Fun, Comfortable, Reliable, stick-shift 21k...
gmofftarki
05-21-2007, 03:57 AM
So, I'm looking at buying a new car (standard transmission) in the next month or so, with an absolute max price of 21k.
The obvious choices in this range seem to be as follows:
Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsberg
Nissan Altima 2.5S
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
Nissan Sentra SE-R Vspec
Pontiac G5
Pontiac G6
Mazda 3 S touring
Mazda 6 S Value Edition
So far I've testdriven the Jetta, the Cobalt and the Mazda 3.
The Jetta's clutch was odd, and it felt very rough on the road, not to mention feeling a bit sluggish. Also, being a larger guy (6'1 235), I had trouble with the location of the gas pedal with regard to the center console, with my right knee currently banging against it.
The Mazda was a very good car, and relatively quick, but, and this is a minor, superficial complaint, the engine noise was very apparent, and very whiny.
The Cobalt, so far, seems to be my top choice because I loved the transmission and engine (My cousin has the Saturn Ion Redline, which I'm told has the same 2.0 supercharged engine, and finds it very suitable to his needs. Chevy's maintenance plan/warranty also seems to have been the best of the cars that I've looked at so far (free oil for life if non-synthetic, 100,000/5 powertrain) with the exception of the rust warranty, which was 72 months rather than life as on the Japanese cars.
I haven't been fond of the late model corollas, focuses, civics or accords that I've seen, and, after many bad experiences between myself and family members, I refuse to consider Chrysler.
The Fusion would be toward the very top of my price range, but seems very difficult to locate with a standard transmission for a test drive, and the standard is only offered in the seemingly-anemic 4 cylinder at 19lb/hp.
Unfortunately, going for something like a civic or a focus and souping it up is not an option (Nor is a used car, though I would love something along the lines of an '06 Passat) given the nature of the financial considerations involved, so a car that will be fun, comfortable and reliable stock is a necessity. I also dislike hatchbacks.
Is there anything major that I'm missing? I'm planning to test-drive the Altima and Sentra tomorrow, and I'm hoping to check out the CVT on the Altima as well as the standard 6-speed.
Thanks for your help.
The obvious choices in this range seem to be as follows:
Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsberg
Nissan Altima 2.5S
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
Nissan Sentra SE-R Vspec
Pontiac G5
Pontiac G6
Mazda 3 S touring
Mazda 6 S Value Edition
So far I've testdriven the Jetta, the Cobalt and the Mazda 3.
The Jetta's clutch was odd, and it felt very rough on the road, not to mention feeling a bit sluggish. Also, being a larger guy (6'1 235), I had trouble with the location of the gas pedal with regard to the center console, with my right knee currently banging against it.
The Mazda was a very good car, and relatively quick, but, and this is a minor, superficial complaint, the engine noise was very apparent, and very whiny.
The Cobalt, so far, seems to be my top choice because I loved the transmission and engine (My cousin has the Saturn Ion Redline, which I'm told has the same 2.0 supercharged engine, and finds it very suitable to his needs. Chevy's maintenance plan/warranty also seems to have been the best of the cars that I've looked at so far (free oil for life if non-synthetic, 100,000/5 powertrain) with the exception of the rust warranty, which was 72 months rather than life as on the Japanese cars.
I haven't been fond of the late model corollas, focuses, civics or accords that I've seen, and, after many bad experiences between myself and family members, I refuse to consider Chrysler.
The Fusion would be toward the very top of my price range, but seems very difficult to locate with a standard transmission for a test drive, and the standard is only offered in the seemingly-anemic 4 cylinder at 19lb/hp.
Unfortunately, going for something like a civic or a focus and souping it up is not an option (Nor is a used car, though I would love something along the lines of an '06 Passat) given the nature of the financial considerations involved, so a car that will be fun, comfortable and reliable stock is a necessity. I also dislike hatchbacks.
Is there anything major that I'm missing? I'm planning to test-drive the Altima and Sentra tomorrow, and I'm hoping to check out the CVT on the Altima as well as the standard 6-speed.
Thanks for your help.
gmofftarki
05-21-2007, 08:56 PM
As another update, I tried out the Mazda 3S sport again, and I absolutely adored it. With the low problem incidence rates, and the way that it drives, I'm probably going to move in that direction, especially for the difference in cost of a solid 3k but any more feedback would be lovely.
speedracer1407
05-23-2007, 03:14 AM
You're in the same market that I will be in the next year or so, so I've given a lot of consideration to the same criteria. I'm also an avid car nut, so things like percieved quality, interior materials, and engineering ingenuity really matter to me. Thus, I'd stay away from the Cobalt. The fact is that it DOES provide excellent bang for the buck, as it's quicker and sportier than just about anything else at $20K. But it's also cheap-feeling, rough-riding, dull-looking (that's subjective, of course), and very likely less reliable than the Mazda3.
