Help With Buying a Car?

[Burton]

Guys,

I am not a motor-head. I need a new ride, and I am on a tight budget. This seems like a good deal to me, but I don't know anything.

What do you think? I have heard some say it's a chick car...thoughts?

I know Mazda's are supposed to have good engines, is this true?

What do you think of the price?

I love this forum.

[buell05]

Um, what are we talking about here?

[Burton]

I am an idiot....

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/cto/2877998525.html

[Zeroflat24]

Take it from someone who has been in the automotive field for a long time. DONT buy a mazda. they are **** boxes. I have seen more 6's with blown motors then almost any other car on the road. Not to mention they rot out long before they are supposed to.

[jasonxb9]

That generation of Mazda is not very good, they are a Ford underneath anyways, with a reall crappy motor. I would stay away from that. Look at Toyota or Honda they are both great vehicles.

[netty2424]

That seems like quite a bit of miles for $4,500 on a Mazda. I think you can do better Burton. Unless you can really talk them down, I would keep looking.

And if you're tight on money, the last thing you need to worry about is chick car or not. Look for good value and long-term reliability which will help set you up long-term until you're able to get what you really want.

Get on Ed Wallace's website and read up on used autos. Very good resource!

[Burton]

That's about all I need to hear. Sounds like a good one to stay away from.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys!

[c818919]

Look for a vw....tdi if you can find it

[jasonxb9]

TDI's are great, but unfortunately expensive, and somewhat hard to find.

[cpatt]

my opinion is every ones going to tell you something different. and my opinion is a small ford. you can get a 1995-2000 tarus with les than 80k on it for around 5000$ around me.

[xtreme]

I would look else where, lifters ticking means money your gonna have to spend, Look for a civic if your on a budget maintence is low and gets great gas mileage.

[mowgoli84]

slight lifter tick? ehh.. no thanks!

If you're looking for something in that price range I would recommend a gm car with a 3.8 in it.. 3.8s are a hell of a motor, plus u can find a clean gtp for dirt.
just my opinion

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/2875514791.html

[sparky300]

With regards to Mazdas, I have to disagree. I JUST sold my 06 Mazda 6i 2.3L 5 spd yesterday, 107k, never gave me a lick o trouble. Now, with that said, I never (ok almost never) hammered it, jumped RR tracks, etc. and took care of regular maintenance, oil, brakes, blah blah blah.

So, I don't know how many "blown engines" were directly related to poor engineering vs lack of maintenance or full redline shifts and I live in the desert so corrosion wasn't an issue but, I can definitely say it was one of the best cars I've ever owned.

Fact, Mazda 6's were built in good ol U.S.A. until last year.

On the subject of VW's...they hold their value well and TDI's are nearly bulletproof and get phenomenal mileage (40+ mph easy). GL in your quest.

[Burton]

I have a Grand Prix currently. I have beat it to death for 7 years and it is just finally running down on me at 175k. Great car, but I am definitely looking for something to step up into.

[mowgoli84]

I have a Grand Prix currently. I have beat it to death for 7 years and it is just finally running down on me at 175k. Great car, but I am definitely looking for something to step up into.

[up][up] i've owned two GTP's which I beat the ever living **** out of ( i was a kiddo)

3.8 is probably the best v6 gm has ever made. I

I don't have much knowledge on mazdas--but if hes talking a nock or lifter tap I would GTFO! ;)

[Burton]

Yeah, I think I am just going to let it pass. I will keep praying that the GP holds on for...however long it can. I want a Buell SO badly, but it's hard to justify it with a car going and a wedding in August. Hopefully once the dust settles with that I can get a car and bike.

I am starting to think Maybe a Tacoma or Colorado. Although with gas prices, a smaller car may be a better option.

[anrkizm95]

I am starting to think Maybe a Tacoma or Colorado. the colorado is junk the tacoma is a much better vechicle.

[tedstang]

id agree with the 3.8 i had one in my firebird its been thru 3 generations of kids beating the hell out of it and its still a champ