Wife's new car

[TheDirtyGoatee]

So we were perusing through some car sites looking for a new car. She currently has a 98 Honda Civic that's in need of some TLC. We're looking to either trade it in or sell it straight up. However, we need a new car for her.

That brings me to the Mazda 3 section of the forums (of which I rarely ever venture into). She's looking at Honda's but I've pretty much convinced her to look at Mazda. She has since obliged and has fallen in love with the Mazda3 Hatch GT in the lighter electric blue color. We found one for 14,5K with 28K mi. However, it was sold.

Please indulge me. Before buying my car's successor, what should I be on the lookout for? If I take a test drive, what's the normal things that break first? What questions should I ask and if given certain answers, throws up a red flag?

Any help would be welcomed!

 

[kipper88]

So we were perusing through some car sites looking for a new car. She currently has a 98 Honda Civic that's in need of some TLC. We're looking to either trade it in or sell it straight up. However, we need a new car for her.

That brings me to the Mazda 3 section of the forums (of which I rarely ever venture into). She's looking at Honda's but I've pretty much convinced her to look at Mazda. She has since obliged and has fallen in love with the Mazda3 Hatch GT in the lighter electric blue color. We found one for 14,5K with 28K mi. However, it was sold.

Please indulge me. Before buying my car's successor, what should I be on the lookout for? If I take a test drive, what's the normal things that break first? What questions should I ask and if given certain answers, throws up a red flag?

Any help would be welcomed!

what years are you looking at? I just bought mine so i can't help w/ what to look out for, but i can help with what car is overpriced if needed.

 

[TheDirtyGoatee]

I think we've looked at 06's and 07's. 08's aren't out of the question but I figure those will be ever the more pricey for one year and probably only a 10K mi. difference on the odo.

 

[jimp]

The 05 & 06 models have a 4 yr/50k warranty, I found an 05 HB w/30K on it 11/08, so I've still got factory warranty and low miles, even got the original window sticker and full history on the car. One owner, yada yada yada. They are out there, but kinda hard to find. My 05 doesn't have any problems noted by me, but every car can have its own quirks.