Need some feedback - buying a 2006/2007 Mazda 3

[marker5317]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum, and am looking for some help. I've found some really good info on the site so far but wanted to get some feedback from members. It’s my first time buying a used car. I've been all over the internet doing research and I think
it's just making it harder to decide what I want. My budget is $10k. I figure that whatever I can knock down will just come back in taxes and fees.

Here are the frontrunners so far:

2006 Mazda 3 (ad didn't say if it was GX, GS, or GT)
Sedan
5 speed
Black
power everything
sunroof
$9,895
65,649kms


2007 Mazda 3 Sport
Hatchback
5 speed
Blue
power everything
sunroof
$10,495
64,117kms


2006 Mazda 3 Sport GT
Hatchback
5 speed
Copper Red Mica
power everything
sunroof
$10,999
77,000kms


I’ve never owned a hatchback before and I’m on the fence on whether or not to get one. I'm more of a sedan guy but I think I might want to change things up. I’ve also found some good info in the forum regarding some used dealerships in the GTA.
Wondering if anyone has had any dealings or info on these dealerships:

Autoprice Canada – Mississauga/Hamilton
Jimiline Fine Cars – Toronto
Goodfellas Auto – Toronto
MDA Fine Cars – Vaughn
Autotech Emporium - Mississauga

Sorry for the long post!

Thanks for the feedback!

[ds2chan]

I think one thing I should say about the hatch over the sedan is that if you want to haul a 42" hd tv or a med sized table (that has been taken apart) then you can. But if you want to just cruise around and not haul anything that size then just go with your gut feeling. I bought a hatch and never regretted it. It really helped when I bought my 42" lcd.

If your budget is 10K then maybe you should consider some 2005 models. I don't know the difference in price but really think about your budget. Also, maybe take a look at who is selling their car here on the forums. It could possibly be a better option than what you see from the above dealerships/sites you mentioned.

[S.F.W.]

I think one thing I should say about the hatch over the sedan is that if you want to haul a 42" hd tv or a med sized table (that has been taken apart) then you can. But if you want to just cruise around and not haul anything that size then just go with your gut feeling. I bought a hatch and never regretted it. It really helped when I bought my 42" lcd.

If your budget is 10K then maybe you should consider some 2005 models. I don't know the difference in price but really think about your budget. Also, maybe take a look at who is selling their car here on the forums. It could possibly be a better option than what you see from the above dealerships/sites you mentioned.

My 46" LCD fit in my Sedan without issue.

[ST3ALTH]

I bought my car off Autoprice Canada. Overall the experience was good. No major issues.

[thanu31]

I would be wary of those prices

Pretty sure those cars are accident cars. Try looking for a private deal, but if you want 06 07 I think the lowest your going to find at decent shape is probably 12k. Unless you try a GX GS 2006.

[marker5317]

I bought my car off Autoprice Canada. Overall the experience was good. No major issues.

Thanks for the info ST3ALTH. I'm going to do some test driving in the next couple of days to narrow it down.

[marker5317]

I would be wary of those prices

Pretty sure those cars are accident cars. Try looking for a private deal, but if you want 06 07 I think the lowest your going to find at decent shape is probably 12k. Unless you try a GX GS 2006.

Good info thanu31, I'll keep that in mind and keep searching for the right deal. So far people are recommending looking at private deals. So I'll have to widen my search - Thanks!

[Takumi616]

Sedan FTW! , Sedan has good cargo space if you drop the seats. But I wouldn't buy a hatch just because of buying a T.V or a big item, mostly because you won't do that often ... or maybe I'm wrong

[Jackal]

Members also sell cars here on this site at very reasonable prices. Sedan for me too. But I am biased. Either would be good. Always leave a thousand or so for some potential expenses like new tires etc just in case. Cars may be sold as is.

[zakman]

My 46" LCD fit in my Sedan without issue.

+1 to the tv. i have fit plenty of stuff in my sedan. i have even fit 8 rims and tires before with a passenger. for how often you think you may need to fit somthing that big its not worth buying it just because of that.

get what you want... for comfort style etc. then deal with carrying stuff later.

[ds2chan]

My 46" LCD fit in my Sedan without issue.

+1 to the tv. i have fit plenty of stuff in my sedan. i have even fit 8 rims and tires before with a passenger. for how often you think you may need to fit somthing that big its not worth buying it just because of that.

get what you want... for comfort style etc. then deal with carrying stuff later.

I stand corrected.

But one thing is I don't haul big items that often but one time I went to Costco and bought a big ass office chair out of the blue because I needed one and it was a really good price. No way that would have fit into a sedan.

