Advice for buying long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan

Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.

My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004 Nissan
Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.

What recommendation should I consider? Please list
negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?

What THanks in advance for your advice.

Most of the experts would go with the Toyota Corolla. I have a "99 CE and
have been very pleased. Other than oil changes, nothing has happened. But I
would go now with the Mazda 3. More expensive but a much nicer looking car.

Kevin
"AL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Gz0oc.444924$oR5.31299@pd7tw3no...
> Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.
>
> My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004 Nissan
> Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.
>
> What recommendation should I consider? Please list
> negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?
>
> What THanks in advance for your advice.
>
>
>
>

But the track record with the mazda 3 is still unproven because it is first
generation?

"FearTurtle 2" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Ae8oc.541$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Most of the experts would go with the Toyota Corolla. I have a "99 CE and
> have been very pleased. Other than oil changes, nothing has happened. But
I
> would go now with the Mazda 3. More expensive but a much nicer looking
car.
>
> Kevin
> "AL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:Gz0oc.444924$oR5.31299@pd7tw3no...
> > Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.
> >
> > My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004 Nissan
> > Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.
> >
> > What recommendation should I consider? Please list
> > negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?
> >
> > What THanks in advance for your advice.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>

Shibby Mazda 3 or Mazda 6

--
Bryan W
http://fordprobeshop.com
"FearTurtle 2" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Ae8oc.541$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Most of the experts would go with the Toyota Corolla. I have a "99 CE and
> have been very pleased. Other than oil changes, nothing has happened. But
I
> would go now with the Mazda 3. More expensive but a much nicer looking
car.
>
> Kevin
> "AL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:Gz0oc.444924$oR5.31299@pd7tw3no...
> > Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.
> >
> > My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004 Nissan
> > Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.
> >
> > What recommendation should I consider? Please list
> > negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?
> >
> > What THanks in advance for your advice.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>

Civic LX in gray. It is the most popular vehicle of the group, with almost
infinite amount of used- or aftermarket parts and support, ensuring cheap
maintenance for years and years.

--
"War is the continuation of politics by other means.
It can therefore be said that politics is war without
bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed."



"AL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Gz0oc.444924$oR5.31299@pd7tw3no...
> Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.
>
> My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004 Nissan
> Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.
>
> What recommendation should I consider? Please list
> negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?
>
> What THanks in advance for your advice.

"AL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Gz0oc.444924$oR5.31299@pd7tw3no...
> Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.
>
> My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004 Nissan
> Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.
>
> What recommendation should I consider? Please list
> negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?
>
> What THanks in advance for your advice.

I'm still driving an originally purchased (Nov, 1989) 1990 Protege SE, SOHC
w/211,000 miles, original engine, tranny AND CLUTCH (yes, original clutch,
it's all in the left foot folks)...so far....new alternator (170Kmiles),
water pump (135Kmi) and complete AC (192Kmi). From what i've heard from
folks with the Mazda 6 and 3/protege's...the AC is now the weakest link-
most of these folks don't get more than 6 years or 100,000 miles out them.
No probs w/the rest of the car but I had to replace all the parts....$1800.

Richard
>
>
>
>

I just bought a Mazda 3s yesterday (4door sedan, manual). Great car to
drive...I intent to keep this car for more than 5 yrs. Would you guys
recommend the extended warranty (7 yrs/100Kmilles) over the original (4
yrs/50Kmiles)?

Carol
==================
Richard Smith wrote:

> "AL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:Gz0oc.444924$oR5.31299@pd7tw3no...
> > Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.
> >
> > My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004 Nissan
> > Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.
> >
> > What recommendation should I consider? Please list
> > negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?
> >
> > What THanks in advance for your advice.
>
> I'm still driving an originally purchased (Nov, 1989) 1990 Protege SE, SOHC
> w/211,000 miles, original engine, tranny AND CLUTCH (yes, original clutch,
> it's all in the left foot folks)...so far....new alternator (170Kmiles),
> water pump (135Kmi) and complete AC (192Kmi). From what i've heard from
> folks with the Mazda 6 and 3/protege's...the AC is now the weakest link-
> most of these folks don't get more than 6 years or 100,000 miles out them.
> No probs w/the rest of the car but I had to replace all the parts....$1800.
>
> Richard
> >
> >
> >
> >

--
Carol Plouffe
2633 Avalon Drive
Bettendorf, IA
52722
home: (563) 344-9572
cell: (309) 738-0177
(E-Mail Removed)

Good choice buying a Mazda, thumbs up
Get the 7yr/100,00 mile one.
And change from dinosaur oil to full synthetic immediatly, it will extend
the wear on internal parts of the engine, and extend the life of the car.
Go with Mobil 1 Full Synthetic, and use the weight oil you would normaly use
when selecting the synthetic oil at your nearest store.


