Good DD Car (Newer)

C

Cherokeekid88

NAXJA Forum User
Location
North Carolina
So the wife and I will be looking for a car to buy probably after Christmas. Now this car needs to be 2004-2012. This will mainly be my wife's car as her jeep is falling apart and she hates it. BUT...this car will eventually be mine once its paid off so she can get another car that she really wants once we get some stuff paid down.

Here what I want out of a car. I want something that is good on gas, fun to drive, very reliable, and has some sense of style to it.
I have been looking at the Madza 3's both newer style and like a 2006-2008 model as well in the hatchback flavor.
Also looking at VW golfs, TDI Jettas/Passats, Honda civic (2005-2010)

I just want something that we both can drive and take to the mountains or the beach and not have to worry about stuff breaking all the time or spending alot on gas.

My father in law has a 2008 Mazda 3 and he loves it and I love it too...fun car to drive..has put about 40k on it since he bought it used and haven't had any problems with it.

Any suggestions?
Wanting to keep the price below 12k if possible.
 
My wife has a mazda 3. it's a nice little car. It gets great gas mileage and we havent had a single issue with it. It's a 2010. I have a 2011 scion tc and love it.
 
I had a Mazda protege 5 hatchback for a while, LOVED that car. Fun to drive, plenty of pep, handled great, great gas mileage.

Get the Mazdaspeed 3 if you want REALLY fun.
 
My wife had a 2008 (at least i think that was the year) Mazda 3. Good little car. It was an automatic but had the "manual" mode which was cool. I think we both wish she still had it. Her mom has it now and other than a weird brake light issue, it's given zero problems at all.
 
The wife? When did you get married!? Congrats bud!

If you want to save a bit of coin, look at a newer Focus. I bought an ST (the speed3's competition) a couple of months ago and it's a blast! For your lady though, look at a regular one (SE will be more basic, Titanium will have all the goodies). Hatchback is definitely the way to go, IMO.

We (my parents and I) each bought one the dame day. They got a Titanium (heated leather seats, upgraded sound system, automatic, non turbo, sunroof..etc) and paid in the low 20's for it..BRAND NEW. If you want to look at a new car, hit me up via PM and i'll explain to you how we both got a killer deal on ours.

They're averaging close to 40mpg on their commute (80+ miles a day all highway - Clemmons to Greensboro and back). I've had quite a few focus rentals for work, which is actually how I got to like them. Also had a Mazda3 and was very impressed with how it was, for what it was. Mazda will run you a bit more money though. If you want new new, now's a good time to hit the lots as dealers are trying to clear 2013's to make room for 2014's. The '14's were just hitting the lots when we bought ours in late July.
 
UNCC_99XJ said:
The wife? When did you get married!? Congrats bud!

If you want to save a bit of coin, look at a newer Focus. I bought an ST (the speed3's competition) a couple of months ago and it's a blast! For your lady though, look at a regular one (SE will be more basic, Titanium will have all the goodies). Hatchback is definitely the way to go, IMO.

We (my parents and I) each bought one the dame day. They got a Titanium (heated leather seats, upgraded sound system, automatic, non turbo, sunroof..etc) and paid in the low 20's for it..BRAND NEW. If you want to look at a new car, hit me up via PM and i'll explain to you how we both got a killer deal on ours.

They're averaging close to 40mpg on their commute (80+ miles a day all highway - Clemmons to Greensboro and back). I've had quite a few focus rentals for work, which is actually how I got to like them. Also had a Mazda3 and was very impressed with how it was, for what it was. Mazda will run you a bit more money though. If you want new new, now's a good time to hit the lots as dealers are trying to clear 2013's to make room for 2014's. The '14's were just hitting the lots when we bought ours in late July.
Click to expand...

