Going Economical

[Vezna31]

Well, my wife's SUV is becoming outrageously expensive for her to drive on a daily basis. We have decided to get another car for both of us to share. Since I drive about 20k miles a year, another cheaper 4 cylinder that I can run 87 octane instead of premium, it will save me $.20/gallon and will save her probably over $100/month.

I would love to buy that cherry spa listed on here for $17k, but my wife doesn't want another yellow S and wants something we don't have to put premium gas into.

So..we have narrowed it down to either a Scion TC or a Mazda 3. Both cars we drove are within $100 in price, roughly same HP, but I have to check the gas mileage because I don't remember the Mazda's. Scion's is rated 20-29. I believe the Mazda was a bit better. I have to check the insurance rates too.

So, which do you guys think is the better buy?

[makopolo]

I have friends with those cars and they are both very good. The scion is very reliable but the interior quality in the mazda is superior. i think if you are buying new the Mazda will be a more satisfying car to ride in (but you have the S for that).

[jagg]

I vote for the Toyota in the long haul.
Everything's good for the first 70-80 thousand miles, but IMO the Scion will outlast the Mazda.

If you're gonna keep it for a few years and ditch it, then just buy the one that your wife likes better.....Any future problems can then handily be blamed on her poor decision.....Gotta think ahead Vez...ha ha.

jagg

[DJJSR]

^^^ Ditto

[D1sclaimer]

Just a suggestion, have you looked at the Honda Fit? They're pretty good cars for how cheap they are. If you're not interested in the Fit, I know both cars are good cars. I believe the Scion will get better gas mileage (based on my friends comparing their 3 to Tc) and be just a smidge more reliable, but both are overall very good cars. I've got friends who own both and none have any major complaints.

[gomarlins3]

I like the look of the Scion, but I hear nothing but great things when it comes to the Mazda.

[Pep]

both are great, I have a mazda 3 hatch that my sister drives and there are no problems with it at all. price for dollar is very good, but then again, so is the scion, just no leather if i remember with the scion

[Valkdriver]

I traded an "04 Mazda 3 for my s2k. Loved the Mazda. It was excellent but oh man I love the s2k so much more.

[Blackdragon]

The TC is going places. Its like the celica of the glory days and its Toyota. When I think of Mazda 3's I think of Jetta's and when I think of Jetta's my IQ drops.

[DJJSR]

Vez - I'm sure you are a man of discriminating taste and appreciate fine machinery. Since you are currently searching for that "perfect" car, I thought I'd show you one that is currently available on e-bay. This may be museum quality so it may not be suitable as a daily driver. It is certainly a fine example of a classic roadster............

[67AtlasDave]

I just like the way the Tc looks saw a Dark Chery Red one on the way to work today and i made me turn my head. Not to many cars do that. When you say Mazda I think Ford (pretty much one in the same), when you say Ford I think my car will be in the shop every other month or so. Thats just my experance and my Brother-in-laws experance. I work at a mazda dealership and he work at a ford dealership. Go with Toyota. Or like some one pointed out The Honda Fit. Also you still get a tax rebate for buying a Hybrid. Honda Civic and Honda Accord both come in a Hybrid model. Now dont get me wrong i am not some Al Gore loving jerk, I am just saying good gas mileage and a tax rebate make me think alittle.

[chazdawg35]

What about a CIVIC! Let's try to keep it in the family.LOL

[philiam]

I'd stay with Honda. Another member gave me a ride in a fit. Typical Honda. Bigger inside than out. well made and great gas mileage. And I believe it is Vtec.

[army_boy]

idk i like both of them

[satisaii]

Since you are doing this for economical reasons, what is the total cost of ownership for the period of time you will keep the car (insurance, gas, upkeep, depreciation, etc)?


FWIW Consumer Reports rates the Mazda3 at 92 points and the Scion tC at 70.

[Neil]

Vez I'd go for the Honda Civic Sport model...........2.0 L engine 8000rpm redline, great re-sale value, this way we will all still talk to you ..lol.

Neil

[TheSoundMan21]

Heck I cant really add much to this. I agree I believe the TC is better out of the 2. But the Fit would be an excellent idea.

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by TheSoundMan21

Heck I cant really add much to this. I agree I believe the TC is better out of the 2. But the Fit would be an excellent idea.

I test drove the Fit and really like it, but the wife does not lke it at all. It drove very well and had a nice tight feel and felt peppy for only 109 HP.

[dezignpro04]

Originally Posted by D1sclaimer

Just a suggestion, have you looked at the Honda Fit? They're pretty good cars for how cheap they are. If you're not interested in the Fit, I know both cars are good cars. I believe the Scion will get better gas mileage (based on my friends comparing their 3 to Tc) and be just a smidge more reliable, but both are overall very good cars. I've got friends who own both and none have any major complaints.

Can I suggest the Fit as well. Wife drive a 2007 and loves it. And she averages 33 - 34 mpg. She has that really bright orange color and loves it. Interior is nice and the "S" model comes with sides skirts, a wing, front lip, 200 watt mp3 stereo, mp3 line in jack and 15" steel honda wheels. Maybe she will likey!!

[dezignpro04]

Originally Posted by philiam

I'd stay with Honda. Another member gave me a ride in a fit. Typical Honda. Bigger inside than out. well made and great gas mileage. And I believe it is Vtec.

It is. 1.5 liter vtec. 109 hp 105 tq. No S2000 but fun nonetheless. Redlines at 6700. Only weights around 2600 lbs.=D>

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by dezignpro04

Can I suggest the Fit as well. Wife drive a 2007 and loves it. And she averages 33 - 34 mpg. She has that really bright orange color and loves it. Interior is nice and the "S" model comes with sides skirts, a wing, front lip, 200 watt mp3 stereo, mp3 line in jack and 15" steel honda wheels. Maybe she will likey!!

The orange is what I want since it is too expensive to re-paint my S Imola Orange

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by satisaii

Since you are doing this for economical reasons, what is the total cost of ownership for the period of time you will keep the car (insurance, gas, upkeep, depreciation, etc)?


FWIW Consumer Reports rates the Mazda3 at 92 points and the Scion tC at 70.

Good questions, John. Some of the things I am going to be loking at over the next few days before making a decision. I'm going to call the insurance co. today and get a quote.

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by dezignpro04

Can I suggest the Fit as well. Wife drive a 2007 and loves it. And she averages 33 - 34 mpg. She has that really bright orange color and loves it. Interior is nice and the "S" model comes with sides skirts, a wing, front lip, 200 watt mp3 stereo, mp3 line in jack and 15" steel honda wheels. Maybe she will likey!!

One of the things I found out from the used car salesman at the Honda dealership is that the Fit actually costs more to lease than a Civic because the Fit does not hold it's value. But if I'm talking about getting a Civic Sport or hybrid, I'm creeping up in the $20k range. That makes me want to go pay $17k for the spa with only 36k miles for sale in AZ in another thread here.

[dezignpro04]

Originally Posted by Vezna31

The orange is what I want since it is too expensive to re-paint my S Imola Orange

HA-HA. I want my "S" that color too!!!

[hajohehe]

get civic if you like honda.

[Blackdragon]

you should look at the mugen fit, its like the ultimate fit.