Speaking of which, the Mazda3 is a favorite of mine. You're comments about the engine are spot on, however. It's adequately powerful, but Mazda hasn't made sweet-sounding, high revving 4 cylinder since the 1.8 liters in the original Miata and mid 90's protege. That minor flaw aside, everythign else about it, as you've noticed, is quite endearing. It's stylish, classy in the inside, well-made, and is one of the best handling front drive sedans available at any price.
The Jetta is an engineering, design, and quality "feast" for people like me, but VW has a history of building its "less expensive" cars to a lower standard when it comes to electronics and other minor bits. Engines, chassis, and other major components are always bulletproof (I bet you've NEVER seen a VW on the road built in the last 15 years that burns oil). And then there's the engine. I'm assuming that the one you test drove was a 2.5L 5 cylinder. By the most loose definitions, it's half of a Lamborgini Guiardo V10 (It the block and various component geometry is derived from that engine), but you'd never know it because it pretty much stops producing useable power at 5000RPM, where most similarly-powered 4cyl engines are still running strong. For me, that's a big turnoff, but then again, it's VERY torquey, much more so than competing cars (except anthing super or turbocharged). It reminds me of the turbodiesels I drove in Europe a few years ago, with tons of low-down torque for getting away from stoplights and quirting through traffic, but absolutely no high-revving fun. The 2.5L is the sort of engine you lug around at 2-3000 RPM and make meaningful forward progress, but can't rev beyond 5000RPM when the mood hits you for a bit of hooligan fun. And since you mention it, VW clutchest have always been wierd--but it's somethign you get very used to, and in traffic, it's great. They're sprung and weighted to be firm at first push, and then very easy to hold to the floor. In traffic, when you spend most of your time putzing around in 1st gear, you can cold the clutch to the floor for long periods without fatigue.
I'm curious, though, why it's not financial feasible to get a barely-used 2005 or 2006 passat. I can't remember if the new-generation Passat was labeled a 2006 or 2007, but finding a previous-generation passat (the one based on the audi A6/A4), seems like a ideal car considering your criteria. My parents own one, and I STILL love driving it when I visit them every few months. It's 1.8L turbo feels much more powerful than its 170HP suggests, largely due to the quick-spooling turbo that delivers maximum thrust below 2000RPM. The shifter is rock-solid, unlike Jettas of an era, and it's chassis is lighting-quick in its responses (shockingly so for a largish sedan), even if it won't win any high-G cornering races. And because they're build in Germany, they're very reliable--My parents' has had a turn signal malfunction and a seat-heater failure over 5 years and 85K miles.
As for the other cars on your list. I wanted BADLY to believe that the excellently styled G6 would be GM's long-awaited legitemate competitor to the long-superior Hondas and Toyotas. But after driving a friend's extensively over the past couple years, it's evident to me that it's absolutely inferior. The one i've driven is a 2005, driven mildly, and cared for fastideously. Still, it's sunroof groans and creaks over the mildest road imperfections when its closed. The chassis is tight and seems to grip the road well, but it's spooky and unpredictable if you push it too hard. The suspension seems to shudder too many times over small, sharp bumps like frost heaves, making the supposedly-stiff structure feel wobbly. It's got a slick-looking interior, though, which is pleasantly void of obvious cheapness. And although the trunk is surprisingly shallow, the back seat room is enormous.
THe G5 is a Chevy cobalt with, quite literally, almost no changes whatsoever.
The Nissan altima 2.5 is a very nice car. The interior is much-improved over the previous generation, and the 2.5L engine is punchy. But it's a big car compared to the Cobalt, Jetta, and Mazda3. If nible handling is your thing, any of those will be better. Then again, the Altima is among the best-handling midsize sedans available, so it won't feel like a pig at all.
The Mazda6 in that price range is only available with the same 2.3L as the Mazda3. So whatever complaints you have about the Mazda3's engine are also valid for the Mazda6, and it weighs several hundred pounds more, so it'll feel exactly as sluggish as the Ford Fusion, which incidentally, shares the Mazda6 chassis and engine.
