Replacing the impreza

[ff]

Originally Posted by bren

Can't you get a new Mazda3 for near that?

If you go with a no-frills sedan model, they start at under 15K. The Civic sedan and coupe also start at right around 15K.

[rautox]

mazda3, ser-specv, mazda6

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by equ

Well, we've thought about it all afternoon and seem to be changing our minds. Perhaps it is time for the impreza to go to a new home (i.e. to a crazy mechanic who's going to stuff with sti'ness).

I'm thinking 10-15k as a budget. Requirements:
1. MT only
2. Decent handling/brakes/seats
3. Good mpg

I noticed that 03-04 accords (4-cyl) are priced around there and likely good value for the money. When I suggested, she went ballistic... So there's some image requirement of some sort. I think she likes hatches the most, with sporty wagons/coupes next. So an rsx is a possibility.

I'll have to do some research.

Just for fun, I typed into Autotrader a 75 mile radius search between 10 and 15k - lots of interesting stuff came up; Acura TSX's high mileage luxo cars and big, heavy duty pickup trucks.

Ed

[equ]

Does anyone here have experience with Mazda3's?

Edmunds can't stop gushing but we spent some time on their forums last night and they tell a more realistic story... My gf is very practical and she was very turned off by the special wrench/filter making the dealer the best place for oil changes.

I think civics are great... However we are really turned off by their image in this area. That's why I suggested accord, which did not fly.

[equ]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I know of a nice '02 WRX with 36K that will probably be up for sale pretty soon.

Must be wagon... Color, price?

[blee]

Originally Posted by equ

Does anyone here have experience with Mazda3's?

Edmunds can't stop gushing but we spent some time on their forums last night and they tell a more realistic story... My gf is very practical and she was very turned off by the special wrench/filter making the dealer the best place for oil changes.

I think civics are great... However we are really turned off by their image in this area. That's why I suggested accord, which did not fly.

http://robert.aitchison.org/tiki-pag...DIY+Oil+Change

There's nothing really special about it. You may need to buy a hex driver and a new filter wrench if you don't already have one of the right size for an existing car. If that's the only thing stopping you from driving one, don't worry about it.

[John V]

Originally Posted by equ

She loves gti's... Is it reliable enough?

I can't believe I'm saying this... but if you're mechanically inclined and willing to spend the money to get the VAG-COM scanner and software (it's several hundred bucks) you can probably save yourself a lot of headaches.

If not, then no. It's not reliable enough. Move on.

Mazda 3 seems to be the best fit. What's this about a special wrench for oil changes?

[ff]

Originally Posted by equ

Does anyone here have experience with Mazda3's?

I test drove a 5-door hatch Mazda3 when I still owned the 330i, and couldn't believe how much the car drove like the BMW. It wasn't going to corner or accelerate as fast, but the overall feel was surprisingly similar. I also liked the interior layout and appearance.

You owe it to yourself to go drive one.

And to drive the Civic as well. If you can get past the Civic's unusual interior design, which happens to be ergonomically correct, the car is very roomy, very economical (up to 40 MPG), and holds its value ridiculously well.

[blee]

Originally Posted by John V

I can't believe I'm saying this... but if you're mechanically inclined and willing to spend the money to get the VAG-COM scanner and software (it's several hundred bucks) you can probably save yourself a lot of headaches.

If not, then no. It's not reliable enough. Move on.

Mazda 3 seems to be the best fit. What's this about a special wrench for oil changes?

Oil filter is accessed from above, in a housing that requires a hex wrench. Housing itself removed easily with a standard oil filter wrench. It's not all that special.

[FC]

Originally Posted by John V

Mazda 3 seems to be the best fit. What's this about a special wrench for oil changes?

OT: I had to buy a $40 special tool for the Volvo oil change (bought at dealership as I was against the clock to do the oil chage before a trip to Canada). The filter (accessed from underneath), is inside a plastic housing with a multi-sided exterior with an OD of ~4". The housing is known to be fragile enough to crack if a regular oil filter /strap tool is used. So Volvo sells a special socket that grabs the plastic housing and attaches to a regular 1/2" socket wrench.

Access is a bitch too (had to use the tool with a 6" extension on the wrench), so the tool does make life much easier. And since we plan on having this car for 7 years, that's a lot of oil changes (no free maintenance), so I figured it was worth the investent.