I am a newbie lloking for a Mazda 3. Had a few questions about my finds.

[cinder]

Hi all. I am a newbie to Mazda 3 and looking to buy. I am familiar with Mazda, I own a 2004 MPV that we love. I have been looking for a used 3 for about a month now but have not choose one yet. I like both the sedan and hatchbacks. I had a question about two that I have found and wanted to see what you members had to say about my findings. I am looking at two 2006 sedans. #1 2006 sedan has 45000 miles, 2.0 motor, Auto trans, cloth interior. #2 2006 sedan has 80000 miles, 2.3 motor, Auto trans, Leather interior and all options. They are asking the same price. What would be the better option. If more info is needed to help I would be glad to add more. I am excited to soon be the owner of a Mazda 3. Thanks.

 

[LaraS]

Well, it really depends on your personal preferences. You have to decide what is more important to you, better gas mileage or a bigger engine. The 2.0L engine will give you better gas mileage with a hit on performance, while the 2.3L will give you better performance with lower gas mileage.

You also have the issue of 45,000 miles vs. 80,000 miles. Personally, I'd go with the car with the lower mileage, OR work on getting the price down on the higher mileage car.

 

[icspots]

^^Like Lara said it's all about preference. The #2 car sounds like a GT trim so you'd also be getting: HIDs w/ manual leveling, heated seats, leather, bose stereo, etc. The 2.0 car will definitely get much better mileage though.

 

[cinder]

^^Like Lara said it's all about preference. The #2 car sounds like a GT trim so you'd also be getting: HIDs w/ manual leveling, heated seats, leather, bose stereo, etc. The 2.0 car will definitely get much better mileage though.

#2 does have leather, heated seats and Bose speakers, not sure about HID. Without seeing the car is there a way to indicate whether or not it has a GT package. The car is about 400 miles away. Thanks.

 

[LaraS]

Well, if you can post up photos, we could help you with identification. GT models with HIDs have an adjustment setting to the left of the steering wheel. It is for adjusting the height of the HIDs. If you have an interior of the photo that shows this, you have HIDs.

 

[cinder]

OK i'm going to make this easy. After fuRther investigation it has the Grand Touring package. SO again, and I know its my preference, but is the #2 car with GT package at the same price better than the #1 40K miles less.

 

[rdemattio]

You need to weigh your priorities. There are 2 different ways to weigh them.
A- Performance or gas mileage
B- Luxury or Reliability
If u have Performance and Luxury, choose the GT, if u want mpg and reliability, choose the 2.0.
Or like stated above, talk the GT down and then it will help you decide.

 

[cinder]

Well I missed out on both deals becuase I could not decide quick enough. I did find a 2005 HB that I have put a deposit on. I am test driving in the morning to see if its a keeper. I am excited to soon be an owner of a Mazda 3, that is if I don't wait too long again. Thanks for the replies.

 

[rdemattio]

Yep, never sit to long! I almost lost my mazda by sitting on it!