The car search to replace my GF's rusty Mazda 3

"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
06/01/2020 at 15:29 • Filed to: None

So my GF’s Mazda 3 looks something like this:

...along with having other issues. It has been a good car for her and has lasted her 15 years.

What she wants is something new that is just like her old Mazda 3 in terms of how it drives, but with a hatchback. She doesn’t need a hatch, she just likes the look and the idea of the added flexibility.

Stuff that the car must have:

Automatic

4 doors with decent enough trunk and rear seat space. If it’s the same as her old Mazda 3, that’s fine.

And she wants to keep the payment below CAD$500 when financing it over 60 months.

The four candidates she has test driven already:

1. Since she has a Mazda, I said that the new Mazda 3 sh ould be a logical candidate

2. The Corolla hatch... test drove one in exactly this colour which I love, but she hates:

3. Hyundai has come a long way and t he Elantra GT hatch his highly rated even by Consumer Reports

4. Some people hate it, but I always liked the way t he Civic Hatch looks.

There is also a 5th wildcard candidate... the Tesla Model 3 SR+... which we will be test driving this weekend. But it’s a solid ~CAD$25,000 more expensive than the regular contenders.

But I think it’s also way more awesome compared to the regular contenders.

And I know she actually CAN afford the Model 3, but she just would prefer not to spend that much.

Y ou can’t justify the Tesla based on fuel savings.

The ONLY way she’s gonna buy a Tesla is if she absolutely falls in love with it to the point that she wants to spend the extra money.

Anyway... of the 4 test driven candidates, take a guess which one is the leading candidate overall and take a guess which one she prefers just from a pure driving- experience perspective ?

DISCUSSION (50)

Chariotoflove > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 15:59

I’d assume the Mazda. It has everything, the interior is mucho upgraded these days, and rust problems are a non-issue anymore with Mazda.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:03

Total random guess is that she likes the Mazda for the overall choice, (pretty to look at, nice interior, refined ride) but is liking the Hyundai from a pure driving experience. (I haven’t driven one, but I’ve heard they are fun to drive)

I am curious to see what she thinks of the Model 3 purely because it’s so different (in many many ways) to the other hatch competition listed here.

CalzoneGolem > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:11

If she’s like my wife than I guess the leading one is the one that costs the most.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:17

Subie Impreza? Or a Crosstrek?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:17

Seems like a subaru impreza should be on that list.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/01/2020 at 16:21

Costs more, uses more fuel, not as reliable/durable and she doesn’t need AWD.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
06/01/2020 at 16:21

Costs more, uses more fuel, not as reliable/durable and she doesn’t need AWD.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CalzoneGolem
06/01/2020 at 16:23

Well the one that costs the most would be the wildcard Tesla option.

Quick question though... do you pay for your wife’s car or does she pay for it herself?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
06/01/2020 at 16:25

I’ll let everyone know tomorrow. And yeah, I’m very curious how she reacts to the Model 3 compared to everything she has driven... not to mention having features like a frunk.

In the past, she owned a BMW 3 series and loved how it drove, but didn’t love the ownership costs.

In my view, the Model 3 is the electric car that BMW should be building.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:25

The last new car that I drove that I said to myself: I’d buy this in a heart beat was a 2018 Mazda 3. I have not had that feeling about anything else I’ve driven recently that is new.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:28

Elantra GT - best bang for your buck.

I just built a new one fully loaded for $28450 that includes 1.6turbo 7 speed dct and this tech package that has everything

Kinja'd!!!

And nobody buys them so you’ll get a go od discount.

For the Mazda 3 hatch-Test out the rear passenger space and more importantly huge blindspot in the rear. It was really bad when I sat in one.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Chariotoflove
06/01/2020 at 16:29

Incidentally, the sales guy raised the issue of rust and how it has been fixed... and explained the reason for the rust with a BS story that it was due to Mazda’s association with Ford.

LOL.

I chose not to get into an argument with the sales guy and let it slide.

But I did tell my GF after that it was a bunch of BS and that I owned Ford Escorts and Focii that didn’t rust as much or as quickly as Mazdas from the 2000s.

