honda agency.

Any one have used this Mazda? Let me know....

[AZhitman]

Not sure about that one, but I think the Mazdaspeed is an awesome little car.

The 3 looks like tough competition for the Versa - It will probably come down to price.

[proxim2020]

I thought the 3 was a nice little car, but I couldn't get over the price. That's my number one gripe about Mazda, they are pricey little vehicles.

[Hedy]

I looked at the 3, but it was more than my Versa S, and lacked power windows and AC.

[mindpenn]

I agree with the last two posts. Those cars are pricey. The only one that is under 20k is the2007 MAZDA3 s Sport 5-Door and the 4-door Sedan.I called the Mazda dealer and I got a quote for 17k plus title, tag, and title.Who knows if they will honor that price when I go there.

The s Sport 5-door does come with power windows and AC, but it does not have the curtain air bags and Versa got a better review for the crash safety test.Other than that I have never heard anything (good or bad) about Mazda.I like both cars. I will subscribe to the mazda forum but is also want your opinion.

[Greek.intuit]

The Mazda 3 is a wonderful car, but you have to look at what you are going to be doing with the vehicle.

If you're using a daily driver, the Versa has a strong transmission and a good engine that will save you money both in gas costs and insurance premiums.

If you're looking for a fun car that's more sporty and true to the standard "sports car" image without having to spend the extra, the Mazda3 is a great choice, but it'll cost more in the long run, and the interior is a bit cheap.

The Fit is never a good idea. It's overpriced, offers little in the way of gas mileage that you couldn't get with the Versa, and it is a plain, boring little car.

Plus, if you are serious about your car and want to eventually carry someone around (or 2 or 3), get the Versa for the increased interior space.

[mindpenn]

Yeah, in everything the Versa seems to have the advantage.The only advantage of the mazda was the horsepower and other small details.

Thank you

[mindpenn]

Anybody know anything about the Pontiac Vibe?They are also expensive.

[Ever Victorious]

The Vibe is a Toyota matrix with GM's interpretation of interior and body thrown on top.

Very spacious cargo area, and probably has the drivetrain longevity of the Toyota... but they SERIOUSLY overestimate the fuel mileage (When I rented one, I averaged only 22 mpg! 8 MPG short of the average on my Versa!) and the rear seat is not as comfortable as the V's.

Also, the Vibe handled a little like a minivan. Like most Toyotas.

Anybody know anything about the Pontiac Vibe?They are also expensive.

[mindpenn]

Yes, and its overpriced in my opinion. You can also compare the safety features here: http://autos.msn.com/and versa is always on top of the cars that I had in mind.

I guess Versa is the winner

[motoguy128]

The Matrix/Vibe is basically a Toyota Corolla wagon... but it's not "cool" to call something a wagon. the powertrain, basic chassis design and interior dimensions are pretty close to a Corolla. I would have considered it, but the Corolla doesn't have enough front seat legroom.

[mindpenn]

I was actually searching for wagons when I came across the Versa (not a wagon but it has its similarities). My brother bought a Matrix 3 years ago and prices have gone up since then, he paid around 16k at the time. Its a nice car but I never liked where the stick is placed.

I would like to test drive the Versa again, the first time I was being careful and took a short drive. How are they for long trips? Camping and stuff.

I wish I could rent it for 3days.

[BenzTech Gone Versa]

The versa is muchhhhhh more comfy and easier to get out of!the 3 is low and you gotta lift yourself out.the versa is a very comfy height and steering is smooth as butter!the only way i'd get the 3 is if its the mazda speed fully loaded...even then there is the price..ouch! and its not available in auto!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Mazda has always been one of my very favorite manufacturers, right up there with Nissan and Cadillac.

The 3 is a great little car. The thing you have to remember when looking at prices of the Versa compared to the 3 is that the 3 is not a Versa competitor, really. It's more of a Sentra/Corolla competitor. And it gives them both quite a run for their money. The fact that the 3 sneaks down into the Versa price range on a couple models is great, though, because it's definitely worth checking out.

The two cars have a bit different focus. The Versa is a comfy commuter. The 3--like most Mazda products--is much more sport-oriented. Like BenzTech says, the V is taller and easier to get in and out of. The 3 is lower-slung and has a less "on top of the world" SUV-style seating arrangement than the V does.

