mazda 3 or honda civic

I'll probably be buying a car for my sister in 2 weeks. Shes an undergrad in Lakeland and needs transportation. I have a $12,000 budget but the choices are really limited because of what she likes and because i want a vehicle with good resale value so that when (if) she graduates and moves out of state i can resell it.

So its looking like a match up between: Mazda 3 i-Touring (2.0L autotragic) or Honda Civic LX (1.8L auto)

and both choices would probably be 2006 cars with 50,000+ miles.

I know here at GRM we all lust after cheap older cars, but most girls/women just can't seem to appreciate that... Thoughts?

I don't think you could go wrong with either one of those choices. I recently had the opportunity to rent a Mazda 3 and was very impressed. It had 50,000 miles on the clock, and remember these were 50K hard rental miles, and it was still completely tight and rattle free. Not a lot of power but fun to drive. Nice little car, plus it was hatch so it was also useful.

my original plan was to get her a higher mileage mazda3 S (2.3L 5spd) so i could take it for my own car after she was finished, but i was afraid she might abuse the gearbox or worse...

Its funny, originally I was trying to be more economical. I offered to give her my riced out 2003 matrix but she emphatically declined

The Honda will have better resale, but the mazda will probably be more fun to drive, with more power. Go for a hatch with more space and more power (they all come with the 2.3).

Of those two I prefer the Mazda.

My dad was comparing the new civic and 3 just last year and he went with the 3 and has loved it ever since. I have no experience with the civic but the mazda is really nice to drive. It was also a 2.0L auto.

I've had both as rentals and think that both are great cars. The Mazda feels better screwed together, but the Civic gets better gas mileage. They both hold their value well, but I wonder if the more dated Mazda will be a better value as a used car.

We bought an '09 Mazda3 last November brand new for just under $14k. Mrs.Mini averages 33mpg combined.You should be able to find one newer than '06 for way less than $12k.

I'm amazed at how well Mazda 3s do in autocross and lapping out of the box. I know that I'd get one for that reason, only, although your sister may not see that as an important consideration.

get the mazda... in a college situation, Civics tend to get stolen and stripped more

When comparing nearly equal cars. Sit in them. You are going to spend a lot of time in that seat.

I would go for the Mazda 3. If anything, it at least has the sport shift manumatic. I've driven both cars and I think the 3 was more fun to drive and had a better interior. I still can't get over the spaceshift dash the Civic has.

Why is a miata not an option?

Get the Mazda. Better to drive and the slushbox in the Honda is junk.

12K with a clunker=new car.

thank you all for the comments.

• 2.3L mazda 3 is not my primary focus unless its cheaper than a similar vintage 2.0L
• Miata is on my personal list, but not my sister's. Likewise she is not interested in autocross
• the budget is high because we plan to get a certified used car from a dealer, private seller is not an option (parental stipulation).
• also i doubt the civic are stolen as much in Lakeland FL aka The middle of Nowhere

MrJoshua wrote: 12K with a clunker=new car.

ummm i'm staying away from the cash for clunkers. plus i have no clunker to trade in!

newer corolla is nice as well...

I would buy the Mazda. The five-door hatch has all kinds of utility, and it is just the right size - not too big, not too small. Also, the Honda price premium is not justified. The Mazda interior has waaay better materials, and I think it is better looking. This is a hands-down win for Mazda.

David

Autolex wrote: newer corolla is nice as well...

As a long time Toyota fan (albeit a disgruntled one), i did suggest either corolla or yaris, but the only toyota she seems to like is the scion tc. I guess i could add that to the list, but i was staying away from a "coupe" for insurance reasons.

In reply to DWNSHFT:

ah but at the same pricepoint you get 2 more airbags in the civic...