No, the new style 2013 (or is it 2014?, so hard to tell these days) Mazda 3 shares absolutely nothing with the Ford Focus. This platform was designed 100% in house by Mazda.

So, is Jeepin4x4 ever gonna actually buy a car? Or does he like the Garage attention too much?

1/3/2014 1:03:21 PM

I was also under the impression that the Focus is on the same generation worldwide as of 2012 MY, but I could be wrong.

Here's a thought for you. You didn't say whether or not you were a fan of the Kia Soul--a new generation just came out and the base model with a manual (if you can find one) could be had for under/at $15K. The next trim level (the plus) MSRP is $19K out the door but I'm sure you could do better than that. 100K mile warranty appeals to the "drive it forever" type. Something to think about.

(This line of reasoning is part of how I ended up with a Forte, full disclosure. But other than some chintzy interior bits, which seem to have been eliminated on the newer-generation cars, it's been pretty damn good so far.)

1/3/2014 4:28:05 PM

Cheap, Fast, Reliable choose 2

Utility, Fun, Cheap(Gas/price) choose 2

1/8/2014 9:45:57 PM

Shit I bought a car today without having to make a thread about it.

Man up and make a damn decision or revoke you testicle card already.

[Edited on January 8, 2014 at 11:55 PM. Reason : .]

1/8/2014 11:55:33 PM

Ooo, I wanna know what you bought??

There are people in my office that switch cars every few years as they become "less reliable". One's getting rid of a 5 year old Nissan b/c her mechanic did a "fuel injection service" and a motor mount, so she's buying a new car, possibly Toyota. Interesting concept, my opinion is that buying a 2-3 year old car with extended warranty would be a much better deal, then you don't have to get hit w/so much depreciation and high insurance.

1/9/2014 10:04:07 AM

^I love those sorts of people. My daily driver is a 16 year old Ford and I've only replaced wear items in the year+ that I've owned it. And yet a 5 year old Nissan is "less reliable".

Shit, I've only owned two cars that were less than 5 years old when purchased.

1/9/2014 10:09:46 AM

I have a 99 Ford Ranger. The only things I've replaced on it have been an Alternator, a Brake Light Switch and some kind of sensor. I've owned it since 2002. Oh, I've also replaced 2 tires.

It does have 142,000 miles on it though and its slowly beginning to eat gas a little more than I would like. I would imagine in the next couple years I will be in the hunt for a new car. What I'll want at that point is something used(3-4 years old) with low to decent mileage and good on gas.

Whats the best route to take in buying a used car?

[Edited on January 10, 2014 at 6:01 PM. Reason : sdf]

1/10/2014 5:56:06 PM

Quote :

"Shit I bought a car today without having to make a thread about it. Man up and make a damn decision or revoke you testicle card already."

You lost revocation privileges when you mothballed the Porsche project.

1/10/2014 6:03:48 PM

haha.

[Edited on January 11, 2014 at 2:58 PM. Reason : /]

1/11/2014 2:50:44 PM

dweedle, are you still liking the fusion hybrid? fuelly shows most users in the 40mpg range. I'm in a similar situation as OP and looking at the fusion hybrids, mazda6, etc...

1/25/2014 5:20:27 PM

yeah, I'm still loving it

in the 20ish degree weather, I've been averaging about 35.2 I think, so take into consideration the climate power usage

1/31/2014 6:39:12 PM

okay, i'm switching gears here a bit...most of the hatchbacks i've looked at have less trunk space than my saturn, which is disappointing, but in hindsight, not surprising

so now i'm looking for something more like a wagon (or an actual wagon)...budget is max of $10k and reliability is key

i think VWs are out because it seems like they're not that reliable, they're not easy to work on, and the parts are expensive...correct me if i'm wrong

i'm leaning toward a mid/upper-2000s outback or volvo Vxx

other recommendations?