The Sentra V-spec, though I've not driven it, promises to be fast and fun. Automotive journalists have criticized it, however, for being a bit soft compared to competing hi-performance small sedans. Avoid the CVT--but not because it's inherently bad. If you're in the market for a manual transmission, the CVT is even worse than an regular automatic for driver-involvement and fun. CVTs hold a constant RPM based on the accelerator position, so hard acceleration will plant the RPMs at near-redline and hold it there as the car accelerates.
Given your list of very different cars (Cobalt SS vs Altima 2.5S for example), it's hard to tell whether you value size, quality, reliability, acceleration, efficiency, style, or cornering ability). ALL of the cars offer some measure of everything. But if sportiness is a plus, have you considered the Honda Civic Si? It's available as a 2 or 4dr, and is in a similar performance leage to the Cobalt. It's 2Liter 4cyl makes 200 HP and revs to over 8000RPM, and sounds furious doing so. It's shifter is like a rifle-bold, and it's handling is razor sharp, though the Cobalt is certainly as competent handling wise. The interior is funky, with a digital speedometer way out front where the dash meets the steeply-raked windshield, and a big Tachometer sits right behind the tiny steering wheel. If you can accept the funky interior, and if you can find one for $21K, i'd wager that you'd like it a hell of a lot more over the long run than a Cobalt. Just be prepared to rev the hell out of it, and revel in the fact that it'll be as reliable as a normal civic.
Another "compact" car in a similar segment (are compacts really compact anymore?) is the all-new Mitsubishi Lancer. I can't remember the model off the top of my head because they recently changed it, but the top of the line comes in around $20K and offers handling that should be as good as the Mazda3, and and interior that's fresh and stylish, and a reasonably potent engine with just under 160HP. Mitsu has gotten a bad rap lately for verging on bankruptcy for a while, but their cars, especially the lancers, have been fun and reliable for a good long while. Actually, the previous Lancer was an excellent-handling car with 2 major flaws: a lousy 120HP 2L engine and a cheap interior. The last two years of its production offered an excellent 160HP 2L engine, but the cheap interior remained, and by then, the Lancer had achieved an also-ran status thanks to years of mediocre power and dull styling. Though I've not driven it, I tink the new lancer is worth a look because Mistubishi seems committed to properly excellent chassis engineering--a suspcion supported by the fact that the new Lancer will share more with the rocket EVO due to be released soon.
On the complete other end of the spectrum, if styling isn't a major priority, the ho-hum Honda Accord is actaully one of the most capable mid-size sedans available. Its chassis is engaging, and I am always shocked at how torquey and punchy the 2.4L 4Cyl engine is. The shifter is direct and mechanical-feeling, but I find it to be a bit clunky-sounding. Still, though, if you can forget the ubiquitous styling, from behind the wheel (and it's classy interior), it's every bit as good as a Mazda6 and Altima.
Anyway, this is a ridiculously long post, but I hope it was helpful.
Speaking of which, the Mazda3 is a favorite of mine. You're comments about the engine are spot on, however. It's adequately powerful, but Mazda hasn't made sweet-sounding, high revving 4 cylinder since the 1.8 liters in the original Miata and mid 90's protege. That minor flaw aside, everythign else about it, as you've noticed, is quite endearing. It's stylish, classy in the inside, well-made, and is one of the best handling front drive sedans available at any price.
The Jetta is an engineering, design, and quality "feast" for people like me, but VW has a history of building its "less expensive" cars to a lower standard when it comes to electronics and other minor bits. Engines, chassis, and other major components are always bulletproof (I bet you've NEVER seen a VW on the road built in the last 15 years that burns oil). And then there's the engine. I'm assuming that the one you test drove was a 2.5L 5 cylinder. By the most loose definitions, it's half of a Lamborgini Guiardo V10 (It the block and various component geometry is derived from that engine), but you'd never know it because it pretty much stops producing useable power at 5000RPM, where most similarly-powered 4cyl engines are still running strong. For me, that's a big turnoff, but then again, it's VERY torquey, much more so than competing cars (except anthing super or turbocharged). It reminds me of the turbodiesels I drove in Europe a few years ago, with tons of low-down torque for getting away from stoplights and quirting through traffic, but absolutely no high-revving fun. The 2.5L is the sort of engine you lug around at 2-3000 RPM and make meaningful forward progress, but can't rev beyond 5000RPM when the mood hits you for a bit of hooligan fun. And since you mention it, VW clutchest have always been wierd--but it's somethign you get very used to, and in traffic, it's great. They're sprung and weighted to be firm at first push, and then very easy to hold to the floor. In traffic, when you spend most of your time putzing around in 1st gear, you can cold the clutch to the floor for long periods without fatigue.
