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July 27, 2008 8:58 p.m. thewrongguy None

Hi,

Long time reader, first time poster.

This is a standard what car should i buy question. If miata comes up, i already own one, but i guess that won't stop anyone from saying buy a 2nd one.

I kind of want a hatchback for a 2nd car for everyday practicality, and have it down to a cooper classic and a mazda3 GT. Taken out the mazda and was fairly impressed mostly by the clutch and shifter, but the 2.3 seemed quick enough, handled well and the interior was alot more then i expected for the price range.

I took out a new 2003 mini once years ago, i was teasing a friend for driving a girlie car (i wasn't driving the miata then, everything with less then 4.6L of displacement was girlie, also she was a girl so what was up with that?) After 5 minutes of figure 8's in a parking lot i told myself i was going to buy one one day.

I don't know the mazda3 seems like more car for the money, its easier to get a hold of how i want it and because of some ford connections i can get a really good deal. Mini has better mileage, resale, handling and when i see it i think thats a cool car. The only downside is it seems like the only coopers around here for a 2hr radius are automatics or obscenely high mileage. Also I grew up around Triumphs and MGB's because of my dad and just really remember high on character low on quality. To this day if i see something with the tag 'made in the united kingdom' i break out into a cold sweat along my hairline.

With the ford deal i considered a focus or mustang, focus doesn't really do anything for me. I think the new mustang is dead sexy and a 4.0l 5spd has some appeal but im coming off a 02 3.8l 5spd and want a change.

Any suggestions?
July 27, 2008 9:01 p.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

If you're after hatchback practicality, Mazda 3, hands down.
July 27, 2008 9:04 p.m. Feedyurhed New Reader

Tim Baxter wrote:

If you're after hatchback practicality, Mazda 3, hands down.

I agree. As much as I like the Cooper, I think the Mazda may be a better answer for you.
July 27, 2008 9:33 p.m. thewrongguy New Reader

One thing i should have mentioned is i am in my late twenty's no kids and generally just moving myself around and whatever girl i might be seeing at the time. I need a little more room in a vehicle but i don't need a mini-van.
July 28, 2008 12:20 a.m. sanman New Reader

I think that either could work for you. Are you looking new or used? As for reliability, I have heard decent things about the new revision of the Mini, but the original New MIni seemed like a hit or majot miss proposition. Much like vw's, I always heard it was either dead nuts reliable or a never ending series of problems. The question one has to ask when buying used is whether the MIni being sold is one of the misses.
July 28, 2008 7:40 a.m. JFX001 HalfDork

I would also opt for the MS3.
July 28, 2008 10:17 a.m. Xceler8x Reader

Don't drive a Mazdaspeed3 if you want a 2.3 M3. You'll be spoiled.
July 28, 2008 10:31 a.m. aircooled Dork

I will third that, stay away from the MS3!, makes the others seem very lacking in comparison... it is better that you don't know.
July 28, 2008 10:33 a.m. nickel_dime HalfDork

I had the same thoughts as you a year or so ago. I ended up with an 06 MINI "Justa" Cooper and I love it. Whenever I have it on track I wish I had bought an "S" but other wise it has plenty of power for a DD.

The 02 & 03 models had some problems (mostly electrical) but by 04 they had worked most of the bugs out.

With the MINI being so popular there is a huge following, a zillion forums and aftermarket support that borders on insanity.

A recent HPDE student of mine had a Mazdaspeed3 and I was very impressed but I still like my MINI better.
July 28, 2008 10:37 a.m. Tom Heath Production Editor

Tim Baxter wrote:

If you're after hatchback practicality, Honda Fit, hands down.

Fixed that for you. I'd pick the Mazda over the MINI, however.
July 28, 2008 10:39 a.m. amg_rx7 New Reader

The Mini is an awesome car. My wife drives it mostly and I drive my FD RX7. I'd love to buy a Mazda3 as a 3rd car so that we have a car that fits stuff more easily than the Mini. The Mini has been great as a driver and fun car but even with the rear seats down, we sometimes wish we had something a bit larger. We sometimes rent a car when we need to get some bigger items.

So from a practicality standpoint, I'd say get the Mazda3 since you already have a fun car in the Miata.

Plus used Minis are seriously expensive and have some pretty high miles.
July 28, 2008 9:40 p.m. thewrongguy New Reader

amg_rx7 wrote:

Plus used Minis are seriously expensive and have some pretty high miles.

Thats really the problem im running into here. Used mini 5yrs old with 75000 km (whatever that is in miles, 48000 or something?) are getting around $16-17K , new is $22.5K. With that kind of resale why buy used? But the local mini dealer has 3 cars on the lot all autos and seems to want to refuse to get a 6spd in to see how i like driving it, they won't get it unless im buying. Being jerked around by the used market and the local dealer has soured me on the car a little, but when i see it it just seems so appealing.

I really liked the mazda3 GT, the only downside really was the looks (the grill just kills me). But thinking about it the past weeks its grown on me and due to a A-Z plan eligibility, grad discount and cash deal they're offering me a deal new that i could barely match used.

The practical part of me says mazda, but the mini has sort of an intangeble appeal to it. Like i said earlier grew up with british cars and my dad would rave about the mini he had in his twenties well into his sixties.
July 28, 2008 10:25 p.m. amg_rx7 New Reader

The Mini and BMW dealer experience sucks. Service is annoying as well.

I agree that the grill is a bit awkward but everything else on the car is really nice. I wonder if there is something aftermarket.
July 29, 2008 12:04 a.m. Strizzo Dork

the practical part of me said mazda3 hatch, so i bought a mazdaspeed3
July 29, 2008 9:40 a.m. Xceler8x Reader

I have had ZERO issues with Mazda on warranty and service work on my MS3. I even get a rental when they're changing the oil.
July 29, 2008 11:21 a.m. DWNSHFT New Reader

Minis drive nice, but so do the Mazda 3s. Plus, you're buying this to be a fun AND practical car; why compromise the practicality for no improvement in fun? I think the Mazda 3 is one of the best new cars out there!

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