04 Mazda3 Hatchback

[arnoc]

Okay, after flirting with the idea of an older Porsche and regaining my sensibilities, I'm focusing back in on cars that I can actually afford to drive. I've narrowed it down to on solid choice I really like. (Note: This will be my first vehicle I own. I have been driving for about five years using my parents car. While it's still functional, it's an 01 Dodge Durango that I'm doing mostly "city" miles on, and gas on that V8 is killing me in the wallet).

My estimated budget: $10,000

First up is the 2004 Mazda3 Hatchback

Sticker Price: $8,995
Miles: 78,316
KBB Value + Carfax Estimate Value: $7895
Edmunds value (Base): $5,689
Edmunds value (Total): $7,798
Planned Down payment: $4,500

Dealer's Advertisement of Features:


KEY FEATURES INCLUDE
CD Player, Aluminum Wheels Rear Spoiler, Remote Trunk Release, Keyless Entry, Child Safety Locks, Steering Wheel Controls. Safety equipment includes Child Safety Locks, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes. s with Titanium Gray Metallic exterior and Solid Black interior features a 4 Cylinder Engine with 160 HP at 6500 RPM*. Non-Smoker vehicle.


Pros:

1. Carfax One Owner certified. Local.
2. I love the exterior color.
3. Under budget.
4. EPA Estimate of 25mpg city > 11 mpg of current ride.
5. Manual Transmission.
6. Dealer is quite literally right down the road from me. I can ride my bicycle to go see it.
7. Has been sitting on dealer's lot for around a month at least.

Cons:

• I'm iffy on the seat colors.
• The red on black dash seems like it may be hard to see in daytime.
• I don't know how to drive manual. Yet.

Everything in all the pictures from the dealer makes the car look in pristine condition. Low travel time for me. And I may be able to score an in with the dealer as I've done an advertisement design for them before. Ideally, I would like to get it around 7.5-8k range.

Alternatives:

Just across the state line (close to me), there is a 2007 Ford Fusion SE V6 with 48,555 miles listed for $10,995. It's exterior color is quoted as "Merlot Clearcoat Metallic" with "Medium Light Stone". It's a little out of my budget range that I'd like, and I haven't done as much research into it, but it seems like it may be a solid alternative to the Mazda. I don't like the styling as much for the exterior, and the interior is laid out nice, if not plain. Not a fan of the coloring at all however.

Summary:
My Anandtech Garage members, what do you think of the car? I plan on having a mechanic look at it for me and let me know of any potential issues.

Where is a good starting point to haggle for this?

 

[Zenmervolt]

I'm a big fan of the Fusion; I think it's a great little car. But I like the Mazda better here if fuel economy is where you're looking (a V6 Fusion is going to be better than the Durango, but not by nearly as much as the 3).

Driving a manual isn't that difficult; most people can pick it up in a day if they're mechanically sensitive. It takes longer for driving a stick to become second nature, but it's not as bad as many Americans make it out to be.

As for the offer, get financing from somewhere other than the dealership and get pre-approved before talking price with the dealer. That way you can go in and say, "I can give you $X today. Take it or leave it." If they don't take it, give them your number and walk out. Most of the time they'll work really hard to keep you from walking out the door and, even if you leave, chances are that they'll call you later with a counter-offer. I'd start at $7,500 given the KBB and Edmund's values.

Still, just keeping the Durango might be the best choice financially. Even with the savings on gas you're likely to end up paying more due to the loan.

ZV

 

[arnoc]

Yea. I was planning either Thursday or Friday morning heading to the bank to talk loans. I'm partially doing it for fuel savings, partially to get away from my parents smoking habit and its constant smell of cigarettes after they drive, and partially to build credit history. Its a small enough of a loan that I've calculated at even an 18% interest rate, I could afford per month enough for a 24 month loan. Minimize interest I pay off, get a nice decent credit history built up. I know some people may say just get a credit card, I just so infrequently buy anything that I really have nothing to pay for with it. Aside from maybe Netflix, which I may be canceling anyways.

Anything specific on the Mazda to look for signs of wear and tear?

 

[darom]

Bad engine mounts. Mazda issued a recall. Check the engine at idle and at higher RPMs, does it vibrate more than normal?

 

[luckysnafu]

Anything specific on the Mazda to look for signs of wear and tear?

That car seems overpriced. You should be able to find one in the 07-10 range for about the same price.

Check the rear shock mounts. One went on my wife's 07 a couple months ago. The aluminum mount corroded apart and broke going over a bump on the highway. Also check the undercarriage for rust, Mazda still has yet to get rust protection up to par with other makes. We haven't had any major problems other than a front strut that went around 60k, front brake pads/rotors around 100k, and a shifter issue where the transmission sensor wasn't recognizing when the car was in park and wouldn't let the car start (could start in neutral though). Has been a good, reliable car for my wife. Currently sitting at around 110k miles I think.

It's a nice car if you find a good one and get a nice deal on it. Good luck with your search.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

The 3 with stick is a very entertaining drive. Price is WAY high though. Should be more like $7499 advertised and dealer takes first $6800 cash offer. Rust is a problem for these.

Haven't driven a v6 fusion. The 4 cyl was ok. Nice handling for a family sedan. Price seems about right. $10K out the door.

 

[arnoc]

That car seems overpriced. You should be able to find one in the 07-10 range for about the same price.

There are others in the area that are that model year, but same mileage for same price. Most of these are 08 and 10 models with about 95k on them. One of those has been in an accident where airbags deployed, and they're still asking 10k for it.

One of the 08's seems decent however. 2 owner report, first owner had it only for about 10,000 miles. Second owner had it for another 62,000. Second owner seemed to have kept things updated nicely with dealership.
72k total miles on it, it is however a sedan version and they do not offer any pictures of it. Sticker price is 9,995.

 

[Franz316]

Yeah, definitely DO NOT pay 10k for that car. It should be around 6 to 7.5k depending on condition.

 

[CraigRT]

Avoid if you are in the rust belt. Otherwise I'm sure it's a good car.
Would never know around here, the bodies are all missing after 7-8 years.

 

[arnoc]

And where exactly is the Rust Belt? I'm in Southern NJ, nowhere near the ocean...

 

[arnoc]

And now with my mind on rust issues, I'm getting concerns.

Some other cars I've found within my budget ranger are a couple 06 Scion TC's. Not in love with the paint colors on em I've found, but they're around the same mileage andsame list price as the Mazda 3. Ideas on those as well?

 

[T2urtle]

And now with my mind on rust issues, I'm getting concerns.

Some other cars I've found within my budget ranger are a couple 06 Scion TC's. Not in love with the paint colors on em I've found, but they're around the same mileage andsame list price as the Mazda 3. Ideas on those as well?

Mazda 3 doesn't get great mileage for what it is. Not sure why, couple friends own them both 2.0 and 2.3 and they claim not to be able to epa numbers but they aren't far off. But overall solid car minus normal work. Think one needed a rear caliper at 50-60k

 

[arnoc]

So. I just got back from the dealership with the car. Interior is beautiful. Great condition. I didn't drive it due to my lack of ability to drive stick. However it seemed quite smooth. I noticed a few rust spots. A few scratches on the paint. Where I really noticed the rust was asking the right hand side light. One near bottom. Can't think of the name right now.

I did just barely fit into it. Not a lot of head room without reclining back a bit.

Taking to the dealer. They showed me they've got at least five hundred in labor and parts to get it into state it's in at the moment. Lowest dealer told me they could go was 7,690. Between taxes and financing, my total cost would be around 10,500.

Overall I quite liked it, but not at that price point. I guess the search shall continue.