I'm curious, though, why it's not financial feasible to get a barely-used 2005 or 2006 passat. I can't remember if the new-generation Passat was labeled a 2006 or 2007, but finding a previous-generation passat (the one based on the audi A6/A4), seems like a ideal car considering your criteria. My parents own one, and I STILL love driving it when I visit them every few months. It's 1.8L turbo feels much more powerful than its 170HP suggests, largely due to the quick-spooling turbo that delivers maximum thrust below 2000RPM. The shifter is rock-solid, unlike Jettas of an era, and it's chassis is lighting-quick in its responses (shockingly so for a largish sedan), even if it won't win any high-G cornering races. And because they're build in Germany, they're very reliable--My parents' has had a turn signal malfunction and a seat-heater failure over 5 years and 85K miles.
As for the other cars on your list. I wanted BADLY to believe that the excellently styled G6 would be GM's long-awaited legitemate competitor to the long-superior Hondas and Toyotas. But after driving a friend's extensively over the past couple years, it's evident to me that it's absolutely inferior. The one i've driven is a 2005, driven mildly, and cared for fastideously. Still, it's sunroof groans and creaks over the mildest road imperfections when its closed. The chassis is tight and seems to grip the road well, but it's spooky and unpredictable if you push it too hard. The suspension seems to shudder too many times over small, sharp bumps like frost heaves, making the supposedly-stiff structure feel wobbly. It's got a slick-looking interior, though, which is pleasantly void of obvious cheapness. And although the trunk is surprisingly shallow, the back seat room is enormous.
THe G5 is a Chevy cobalt with, quite literally, almost no changes whatsoever.
The Nissan altima 2.5 is a very nice car. The interior is much-improved over the previous generation, and the 2.5L engine is punchy. But it's a big car compared to the Cobalt, Jetta, and Mazda3. If nible handling is your thing, any of those will be better. Then again, the Altima is among the best-handling midsize sedans available, so it won't feel like a pig at all.
The Mazda6 in that price range is only available with the same 2.3L as the Mazda3. So whatever complaints you have about the Mazda3's engine are also valid for the Mazda6, and it weighs several hundred pounds more, so it'll feel exactly as sluggish as the Ford Fusion, which incidentally, shares the Mazda6 chassis and engine.
The Sentra V-spec, though I've not driven it, promises to be fast and fun. Automotive journalists have criticized it, however, for being a bit soft compared to competing hi-performance small sedans. Avoid the CVT--but not because it's inherently bad. If you're in the market for a manual transmission, the CVT is even worse than an regular automatic for driver-involvement and fun. CVTs hold a constant RPM based on the accelerator position, so hard acceleration will plant the RPMs at near-redline and hold it there as the car accelerates.
Given your list of very different cars (Cobalt SS vs Altima 2.5S for example), it's hard to tell whether you value size, quality, reliability, acceleration, efficiency, style, or cornering ability). ALL of the cars offer some measure of everything. But if sportiness is a plus, have you considered the Honda Civic Si? It's available as a 2 or 4dr, and is in a similar performance leage to the Cobalt. It's 2Liter 4cyl makes 200 HP and revs to over 8000RPM, and sounds furious doing so. It's shifter is like a rifle-bold, and it's handling is razor sharp, though the Cobalt is certainly as competent handling wise. The interior is funky, with a digital speedometer way out front where the dash meets the steeply-raked windshield, and a big Tachometer sits right behind the tiny steering wheel. If you can accept the funky interior, and if you can find one for $21K, i'd wager that you'd like it a hell of a lot more over the long run than a Cobalt. Just be prepared to rev the hell out of it, and revel in the fact that it'll be as reliable as a normal civic.
Another "compact" car in a similar segment (are compacts really compact anymore?) is the all-new Mitsubishi Lancer. I can't remember the model off the top of my head because they recently changed it, but the top of the line comes in around $20K and offers handling that should be as good as the Mazda3, and and interior that's fresh and stylish, and a reasonably potent engine with just under 160HP. Mitsu has gotten a bad rap lately for verging on bankruptcy for a while, but their cars, especially the lancers, have been fun and reliable for a good long while. Actually, the previous Lancer was an excellent-handling car with 2 major flaws: a lousy 120HP 2L engine and a cheap interior. The last two years of its production offered an excellent 160HP 2L engine, but the cheap interior remained, and by then, the Lancer had achieved an also-ran status thanks to years of mediocre power and dull styling. Though I've not driven it, I tink the new lancer is worth a look because Mistubishi seems committed to properly excellent chassis engineering--a suspcion supported by the fact that the new Lancer will share more with the rocket EVO due to be released soon.
