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

[Downfall]

I just got a WRX yesterday, got a great deal on it, 2004 for 20K they are solid cars. Turbo baby!

[Automaggin2]

Mazda is the only import I will go near. I love the 6 and 3's, they are so nice and the styling is sweet. Cant wait to try out a 3.


A friend of mine let me drive around his 6, so smooth and rather wuick

[Mateo]

More on the Mazda 3:

-40% more stiffer than the Protege'
-the 3 is supported by struts up front, but there's a new multilink setup at the rear, similar to the system in use on the mid-size Mazda 6
-The electrohydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering system is accurate and quick at 2.8 turns lock-to-lock
-all-disc brake system has bigger rotors, vented up front
-taller, wider and longer by 1 to 2 inches
-tasteful headlamps, tail lights and body styling
-Mazda went to Volvo for safety design, and target handling was set for the BMW M3(Test drivers say it handles more like a RWD car )
-will come in sedan and 5 door hatch models
-base price set around $14k with total package(including a leather package) for $20k
-oh yeah rumors say that a few turbo'ed AWD 3's based off of Rally Focus are roaming around test tracks(weeeee!)

[lopxtc]

Hey everyone thanks for allot of the input and opinions ...

As much as I like the Impressa and the SRT-4 both are out of my current price range. I have to stick to the $15,xxx limit due to the fact that we are getting a house here soon also and I need to keep my car payment within $75.00 of my current payment. Also, Dodge doesnt allow the discount plan on the SRT-4 ... bummer.

Saturday the 27th I am taking both cars out for a drive to see how they perform. I'll say one cool thing about Mazda, two dealers offered to bring the car to my home or work for me to test drive ... :)

Nissan and Toyota are both good, I love Toyota engines the one in my current car has gone forever and its been some pretty hard miles put on to it ... but Im just not feeling allot of what Toyota or Nissan has out. Although I might browse through their lots over the weekend.

So for performance wise the Mazda3 is leading ... the hatchback comes with allot of standard features the Lancer doesnt;

-- 17" wheels vs. 15" on the Lancer
-- Variable valve timing ... not even an option on the Lancer except on the Ralliart which is base $19-$20,000.
-- 160 hp vs 120 hp ... granted I could get the Lancer up to 160, it would cost more and with that same amount could easily get the Mazda above 200 hp.

Im thinking the test drive will sink into stone the car I will go with. Both are written up in reviews as good rides, with the Mazda getting the edge as a more solid ride then the Lancer.

Aaron

[SatansGun]

Originally posted by Mateo
More on the Mazda 3:

-40% more stiffer than the Protege'
-the 3 is supported by struts up front, but there's a new multilink setup at the rear, similar to the system in use on the mid-size Mazda 6
-The electrohydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering system is accurate and quick at 2.8 turns lock-to-lock
-all-disc brake system has bigger rotors, vented up front
-taller, wider and longer by 1 to 2 inches
-tasteful headlamps, tail lights and body styling
-Mazda went to Volvo for safety design, and target handling was set for the BMW M3(Test drivers say it handles more like a RWD car )
-will come in sedan and 5 door hatch models
-base price set around $14k with total package(including a leather package) for $20k
-oh yeah rumors say that a few turbo'ed AWD 3's based off of Rally Focus are roaming around test tracks(weeeee!)

condsitering(sp) ford owns both Volvo and Mazda and a few other compenys they could even get tech stuff from Astin Martin

[GT]

bewteen the two stick with mazda.

allow me to shed alittle light on the mazda ford thing. *I think* ford bought mazda in the '70's for thier small engine development, read this as "ford cant make a 4 banger worth a poop" They did more than prove this statement once the focus was intruducded. Just look at the focus' recall list. Ever here of a ford ranger? Well the 4cyc motor in the ranger is actually a mazda desgined motor. there are tons of those little trucks all over the place. Alot of the ford/mazda product line is shared by a multitude of platforms simliar to the other ford/company x's they own.

There are a few mazda only vehicals. Ford has zero invovlement with these vehicals. Infact they are built in japan on thier own platform and parts. The miata, mellinia (no longer built), and rx8(i think) are these special vehicals.


opps started rambling continue with the post as normal.

[Ityl]

Why no american cars? Personally if I was looking at a small car it would be a Saturn Ion. The Ecotec is a great motor with a lot of development being put into it. Plus GM is offering some awesome rebates and financing.

Compare the 3

[GT]

Originally posted by Ityl
Why no american cars? Personally if I was looking at a small car it would be a Saturn Ion. The Ecotec is a great motor with a lot of development being put into it. Plus GM is offering some awesome rebates and financing.

Compare the 3

I am willing to bet that saturn maynot be the most unbiased source for car reviews. Try consumer report

[lopxtc]

I cant stand Saturns myself ...

As for American models, if I could go into the $20-25,000 range I would have my eye on the SRT-4 thats for certain ... thats a hell of a nice car. Granted its a Neon, but man does it not have the feel of one.

Aaron

[Mateo]

Never liked Saturns, heck never really liked GM, I think that their quality has always been below average except for their trucks. Plus their concepts suck too. Can you say "the Avalanche is a Tonka Truck?".

Now Ive ridden and driven a friends family ION 3. Let me tell you its not worth it at all, why they bought it escapes me. I think that his dad is one of those "GM rules all" fanatics, oh well.

The Saturn ION 3 isn't as sexy as the Mazda 3 for one. The outside styling is very bulky looking with too many vertical lines and too sharp angles. The interior looks a whole lot cheaper looking and has the gauge cluster in the center which is a horrible fad design seen in the Toyota ScionxA, B. Also the interior is made of hard plastics giving a cheap feeling while riding in a Protege' which by contrast has soft plastics, gives the car a more quality feeling. The Mazda 3 has a more rigid frame that it shares with the 2004 Focus compared to the new platform coming out of GM that the ION, Saab, and Cavalier/Cobalt shares. Add this with a bigger HP output engine and probably smoother handling and suspension, and the Mazda 3 trumps the ION.