21k to spend- Accord lx or Mazda 3 series S Sedan?

Hello,

I was pricing out some different ideas for my next car and I came to the
conclusion that with $21,000.00 I can either get an Accord lx (with barely
any additional options) or a Mazda 3 series Sedan. Both have similar
engines, and options, except for the same amount of money, the Mazda will
give me ABS with 4 wheel disk brakes, EBD, sunroof, 6 disk CD changer, side
curtain airbags, 17" alloys, side sills, Xenon lights, and a voice activated
navigation system. To alot of these items and still stay in the Honda line
I'd have to spent 26k and get a TSX from Acura. Does anyone know if the
Mazda 3 Series S Sedan would be a good choice in terms of comfort and
reliability?

Thanks,

Tom

 

Mazdas are Fords douchebag!




____________________________________

 

Well...Aren't we pleasant?!

Actually no. Mazda has partial stock ownership under Ford, but the parts and
design and engineering are still Mazda...Japanese. Ford is always having
recalls and Mazda's aren't as much. Ford has a similar line for the Mazda,
but there are differences in quality and price. Mazda is a little more
expensive and better quality. If anyone has a higher IQ than 40, could you
please give some information on my original question?

 

Not with the new platforms. They're using Ford engines in the 6, for
example. The old Duratec.

 

Okay, well I only plan on keeping the car for 3 years, because I lease every
3 years, so I guess it doesn't matter than? Or would I still have alot of
problems in that 3 year period to want to say "Never again"?

 

It's interesting that the much bigger Accord packing an additional 350lb can still
return better mileage then the Mazda 3. It just goes to show the amount of
mechanical refinement engineered into the Accord when compared to the new kid on
the block (Mazda 3).

It's a shame that a superior car like the Mazda 3 has to rely on Ford's inferior
product to motivate it.

Pars
98 DX Hatch

 

Well if your only keeping the car under lease terms and you would pay the
same for either car at the end of the lease then get the car with bells and
whistles.

If you were going to keep the car then there is the whole issue of how much
more the Mazda sucks for resale and how much more the Mazda will end up
costing you per mile over a 5 year term when compared to the Honda. You
could go to Edmunds.com and look under true cost to own.

CaptainKrunch

 

Being at 21000$, you are close to get an Accord EX with sunroof, mags and a
lot of features (starts at 21700$).
http://www.hondacars.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Accord+Sedan

Here in Canada, Honda has 2.8% financing on 60 month and 4.8% on leasing.
In the US, great 36 month leases (check on 'current offers')

The Mazda3 is great (although a bit expensive for what it is), but I am
willing to bet that you will be more satisfied with an Accord EX.

 

might be able to get a cheap lease and low residual with either, if he
decides to buy after leasing.

 

There is no such thing as a cheap lease and cheap residual. If you are
going to buy the car then you need to purchase it up front. Otherwise you
are just paying a lower amount for the first 2-3 years and then having to
finance the remainder which will be significant. It comes down to how long
to you want to be making payments on the car.

CaptainKrunch

 

You can EX Accord for that, at least a 4 cyl version. It has some of that
eqipment on it.

In fact I paid $20k and some change for an EX with a stick- what I wanted (no
nav or zenon).

You can Mazda 6 for that much too.

 

You can get HID Xenon on an Accord? Damn, I wish I'd known that when
I bought mine!

 

Isn't this apples and oranges? Isn't a Mazda 3 the replacement for
the Protege which in size and displacement a more suitable comparison
to the Civic?

 

Isn't this apples and oranges? Isn't a Mazda 3 the replacement for

Agreed. Mazda 3 is just a ricer in the making. Get a real car. Accord.

JM