New Lady Mobile

Vilante · Post by **Vilante** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:43 pm

My fiance is after a new car, around $25-30K.

We're looking mostly at the Astra Coupe, has a 5 star safety rating, looks pretty smart (which is why she wants it) and goes well.

Anyone have any experience in this area?

I like the look of the Mazda 3 but I'm yet to have a drive. Focus is out cause it's ugly (and it's a Ford).

Post by **Hz-Lab** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:13 pm

if u can put aside the badge, the fiesta is a tops little car. Also the Yaris yxr's are pretty noice.. i think they are yxr's lol.. something like that. My mates mrs has one, we went for a spin, goes like a little rocket, very fun car and the safety and fuel is quite good. As for the Fiesta, i had the priveledge of driving around tassie in one of the newer XR? models, was some of the best fun i've had driving. Have not heard much about the Astra's, the new shape doesnt do much for me, it looks to bouncey. I dunno. I didnt mind some of the older ones..

lmao.. get an Epica on a run out... great success they were. lol.

SE1Z · Post by **SE1Z** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:23 pm

If it where me.... I'd go the Madza 3.

A couple of reasons....

They are a top little car for the money, and will have the best resale value of anything in that price range.

Exar Kun · Post by **Exar Kun** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:21 am

Mazda 3 has the best driving dynamics in the class but can be a bit noisey. The Focus is actually probably the best all-round car in that class at the moment (I don't count Ford Europe in my own hatred of Ford

). For $30k you can just sneak into a 2 litre Golf (Comfortline) which is a very nice car. Or a little bit less and you can get a lower specced (Trendline) diesel which really is a good car. Golf will have best build quality and the classiest cabin in that price range (all Golfs Golfs also come with a cooled glove box - w00t!). I won't mention the Corolla because it's a Corolla. I like the look of the Astra too and for that price you can get a decently specced one. They're a bit in the middle of the class in that they don't have any stand out qualities but aren't too bad at anything either.

So:
Mazda 3 - driving
Focus - next best driving but better ride quality and comfort
Golf - best comfort and build
Astra - bit in the middle of all of the above...

brocko · Post by **brocko** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:48 am

We have just bought a Mazda 3 and it is great to drive,looks good. Cant say i find it noisy but i'm coming from a Combi and Ute background. It is a great car and have been happy with it.

Sapient · Post by **Sapient** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:20 am

My wifey has always had Mazda3 (and 323 before that) until we recently upgraded her to a RAV4 to fit in all the bloody kids she keeps spitting out.

Anyway the 3 held its value and I do not recall a single mechanical misadventure with any of them, and apparently the latest model is the best yet........

Personally I would by her a road registered Club Car or something and tell her "its something we can share darling" Good Luck!

Vilante · Post by **Vilante** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:27 am

lol Sap, I like that idea

I was thinking Golf Exar, but I've been warned off it due to parts/repair prices.

I like the look and feel of the Mazda most, feels more solid than the Astra. Time to go for another drive I think.

Thanks for your advice fellas

Exar Kun · Post by **Exar Kun** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:10 am

Vilante 11 wrote:lol Sap, I like that idea

I was thinking Golf Exar, but I've been warned off it due to parts/repair prices.

I like the look and feel of the Mazda most, feels more solid than the Astra. Time to go for another drive I think.

Thanks for your advice fellas

It's true that Golf will have more expensive service costs. Do make sure you check on the others too though - current Mazdas aren't particularly cheap to service compared to other Japanese cars. Most of my office drives Mazdas (we have a 2, 3, 6 & CX7 on lease) as we recently designed a Mazda dealership so get good deals through them and they're certainly no Toyotas when it comes to service cost. Definitely investigate costs of minor and major services and also find out what, if any the cost/interval is for the really big services like timing belts. A girl at work recently had her Astra timing belt changed at a Holden dealer and it cost her $1500 - this was at 60000km.

(Having said all that I agree with Mazda 3 - could get a Sport Maxx for that budget).

Vilante · Post by **Vilante** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:35 am

Cheers Exar.

Sambo · Post by **Sambo** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:50 am

Use the 30 grand to finance and incredibly intricate and diabolical bank robbery (I would suggest hiring cutter for the planning, though rumor has it has fairly $$$), then buy your girl a Porsche and go holiday here..http://www.atlantis.com/

that said, im 19 and to be honest im new to this whole 'being tried as an adult thing'..but it should work...whats the worst thing that could go wrong?

Vilante · Post by **Vilante** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:08 am

I'm in, you in too? You can drive the getaway car, Cutter can do the planning and Chaz can post the photos.

Sambo · Post by **Sambo** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:20 am

I was going to say hire chaz, but dont tell him the actual plan. Then when we rob the bank use him as a diversion when the police come and then bail on him

but your way sounds more...nice. But if he gets a bigger cut than me, ill start that rage thread up again.

ashsimmonds · Post by **ashsimmonds** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:19 pm

I there a reason it has to be an econobox?

Vilante · Post by **Vilante** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:02 pm

ashsimmonds wrote:I there a reason it has to be an econobox?

Yeah she just got an area managers role involving a car allowance so she has to be careful with fuel economy and repair costs.