But I also told her that I also already knew that the problem has been fixed from around 2010.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:30

Everyone needs AWD

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:32

I have a 18,000km 2018 Forte you can have for $8K CAD.**

** you have to get it from vancouver

What a deal! lol

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
06/01/2020 at 16:36

Nah... people only think they do. If you go up and down snowy mountain roads regularly, sure.

But that’s not the case with my GF. And she has gotten by just fine with her Mazda 3 and 2 sets of tires for the past 15 years.

CalzoneGolem > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:47

There isn’t really a distinction between my wife paying for something and me paying for something but she handles our finances

Textured Soy Protein > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 16:57

3 or Civic for the drive, Elantra for the features. Although the 3 and Civic can be similarly loaded up but Hyundai throws a lot of stuff at all their trim levels.

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 17:15

Corolla.

Because no one has mentioned it, it’s the only car you’ve pictured that isn’t a shade, and I’ve had my XRS for over decade that hasn’t skipped a beat.

I don’t mind the hatch and that rumor of the hopped up 3 banger piques my interest.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 17:18

Yada yada just like the Mazda yada yada. Blah, blah, blah, just like the Mazda , but blah blah Mazda .

Clearly, you need to buy a Fiat.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
06/01/2020 at 17:18

Yeah... the Mazda 3 having very chunky, vision-reducing pillars was a negative.

Rear space was acceptable. The Corolla hatchback had the least spacious back seat.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 17:20

Or a Nissan Versa. (We fell into one of those and I am very impressed with how it drives.)

We have a 2011 Mazda 3 and while it has some G- L- A- R- I- N- G deficiencies, we still like it plenty. Ours is a BASE model with manual transmission and air conditioning. Interestingly, the base model includes power windows and four-wheel disc brakes.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
06/01/2020 at 17:21

I’ll have my agent fax you a check and arrange for the transporter to pick it up.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/01/2020 at 17:22

Yeah... we can buy one unit and double their Canadian sales!

dogisbadob > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 17:23

You guys get the Micra up there, so consider that :o)

Whatever you end up with, go to Krown or some other rustproofing :o)

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
06/01/2020 at 17:26

One other thing, for the Elantra... I’m steering her away from DCT transmissions in general mainly because I’m not sure how well it will hold up over 15 years.

I have more faith in the conventional 6 speed auto that the non-turbo Elantra has when it comes to lasting for 15 years without issue.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > dogisbadob
06/01/2020 at 17:33

The Micra and the Mitsubishi Mirage are the two cheapest cars in Canada.

I got her to sit in them... and she hated just sitting in them

LOL

And she didn’t like how they looked.

Nor does she like the “wine red” colour that looks like purple in person.

Kinja'd!!!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com
06/01/2020 at 17:36

Speaking of the colour... she wants either white or black... with a bias toward black.

I told her black and white were BORING.

She didn’t like the bright blue colour of the Corolla we test drove.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/01/2020 at 17:39

I rented a Versa once. I found it did everything adequately... and nothing more.

I also know how a Mazda 3 feels and being in that ballpark for feel is what she wants.

Hence, the Versa wasn’t on the list.

LOL

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
06/01/2020 at 17:57

LOL... but you know, it’s such a great car, I’ll let you keep it.

:-p

I actually considered putting the Forte on the list. But it’s interesting how the different versions of the Elantra and the Forte are rated.

The regular Elantra sedan and the Forte are ‘meh’. But the Elantra GT (aka, the European i30)hatch is a much better all around car.

And there is a big difference with the transmission... Elantra GT = 6 speed auto. Regular Elantra/Forte = CVT.

dogisbadob > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 18:04

Mitsubishi used to offer it in pink, which is fucking awesome

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > dogisbadob
06/01/2020 at 18:08

They actually called the pink “purple”

Kinja'd!!!

Clearly someone at Mitsubishi has trouble identifying colours properly.

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 18:25

:( Disappointing, and a common theme for some reason . I like both the blue and the red. W e need more color in this world!

Riot5000 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 18:40

I have a 2014 mazda 3i sport, 60k miles, perfect condition, fun to drive, and also a 2016 Mazda 3S, 39k miles, still under Warranty, we make a deal, leaving Tx for Ca, new start.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com
06/01/2020 at 19:01

I completely agree. But I’m not the one spending the moolah in this case.