Well, she is my fiance, but its just easier t o say shes my wife...planning to get married next October...we have been together for over 8 years, so all the nagging and complaining makes her seem that she is my wife.....:)
We are actually looking for something used...preferably in the 10k-12k range....I want to get something that is for both of us but she would be driving it more than I would. Manual is out of the question....I will not have her burning up clutch after clutch...even though i want a manual.
IM looking at either a Mazda 3, Honda civic, (which I know everyone has, but parts should be cheaper and easy to find) something that is nice and zippy and reliable.
 
I'd stay away from the Civic, especially with it being an automatic. Honda's small automatic transmissions aren't what they used to be 10 or so years ago. Plus, I wasn't really all that impressed with Honda engineering on the new stuff, or the build quality. I had an 06 RSX and just got rid of it. Never let me down and ran good, but was starting to have some issues at 70K that it shouldn't have (clutch and internal transmission bearing noise). It also rattled like crazy inside when the temps got cold. Lots of cheap plastic...kind of reminded me of an older domestic vehicle.

Since your going automatic, and have a $10-12K budget, i'd lean towards the Mazda. One thing I really enjoyed about the rental I had was the automatic transmission was actually suited for a 4 cylinder car. Meaning, it didn't fall on its face as soon as you hit 2nd gear. Plus, the Mazda will be cheaper, so you can get more car for your money.
 
All the mazda's owned by family and friends have had longevity issues, i have never been impressed with mazda function, just their form.....buy a honda or a toyota, they are the best cars on the market hands down
 
From personal and professional opinion, Hondas are your best investment. Their engineering is really a testament to the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle. They are well built, period. Hold their value. Very easy to work on. Little stuff like where the oil filter is located, how the steering and suspension are set-up, how easy the alignment is, how easy brake jobs are to do, goes a long way in my book. Sure they are not the most exciting to drive compared to some other options out there, but the best DD investment.
 
Cnickgo said:
From personal and professional opinion, Hondas are your best investment. Their engineering is really a testament to the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle. They are well built, period. Hold their value. Very easy to work on. Little stuff like where the oil filter is located, how the steering and suspension are set-up, how easy the alignment is, how easy brake jobs are to do, goes a long way in my book. Sure they are not the most exciting to drive compared to some other options out there, but the best DD investment.
Click to expand...

I like the 07 civic style more so than the newer ones....I just want something that is good on gas and reliable...
 
Well if you decide to go for the 07ish Civic, at least you'd be away from timing belts. They were chains at that point (finally).
 
Ball park - mid 00's and up. They didn't all change at once. Accords started around 02ish, and the civics were a bit later.

Did a belt on my buddy's Civic which was a pain in the ass. That was an 04 model.
 
Be careful of 01-04 accords, especially the V6 models. The transmissions are known to be weak. I guess we were fortunate and made it to 215k before it went in my sisters 01 4 cylinder. My parents bought that Accord off the dealer lot. Now she has a 04 CR-V, they have an 07 Pilot, my grandparents have an 04 Pilot, and I had a 98 Civic. My dad also had a 89 Civic that he squeezed every drop of life out of. All such good cars that cost hardly nothing to maintain and didn't break.
 
I had a 2013 Mazda 3 hatchback as a rental car for over 2 months. It had the Skyactive stuff. It was an awesome little car. I fell in love with it. I even went as far as looking to buy one as a DD. I put 8000 miles on it in and enjoyed every minute of it. I will buy one. I did go to the dealer and test drive a Speed 3 too. It was a fun little car. I think if the Dart comes out as an SRT version it will give the Spped a run for its money though. I think the Dart looks better and I'm a Mopar guy. There is not enough time on the Dart yet to prove it is a reliable car though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
My front wheel has negative camber
Replies
2
Views
307
Tim_MN
Tim_MN
J
Won't go past 2k rpm
Replies
4
Views
137
jerryrigxj
J
W
Bogging in final gear
Replies
1
Views
274
Dragonslayer
D
JeepGhost
Gas Milage, Engine Rebuild or Swap
Replies
12
Views
430
JeepGhost
JeepGhost
A
1996 XJ won't engage when shifted into P/R
Replies
8
Views
364
Rob Mayercik
R
Back
Top