Considering Purchasing a Mazda

[sly_wolf 199]

We just got a new Hyundai Sonata. Very nice and great value for the money plus the best warranties.

[thetreble 19]

Just a comment on Subaru vehicles. Depending on where you live, they are a pretty popular vehicle make. A lot of people out in West Jersey and PA drive them. Since 4 wheel drive is standard on it, you get a great value for your price. Where we live, we have a lot of big hills and get some snow in the winter time and the subarus do a great job at handling it. I also drive 1.30 mins to work every day and therefore driving a more luxurious car would be kind of stupid.

For some people, the look of a car is everything. To me, a car is a practical thing and the value of what you get is the most important. Sure, a BMW is a great car, but I don't have 40K to dish out for something that's a want and not a necessity ya know?

It all depends on what your needs are and what you can realistically afford.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

No I totally agree Treble. There are a million different cars out there and no one vehicle is going to be prefect for everybody. I see people driving Subaru's around here all the time, especially the outback, its just not a look I really enjoy. Even though the practicality of a car is number one, I think its also important to like the car you're driving, especially if you're going to make the committment to spend $20k+ on it! With that said, there must be millions of people out there who love Subaru's, because they are hot sellers. I actually saw one yesterday that I thought was cute after posting in this thread... I have no idea what the model was though. It was a 4 door sedan and looked smaller than any Subaru's I've seen. What do you drive?

Interesting thing you guys mention about the Focus. Some people say its a fantastic car and they love it, and others complain about it. Its hard to say! Do you guys have any experience with them since they remodeled them in... was it 2008? They are supposed to be more reliable and drive better then the older model, but I don't know anyone who has a newer one.

I've been trying hard to balance my love of having an attractive car, with the need to get something practical, that gets good fuel mileage, drives nice and is going to be reliable. I really want something small, with 4 doors (no hatch's), 4 cylinders (power scares me), good fuel economy, something that is nimble and drivable, and something that is going to last me for as long as possible! And lastly, is cute. I like rounded features and defined trunk spaces, interesting looking wheels, and a cloth interior (my husbands black leather interior in the Grand Prix burns my butt in the summertime ). Soo... I'm trying to keep an open mind.

I also think the Nissan Versa is cute, but everyone around here makes fun of them... Maybe because of the price?

[Malrothien 6]

It was probably a WRX, Huggle.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Have you considered a Scion? If I was getting a smaller car, I would probably opt for a Scion. Or a Honda Civic Hybrid.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Scions are very nice. I think the boxy ones are super ugly though.

They're also owned by Toyota.

My father works in one of the Canadian Toyota Motor Manufacturing Plants and he's pretty much brainwashed me into only buying Toyota.

I've also only ever driven Toyotas, so they're all I'd ever buy.

Not to mention, he can most likely get me a discount if I want to lease a new one in the US. Haha.

[JillA 2]

Hubby has the 2 door Scion, it's cute and runs well. It's not my type of car, too "sporty" I prefer 4 doors. It's so annoying to have to get out of the car to let your passengers out or maybe I'm just lazy LOL

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Hubby has the 2 door Scion, it's cute and runs well. It's not my type of car, too "sporty" I prefer 4 doors. It's so annoying to have to get out of the car to let your passengers out or maybe I'm just lazy LOL

I don't like 2 doors much either, cause I'm usually in the back when I have to be in one of those.

It's tough getting out of them from the backseat.

[thetreble 19]

I also think the Nissan Versa is cute, but everyone around here makes fun of them... Maybe because of the price?

We have a 2008 Nissan Versa, which I love because it was my first car, and a 2006 Honda CRV.

I'd pick my versa any day over my CRV. The CRV is too bulky and it's too big for 4 Cyl.

Also, the price on my versa with tax was over 15K so if someone is making fun of the price, I'd question their IQ. I mean, who cares what a car cost someone? My 22 year old brother bought a 2008, fully loaded Yukon with 22"s. It's a drug dealers car. Its a 50K car...my brother only bought it because the bank was stupid enough to loan him the money...he certainly can't afford to pay the $900 payments a month and the 6,000.00 a year insurance which my parents are now in charge of.