If I were looking for a compact, I'd test drive a Sentra, Corolla, 3, and MAYBE a Cobalt if I felt like wasting some time. If I was looking for a subcompact commuter car, I'd drive a V, a Fit, and a Yaris.If I was looking for a small FUN car, I'd look at the Sentra and 3 and ignore the rest.

[kc5f]

How are they for long trips? Camping and stuff

I haven't taken it camping but this afternoon I head out with my wife on another of many over 500-mile trips. We have a Honda Odyssey minivan but we take the Versa even when we had four adults going 300 miles each way because it's actually more comfortable. Not as much storage, granted, but the legroom and comfort is better, and saving about a gallon of gas per driving hour doesn't hurt, either!

[Legacy40k]

If it wasnt for the $6000 more it would have cost, I would have gotten a Mazda 3.

[proxim2020]

How are they for long trips? Camping and stuff.

I took my car on (2) 2,500 mile trips so far. Each was around 40 hours of driving. When i first started my trip, the car was very uncomfortable. But after a while I realized a lot of the problems were caused by me (i.e not sitting straight, wearing tight sneakers rather than my comfy roomy boots). The only complaint that I still have are the seats do not have much for lumbar support. It kinda has a concave shape which made me bend forward slightly. I'm used to having a seat that's slightly convexed to give your back a nice arch. After 12-17 hours of driving in a day, my back was ultra soar. I went and bought one of those lumbar pillows which solved that problem. I don't need it for short trips, but if I plan on driving for more than 5 hours or so I'll have it back there. Other than that, it's an excellent car for trips of any length. As far as camping, I would like to get into that. Seems like it would be fun to bring the V out in the woods for a weekend getaway.

[CopyChief]

I can second that, were it not for the cost, I'd be driving a Mazda3. That's not at all a slam on the Versa, because when I first started looking I hadn't even heard of the Versa.

The Mazda3 is a great car. It's fun to drive and really hugs the road. I had the chance to take it on a pretty good test drive and had a blast.

I also drove the Toyota Matrix (same engine as the Vibe) and was decidedly unimpressed. It was just... blah. Sure it was solid and power seemed adequate, but there was nothing there.

I know that technically these cars are not supposed to "compete" with cars like the Versa and the Fit, but the reality is they do. I don't think most consumers look at a "category" of cars, they look at models they've researched online or in the paper. So it's irrelevant whether or not these are technically in the same league.

There is some crossover between all of these in their MSRPs. The low-end Mazda3 5-door starts around $18K (US). This is about what a very well-equipped Matrix/Vibe will set you back, and is probably near the top end for the Versa.

What put me over the top toward the Versa was the bang-for-the-buck factor. Value is key, and I'm still happy with that decision. The other? Long-term ownership costs, particularly versus the Mazda.

Of course I'm talking first about gas mileage. For every thread or message on this board complaining about high EPA estimates, there are probably six or seven over on the Mazda3-focused forums.

I'm also talking about things like tires. The Mazdas are bigger and more performance-oriented, so they're significantly more expensive.

Best of luck in your choice. Everything is a balance in car shopping, and there's ALWAYS another model, another trim level, something else to investigate. It can be maddening and all-encompassing, even after you make your decision!

[vivekmari]

this was posted at edmunds blog site..

2007 Nissan Versa: Sales success?from Long-Term Road Tests by Brent Romans <[email protected]>Many blog posts have compared our 2007 Nissan Versa to our other small long-termer, the Honda Fit. Each car has distinct advantages. Yet I was a bit surprised to read in a recent issue of the automotive trade journal, Automotive News, that the Versa is handily outselling the Fit. Here are the latest year-to-date sales figures (as of March, 2007) for the batch of all-new or redesigned "B segment" cars:

Chevrolet Aveo: 15, 228Honda Fit: 8,837Nissan Versa: 16,195Toyota Yaris: 19,186

Nissan's execs are probably pleased with the Versa's showing. As for the Fit, I'm wondering if the lack of a sedan body style is limiting its sales potential?

Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor

[versabundus]

I was going to suggest looking at a Suzuki SX4 they're getting rather popular where I live. But I don't think the all wheel drive would interest you in Florida.

[mindpenn]

I like the looks of the SX4, I might go test drive one.

I am almost convinced that the Versa is the right car for me, I just want to weed out the options.