Post by **Hz-Lab** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:33 pm

i'd say if you like the mazda 3, go for it. I have a 323 which used to be my main car but now my old boy just uses it to putt around here and there. I had no problems with it at all bar a dodgy thermostat. Which mind you is a hard bastard to get to... oh yeah, and CV joints when i 1st got it, however they were well passed their replacement date. Thing is the most reliable thing i have ever owned, I have a couple mates with Mazda 6's and they have no problems either. Why not go for a 2nd hand 6? allthough the 3's do look cool

Exar Kun · Post by **Exar Kun** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:46 pm

Hz-Lab wrote:i'd say if you like the mazda 3, go for it. I have a 323 which used to be my main car but now my old boy just uses it to putt around here and there. I had no problems with it at all bar a dodgy thermostat. Which mind you is a hard bastard to get to... oh yeah, and CV joints when i 1st got it, however they were well passed their replacement date. Thing is the most reliable thing i have ever owned, I have a couple mates with Mazda 6's and they have no problems either. Why not go for a 2nd hand 6? allthough the 3's do look cool

If going second hand then grab an SP23.

Sapient · Post by **Sapient** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:48 pm

Vil,
This might help if you want some broader comment from Mazda owners

http://www.ozmazdaclub.com/forum/index.php

...just don't tell them you know me

mofodoobs · Post by **mofodoobs** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:53 pm

Get a diesel i30.....or you could ignore nearly every independent review and spend more on a brand.

Sorry I forgot to add..I wouldn't touch an Astra with a 10 foot pole.

Vilante · Post by **Vilante** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:54 pm

mofodoobs wrote:Sorry I forgot to add..I wouldn't touch an Astra with a 10 foot pole.

Pretty sure that's the one she has her heart set on.

Can you please expand? If I tell her that she'll think I'm trying to get my end in.

bengatta · Post by **bengatta** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:55 pm

Dodge Avenger...

4 pack can holder/cooler, in the dash... if you can convince her to drive everywhere, you can have some proper roadies on a road trip...

also a chilled drink holder in the console... they certainly know how to encourage drinking and driving those Amirikans...

Exar Kun · Post by **Exar Kun** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:16 pm

Vilante 11 wrote:
mofodoobs wrote:Sorry I forgot to add..I wouldn't touch an Astra with a 10 foot pole.
Pretty sure that's the one she has her heart set on.

Can you please expand? If I tell her that she'll think I'm trying to get my end in.

Mofodoobs is actually right that the diesel i30 would be a good choice - I had forgotten about that one. Excellent value, great economy and really not too bad inside and out. When it comes down to it, there aren't really any 'dud' cars in the category. For what she'll use it for, she's unlikely to have any real hassles with any of the cars (except the Astra has a horribly wide C-Pillar that makes reversing a bitch

) but it's worth test driving them all. It's a competitive segment and dealers could be willing to do a deal on a few of the cars in this price range.

mofodoobs · Post by **mofodoobs** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:04 pm

Vilante 11 wrote:
mofodoobs wrote:Sorry I forgot to add..I wouldn't touch an Astra with a 10 foot pole.
Pretty sure that's the one she has her heart set on.

Can you please expand? If I tell her that she'll think I'm trying to get my end in.

lol

Ummm, a bit of personal experience with my mates Astra....Admittedly most of it seems to be minor, but pain in the arse problems like door seals continually falling off, being taken back to the dealer and having it happen again and again. He had a problem with the window which wasn't corrected and it went back again. That one could just be a dealer issue.
The only other evidence I have is from other feedback on forums in regards to the Astra owners having issues with engine management (cutting out-that type of thing), and suspension. So I guess you could take that with a grain of salt, but the door seal stuff would be enough for me. He has said that the engine is great, and I don't think he's had any suspension probs.
I haven't checked out the price or warranty details but that was because I didn't even consider it as an option a couple of months ago when I was looking.

The Mazda 3 is good, but when I weighed up the costs I bought a i30SR. - the petrol model. I couldn't wait for the diesel to come out and I didn't think I'd want it, but after doing some reading it would have been something to consider. I really like the SR. It has some cheesy features but it is a really good car, and looks pretty schmick.

The diesel (slx with protecz pack-which makes it really comparable to the Mazda3) is approx $2000 cheaper (from what I've see advertised), it puts out less power than the Mazda, but is lighter and has better fuel economy. Hyundai also have the 5yr compared to 3yr warranty of the Mazda. The Mazda is reported to handle better...The thing that put the Hyundai over the edge for me was a full size spare and not the compact that the Mazda has. It might not mean much to you.

Exar Kun is also right in that there's no real duds in the class, and it depends on your own opinion of how they handle, look, fuel econ, whatever matters to you, and most importantly: Your Wife.

Holden might have fixed the issues with the Astra too, given that they seem to be relatively minor.

Do a little bit of research and look at the numbers... I think things like the VW and other euro cars seem to be really pricey to me.

I hope that helps, and I didn't sound too much like a Hyundai salesman.. I just bought mine so I'm still excited.

I forgot; I didn't consider resale either, so that may be a consideration for you

Cheers

nutty · Post by **nutty** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:32 pm

My workmate girlfriend brought a 04? astra from the showroom floor, the dealers have spend somthing like 11k reparing all the fuckups on it cause it was such a lemon.

You cant go wrong with Honda Jazz or a Swift.. Saying that if it was me I would spend that bit more on a Golf, which is what im planning on doing

Jiminee · Post by **Jiminee** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:14 pm

Not trying to be a smart ass so this is an honest question:
Do Ford still on Mazda or were they pawned off in there dash for cash this year? I dont think they were and the Ford dealer here sells Mazdas to for what its worth.
If so, just how similar are the Focus and the 3? Camry/Apollo similar or just sharing a few parts?

Post by **Hz-Lab** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:48 pm

Jiminee wrote: just how similar are the Focus and the 3?

ok, without having anything to back it up with. I'd say there are no similarities, apart from the obvious ones of 4 wheels, windows.. blah blah.

I think the last model 323's and Lasers were essentially the same thing. As were 626's and TX5 telstars back in the day. But i dont think they have had a universal model for quite a few years now.