[Roanoke]

Not to worry...its probably going to be a 07 Mazda 3...but I'm going to look at the 07 VW Rabbit (Golf in the US and formerly in Canada) and the 07 Dodge Calibre.  The Mazda basically has me sold but I want to be sure and I want to do a bit of test driving to see where the other cars are at.  Just incase I find something I like better.

On paper...I'm ready

I'd advise against buying a new car as you loose a fortune in depreciation. If you want something fresh buy something a few months old so you still get a decent wedge of the warranty and someone else takes the hit cost wise.

[IceFire]

Not to worry...its probably going to be a 07 Mazda 3...but I'm going to look at the 07 VW Rabbit (Golf in the US and formerly in Canada) and the 07 Dodge Calibre.  The Mazda basically has me sold but I want to be sure and I want to do a bit of test driving to see where the other cars are at.  Just incase I find something I like better.

On paper...I'm ready

I'd advise against buying a new car as you loose a fortune in depreciation. If you want something fresh buy something a few months old so you still get a decent wedge of the warranty and someone else takes the hit cost wise.

Buying used has a bunch of pitfalls as well....and used Mazda's over the last few years don't seem to depreciate.  So much so that I only would be saving maybe a couple thousand on an older model thats been driven and lacks some of the new safety features.  I'm pretty much dead set against used at this point.  I'll be buying one when it makes financial sense and the intention is to hold onto it for quite a long time.

[Taristin]

In my driveway. :}

[Freespace Freak]

In my driveway. :}

Hell, yeah!  I gotta '04 Civic.  I want one of those new Si's but I'll have to wait till I'm done paying off this car.

[IceFire]

Beautiful car Taristin!  Thats a RSX right?

[asyikarea51]

O_o

Nice Integra... 

[Blue Lion]

I must be one of the few dorks here who own a pickup

[WMCoolmon]

Congrats.

[vyper]

Not to worry...its probably going to be a 07 Mazda 3...but I'm going to look at the 07 VW Rabbit (Golf in the US and formerly in Canada) and the 07 Dodge Calibre.  The Mazda basically has me sold but I want to be sure and I want to do a bit of test driving to see where the other cars are at.  Just incase I find something I like better.

On paper...I'm ready

I'd advise against buying a new car as you loose a fortune in depreciation. If you want something fresh buy something a few months old so you still get a decent wedge of the warranty and someone else takes the hit cost wise.

Buying used has a bunch of pitfalls as well....and used Mazda's over the last few years don't seem to depreciate.  So much so that I only would be saving maybe a couple thousand on an older model thats been driven and lacks some of the new safety features.  I'm pretty much dead set against used at this point.  I'll be buying one when it makes financial sense and the intention is to hold onto it for quite a long time.

My tuppence on buying a new car, in your case:

Skoda Fabia vRS
Skoda Superb
Kia Rio Zapp
Fiat Grande Punto (although repairs on Fiats can be costly)
Ford Focus TDCi
Ford Mondeo
Volvo S40

Not all may be available in your region, but they are both affordable and reasonable in the long term. The Kia I included because it's a much lower initial outlay, and you're less worried about resale value in the short term which is when most the most depreciation occurs in a Kia. Replace any diesel suggestions with their petrol alternatives if you find local tax too high;  I prefer diesels for their mid-range power and rediculously good economy (esp the Fabia vRS).

[Freespace Freak]

Beautiful car Taristin!  Thats a RSX right?

In the US, yes.  In Japan it's called a Honda Integra.

[ToecrusherHammerjaw]

Funny, I think it looks like an Acura TL series.

[IceFire]

Not to worry...its probably going to be a 07 Mazda 3...but I'm going to look at the 07 VW Rabbit (Golf in the US and formerly in Canada) and the 07 Dodge Calibre.  The Mazda basically has me sold but I want to be sure and I want to do a bit of test driving to see where the other cars are at.  Just incase I find something I like better.

On paper...I'm ready

I'd advise against buying a new car as you loose a fortune in depreciation. If you want something fresh buy something a few months old so you still get a decent wedge of the warranty and someone else takes the hit cost wise.

Buying used has a bunch of pitfalls as well....and used Mazda's over the last few years don't seem to depreciate.  So much so that I only would be saving maybe a couple thousand on an older model thats been driven and lacks some of the new safety features.  I'm pretty much dead set against used at this point.  I'll be buying one when it makes financial sense and the intention is to hold onto it for quite a long time.

My tuppence on buying a new car, in your case:

Skoda Fabia vRS
Skoda Superb
Kia Rio Zapp
Fiat Grande Punto (although repairs on Fiats can be costly)
Ford Focus TDCi
Ford Mondeo
Volvo S40

Not all may be available in your region, but they are both affordable and reasonable in the long term. The Kia I included because it's a much lower initial outlay, and you're less worried about resale value in the short term which is when most the most depreciation occurs in a Kia. Replace any diesel suggestions with their petrol alternatives if you find local tax too high;  I prefer diesels for their mid-range power and rediculously good economy (esp the Fabia vRS).

I think of that list only the Volvo is sold here.  North America gets **** cars most of the time.  The Ford Focus you've mentioned there is the Euro focus which is a good car based on the same platform as the Volvo C40 and the Mazda3.  Here we've got a craptacular Focus that looks aweful and is rated by Consumer Reports to be worse.  Getting a 4 door hatch is not the easiest thing...I sort of wish that we got Euro spec cars here.  That'd be great..and disels are near impossible to find.

[Taristin]

Beautiful car Taristin!  Thats a RSX right?

Thanks, Yep. '06 Acura RSX Type-S

Or, to Europe and Asia, the Honda Integra Type-S.

[Gortef]

not bad, not bad at all

[übermetroid]

I traded in my old escape and got my wife a car that gets good MPG (about 35 - 40)

[asyikarea51]

Forgot the name of that one. Is it a Prius or a Vitz?

Meh, I'm no pro in cars myself (just an enthusiast ) but I heard some rumour that the earlier ITR DC5 (the one with the more rounded headlights) is actually better than the current DC5... but I don't know if that's true or not...

Or am I confusing that rumour with the Evo IX?

As for Mazdas... after reading up some... unfavourable... topics on the RX-8 engine recall, I'm starting to think twice about Wankel power...

[Windrunner]

I am no speed junkie but i like the design on a car and that Integra fo yours looks damn sweet Taristin .