[Greek.intuit]

Something that nobody has mentioned is reliability.

When you buy a car, it doesn't matter if it is fun to drive if it dies most of the time, and even when you consider improvements in interior build quality, power, handling and comfort, some companies (i.e. ANY GM product, Ford, Suzuki, Kia, Hyundai, Dodge and Fiat) just have not learned how to construct a quality vehicle.

I'm a young professional in the Advertising Community, and I don't have time to try and fix my car on a 60-70 hour work week, so it makes sense to buy Japanese.

Yes, german cars are fun to drive (i.e. VW Rabbit which is actually a wonderful car) and they manage to be better build quality than 90% of everything on the market, they are expensive to fix and even more expensive to insure.

Kids have time to go off and fix their cars up with crazy, elaborate extra pieces, but if you like a car to be good off the lot, look at three companies:

Nissan

Honda

Toyota

I prefer Nissans because they give you the reliability of Toyota with much more power and fun factor, especially when city driving.

Hondas are boring to drive often times because of the lack of power, but they will last you forever.

Toyotas are boring, but they get you from point A -> B reliably and comfortably.

Also,

look for a car that you MAY NEED to use. If you plan on having kids (or already do), Plan on going long distances, need for economical vehicles, and ease of use.

I'm not a Nissan fanatic, but I do say that the Versa was the best car I found for the money after 9 months of test driving, consumer reports, online research and arguing with salespeople (I'm from the North, it's what we do... ).

As a consumer and a practical individual, I can only suggest the Mazda3, Sentra, Versa and Civic as fitting your guidelines.

Hope that helps!

[marleyfan]

Ok I have a Versa SL, my wife has a Vibe (05) and a friend has a Mazda3. As others have said here, the Mazda is more of a sporty car, more power, lower, handles more like a sports car. And it is more money. The Vibe is a nice car. Roomy cargo area that goes flat. Not very much power and poor gas mileage, but it is well made. The Versa is roomier and handles well and gets better gas mileage than the Vibe. The fit and finish of the Versa is nicer than the Vibe. When I drive the Mazda I feel very cramped. Almost claustrophobic. The car that I like the most, if you have to spend time in one, is the Versa. It is comfortable, roomy, quietest of the three, and is relaxing to drive. Had it not been for the cost of the Mazda I probably would be driving one right now. But I am very happy with my decision to go with the Versa. I never even want to drive my wife's Vibe anymore.

[mindpenn]

The Versa seems to be the one for me.I want good mileage, comfy (for city and long trips), I don't want to pay more then 19k, and I need a reliable car that will last me for a long time. So far I have not heard any regrets from any of you so that is good! I will get the car next month, hopefully they will have the one that I want. For some reason most of the ones they had in the agency had a charcoal interior. I think only one had a beige interior and it was a sedan. I like both interiors but my finance and I prefer the beige since I have a black car with black interior and it gets a little warmer in summer.

The only thing that worries me about the Versa is the brakes, it takes longer to stop or at least that's what I read but no one has mentioned it. Maybe is because is not a big deal or you get use to it. I don't know if that is even an issue with me. That's why I would like to rent it for a few days.

What are your thoughts about it?

[marleyfan]

In Canada the SL's come standard with ABS so I can't comment on regular brakes. I have had no problems.

[mindpenn]

I am planning in getting ABS, for $250 I think is a good buy. I think it also helps with the insurance cost to have ABS.

So you don't see any problem with how long it takes to make the car stop?I read it in several reviews but I don't know if its a real issue to discuss.

[GiLLT]

I don't know about your guys but im really into VW GTI, R32. always been a fan of VW but never owned one, my buddys out of the marines in about 7 more months for good and he plans on getting the R32 hes always been into VW. How do you guys feel about VW? I see Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Pontiac all their hatchbacks talked about but no Volkswagen.

[proxim2020]

Same with the Mazda's, pricey. They are well engineered cars and as with most German cars, and you end up paying for it. I had a brief look at the rabbit, but at 16k and 22mpg city, I quickly turned away. When I purchased, I was much more interested in saving money in the car and gas than performance. There were a bunch of standard features I like (i.e ABS, and power everything), but I got the same from Nissan for much less. Some things I wish the V had like 4 wheel disc and adjustable lumbar support are included. If you really need to performance, they are great little cars to tool around town. If you interested in saving money...steer clear.