Needing some vehicle input here. I'm so undecided right now I have to write a long post and see if anyone can talk some sense into me.
My 97 Honda Civic still looks great (no rust) and drives like the day I got it. I'm very attached to it, been it's sole owner. However, if I keep it, in the extreme near future, I need to have the condenser replaced and a/c recharged, get a new timing belt (it's on the original belt and has 109,000 miles) and water pump, and have the airbags checked. All going to cost me about $1100. Two months ago I had the CV joints replaced, costing me about $500. $1600 to put into an 11 year old car which I should be able to drive for 2-3 more years (or more!) Good deal and cheaper than buying a new one. Unless after I fix everything, something else (like the electrical system) goes out.
BUT...
I really want a new car, as much as I love my old one. First, someone tell me if it's stupid to even be considering buying one when my old one has lots of life still in it. Next, someone tell me if they have had good or bad experiences with Mazdas. I test drove the new 08 Civic today and hated it. The dash is AWFUL. It gave me a headache, which was unfortunate because I'm a die-hard Civic fan. I considered the Accord since the dash doesn't look like a freaking spaceship, but it's a bit more than I want to pay. So I test drove a Mazda 3 Grand Touring and found that I can get a new one with all leather interior, heated seats, power everything, the works...for about $23k...and good financing...and man is that thing fun as hell to drive. Since the Civic is out, my other consideration was a Corolla, but none of the aforementioned features are standard. For everything I want in a new car, the Mazda 3 has it. But, I'm still skeptical. Why is it cheaper than its Honda and Toyota competitors? How long is this thing going to hold up? Anyone own one?
Ok, done babbling. I'm new to this whole car-buying thing so this is a huge decision for me.
~Tara
My 97 Honda Civic still looks great (no rust) and drives like the day I got it. I'm very attached to it, been it's sole owner. However, if I keep it, in the extreme near future, I need to have the condenser replaced and a/c recharged, get a new timing belt (it's on the original belt and has 109,000 miles) and water pump, and have the airbags checked. All going to cost me about $1100. Two months ago I had the CV joints replaced, costing me about $500. $1600 to put into an 11 year old car which I should be able to drive for 2-3 more years (or more!) Good deal and cheaper than buying a new one. Unless after I fix everything, something else (like the electrical system) goes out.
BUT...
I really want a new car, as much as I love my old one. First, someone tell me if it's stupid to even be considering buying one when my old one has lots of life still in it. Next, someone tell me if they have had good or bad experiences with Mazdas. I test drove the new 08 Civic today and hated it. The dash is AWFUL. It gave me a headache, which was unfortunate because I'm a die-hard Civic fan. I considered the Accord since the dash doesn't look like a freaking spaceship, but it's a bit more than I want to pay. So I test drove a Mazda 3 Grand Touring and found that I can get a new one with all leather interior, heated seats, power everything, the works...for about $23k...and good financing...and man is that thing fun as hell to drive. Since the Civic is out, my other consideration was a Corolla, but none of the aforementioned features are standard. For everything I want in a new car, the Mazda 3 has it. But, I'm still skeptical. Why is it cheaper than its Honda and Toyota competitors? How long is this thing going to hold up? Anyone own one?
Ok, done babbling. I'm new to this whole car-buying thing so this is a huge decision for me.
~Tara
I just have to pray that nothing else goes wrong and that I don't get in another accident. Since it's already been in
one bad accident, it might not tolerate another accident very well...
