Argh ... tossed up between two cars ....

[lopxtc]

Okay I had my mind set on one car, but then a buddy at work showed me the new Mazda3's and now I am tossed up between two cars ...

1) '03 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally

or

2) '04 Mazda3 Hatchback ...

Ive driven the OZ Rally and like the way it handles, although its only a 120hp engine ... the Mazda3 is a 160hp engine ...

I am looking at a vehicle that fits the following;

-- Price ~$15,000
The OZ Rally is going for $15,5xx with what I want, but the Mazda3 is ~$18-19,xxx but I can get it at dealers cost + $25.00 thanks to a discount plan. I am guessing the dealer is making $3-4,000 on the price so the discount should bring it into my range.

-- Seats me/wife/2 kids
Both can do this comfortably ... the Mazda3 has the hatchback which gives it more storage, but still looks nice.

-- Something I can play with
I am looking for something that is resonable in cost, but at the same time is a vehicale that I can learn how to play with and upgrade parts. Something I have wanted to learn how to do for awhile .. but never had a car that I can do this with. And I dont mean just adding stickers and a body kit ... I mean actual performance mods to the engine, suspension, etc ..

Anyone have any experience with the new 04 Mazda3's? I want to go test drive one, but the weather has been crappy around here lately.

Thanks,

Aaron

[PyRo]

Before you go spend that kind of money why not wait for some nicer wether and drive them. I wouldn't want to buy any car without driving it first.

[headcase]

I've got two problems here.

I hate Mitsubishi, they haven't made, in my opinion, a decent car since the 2nd Gen Eclipse. The Lancer OZ, imo, is just their way of trying to cash in on the Evo(this version of which isn't even that good, and the dealers have(or had) a no-test drive policy)

I like the look of the Mazda3, and Mazda has been turning out some nice cars recently(Mazda6 and RX-8), and I like Mazda as a company more.

Honestly of the two, like you can't see this coming, I would go with the 3 assuming you can test drive them both and don't have any major problems with it.

[Remington]

I'd go with the Mazda3. I've been looking at it myself and if you're looking for a car like that (which I am, well, either the 3 or a Nissan Frontier) then it's probably the better choice; like headcase brought up, Mazda is starting to turn out better quality cars than ever before.

[UltimatePaintballer]

mistubishi montero, we have it and its great, otherwise, the mistubishi

[Mateo]

Mazda hands down.

Mitsubishi's design and quality has really gone down after they broke up DSM with Plymouth, I think thats what made them a good company. Everything from the latest Eclipse, Endevour, and Diamante well, besides being really ugly, aren't very well equipped for the price. Plus the OZ Ralliart isn't that much of a step up from the regular Lancers, it only has their version of variable valve timing, but it doesn't help much for the little engine that can't.

The latest past two generations of Mazdas have shown that it has grown as a company and finally starting to reach the mainstream which they were trying not to do ironically lol. Their plan with the 626, 6, 323 was to join the mainstream and when they didn't do so hot they went back to their roots and did their own thang. What you get is very interesting, the 3,6 and RX8. Just wow. The 6 is a beautiful car. Period. Very aggresive looking and sexy but still that family car with a lot of power to move it around being able to compete, if not surpass, Toyota and Honda in all categories. Seeing that the 3 is the little brother, and good things must run in the family, Im sure it would be a great car for your purpose. But don't forget the used car route, there are plenty of deals around. Protege5 Wagon would be a nice alternative to the 3.

[pputkowski]

For that kind of money, pick up a nice used WRX or a Forester(2.5 liter flat 4 with 210 h/p).

[SatansGun]

mazda is owned by ford so do it

[OfficerGoat]

Another weird option to look into would be the SRT4 Neon if you can get that at Dealers it would fit into your price range and is a rocketship for that price range. I hate dodge... but thats a fun ride for the sub 20k category. Weather or not it truly falls into your pricing I dono though.

[GT]

Dont get me started on mitsu, they have half assed alot of cars for a number of years. Dont get me wrong the 4g63 powerplant is incredible but the car around it sux.

Few cars I would also consider in that price range. Mazda Prot 5 wagon. Sure its a wagon but a dam nice one.

WRX, It isnt uncommon around this time of year to get unheard of deals on "loaner" new cars. I read a post awhile back where a guy grabed an '02 for around 14k.

Something I have wanted to learn how to do for awhile .. but never had a car that I can do this with. And I dont mean just adding stickers and a body kit ... I mean actual performance mods to the engine, suspension, etc ..

Never buy a new car for this unless you have the money to blow and really know what you are doing. There are very few sub 20k cars that can be made into something worth acrap.

gt's ultimate advice,
buy something the wifey and kids can troll around town in and buy yourself a used 92-95 civic. If done correctly 350-450hp is pretty atainable with about 10k.

jb

[cphilip]

Even had a used car salesman tell me not to even drive the Mitsubishi! thats a direct quote I swear!



Hmmm... Nissan...Toyota... why not be looking at them too?

[PyRo]

Ive got worse stories about used car salesman. Well not that happend to me anyway, but pretty funny

[Mateo]

Oh yes Nissan.

Nissan Sentra Vspec($12k-$17k): The Sentra(I hate to say this) is gonna be the next Civic for sure. The 2.0L SR20DE is a wonderful tried and true powerplant, kinda suffers from torque steer tho. The new Sentras have very conservative styling inside and subtle outside. Tie this with a great audio package and those big wheels ricers love. Also you have the quality for the price that Nissan is known for the past 40 years back when they were known as Datsun. I know of a early Maxima that is just as about beat up as a old Corrola both having about 200K miles showing that Nissan is just as good with Toyota with building great long lasting imports.

[Butterfingers]

WRX baby! With a simple T valve boost controller and a turbo back exhaust system the thing runs low 13 1/4 miles all day. And sub 5 second 0-60 times... Turbos are cool!

[SpongeBobSquarePants]

M3 all the way, however if it was me I would look into a subaru.