On the complete other end of the spectrum, if styling isn't a major priority, the ho-hum Honda Accord is actaully one of the most capable mid-size sedans available. Its chassis is engaging, and I am always shocked at how torquey and punchy the 2.4L 4Cyl engine is. The shifter is direct and mechanical-feeling, but I find it to be a bit clunky-sounding. Still, though, if you can forget the ubiquitous styling, from behind the wheel (and it's classy interior), it's every bit as good as a Mazda6 and Altima.
Anyway, this is a ridiculously long post, but I hope it was helpful.
gmofftarki
05-23-2007, 10:24 AM
You're in the same market that I will be in the next year or so, so I've given a lot of consideration to the same criteria. I'm also an avid car nut, so things like percieved quality, interior materials, and engineering ingenuity really matter to me. Thus, I'd stay away from the Cobalt. The fact is that it DOES provide excellent bang for the buck, as it's quicker and sportier than just about anything else at $20K. But it's also cheap-feeling, rough-riding, dull-looking (that's subjective, of course), and very likely less reliable than the Mazda3.
Speaking of which, the Mazda3 is a favorite of mine. You're comments about the engine are spot on, however. It's adequately powerful, but Mazda hasn't made sweet-sounding, high revving 4 cylinder since the 1.8 liters in the original Miata and mid 90's protege. That minor flaw aside, everythign else about it, as you've noticed, is quite endearing. It's stylish, classy in the inside, well-made, and is one of the best handling front drive sedans available at any price.
Yeah, I've found myself very impressed by the Mazda 3, though i wish that head curtain airbags came standard. The nice thing, though, is that they offer the 2.3s Sport version, which gets rid of some of the options that I either don't want (ie. leather seats, I preferred the way that the cloth seats felt to sit in by a huge margin, with enough customizability in the form of height adjustment to be comfortable, and without the issue that I was told about in this car, rather than the jetta, of one's right leg pressing up against the shifter console). Save yourself 3k by leaving out the automatic headlights (eh, convenient but big whoop), automatic climate control (has it ever worked? I mean ever?), Dynamic Traction Control (would be nice, I'll be honest about that), and a few other options, making room for the packages that you're more interested in (ie. side/head curtain air-bags, making the side impact rating acceptable).
Cobalt, I have to say, was a very nice car to drive in the supercharged edition. It had a firm suspension, was easy to point, and had very obvious power to the wheels, though being FWD. The Sentra was very similar, feeling a bit more refined, but with almost no road noise and a very similar speed.
Used Passat would not be an option because the very pleasant financing that I'm receiving has a requirement that it be a new car.
Altima's nice, but I need to take advantage of the aggressive pricing my local Mazda dealer is offering, being near the end of the month and "memorial day sale". In addition, Nissan seems to be packaging everything up in an effort to avoid selling manual transmissions in favor of its CVT. For example: You cannot get fog-lights on the Altima without having the CVT. The closest analogue to the Mazda3 that I'm looking at in the Altima costs 22,280, instead of 18,520. That kind of price difference really can't be ignored for the sake of a tiny bit more trunk room and 0.2L displacement.
The other day I test-drove teh Sentra SE-R Spec V, and, while I can see why people would describe it as being "soft" (acceleration was very quick but a bit more comfortable than the cobalt's neck-breaking pounce), with very nice handling, very little road/engine noise in the cabin (while driving it as a car that I'm test-driving and am not sure that I want to be pushed into buying). My insurance company would just loooove that though, so I started to look at the lower model 2.5L Sentra. The Sentra S-ER (non V) isn't quite as bad a comparison as far as Bang-For-Your-Buck to the Mazda3, but it doesn't seem to offer a few key features in the Mazda, even as options, such as ABS. Also, it seems to only come in the CVT, not even offering the 6-spd manual transmission in its altima-engine model. Next!
Eh, there are a few little things about the mazda that annoy me. 1. Weak A/C, from everything that I've heard. Then again, I've been driving a car with no AC for the past 5 years, so hopefully that won't be a terrible concern. 2. Key Fob doesn't pop trunk remotely. Big woop, I know, but when you're walking off the golf course, it's handy to only need to use 1 hand to pop the trunk to put your clubs in (Don't worry, I tested it at the Mazda dealer. It does hold my bag of golf clubs, even without back seats folded down). 3. I'm not the world's biggest fan of the red dials on the M3's tach/speedo/other gauges. But I find them readable even in good sunlight, so it's a minor little gripe.
