HateEternal
Mac Metal Head
Hi Guys.
I've been driving my self nuts trying to find the best car for me, and I am tired of hearing idiots from other boards make stupid remarks. I come here because I know people on this board are a lot more mature than any where else.
Here is my situation. My 92 Accord needs some repair work done, not to critical stuff, new exhaust mainly. I had been holding out to get a new car until I graduate, but now I am going to just ditch it and get a new one. I'm a senior in college, working part time and I have an offer (at the same place) for when I graduate. Not working full time right now puts a little tighter restrictions on the monthly payments I, but I still should be able to get something decent. Looking for something around 18-19k.
I've spent a lot of time researching, reading reviews, and test driving and I've narrowed it down to two options.
1. Mazda3 5door (with ABS package)
2. Scion tC
Here is why:
1. Price range. Both the cars fit nicely in the price range, the tC a little better than the 3.
2. Performance, both cars perform about the same, the tC is a little quicker and the 3 handles a little better.
3. Made in Japan (Sorry I really don't like any US companies) - Both cars are made near 100% in japan. The tC is made by Toyota which is reassuring quality wise, and the Mazda has received good ratings as well, I have heard of a few problems with the transmission though...
4. Features - the tC really wins this one with a ton of standard features, but the 3 has some good ones too
Here are my problems with these cars
Mazda3
1. NO IPOD CONNECTIVITY!!! Unless they changed it for '06, the best you can do is a FM Transmitter, no Line in or anything - you can get an iPod compatible deck in the tC which allows you to browse and do most things you can on your iPod.
2. Weak A/C - Almost everyone who has one of these complains about this
3. Few people have mentioned Transmission problems
Scion tC
1. Feels cheep compared to the 3
2. So many features crammed in to a low price tag, makes me worry about the real quality
3. Not nearly as much room, especially headroom. With the Passenger seat straight up my head is almost hitting the roof, I am only 5'10" or so.
I like both of these cars, except I think I enjoyed the 3 a bit more. I need to drive it again, but I think if it weren't for the iPod issues and the fact that I can't get a sunroof with out getting the six disc changer option I probably would jump for the 3 right away. I would also like to point out that with Scion it is a lot easier to get exactly the options you want, you don't have to choose as much from what is on the lot because most of the options are dealer installed.
So what do you guys think? Does any one else have one of these cars?
Also, other cars I had considered:
1. Acura RSX - To many people have the same problem with the transmission, costs more
2. Subaru Impreza 2.5i - Costs more, no fold down back seats, no one around here has a 5spd in stock.
3. VW GTI - Poor reliability track record
I've been driving my self nuts trying to find the best car for me, and I am tired of hearing idiots from other boards make stupid remarks. I come here because I know people on this board are a lot more mature than any where else.
Here is my situation. My 92 Accord needs some repair work done, not to critical stuff, new exhaust mainly. I had been holding out to get a new car until I graduate, but now I am going to just ditch it and get a new one. I'm a senior in college, working part time and I have an offer (at the same place) for when I graduate. Not working full time right now puts a little tighter restrictions on the monthly payments I, but I still should be able to get something decent. Looking for something around 18-19k.
I've spent a lot of time researching, reading reviews, and test driving and I've narrowed it down to two options.
1. Mazda3 5door (with ABS package)
2. Scion tC
Here is why:
1. Price range. Both the cars fit nicely in the price range, the tC a little better than the 3.
2. Performance, both cars perform about the same, the tC is a little quicker and the 3 handles a little better.
3. Made in Japan (Sorry I really don't like any US companies) - Both cars are made near 100% in japan. The tC is made by Toyota which is reassuring quality wise, and the Mazda has received good ratings as well, I have heard of a few problems with the transmission though...
4. Features - the tC really wins this one with a ton of standard features, but the 3 has some good ones too
Here are my problems with these cars
Mazda3
1. NO IPOD CONNECTIVITY!!! Unless they changed it for '06, the best you can do is a FM Transmitter, no Line in or anything - you can get an iPod compatible deck in the tC which allows you to browse and do most things you can on your iPod.
2. Weak A/C - Almost everyone who has one of these complains about this
3. Few people have mentioned Transmission problems
Scion tC
1. Feels cheep compared to the 3
2. So many features crammed in to a low price tag, makes me worry about the real quality
3. Not nearly as much room, especially headroom. With the Passenger seat straight up my head is almost hitting the roof, I am only 5'10" or so.
I like both of these cars, except I think I enjoyed the 3 a bit more. I need to drive it again, but I think if it weren't for the iPod issues and the fact that I can't get a sunroof with out getting the six disc changer option I probably would jump for the 3 right away. I would also like to point out that with Scion it is a lot easier to get exactly the options you want, you don't have to choose as much from what is on the lot because most of the options are dealer installed.
So what do you guys think? Does any one else have one of these cars?
Also, other cars I had considered:
1. Acura RSX - To many people have the same problem with the transmission, costs more
2. Subaru Impreza 2.5i - Costs more, no fold down back seats, no one around here has a 5spd in stock.
3. VW GTI - Poor reliability track record