“He (or she) who controls the purse strings makes the rules”

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Riot5000
06/01/2020 at 19:05

I’m in Canada. I’m 99% sure she wants a car with a speedometer/odometer that reads in kilometers.

LOL

Chariotoflove > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 19:13

Bwahahahah! That’s a good one.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Chariotoflove
06/01/2020 at 19:35

Yeah... it was a genuine ‘pick and choose your battles’ moment.

I sooooo wanted to set him straight.

In my younger years, I may have argued.

But these days, I’m older/wiser and will only argue if it will serve an end purpose.

Chariotoflove > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 20:45

He does you a favor by ruining his credibility so you know not to rely on him for product info. Think of it that way.

AlexM > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 21:26

I just bought a 2017 Mazda 3 Touring 52k miles. The handling is good, mpg is really good, interior very eye pleasing, exterior looks better than a Civic.

floyd golden III > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/01/2020 at 22:02

I'd recommend another Mazda they now make a small suv 3

Beju > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/02/2020 at 01:08

FWIW, the fenders and body panels on my 2008 gen 1 Mazdaspeed3 held up fine over 11 Chicago winters (we don't go easy on the salt on main roads) .

The underside, not so much.

CompactLuxuryFan > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
06/02/2020 at 02:21

Depreciation on a $28k Elantra is probably catastrophic, unfortunately. I’d want a big big discount.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/02/2020 at 05:16

Corolla.

gntutara55 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/02/2020 at 09:26

Id stick with the Mazda 3, I have an 04 and absolutely love it. I’ve heard the newer ones are even better, especially since Mazda isn’t under ford anymore

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/02/2020 at 11:31

Now, obviously, I’m biased, but... u sed Mk6 or Mk7 Golf. 2.0T is pretty bulletproof at this point. Main issues are oil consumption and failed timing chain tensioners. The tensioner design was revised for MY2015. Good cars, keep em on your radar if you don’t need it to be a new car. Getting cheap to buy, too.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/02/2020 at 12:00

“2.0T is pretty bulletproof at this point. Main issues are oil consumption and failed timing chain tensioners. The tensioner design was revised for MY2015.”

Which is to say that oil consumption is still an issue, no? Which is ALSO to say it’s not truly bulletproof.

My GF is not the right type of buyer for a car like that. She’s not technical or mechanically handy. She needs something that is bulletproof and durable by Japanese standards, not Euro standards.

And the oldest car she would consider is something that is less than a year old and less than 10,000km... but only if it could be had for an amazing price.

But she really just wants something new.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/02/2020 at 12:12

Fair enough. There are a lot of horror stories of the FSI, TFSI, and TSI.

If she wants something new and reliable, the 1.4t and 1.8t in my dad’s and brother’s Mk6 Jettas have been super reliable so far. They both got their cars in 2017 ish. Can’t remember off the top of my head.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/02/2020 at 12:54

I’m very sure they will be reliable during the warranty period. I’m not worried about that.

I’m more concerned about what they’re like after 10 years of ownership.

I have a friend who has a 2007 B6 Passat that he picked over a Fusion I suggested back in 2008 or 2009.

Back then I told him to be prepared that things will get a bit expensive with the VW as it ages, but not insanely so (it’s the regular 2.0 TSI version).

And recently, h e’s at the point now that he is having to fix the odd expensive thing, but it’s still way cheaper to keep it compared to buying a new or nearly-new car. And he’s starting to become a little bit mechanically inclined as a result.... which is a good thing. And he still likes the car too.

My view of VAG products is they are right for some people who are willing to do some of their own homework and some wrenching themselves.

I wouldn’t rule them out for myself... particularly one of those Golfs from the late 2000s and early 2010s with the sweet “half a Lambo V10" 2.5L I5.

But they’re not for people like my GF.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/02/2020 at 13:04

My view of VAG products is they are right for some people who are willing to do some of their own homework and some wrenching themselves.

Absolutely agree. A new one with an older and proven motor (like the 1.8t) should be fairly cheap to run up to 120k miles or so. If she doesn’t want to put money into it or work on it herself, getting something else is probably the right decision.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
06/02/2020 at 14:30

I never thought I’d say this, but get the Corolla. Highest likelihood of reliable motoring, while maintaining it’s val ue the best.

Past me would have said Honda, but I just find them so terrible looking.

Also, the real correct answer is GTI because duh.