2nd car to compliment the 8
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2nd car to compliment the 8
what would you guys suggest as a second car in addition to the 8? My girlfriend is moving back from overseas in a few months and she is going to be needing a car.
She always liked the miata, but I sorta thought then we'd have 2 cars that are too narrowly focused on sport driving. But then again we don't plan on starting a family any time soon so any feedback from ppl who only have these 2 cars in their garage would be nice (how do you get by with the trunk space etc, do you have to call your buddies with vans for favors every few months?). Plus, the second car would probably be an automatic so is it gonna be a totally separate experience than the mazdaspeed version?
Or any inputs from 8 owners with the following second (or third or fourth or fifth, etc depending on how lucky/smart/both you are) car that I'm thinking of would be nice: Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Land Rover Freelander, Toyota 4runner.
She always liked the miata, but I sorta thought then we'd have 2 cars that are too narrowly focused on sport driving. But then again we don't plan on starting a family any time soon so any feedback from ppl who only have these 2 cars in their garage would be nice (how do you get by with the trunk space etc, do you have to call your buddies with vans for favors every few months?). Plus, the second car would probably be an automatic so is it gonna be a totally separate experience than the mazdaspeed version?
Or any inputs from 8 owners with the following second (or third or fourth or fifth, etc depending on how lucky/smart/both you are) car that I'm thinking of would be nice: Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Land Rover Freelander, Toyota 4runner.
#5
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
and it only costs 200,000 as well :p
mazda 3 eh?.... maybe I should go try it out
mazda 3 eh?.... maybe I should go try it out
Originally Posted by 8's enough
get her the ford GT it only goes 200mph
#7
Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My wife drives a Mazda 3 (5 door) AT. Space is insane, get a sales guy to show you the trunk and the shelving system, engineers spent too much time on that if you ask me. I wasn't sceptical at first, but after driving it, yup it's a fun car to zip around town. Not as torquey as our old VW Golf, but it'll speed you through rush hour frogger drives just the same. It uses a Volvo chassis if I'm not mistaken so it's safe with that respect. Mind you, the Mazda 3 is the same car as the Ford Focus (correct me if I'm wrong about this ) with some changes here and there, so engine parts etc. can be from Ford. Overall, my wife loves the car, it can haul *** when needed and carry a lot of crap. The price is good too. If you want to compare it with suvs, I would say go for the 3. You?ll get better mileage and get the same use out of it storage wise.
As for the Miata, well, I saw one a long time ago flipped over on a major road. Let?s just say there was a body bag and a head size bag when I drove by the accident.
________
Toyota Financial Services Specifications
As for the Miata, well, I saw one a long time ago flipped over on a major road. Let?s just say there was a body bag and a head size bag when I drove by the accident.
________
Toyota Financial Services Specifications
Last edited by hobbes; 03-03-2011 at 12:49 AM.
#8
GT Lightning Moon
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ottawa, On
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I traded in my 99 miata for the 8 (because are planning to start a familly.) Sure the miata had very limited trunk space but I did end up going cross country to BC with it and managed to bring back a case of wine from the Okanogan valley as well as golf clubs (sans golf bag of course) and all my necessities for 12 days.
It's how you use the available space. The 8 has about double the space as the miata.
I say 'go for it' with the miata if you absolutely love the open air experience. But in my opinion the 3 is too ho-hum for me since there are too many on the road already.
It's how you use the available space. The 8 has about double the space as the miata.
I say 'go for it' with the miata if you absolutely love the open air experience. But in my opinion the 3 is too ho-hum for me since there are too many on the road already.
#9
Fb's rock!
iTrader: (1)
No more SUV's please! :begging:
I'd second/third the vote for the Mazda3. Good bang for the buck. But it really depends on what she's going to use the car for. Do you need it to do housework (hauling wood, etc...) or just something to get her/you from A-B or just a beater car. Do you want better gas mileage, more power? You have to be more specific as there is too many suggestions out there.
I'd second/third the vote for the Mazda3. Good bang for the buck. But it really depends on what she's going to use the car for. Do you need it to do housework (hauling wood, etc...) or just something to get her/you from A-B or just a beater car. Do you want better gas mileage, more power? You have to be more specific as there is too many suggestions out there.