2/18/2014 3:22:50 PM

Farking awesome hatchbacks @ $10K:
Mini Cooper S!! (Prolly not enough space, but it is a hatch).
Audi A3. Def. enough space. Basically @$10k. Reliability is OK, car's worth it IMO.
Subaru WRX wagon/Saab 9-2X Aero. Everything's already said, good car.

Now if you don't care about fun or character, feel free to ignore the above, go buy an accord sedan and be done w/it.

2/18/2014 4:36:57 PM

^^honda element or Mazda 5? Shorter than the cars you mentioned but more of a boxy shape. I imagine they have similar cargo room.

What about smaller crossovers - CRV, Rav4, highlander, Mitsubishi outlander (lol j/k)? These might be a little small for your needs.

[Edited on February 18, 2014 at 6:04 PM. Reason : Mazda 5 may be longer and taller]

2/18/2014 5:52:20 PM

Quote :

"Now if you don't care about fun or character, feel free to ignore the above, go buy an accord sedan and be done w/it."

you're right, i don't...but you didn't read what i posted if you think a honda sedan is what i'm looking for, either

Quote :

"honda element or Mazda 5? Shorter than the cars you mentioned but more of a boxy shape. I imagine they have similar cargo room."

*i* would gladly drive an element...my wife has nixed that one, though, as she hates it

Quote :

"What about smaller crossovers - CRV, Rav4, highlander, Mitsubishi outlander (lol j/k)? These might be a little small for your needs."

actually, i think we decided to buy something like a CRV in a year or two, to replace her car...this one's for me, and my preference is something that's more car than small SUV

i appreciate the suggestions...i know knocking out coupes, sedans, and (small) hatchbacks really limits the choices, which is why i want to make sure i know what all of the options are

2/18/2014 6:34:07 PM

Element is an interesting package with few cars really fitting the mold as a direct competitor (maybe ford transit?). If your wife is big into camping like you are make sure you play up the "poor man's camper" that a lot of people have turned the element into - its most endearing feature IMO.

And don't overlook the Mazda5. Basically a mazda3 with a squashed down minivan body. You've got to swallow your pride a little to accept sliding rear doors but you get three rows of seats, some Mazda3 zoom-zoom (even if its only modest), more cargo capacity than anything mentioned so far, and comparable mpgs.

2/18/2014 6:57:57 PM

My apologies, I hadn’t read the previous page. In that case...

Mazda 5 I think are fantastic, as is the Mazda 3, I’d even be tempted to go previous generation. They seem tough and even cheaper now than before.

2/19/2014 12:04:53 AM

I really want a 2014 Silverado/Sierra 1500 LTZ/SLT, but I just don't like putting that kind of money into vehicles

Are there any good/rugged AWD/4WD SUVs (but trying to keep fuel mileage in mind)with some of the same cabin/safety/etc. features as those upper end trucks that are <$20k?. The less used the better. It seems like most of the smaller SUVs have been murdered and turned into soccermom rides, though I haven't look at them in years. 50 miles/day; 18k miles/year mostly highway. Some occasional towing (8x10 open trailer or 25' carolina skiff); daily driver. Or should I just start looking into sedans?

[Edited on February 19, 2014 at 2:09 PM. Reason : .]

2/19/2014 2:08:21 PM

why not get the newest Silverado you can afford, used? Also, if parking isn't a premium, I'm of the mindset for a good TRUCK and then a dd/beater car.

2/19/2014 2:14:28 PM

Well, I can afford a new one; I just don't like having that much money in vehicles. I've though about going back to an older one and still thinking about it; I'm just being a bitch and don't want to get something close to what I want instead of exactly; so I was starting to look at completely different cars.

2/19/2014 2:21:49 PM

no sense in that man! why not a $20k truck and a $4k car? that would get you enough vehiclage for reliability

2/19/2014 2:24:27 PM

I know

2/19/2014 2:40:50 PM

FWPs up in here.

2/19/2014 5:06:30 PM