In the end go with what you like. I wanted the room so I went for the hatch. Everybody is going to tell you different stories.

Good luck with your search.

[marker5317]

I stand corrected.

But one thing is I don't haul big items that often but one time I went to Costco and bought a big ass office chair out of the blue because I needed one and it was a really good price. No way that would have fit into a sedan.

In the end go with what you like. I wanted the room so I went for the hatch. Everybody is going to tell you different stories.

Good luck with your search.

Thanks! Much appreciated. I've revised my search to include 2005's, I really don't want to go over budget. I've found a couple of private listings that I've sent some initial e-mails to. We'll see how it goes.

[marker5317]

Hi everyone,

Just an update. I've inquired about a couple of cars and it seems like they are either high kms or been in accidents.

I am leaning a little more towards a Mazda dealership but it seems their cars are always $2000-$3000 and close to 100,000kms (which I guess is reasonable for a 2006 model).

What I wanted to know is would there be any value in trading in my 2000 Mazda Protege (LX, 1.8L) with 280,000kms?

Thanks for the info.

[hastiej]

you'd prob be better off private selling it if you no longer want it.. or give it to Teen Challange. I had a 2001 saturn with 208,000 KM's and got a 500 dollar offer for trade in..

Also, if you buy from a Mazda dealer ship, your ensured that your car has new brakes, tires, oril change etc, which will quickly consume a possible 2000 dollar savings else where.. imo

gl

[marker5317]

Hi everyone,

Ok, I've narrowed it down but I need to know what the difference is between a Mazda 3 S and a Mazda 3 GS or GT. I'm sure it's somewhere in this forum and I've searched but I just can't seem to find it.

Thanks.

[Elusivellama]

Hi everyone,

Ok, I've narrowed it down but I need to know what the difference is between a Mazda 3 S and a Mazda 3 GS or GT. I'm sure it's somewhere in this forum and I've searched but I just can't seem to find it.

Thanks.

If you search on google, you can find Mazda Canada's old brochures in pdf form detailing the trim levels for the Mazda 3, but here's a quick run-down.

S = sport, which is a hatchback. GS is a trim available in both sedan and hatchback, GT is the next step up. Sedan comes in GX, GS, GT (only the sedan GT has 2.3L engine), hatchback comes in GS and GT (both with 2.3L) if you're talking about 2006 - 2007 Mazda 3s.

And as for whether to pick a sedan or hatch... I used to be a sedan guy myself, never liked the hatchback because of its looks. I thought it looked too fat, to be honest. Then I took a look at the GT trim of the hatchback and was immediately sold on its looks... it's the lowered side skirts and larger roofline spoiler, plus the angle of the windows, made it look well planted, like a sprinter on the starting blocks ready to take off.

That, and the extra cargo space + fifth door with its huge opening, gives you more loading options for stuff.


"Mazda Brochure" = http://www.mazdabrochures.com/Mazda_3_Brochures.html

[marker5317]

Thank you very much Elusivellama! Some of the used ads list a Mazda 3 s and it shows a sedan.

All that said, after test driving a few used cars yesterday, I may have just made up my mind to use my $10k budget as a downpayment on a new 2010 GS with comfort package and end up hopefully paying about $200-$250 a month for either 6 years or 5 years. Obviously the lower payment is better. I just don't think I'm cut out to search for a used car. With 0% financing it may be too good to pass up.

If you search on google, you can find Mazda Canada's old brochures in pdf form detailing the trim levels for the Mazda 3, but here's a quick run-down.

S = sport, which is a hatchback. GS is a trim available in both sedan and hatchback, GT is the next step up. Sedan comes in GX, GS, GT (only the sedan GT has 2.3L engine), hatchback comes in GS and GT (both with 2.3L) if you're talking about 2006 - 2007 Mazda 3s.

And as for whether to pick a sedan or hatch... I used to be a sedan guy myself, never liked the hatchback because of its looks. I thought it looked too fat, to be honest. Then I took a look at the GT trim of the hatchback and was immediately sold on its looks... it's the lowered side skirts and larger roofline spoiler, plus the angle of the windows, made it look well planted, like a sprinter on the starting blocks ready to take off.

That, and the extra cargo space + fifth door with its huge opening, gives you more loading options for stuff.


"Mazda Brochure" = http://www.mazdabrochures.com/Mazda_3_Brochures.html

[Z242Pilot]

check out GTA fine cars, the guy has almost 20 mazda 3s there, i am picking up my 06 wednesday! can't wait.