in a little while to look at and test-drive and maybe put some money down on a new 2011 Fit. I am torn between a Fit and a 2010 Mazda 3 S sedan. Both are wonderful cars in their own right.

I think I can get a pretty nice Fit for around 18-Ks out the door, while the Mazda will be $21,000 OTD. I should probably flip a coin and be done with it.

Any thoughts or comments you folks might have will be much appreciated.

Btw, I think I mentioned in here that I've been looking at a not-so-loaded 2010 Focus, and that's still on the table now that I think of it (for only $15,503).

Wish me luck going up against this savvy lady car dealer!!

 

The only things I can think of to take into consideration at this point is reliability and resale value is going to be better with a Honda product.

 

i can not like the current Maz3's ugly face.

even the mazdaspeed3 is so ugly... wtf were they thinking?

 

Fit has far more space, better on gas by far. I would wager it's more reliable too, being a Honda. My 2008 Sport 5MT hasn't had a single requirement other than regular schedule maintainence which has only consisted of fluids so far..

MS3 6MT is more fun and MUCH faster. About 3 times the power, they are rated 280lb-ft at the crank and some have dyno'd that at the wheels stock. It's a grocery getter that can be a high 12 sec car from the showroom with some slicks on the front wheels and a good driver. (vs ~95whp 17-20sec 1/4 mile Fits)

 

The Mazda 3 was on my short list of cars when I bought the Fit... but that "clown face" they put on with the 2009+ models changed my mind really fast.

 

I traded my 2005 Mazda3 for a 2007 Honda Fit. I hated the Mazda! After only about 45K I needed to have something done to the engine cuz it guzzled gas like nobodies business! The Check Engine light came on... It was a good day when I saw that car in my rear view mirror.

 

Hi All!

I went out a couple of days ago and test-drove the Fit and discovered that it wasn't for me after all. I'm not into hurting or offending anyone so I won't go into why I had a change of heart, but will say that in the process of testing it I had a -- what's that word that describes a situation where a person is looking for one thing but finds a better thing in the process instead? Well, whatever it is, that's what happened to me ... I found a car that I REALLY like called the 2012 Honda Civic coupe.

I tried without success to find a coupe in said model but none of the dealers have them. The one dealer has a sedan that's sweet as can be in that in has about everything save for leather and, too, it has a cool button that you push and it adjust things to where one gets top mileage!

The sales lady said I could take it (the one with the button) for $22,750 but after doing lots of research I discovered that the price wasn't all that great after all. Too bad she couldn't have offered me a genuinely great price as I would have overlooked the extra doors on it and bought it. (I feel bad for all these car salespersons as it must be frustrating being in such a competitive business!)

Anyway, I just thought I'd let you All know what's going on considering how kind and generous you folks were with me. Thanks again, and take care!!!

 

The up and coming Civic Coupe is a very appealing car to me as well... It's funny how young people that are much more likely to need a car they can haul there friends and stuff around in and would benefit more from owning a car like a Fit than an old fart like me always go for a coupe or two seat roadster... Been there done that.

 

Whatever, old man! I'm so glad my kids don't have carseats anymore, so I could finally get back into a 2-door. For the most part, my preference for 2-doors comes down to one thing: the doors are longer, so the pillar is further back and the armrest extends further back, so I can actually put my arm either on the rest or on the window-sill.

Besides, the Fit is designed for you guys - that's why the seats are so tall... Baby Boomer knees can't take low-slung coupes these days!

 

Yeah, this baby boomer was driving an Austin Healey 3000 45 years ago... The seat cushion was 4" thick and sat on the floor, about the same hight from the floor as the pedals. I had problems with my knees and back when I drove it and have the same problem now when I am sitting, standing or sitting down... Six hours in the Fit yesterday wasn't bad until I woke up at 0240 in need of pain medication.

 

I know what you mean, I'm an old geezer myself at 56 and I want a nice sporty machine to drive around in and have some fun with before the Big H takes me out of this realm.

 

i wouldn't buy a 2011 mazda 3, the 2012 model will have much improved mpg with the skyactiv motor.

park a fit next to a mazda 3 and its sort of laughable the mazda just has much more in the fit and finish department. however the mileage is pretty awful on them, and honestly flooring the ones i test drove i didn't really feel any "zoom zoom" either. i definitely will keep an eye out for the 2012 model though.

 

At the moment, I'm leaning heavily towards picking up the first car that was on my list when I began this car quest craze a while back, a 2010 Ford Focus that's on the basic side and which I can get it out the door for $15,503.

Some folks have told me I should be able to get it for less than that, especially since it's been on the lot for some time now. Maybe I'll offer him $14,000 in cash for it, not sure. (Gosh, I hate like heck trying to weasel these poor salesfolks out of money I know they can use; but, heck, I need money, too!)

This Focus is more than adequate in every sense for my needs, so come this weekend I should have the dough to pick up the phone ... and try and screw the poor guy out of it!!