2012 Mazda 3i Grand Touring or 2013 Dodge Dart?

[fill234]

I am stuck. I love the new Dodge Dart SXT, and thought the handling, brakes, quality, and styling were great.That car was brand new at around 18k. The Mazda 3i Grand Touring was with leather, Bose, navigation, Bluetooth,...the range topping model, with 34k. I am totally torn on which to get. They are priced the same. I am in love with the dart's styling and driving feel, but love the Mazdas upscale options and interior. The Mazda was also Motor Trend Certified. Can you please try to help me decide, with reasoning if you can? Thank you.

 

[duren03msp]

i work at a dodge dealership and trust me when i say, go with the 3. the dart is not refined and has many bugs that need to be worked out before i would consider it a reliable car. i've seen many darts come into the shop needing work..... already. transmission failures, the clutches suck, no starts, electrical faults, suspension rattling, etc... the 3 has been refined and bugs worked out for years. plus the dart has an oil pressure driven timing system which sounds cool and sophisticated and what not but many times if someone lets the car sit for even a couple months in winter it may not start because for some odd reason the oil wont want to make its way through to time the engine to start up. i don't know the specifics of what exactly happens. all i know is if was my choice, with my experience of working in the shops of mazda, and dodge i would hands down go with the 3. hope this helps.