Help Me Decide On A New Car!

[xlosltove777]

I've owned a Mazda 3 for 7-8 months now and I love that car. I look forward to driving it everyday. It's got decent power and it's just fun to toss around. I haven't had it for long so I can't say much on reliability but I owned a Protege with 110k before and it had very few issues for the year that I had it.

As far as comparing it to the Z, I feel like that's just not fair. If you buy it new the Z is a more expensive car, and I think it shows. How much mileage does the one your looking at have? I think financially the 3 might make more sense because it'll last you longer and the Z will guzzle more gas.
Also think about the space, I sort of wanted a Miata, but my parents wouldn't let me(they pay the insurance they got the final say). Now that I think about it the 3 has been more convenient, I just made a trip up to Boston with two friends and we fit comfortably and had plenty of trunkroom. One of them would've had to drive if I had a two-seater, and I don't like having other people drive me.

Have you test driven both cars as well? I know on paper I was torn between the Civic and the 3. When I test drove them I was able to make up my mind very quick, you might have the same experience.

 

[quagmire]

I was thinking about the camaro and a new mustang but it just doesn't seem reliable.

Not reliable in what way? That you'll break it having so much fun driving it?

In terms of quality, from my experience with GM you won't have to worry about the Camaro. The 3.6 SIDI V6 is a very reliable engine and GM's automatics are also very reliable. While I have no experience with Ford, I would also much sooner buy a Ford if I was going to go outside of GM. You would want to wait until the new engines hit the dealer lot. The current V6 is an old POS( in terms of power, etc. Not quality). Plus, they are RWD which is preferable for any car enthusiast and wants a fun car. 300 HP out of V6's and 29/31 MPG HWY, what isn't to love about those cars?

But I wouldn't recommend one if you're looking for fun, for that go with a used 5 series or 3 series coupe. You might also be able to get away with one of these:

BMW's especially used BMW's or any German luxury car at least( hey yg, how expensive are parts for VW's?) will be expensive to maintain. I would not buy one if you want to own it long term. My brother has had to put a lot of work into my dads old E46 330xi and before my dad gave it to my brother, it needed some maintenance work done to it and it wasn't cheap. They may be cool to own and drive, but until you maintain one, you don't know the true cost of it.

 

[125037]

I sat in one at my local auto show back in 2007. Frankly, I was disappointed. The styling is bland/ugly. Toyota tried to inject some sporty styling into it to try to attract the young crowd and at the same time keep it safe and bland/boring to please the core buyer. The end result is an ugly bland car. The interior is filled with hard plastics. A step down in quality from the 2004 rental we had.

With subjectivity aside, how can you say the Camry is becoming a luxury car? Please do explain. The interior sure doesn't look very upscale.

Camry:

Gross, mine looks nothing like that, lol. It's all dark and.... just looks way better than that crappy ****, haha.

 

[quagmire]

Gross, mine looks nothing like that, lol. It's all dark and.... just looks way better than that crappy ****, haha.

You may have it in a different color, but that doesn't change the fact that is the interior design you have.

 

[rezenclowd3]

Isn't the Mazda 3 FWD? Yuck...noooooo thanks. So far have not owned a FWD, and I never plan to.

 

[Burnsey]

BMW's especially used BMW's or any German luxury car at least( hey yg, how expensive are parts for VW's?) will be expensive to maintain. I would not buy one if you want to own it long term. My brother has had to put a lot of work into my dads old E46 330xi and before my dad gave it to my brother, it needed some maintenance work done to it and it wasn't cheap. They may be cool to own and drive, but until you maintain one, you don't know the true cost of it.

I know, but still very hard to resist. IMO can't beat this as a used car:

At least when it comes to fun and sexiness. And maybe fuel economy, plus a degree of status too, especially among the many who won't able to tell how old it actually is. If it was reliable it would be the perfect used car.

 

[quagmire]

I know, but still very hard to resist. IMO can't beat this as a used car:

At least when it comes to fun and sexiness. And maybe fuel economy, plus a degree of status too, especially among the many who won't able to tell how old it actually is. If it was reliable it would be the perfect used car.

Our 2002 E46 330xi was reliable until about 60,000 miles. That is when issues popped up. German cars and high mileage don't generally go together. 60,000, 70,000, 80,000 miles is when they tend to get expensive on the maintenance. Before then, they are warranted and reliable.

 

[DoNoHarm]

man to the people posting about chevrolet interiors:

Chevy made great cars in the 60's. In this millenium, it's safe to say that in general Chevy's are less reliable, less well designed, and less efficient compared to Toyota and Honda. If you're concerned that the Camry's interior is bland, go for a honda civic. seriously the interior and exterior of the current honda civics are TIMELESS designs!

 

[xlosltove777]

Isn't the Mazda 3 FWD? Yuck...noooooo thanks. So far have not owned a FWD, and I never plan to.

I've never driven RWD car but I know in the winter most people that own them are afraid to take them at once there is a little bit of snow on the ground. The 3 isn't the greatest in the snow but it's not going all over the road like the Mustangs and Camaro's I see.

 

[quagmire]

man to the people posting about chevrolet interiors:

Chevy made great cars in the 60's. In this millenium, it's safe to say that in general Chevy's are less reliable, less well designed, and less efficient compared to Toyota and Honda. If you're concerned that the Camry's interior is bland, go for a honda civic. seriously the interior and exterior of the current honda civics are TIMELESS designs!

Less efficient? Please do back that up. Equinox: 22/32. That is better then CR-V and RAV4. Malibu is equal to Camry. Accord is less. Cobalt gets 37 MPG HWY. Better then Civic and Corolla. The new Cruze is expected to get 40 MPG HWY.