--
Bryan W
http://fordprobeshop.com
"Carol" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I just bought a Mazda 3s yesterday (4door sedan, manual). Great car to
> drive...I intent to keep this car for more than 5 yrs. Would you guys
> recommend the extended warranty (7 yrs/100Kmilles) over the original (4
> yrs/50Kmiles)?
>
> Carol
> ==================
> Richard Smith wrote:
>
> > "AL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:Gz0oc.444924$oR5.31299@pd7tw3no...
> > > Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.
> > >
> > > My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004
Nissan
> > > Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.
> > >
> > > What recommendation should I consider? Please list
> > > negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?
> > >
> > > What THanks in advance for your advice.
> >
> > I'm still driving an originally purchased (Nov, 1989) 1990 Protege SE,
SOHC
> > w/211,000 miles, original engine, tranny AND CLUTCH (yes, original
clutch,
> > it's all in the left foot folks)...so far....new alternator (170Kmiles),
> > water pump (135Kmi) and complete AC (192Kmi). From what i've heard from
> > folks with the Mazda 6 and 3/protege's...the AC is now the weakest link-
> > most of these folks don't get more than 6 years or 100,000 miles out
them.
> > No probs w/the rest of the car but I had to replace all the
parts....$1800.
> >
> > Richard
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> --
> Carol Plouffe
> 2633 Avalon Drive
> Bettendorf, IA
> 52722
> home: (563) 344-9572
> cell: (309) 738-0177
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>
>

My daughter bought a Protégé last summer and I suggested she go for the
extended warranty. It was not a cut and dry choice. If it were me, I would
not. My concern was that she is not knowledgeable in matters automotive and
might be in a situation where this would be of benefit.

I would go for the extended warranty on domestic cars. On both a 1986
Plymouth Voyager and 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, they paid off big time.
The Hondas and Mazda that we have owned from new never needed them.

Ken

"Carol" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I just bought a Mazda 3s yesterday (4door sedan, manual). Great car to
> drive...I intent to keep this car for more than 5 yrs. Would you guys
> recommend the extended warranty (7 yrs/100Kmilles) over the original (4
> yrs/50Kmiles)?
>
> Carol
> ==================
> Richard Smith wrote:
>
> > "AL" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:Gz0oc.444924$oR5.31299@pd7tw3no...
> > > Trying to decide on long term usage, reliable, and economical sedan.
> > >
> > > My choices are 2005 Toyota Corolla CE, 2004 Honda Civic LX, 2004
Nissan
> > > Sentra 1.8s, and 2004 Mazda 3 Sedan.
> > >
> > > What recommendation should I consider? Please list
> > > negatives/positves/inherent issues with certain models?
> > >
> > > What THanks in advance for your advice.
> >
> > I'm still driving an originally purchased (Nov, 1989) 1990 Protege SE,
SOHC
> > w/211,000 miles, original engine, tranny AND CLUTCH (yes, original
clutch,
> > it's all in the left foot folks)...so far....new alternator (170Kmiles),
> > water pump (135Kmi) and complete AC (192Kmi). From what i've heard from
> > folks with the Mazda 6 and 3/protege's...the AC is now the weakest link-
> > most of these folks don't get more than 6 years or 100,000 miles out
them.
> > No probs w/the rest of the car but I had to replace all the
parts....$1800.
> >
> > Richard
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> --
> Carol Plouffe
> 2633 Avalon Drive
> Bettendorf, IA
> 52722
> home: (563) 344-9572
> cell: (309) 738-0177
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>

While idly wondering if the Pakmara can really do that, KWS said:

; I would go for the extended warranty on domestic cars. On both a 1986
; Plymouth Voyager and 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, they paid off big time.
; The Hondas and Mazda that we have owned from new never needed them.

Any of them first-years? I thought that since this is a Mazda and not
a GM or domestic Ford, that I wouldn't have to worry about a first-year
model...

'02 Mazda6, from early in the first year production run. Advertised
accessories were not yet available, and one of them didn't fit (lower
fascia mounted fog lights do NOT fit the Sport Package bumpers). The
radio gets crappy reception ('03s have a different antenna). A year
after purchase, my 'check engine' light comes on for a nothing problem,
required a reprogram to fix. Was reprogrammed. The 'check engine'
light has come on twice more within the past month for the same thing.
My handbrake lever needs to be replaced due to the release sticking.
Good thing it's not a manual transmission!. There have been almost a
half dozen recalls for various and sundry potential problems. And it
has what I now consider a chronic Mazda problem: Uncooperative weather
stripping. I'm about to have it replaced for the second time in a
year, and the weather stripping on my '00 Protege was also replaced
twice in two years.

If I had to do it over again, knowing what I know now, would I still
buy this car? Yes and no. I'd still probably buy a Mazda6 equipped
the same, but not an '03. I will try to remember to NEVER EVER buy a
first-year car again, even if it means waiting another year or getting
something else.

(Note: "doing it again" in my case would mean not getting the 6
because of why I traded in my Protege: It was medically imperative
that I get rid of the foot operated clutch asap. "doing it again"
would land me in either another Protege or P5, with the 4speed SportAT
or a Jetta. Those were my runner-up choices.)

--
Jeffrey Kaplan <*> www.gordol.org
The from userid is killfiled <*> Send personal mail to gordol

"It finally feels like spring! I don't think anything can ruin my good
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challenge!'" - Bun-bun, Sluggy Freelance