I've also managed to find an Mz3 with the optionset that I'm interested in.
Head/Side curtain air bags, wheel locks, rear wing spoiler (tbqh I prefer the rear lip but wing is cool too), and the compass/autodimming mirror.
Wish me luck.
Speaking of which, the Mazda3 is a favorite of mine. You're comments about the engine are spot on, however. It's adequately powerful, but Mazda hasn't made sweet-sounding, high revving 4 cylinder since the 1.8 liters in the original Miata and mid 90's protege. That minor flaw aside, everythign else about it, as you've noticed, is quite endearing. It's stylish, classy in the inside, well-made, and is one of the best handling front drive sedans available at any price.
Yeah, I've found myself very impressed by the Mazda 3, though i wish that head curtain airbags came standard. The nice thing, though, is that they offer the 2.3s Sport version, which gets rid of some of the options that I either don't want (ie. leather seats, I preferred the way that the cloth seats felt to sit in by a huge margin, with enough customizability in the form of height adjustment to be comfortable, and without the issue that I was told about in this car, rather than the jetta, of one's right leg pressing up against the shifter console). Save yourself 3k by leaving out the automatic headlights (eh, convenient but big whoop), automatic climate control (has it ever worked? I mean ever?), Dynamic Traction Control (would be nice, I'll be honest about that), and a few other options, making room for the packages that you're more interested in (ie. side/head curtain air-bags, making the side impact rating acceptable).
Cobalt, I have to say, was a very nice car to drive in the supercharged edition. It had a firm suspension, was easy to point, and had very obvious power to the wheels, though being FWD. The Sentra was very similar, feeling a bit more refined, but with almost no road noise and a very similar speed.
Used Passat would not be an option because the very pleasant financing that I'm receiving has a requirement that it be a new car.
Altima's nice, but I need to take advantage of the aggressive pricing my local Mazda dealer is offering, being near the end of the month and "memorial day sale". In addition, Nissan seems to be packaging everything up in an effort to avoid selling manual transmissions in favor of its CVT. For example: You cannot get fog-lights on the Altima without having the CVT. The closest analogue to the Mazda3 that I'm looking at in the Altima costs 22,280, instead of 18,520. That kind of price difference really can't be ignored for the sake of a tiny bit more trunk room and 0.2L displacement.
The other day I test-drove teh Sentra SE-R Spec V, and, while I can see why people would describe it as being "soft" (acceleration was very quick but a bit more comfortable than the cobalt's neck-breaking pounce), with very nice handling, very little road/engine noise in the cabin (while driving it as a car that I'm test-driving and am not sure that I want to be pushed into buying). My insurance company would just loooove that though, so I started to look at the lower model 2.5L Sentra. The Sentra S-ER (non V) isn't quite as bad a comparison as far as Bang-For-Your-Buck to the Mazda3, but it doesn't seem to offer a few key features in the Mazda, even as options, such as ABS. Also, it seems to only come in the CVT, not even offering the 6-spd manual transmission in its altima-engine model. Next!
Eh, there are a few little things about the mazda that annoy me. 1. Weak A/C, from everything that I've heard. Then again, I've been driving a car with no AC for the past 5 years, so hopefully that won't be a terrible concern. 2. Key Fob doesn't pop trunk remotely. Big woop, I know, but when you're walking off the golf course, it's handy to only need to use 1 hand to pop the trunk to put your clubs in (Don't worry, I tested it at the Mazda dealer. It does hold my bag of golf clubs, even without back seats folded down). 3. I'm not the world's biggest fan of the red dials on the M3's tach/speedo/other gauges. But I find them readable even in good sunlight, so it's a minor little gripe.
I've also managed to find an Mz3 with the optionset that I'm interested in.
Head/Side curtain air bags, wheel locks, rear wing spoiler (tbqh I prefer the rear lip but wing is cool too), and the compass/autodimming mirror.
Wish me luck.
acoop822
05-24-2007, 10:18 PM
Hello, I have a 2004 Mazda 6i. 42000miles. Although it is an auto, For the price it has been a fabulous car. 1 recall for a check engine light, A broken door handle, and a trip to the dealer for a transmission computer update(Auto). A rental car everytime thanks to Mazda. To do it over I would have bought a manual. Good power for a 4 cyl and handles really well, but I like the car mainly for the styling...
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