As for reliability. Our 1996 Suburban, 2002 Suburban, our 2006 Equinox,and 2007 Saturn Aura all have been reliable. Next.

Interior, I posted the latest GM interiors. You still say they are horrible? While I haven't sat in the Cruze yet( not out yet in the US) you say the design is horrible? Reviews in Europe and Australia have been positive about the car and the interior. Only complaint is about the 1.8 4 banger, but that engine will only be available on the stripper models here( LS trim). LT and up trims will have the 1.4 Turbo engine. I have sat and drove the CTS. The interior is better then my dads 335xi. I also like the interior of my Aura. It has decent materials and I like the design. I also love the new Equinox's interior. Reviewers say it is one of the best if not best in class.

I've never driven RWD car but I know in the winter most people that own them are afraid to take them at once there is a little bit of snow on the ground. The 3 isn't the greatest in the snow but it's not going all over the road like the Mustangs and Camaro's I see.

A) Put snow tires on the car B) Put a few weights in the trunk. That is why FWD is better is because the weight is on the front wheels. Put the weight in the back, RWD will not be that bad. C) Todays RWD vehicles have close to a 50/50 weight distribution which does improve traction in the rear. Camaro is close to 50/50, not sure about Mustang. D) Learn how to drive.

 

[Counterfit]

E) Buy a Subaru

But I wouldn't recommend one if you're looking for fun, for that go with a used 5 series or 3 series coupe. You might also be able to get away with one of these:

(again not mine)

Sure, if you want to get reamed on maintenance costs.

 

[citizenzen]

Save your money and take the bus!

 

[renewed]

Insert great points about Chevy...

Just wanted to add my Tahoe interior:

How is this not luxurious? Also, I average 19MPG for a V8. 21-22MPG on the highway.

 

[quagmire]

Just wanted to add my Tahoe interior:


How is this not luxurious? Also, I average 19MPG for a V8. 21-22MPG on the highway.

It's upscale looking, but not luxurious.

As for me though, I am still partial to the work truck interior that is in the trucks. I have always liked the ergonomics of the setup from our 2002 Suburban.

 

[neiltc13]

Get a Ford Fiesta. I'd recommend the TDCi model but I don't think they sell it everywhere.

 

[quagmire]

Get a Ford Fiesta. I'd recommend the TDCi model but I don't think they sell it everywhere.

The US is not getting the diesels sadly.

 

[125037]

Yes, I've ridden in a Camry, it is the most boring, uninspired car I've ever been in. Sorta like all Toyotas since they scrapped the MR2.

If a Camry is becoming a luxury car then a CTS is a Rolls Royce........

I know looks are subjective, but come on. Camry is one of the most boring cars out there....... I would rather get a Mini Cooper then a Camry and I am not a fan of the Mini Cooper.

How do people think this looks boring!?. Listen, I know it's not a high end car, but for what it is, I think its AMAZING and I love it.. .(not the green though) we have charcoal. Furthermore it's probably the most peppy 4 cyl I have ever rid ( <-- road, riddin, haha idk) in.

 

[quagmire]

How do people think this looks boring!?. Listen, I know it's not a high end car, but for what it is, I think its AMAZING.

If it isn't boring, it's ugly. If you want to see what Toyota used to do in design, here you go.

But, Toyota decided to get all boring and dull on us. Killed the Supra and any sporty vehicle in their lineup. Todays Toyota's have just gone to ugly. Corolla, Camry, Venza, Sienna, etc all went down the tubes in styling. I would much sooner buy a bland previous generation Camry then the current Camry.

PS: It's not easy to find a non-riced out Supra on google.

Even taking into account of midsize sedans, the Camry is the most boring ever. Let's compare:

Malibu:

Fusion:

Altmia

I would much sooner buy those cars then the Camry. Well, actually I sort of did as I drive a Saturn Aura XR which is the Malibu's twin.



The only car the Camry would beat would be the Sebring/Avenger.

 

[renewed]

How do people think this looks boring!?. Listen, I know it's not a high end car, but for what it is, I think its AMAZING and I love it.. .(not the green though) we have charcoal. Furthermore it's probably the most peppy 4 cyl I have ever rid in.

yawn. It's just not a big deal. Looks like a car. Nothing special.

 

[125037]

If it isn't boring, it's ugly. If you want to see what Toyota used to do in design, here you go.

But, Toyota decided to get all boring and dull on us. Killed the Supra and any sporty vehicle in their lineup. Todays Toyota's have just gone to ugly. Corolla, Camry, Venza, Sienna, etc all went down the tubes in styling. I would much sooner buy a bland previous generation Camry then the current Camry.

PS: It's not to find a non-riced out Supra on google.

Dude, it's not a sports car.

 

[quagmire]

Dude, it's not a sports car.

Never said the Camry was. But, that is what Toyota did design that is attractive and actually good. The Camry simply is a safe design to please the boring masses for a safe and boring reliable appliance on wheels.

 

[125037]

If it isn't boring, it's ugly. If you want to see what Toyota used to do in design, here you go.



Malibu:

Malibu looks SUCK! Esp the back... I don't think it gets plainer than that.

EDIT: Before everyone starts riding my dick, let me put IMO at the end of ^ that sentence.

 

[yg17]

The Malibu and the Camry are both god awful IMO

 

[citizenzen]

I just don't get car porn.



I'm more of a boob guy.

 

[125037]

I would much sooner buy those cars then the Camry. Well, actually I sort of did as I drive a Saturn Aura XR which is the Malibu's twin.

And the Camry and the Lexus ES 350 are twins... Seriously, one of the FEW "major" differences would be that the 350s engine is tuned for slightly better performance. IMO the camry looks quite a better.