Questions

[ksd4aadg]

Hello Everyone,

I'm currently a senior at Northeastern Univ. in Boston and I'm graduating this spring. Thereafter, I plan on moving to Los Angeles to work for one of the big four CPA accounting firms this fall (interned with them and received a full-time offer after spending 8 months in Los Angeles living, working, and breathing accounting) and although it's quite premature I've been trying to figure out the best car for me. I have 3 cars in mind: Mazda3, CX-7, and subaru Legacy. I test drove this past weekend the 2 mazdas and fell in love with the CX-7 instantly. I guess I didn't feel the turbo lag in the 2wd sport model I test drove, or maybe my expectations were really low, having driven since high school 10 year old hondas and toyotas. I have a few concerns, however.

(1) reliability of a turbo engine since I hear that parts would need to be replaced after a ccertain mileage sooner than non-turbo engines. Is this true or are factory built turbo engines generally more reliable?

(2) mileage: I think I'm fine with a car that uses more gas than the Mazda3.

(3) build quality: hopefully by May or June the 2008's are out and they wont have the first year reliability issues that seem to plague some of the cars on this board

(4) ipod connectivity: lack of it in the 2007 models

(5) depreciation: not sure how long I'm going to hold onto this car but after 3 years in the firm I would definitely be able to afford a luxury car. What's the predicted depreciation at this point?

(6) So do you guys think by May or June the 2008 models will be out?

(7) What colors do you guys suggest? Pictures don't justify what they actually look like in person. I think I'm leaning towards the galaxy grey with black interior, sport or touring, depending on how much I can play around with my budget. I loved the electric blue but it's a little too "look at me" and I might get sick of it after a few years.

I know I'd probably be as happy and less broke with the Mazda3 (with lower payments and better gas milage) but driving the CX-7 made me smile ear to ear and it didn't help my friend was pushy and insisted I buy it. One of the reasons I dont want to like the Mazda3 is that it has that highschool boy racer image and I want um more of an adult car.

Thanks for reading and here's to hoping. (RTM)

 

[singlemalt_18]

KSD,

While I can appreciate your excitement for a new car, from a financial perspective I would recommend buying a late model USED car - if you want a Mazda or Sub, GREAT!

Forget the CX-7 for now, graduate from college, get your job, establish some credit, as well as some savings (if you can!), and don't subject yourself to the higher loan payments OR the depreciation. It doesn't mattter what you buy, new cars are not an investment, they all are worth 25% less the minute you drive it off the dealer lot. You will also be able to save money on the insurance as well with a used car.

Take advantage of your youth. Establish a strong financial position as early as you can, and you can enjoy many, many years of affordable luxuries in the years to come!

Just some practical advice. Congrats & good luck!!!

 

[CXseven]

Remember, if it makes you happy, go for the gold... lifes short, enjoy it to the fullest. And oh by the way, also think of all the financial impact this turbo suv will affect you . Remember it takes premium gas, and gas prices is unpredictable these days, Insurance is also higher with a turbo engine vs non-turbo. So If your wallet dont mind... Keep smiling and do whats right for you. Ask yourself if you deseve it... dont lie...
Good Luck, you will eventually make the right choice.(first)

 

[ksd4aadg]

NOt to sound like a brat, but I'm pretty sure I have the financial means to maintain the car even with high insurance and gas costs. Insurance compared to the mazda3 and rav4 v6 is actually lower on the cx-7. I've worked all my life and interning in public accounting during 2 busy seasons working overtime 70-80 hours a week certainly helped. I'm graduating from school with no debt with a full academic scholarship so my father is helping me iwth the car payments as a graduation present. I guess I'm concerned more so with the costs related to maintaining a turbo-engine car. I don't know I love it so much and to be honest after driving 10-15 year old cars for 6 years I definitely want to reward myself since it's the perfect opportunity to do so (with the help of my father of course). I dont want to grow up yet :-D

 

[cruzdreamer]

You deserve to have what you want.....if you can afford it I say go for the CX 7.....much more utility, won't get bored because it's a fun car to drive, turbo's are no big deal from what I understand...I had the RX 8 and it is a rotary...talk about maintenance and issues and I still loved that car. I am getting 20.5 mpg city. First year cars are going to have issues...they all do...wait till the 2008's. Mazda's will not bore you so any Mazda to me is a great choice. I feel the 3 is the best value out there with the fun to drive factor and it's really cool looking in comparison. Go for what you want!

 

[Mazda3]

1) Mazda has put a great deal of R&D into this DISI turbo set-up. It is the crown jewel of their engine line-up to this point. This set-up hasn't been out long enough for anyone here to guarantee the long term reliability, but I'd be suprised if it wasn't top notch.

3) There have only been minor things that require tweaking to this point. The 2008's probably won't be out until September, but the late year 07 production models will have all the tweaking done to them.

4) There is an accessory for iPOD connectivity, not sure if the 08's will have a factory plug-in.

5) I can't comment on the US, but in Canada resale on all of the new generation Mazda's are excellent.

6) No, 08's won't be out that early. Most likely September.

7) Color is a personal choice. I have the Platinum silver because I got a special deal on a demo model through my connections at Mazda Canada. All things being equal I think I would have picked the Black Cherry.

Hope this helps!

 

[t-rex]

I would agree with singlemalt about the financial thing. I'm sure CA is expensive all around. I put a nice down payment on my cars so I wouldn't be upside down. I would hate to have to pay the balance if my car was totaled (or stolen) and insurance didn't cover it all. That said, I can't answer the question about the turbo. But I can answer the color choice question. I was considering 3 colors when I was looking - red, black, and ice blue. Copper Red was my first choice, but also really liked the ice blue too. I called Mazda customer service to track down the colors and options I wanted and the red was the easiest to locate. One other thing - I owned a Mazda 323 back in the day and that car just ran like a dream and I beat the crap out of it driving pizzas for about a year and a half. You might also consider the Mazdaspeed 3 that is coming out soon and will (I think) have the same engine as the CX-7 and Mazdaspeed 6. Hopefully, that is food for thought.

 

[CXseven]

Call your dad right now .....(direct)
What are you waiting for .....(huh)
Like you said >> "Opportunity", "Reward yourself"...
Good Luck and post your pics soon ...
I wish my dad helped me , and lucky you...
And when you get it, "easy on that pedal" (drive2) (five-0)

 

[ksd4aadg]

CXseven,

I actually did call my dad after the test drive and he didn't pick up so I left a message saying it was an "emergency" in a silly way. Needless to say he called back asking what the 'emergency' was and I told him that I found my dream car that afternoon. He chuckled and let me talk about it for 15 minutes. He was convinced that it was the 'civic' mazda version I was looking at despite the numerous times I mentioned it was an SUV.

I'm definitely in a better position now since I didn't think I was getting anything for graduation but my aunts in LA would be mortified (since they'll be flying to Boston for my May graduation as I'm the first from both sides of the family to graduate from an American university) if he didn't help me out considering I received a full-ride academic scholarship, freeing him from debt and allowing him to purchase homes overseas. I don't feel entitled to this car but he's paying for sister's 6-8 year education so my aunts and sister agree that he should help out.

If he doesn't help, I still have the financial means but I'm not shy to beg mercifully, especially for the cx-7! :-D