My fit always has some small problems and I need a new compact car. I am a student so my budget is limited. Some reviews show that mazada3 is reliable. I searched some deals shared by others in autopriceshare.com and get a quota from there. After some bargains in email, autopriceshare dealers give me 300 dollars off.
The current price for Mazda3 2015( i SV 4-Door Automatic) is 16971.0. Is this a decent price? Do you know any better deals or some promotions in WA? Thanks in advance
The Mazda 3 is currently one of the best brands for reliability, according to Consumer Reports (ranking in second, Lexus is first). I haven't had any major issues with my 2015 i Sport after 5 months and 7,500 miles. I owned a 2 for 2 years and 25,000 miles with absolutely no problems (at least due to build quality...problems I had were ones
I created).
If you're looking to stay on a budget, consider this: You're moving up a class going to the 3. The Fit is a
subcompact, and the 3 is a compact car. The class-equivalent to the 3 from Honda would be the Civic, which starts at around $18,500. On that basis, the Mazda is certainly cheaper. While $17k-ish isn't a bad price for an i SV, you could save money by staying in a subcompact if you don't need the space. Unfortunately, Mazda is dragging its heels bringing the new Mazda 2 to the U.S. (and even its stablemate, the CX-3, is a ways off still). If you want a car similarly sized to the Fit, you'll have to look at the Dodge Dart, the Ford Fiesta, the Chevrolet Spark, the Kia Rio, the Toyota Yaris, the Nissan Versa Note, or the Mitsubishi Mirage, if you don't want another Fit.
Right now, the Fiesta is probably your best bet. It starts at about $14,000 and goes up to about $21k, depending on which trim level you get. It has its issues, but it's better than the others I listed. If you need more space, I would highly recommend getting a 3. However, until Mazda brings us the 2, hopefully later this year, you'll get a much better equipped car at a better price if you stick with a subcompact. The i SV is by no means a bad car, but it's pretty spartan compared to the higher trim levels.
If you have the means, I'd try getting into an i Sport, if you can. That'll get you cruise control, a 12V power outlet (if you need one), folding rear seats (which you want with the sedan), a slightly better stereo system, a trip computer and digital tachometer (the
automatic SV comes with neither), and the
MazdaConnect 7" touchscreen infotainment system. That last one makes a huge difference in making the car feel more like a "premium" car. The i Sport is about $1,500 more then the i SV, but it's well worth it. Like I said, if you can't take on that expense, you're better off staying in a subcompact in terms of bang for your buck.
In either the subcompact or the compact class, you won't get anywhere close in any other brand to the driving experience you'll get in a Mazda. Couple that with intrinsic reliability that has come with their more recent cars, and you have a winning combination, at least in my opinion.
TL;DR version: If you want a 3, it's a good price, but always try to haggle.
Some other thoughts:
- If you want to save money, consider getting a manual, if you know how to drive one. Manuals are always cheaper than automatics.
- If you want more features for less money, get a used 3. The 2012+ SkyActiv models have the same engine and transmission that the current cars have, and since the new generations are taking some of the value out of the older ones, you can get more bang for your buck.
- If resale value is of any concern to you, then try to get a higher trim level than the i SV. That trim level is meant as a way for people on a tighter budget to still get into a 3, and you still get the same drivetrain and safety equipment, but fewer accessories means you won't see your money on the other end.
To run through some of the competition (in the subcompact class, to compare directly to the Fit):
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Dodge Dart: Interesting design, underpinnings from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta; some dynamic (handling) and reliability issues (particularly with the Tigershark engines).
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Chevrolet Spark: You'll probably see the most gadgets for your buck here, but it's hideously ugly (in my opinion), and won't hold its value due to the fact that it already looks dated. Given GM's recent blight of recalls,
I'd avoid this one.
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Ford Fiesta: Good car for a good price, but if you stick with the lower trim levels you'll have to pay up for things like power windows (even on a 2014 Fiesta, you get manual windows with the base trim level...). Weirdly, bluetooth comes standard on all trim levels.
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Kia Rio: This car has the strongest engine in its class (at 138 horsepower), but is also one of the heaviest. It looks okay and has a fair number of gadgets, but interior space is a bit lacking, especially if you go with the sedan. However, Kia/Hyundai has one of the best warranties in the industry at the moment, and they're good in terms of reliability.
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Toyota Yaris: You won't be wanting for reliability with this car, but its platform is pretty dated. There is a new one coming, and the new Yaris (due later this year or next year) is supposed to share its underpinnings with the new Mazda 2, and they're built at the same plant in Mexico.
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Nissan Versa Note: Again, good for reliability, but bad in the sense that you'll have to put up with that reliability in a boring, almost offensively ugly package. It'll go for a long time, but Nissan hasn't made much effort in terms of styling or driving pleasure to make this car stand out...it's just. too. boring.
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Mitsubishi Mirage: If you have a modicum of common sense, you'll avoid this one. Sure it's cheap and gets good gas mileage, but it's ugly, cramped, and slow, thanks to its CVT gearbox. Just...don't.
Also, if you're willing to wait a bit, you'll probably be able to get a new Mazda 2. The impending Scion iA, in addition to the new Yaris, is also based on the next-gen Mazda 2. It's not as good-looking, but in terms of reliability you can't go wrong with a Toyota-Mazda joint car, in any guise.
