2012 Mazda 3 40 mpgs hwy

[Blue Angel]

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

Plus I found that my credit wasn't as good as I thought, I got a pre-qual of 8% APR.

If you can wait until the summer, once the 2014's start showing up on the lots there will be lots of pressure to move the 2013's. I would imagine they will be throwing credit at you to buy one!

I got my Cruze at 0% for 74 months, which was what sealed the deal. Otherwise I would have waited another year and looked for a used 2011... this is the first new car I've ever owned, every other car I've bought has been at least two years old.

[Viturro]

Mazda... pfff
BMW BMW's amazing new 381 bhp 740 Nm 45 mpg triple turbo diesel (and four cars that will get it)

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by Blue Angel

If you can wait until the summer, once the 2014's start showing up on the lots there will be lots of pressure to move the 2013's. I would imagine they will be throwing credit at you to buy one!

I got my Cruze at 0% for 74 months, which was what sealed the deal. Otherwise I would have waited another year and looked for a used 2011... this is the first new car I've ever owned, every other car I've bought has been at least two years old.

Exactly. I'm renting cars as a temporary solution but I would like to wait until the 2014 just so I have more room to negotiate. If I don't like the 2014 that is, definitely prefer the soul eating smiley face over the new kodo design on the 6. The 2013 wasn't much different from the 2012 so they aren't offering much less for them. So we'll see.

[PressEnter[]]

I have the old Protege hatchback, so I've been considering both the 2 and 3 as replacements. The 3 looks best for the highway, but think the 2 could be hypermiled to much better mileage overall. I'm guessing it's similar to a Yaris, which I've had over 46 mpg on a highway trip, even with it's high-revving engine and an automatic.

[redpoint5]

I'm envious of all this talk of tall gearing. My car does 3000 RPM at 70 MPH. I don't understand why in a 6 speed, they don't lengthen the last gear for efficient cruising. Even if I took my car out on a race track, I would need over a mile long straight to get into 6th gear, making it worthless on both the track and the highway.

I'm not even an engineer, so how is it that I understand the worthlessness of a short 6th, but the manufacturer is oblivious?

/rant

Originally Posted by stimpsonjcat

And this is in the mountains of North Georgia, not in pancake-flat Florida.

Elevation and hilly terrain improve mpg, not decrease it.

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

The car I want has 7 miles on it and I don't know the dealer so there's no guarantees. Plus I found that my credit wasn't as good as I thought, I got a pre-qual of 8% APR.

From this tidbit of info it sounds like you may not be in the best financial position. If so, I highly recommend against purchasing brand new, and especially against buying from a dealership. Vehicles are among the worst "investments" because they depreciate so darned quickly. Buy a few years old and invest the amount saved. This will allow you to buy a nicer car than buying new, also.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

From this tidbit of info it sounds like you may not be in the best financial position. If so, I highly recommend against purchasing brand new, and especially against buying from a dealership. Vehicles are among the worst "investments" because they depreciate so darned quickly. Buy a few years old and invest the amount saved. This will allow you to buy a nicer car than buying new, also.

Thanks. I ended up getting something different anyway but it was used and vastly cheaper as you suggested. The Mazda3 was nice but it wasn't what I really wanted. So I'm content to bide my time until I'm in a better financial position and can get what I really want.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

Thanks. I ended up getting something different anyway but it was used and vastly cheaper as you suggested.

What did you end up with?

I'll be married soon, so we will be a 2 car family and I want to replace the Jeep with something else. Not only that, but my fiance's friend needs a car and so does my mom. I'm looking at needing to purchase 3 cars in the near future and trying to figure out which would be best. Even considering a Leaf, but I'm not sure it can pay for itself even over the long run and assuming I get free electricity.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm looking at needing to purchase 3 cars in the near future

Test drive the Fiesta or the Mazda2.

[Flakbadger]

Originally Posted by sendler

Test drive the Fiesta or the Mazda2.

Or a Yaris sedan! I wanted a Fiesta, but just like the Honda Fit (which I also wanted), it's way out of my price range.

My car, with 29k miles on it, was just under $13k.

[Allch Chcar]

Mazda5. It's mostly for my mom's use but I need a car too so I'm paying for half.

Originally Posted by sendler

Test drive the Fiesta or the Mazda2.

I rented both the Fiesta and the Mazda2 and this is just my humble opinion. But the automatic transmissions for those cars are terrible. The Powershift feels like it's slipping randomly, jerky starts, and generally erratic behavior. It goes from sluggish to bat out of hell without any in-between. The Mazda2 has a 4 spd. The response is nice and smooth but it gets only average fuel economy.

I haven't tried the 5spd versions but I was looking for one before we settled on a used Mazda5. The chassis isn't as good as the Mazda3 or the Focus but the Mazda2/Fiesta make up for it by being cheap, lightweight cars.