Again, I think you look for what you are comfortable with and what you can afford. $20,000 is a lot of money. Our CRV was 18K and our payments are $350.00/month on it. It doesn't seem like a lot but once you guys move out of your inlaws and you are paying a mortgage somewhere, it's going to seem like A LOT.

Also, are you financing the car or is your husband. I couldn't finance the versa and I had been in the US almost a year at that point. They told me I had no credit history and so they wouldn't loan the money to me so tech., I don't own it. I own the CRV though as we just got that in Feb.

[OBX 51]

I also think the Nissan Versa is cute, but everyone around here makes fun of them... Maybe because of the price?

I just bought a Nissan Rogue after 20 years of Honda ownership (over the years we have had a 2 door Civic, 4 door Civic, 4 door Accord, Odyssey, Pilot and a year with their briefly produced wagon!) Anyway I was alternating between a CRV and the Nissan Rogue. I decided on the Rogue because my husband already has an Altima, we knew the dealer and were able to negotiate a good price. The Honda dealer was not really interested in us, the CRVs were flying off the lot so I figured there was not much room for negotiation. I also found the interior of the Rogue much nicer than the CRV which really surprised me because I am a big Honda fan.

I love the Rogue. I drove it back to Canada recently (BTW Huggles nothing has changed in Welland ) The ride was extremely comfortable, handling good and gas mileage excellent. So far I am sold on Nissan! Only slight negative is the smallish rear hatch window. It takes a bit of getting used to but but so far no other issues.

I think the Versa is cute too!

Edited September 30, 2009 by OBX

[norftown 0]

Anyone interested in taking over my fiancees lease on her Mazda 3? It's it the Surrey/White Rock area.

If interested PM me and I'll give you the details.

[Krikit 1,163]

Toyota Camry's are awesome. Used or new. Just thought I'd throw that out there. lol. Oh, and some of the Ford products are excellent too. You just have to know which ones.

Interesting thing you guys mention about the Focus. Some people say its a fantastic car and they love it, and others complain about it. Its hard to say! Do you guys have any experience with them since they remodeled them in... was it 2008? They are supposed to be more reliable and drive better then the older model, but I don't know anyone who has a newer one.

My Mom's got the new Focus. It was ####### when I took one out for a test drive back in 2001, and it is ####### now. (No offense to the Ford Focus lovers out there. lol) My Mom loves it, however. But she's not a really good judge of machinery since she's an "old-lady" driver. lol

Anyone interested in taking over my fiancees lease on her Mazda 3? It's it the Surrey/White Rock area.

If interested PM me and I'll give you the details.

Now may be a good time to point out that you are on a US immigration board.

[thetreble 19]

I also think the Nissan Versa is cute, but everyone around here makes fun of them... Maybe because of the price?

I just bought a Nissan Rogue after 20 years of Honda ownership

I love the Rogue. I drove it back to Canada recently (BTW Huggles nothing has changed in Welland ) The ride was extremely comfortable, handling good and gas mileage excellent. So far I am sold on Nissan! Only slight negative is the smallish rear hatch window. It takes a bit of getting used to but but so far no other issues.

bah! I'm jealous. We should have waited a few more months to save up and get the rogue. They didn't want to negotiate with us at the Honda dealership at all but I thought it was a great car.

I'm not so thrilled, though. We've already had a few problems with it and ti only has 35K miles. The rogue is sleek looking and the interior is so much nicer. I really love nissans and probably will get another nissan after we get rid of the honda.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Toyota Camry's are awesome. Used or new. Just thought I'd throw that out there. lol. Oh, and some of the Ford products are excellent too. You just have to know which ones.

Unless you like a car that goves over 50 mph

I absolutely hate scions. I have 3 friends who bough the scion TC. Their performance is subpar for what you are paying and all 3 friends had the same problem with the steering an steering column. Now, I did have a friend who had the box looking scion and that car was very reliable and economical. It's just a box on wheels though

Has anyone had any experience with the new Mini Coopers? Mel really wants one of those and i've been hard pressed to find a proper poor review of it. I just hope I can get her to NOT get the sport package one. God only knows how high the insurance will be on that for her

[Malrothien 6]

Mini Coopers haven't been rated the best thing considering they are a BMW.