#11
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
oh yes the prius! has any test drove it? is it slower than say your average civic?
well I'm just looking for something with a little bit more cargo space (I can't fit a plastic tool box in the 8's trunk cause of the small opening).
I was thinking of a SUV cause I miss the times when I could drive up to microwave towers out in the woods and now it takes me days to hike to those places and I'm scared of parking my 8 in the middle of no where. Plus I kinda wanted the adverse weather for that "just in case" factor (I know the 8 can handle winter in van with winter tires, but it could get high centered going through deeper stuff?)
weird how no one suggested suburu :p
but thanks for the input guys!.... guess I'll just have to go and actually get a drive in those cars before I know
well I'm just looking for something with a little bit more cargo space (I can't fit a plastic tool box in the 8's trunk cause of the small opening).
I was thinking of a SUV cause I miss the times when I could drive up to microwave towers out in the woods and now it takes me days to hike to those places and I'm scared of parking my 8 in the middle of no where. Plus I kinda wanted the adverse weather for that "just in case" factor (I know the 8 can handle winter in van with winter tires, but it could get high centered going through deeper stuff?)
weird how no one suggested suburu :p
but thanks for the input guys!.... guess I'll just have to go and actually get a drive in those cars before I know
Last edited by Rotary Titus; 07-22-2004 at 03:26 PM.
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dept. 5, Ontario. Canada
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Mazda 3 is a great car but the interest rates are high. If I was in the market I'd buy a Subaru Impreza TS sedan.
I truly believe that an ape designed the Subaru Canada website, but from what I can gather these are the important bits:
22,995 for a 5spd
Lots of torque 166 lb-ft
All wheel drive
4 wheel disc
Galvanized body
16" alloys
Power group
60mo rate is 1.8 I believe
Downsides:
No colour coded mirrors
Flimsy interior
I truly believe that an ape designed the Subaru Canada website, but from what I can gather these are the important bits:
22,995 for a 5spd
Lots of torque 166 lb-ft
All wheel drive
4 wheel disc
Galvanized body
16" alloys
Power group
60mo rate is 1.8 I believe
Downsides:
No colour coded mirrors
Flimsy interior
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Definitely go with something more off-road friendly! Suburu's are your best bet next to an SUV.... they're just ugly as hell (which your gf may not approve :D)
Do you snowboard, bike or hike trails?
Do you snowboard, bike or hike trails?
#16
Mentalhealth is overrated
I agree, go for the 6. I managed to get my wife into the dealership under the pretense of buying a Mazda 6 (we bought the 8). A very nice car which has very acceptable performance numbers for its class. You can get a great price on these right now because they haven't moved as many as the 3. You also have the choice of sedan, hatch or wagon....depending on your utility need....too bad they don't make an awd version.
#18
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newmarket
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by broose
Why not a Mazda 6 sport wagon?
#19
Registered
Originally Posted by hobbes
It uses a Volvo chassis if I'm not mistaken so it's safe with that respect. Mind you, the Mazda 3 is the same car as the Ford Focus (correct me if I'm wrong about this ) with some changes here and there, so engine parts etc. can be from Ford.
The 3 is definitely a great choice, even if it's not a convertible! (ps - roll bars are easy to install in a Miata, look OK, and prevent injuries like Hobbes described)
Regards,
Gordon
#22
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It really depends upon the use you plan for the car. When I bought the 8, we bought an automatic Infiniti G35 sedan for my wife. It is now available with AWD, and overall is a pleasant car to drive with a fair bit of power.
The tires are all-season, and are OK in the summer. I use winter tires for the winter.
If you are looking for a less practical car than that, the G35 coupe is nice, and a different feel than the 8. Variety is always nice.
The tires are all-season, and are OK in the summer. I use winter tires for the winter.
If you are looking for a less practical car than that, the G35 coupe is nice, and a different feel than the 8. Variety is always nice.
#23
BJ: Blu-Jay Bill Jorgens
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Toronto-Brampton, ON, Canada
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First choice for fun has to be a Miata
But if you you are trading off fun for practicle then consider
New Mazda5 coming to Canada in 2005
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/040825-1.htm
But if you you are trading off fun for practicle then consider
New Mazda5 coming to Canada in 2005
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/040825-1.htm
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RotaryRider
New Member Forum
11
07-20-2015 07:05 AM