Didn't get a Fit after all... (Pics of new ride added)
 

Well, after the lease on my 02 Civic SiR expired I went with no car for just under a month and was debating on what to get next. Having had 6 Honda's before it was hard not to get another. However, the interest rate for buying or leasing a Honda Civic or Fit is way too high in Canada. So I shopped around and found the best deal to be a:

2006 Mazda 3 Sport GS with A/C

Mazda has a special for 0% interest on a 24 month lease with a small down payment. I really liked the idea of such a short term lease and at 0% to boot. I prefer short term lease usually 36 months or less and don't like the longer ones (ie: 48 or 60 months).

The best part is the car will only be $220 a month taxes in for 23 months since the first payment is made with the deposit.

So after 6 Honda's, I will now be with Mazda. I was impressed with the 3 sport with the 2.3 litre engine having 160hp like my 02 Civic SiR had. THe car even has 4 wheel disc brakes, remote entry, pwr windows....and so on.

Given I needed something for cheap, this was the way to go. I'll post pics of my new ride soon. I pick it up on Monday.

Cheers

you might want to keep an eye on your tranny.. they like to poop ou pretty early in the life of mazdas

Leasing is just not very smart. You're 'renting' a car long term. Sure, you lose a lot of money if you BUY a car, but at least you get to keep it, and can sell it and recoup a little if you resell it. But a lease is just losing money.

Nice car. I always liked the Mazda 3s and was considering it. Did you buy it for the same amount as a Fit Sport AT? Oops reread it and says you leased it. NM. :)

Leases are good if you know you won't be keeping it.

i'd only lease if i had money to piss away...and i was retarded

Leases=screw job

But at least you'll have a fun car to drive

I leased my 2001 Nissan Maxima SE - NEVER AGAIN! PAY $$$ FOR A CAR I'LL NEVER OWN? SCREW THAT.

i would lease only if i could get away with a nice car, like a benz or lexus for a couple years cause your throwing away money with those leathered boats either way

Lease v. buy aside, I think you'll like your Mazda. I drove nothing but for the last 15 years (until I bought my Fit last week). I was always happy with the two I've owned and I still have the MX-6.

I think I will lease a car in the future. But it wouldn't be a passenger car or anything. It'll be a Maserati or something high end. <3

edit: good choice with the Mazda 3. It's a fun little car to drive.

Enjoy the new car!

I agree 100%.


Back on topic. Mazda 3's are nice and are great value specially with incentives being offered. 2 year lease is nothing, by then you should be able to snag a Fit easily without the long line and haggling.

Well, I agree that leasing is not great if you want to eventually own the car. However, my goal is not to own the car (I get bored with them easliy...lol!), and I can also write off the car since I'm an incorporated contractor. My last lease was an 02 Civic SiR (Canada) and was for 4 years. To me, leasing anything more then 3 years is ridiculous (and I should not have done this with the 02 Civic) in this case it will only be 24 months at 0% and only $220 a month. My car payment will be less then having to put gas every month...lol! Prior to the 02 SiR I leased a 2000 Civic Coupe, and before that a 97 Civic DX hatch. In all cases, leasing was fine as I would write off the car and didn't keep them that long. Note also that leasing is very popular in Canada and 50% of new cars are leased up here.

I should also point out that I also own (well, still making payments) on a 2005 Vibe (Matrix) that my wife uses daily for work.

Finally, in 2 years I will revisit the idea of buying v.s. leasing but at this current time leasing was the better option for me.

sLiVeRwOrM;
I have heard nothing about tranny issues with Mazda 3's? I did also get the 5 speed manual as I am not a fan of automatic cars at all and I assume you mean problems with an automatic? To me, driving a manual is what makes driving fun.

Cheers.

(I'll post pics of the car soon)

Well I got my car and it's freakin' sweeeeeeeet. Manual tranny/shifting is amazing and almost as good as Honda if not the same. Great little engine, love the power. I should be out driving it as we speak and it's fun to drive...of course I have to work tomorrow.

And now, here are some pics for everyone.

http://www.sbc31.com/SBC31_MZ3_001.jpg

http://www.sbc31.com/SBC31_MZ3_002.jpg

not bad good luck with the mazda

throw some atenza badges on it!!...lol, nice car though

I like it. :thumbup: