General Automotive Discussion General automotive discussion and chat. Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford. It doesn't matter, just talk about it here.

prelude or mazda3

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #1  
Lianjie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: , Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 0
Lianjie is an unknown quantity at this point
prelude or mazda3

im having trouble deciding on what car to get... there's a 2000 prelude 5spd with 30,000kmi, mint condition, 1 owner (40 year old), stock, and then im also thinking about the mazda3...the thing is, if i get the mazda3, i probably won't do any modding to it, i'd just get the s model with sports package (17" rims)... the prelude is going for 16,000 and the dealer is going to give me 10,000 for my car.... the mazda i would want is about 18,000+.. and we're looking at 160hp vs 200hp vtec... i haven't test driven a mazda3s in 5spd, only auto... but i didnt think the automatic was that fast...but then again, it's a brand new car vs. a car thats 4 years old.. i do want a faster car, im sick of my slow 10 second 0-60 civic.. what do u guys think i should do?? is the prelude no good? any problems with it? what do u also think about the mazda3?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #2  
sw388integra's Avatar
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
From: S.C.
Rep Power: 302
sw388integra is a jewel in the roughsw388integra is a jewel in the roughsw388integra is a jewel in the roughsw388integra is a jewel in the rough
i'd say go with the 'lude but insurance is going to be rediculous
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #3  
JJJ's Avatar
JJJ
Registered!!
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut, US
Rep Power: 0
JJJ is an unknown quantity at this point
I always wanted a lude but then again it's used...nothing like a brand new car to break in for yourself.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #4  
OniChi's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 821
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton,Canada
Rep Power: 0
OniChi is an unknown quantity at this point
Go with the new car if you're worried about it beind used. I got my slow civic brand new.. Got tired of shopping around for older cars. That way you know that there aren't any problems when you buy the car.

It's up to you to decide, I love the last gen Preludes.. but insurance for me would put me into the poor house.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #5  
rckdrmr's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 0
From: over there
Rep Power: 0
rckdrmr is on a distinguished road
get the mazda 3, i'm sure in the long run you won't regret it. the new mazda line looks very nice and definitely have come a long way!
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #6  
tdub4life's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, MI
Rep Power: 0
tdub4life is an unknown quantity at this point
Tough choice, but i'd say the mazda3. Better to get a newer car in this situation (IMO)
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #7  
CvC-v01's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: wcovina
Rep Power: 0
CvC-v01 has a little shameless behaviour in the past
Mazda 3i....

you be pretty stupid to get a used car...mazda has an awesome warranty...

and good options.....




prelude.......
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	mz3_4door_lrg_2.jpg
Views:	290
Size:	99.9 KB
ID:	25134  
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #8  
naptowncivic's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
naptowncivic is an unknown quantity at this point
Get the Mazda, it's a nice car for the money.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #9  
6_funk's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
Rep Power: 0
6_funk is an unknown quantity at this point
get the prelude.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #10  
nme3's Avatar
JDM wannabe
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 0
From: mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0
nme3 is an unknown quantity at this point
i would get the lude, my friend was thinking about the mazda3 so we went to the dealer to test drive and we werent that impressed i found it was a little too heavy. anyways its all about personal preference i would just test drive both and see which one flows with you the best.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #11  
DroppIN808's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Pearl City, HI
Rep Power: 0
DroppIN808 is an unknown quantity at this point
zoom zoom...
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #12  
dre2600's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton
Rep Power: 0
dre2600 is an unknown quantity at this point
Yeh, but Preludes aren't known for being the lightest cars in the world either.

Go w. the Mazda, you won't regret it.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #13  
spencerkam's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
From: Northridge, California, US
Rep Power: 0
spencerkam is an unknown quantity at this point
prelude
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #14  
civicmorph's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Rep Power: 0
civicmorph is an unknown quantity at this point
isn't mazda 3 the one that looks like a squished mazda 6? if it is, it's nasty as a whole, but the front is tizight. I'd get the lude but only after a lemon check and 30K miles on a 00 lude is not bad at all.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #15  
CivicsRdBest's Avatar
Nothing works better than a Chris except a Honda.
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,346
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Rep Power: 347
CivicsRdBest is a glorious beacon of lightCivicsRdBest is a glorious beacon of lightCivicsRdBest is a glorious beacon of lightCivicsRdBest is a glorious beacon of lightCivicsRdBest is a glorious beacon of lightCivicsRdBest is a glorious beacon of light
I'd def. go for the Prelude if you want the looks...

but then again the 3 has four doors... so it would also look interesting...
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #16  
greeot's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
greeot is an unknown quantity at this point
well, if your main concern is being faster, then the lude is your car. overall, i would probably go with the mazda3. brand new car, warranty, etc.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #17  
SlvrLx26's Avatar
Video Game & Movie Whore!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: Fontana, California, US
Rep Power: 295
SlvrLx26 will become famous soon enough
Get something with power and a limited slip differental!
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2004
  #18  
nookiemonster's Avatar
RESIDENT ROTOR HEAD
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,207
Likes: 0
From: , Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 328
nookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of lightnookiemonster is a glorious beacon of light
That prelude is definitely a heavier car. Mazda is known for it's light chassis. Alot of you guys fail to realize that a car doesn't perform nearly as well until after the initial break in. In my opinion I'd get the Prelude. The 3 is nice, but you're comparing two different classes of cars. The 3 is a compact family car where the Prelude is a sports coupe. Mazdaspeed would be a different story....

Take it from a Mazda guy. The Prelude is probably better....used cars or more price right anyway.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #19  
SiG's Avatar
SiG
Registered!!
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Rep Power: 291
SiG will become famous soon enoughSiG will become famous soon enough
my friends dad works at honda and they were worried at his dealership abt the mazda3 taking sales away from hondas
then some news came out that the new mazdas were already rusting and mazda wasnt doing anything abt it
this is what my friends dad told him, and he told me...

id go with the prelude. fast car, looks nice and man... aint nothing like vtec! IMO its not a contest....PRELUDE!!!
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #20  
CapYoda's Avatar
Escaped Convict
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,450
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, California, US
Rep Power: 368
CapYoda has a spectacular aura aboutCapYoda has a spectacular aura about
that is true. u dont want a 4 year old car with problems. but 1 owner and his age might make it better for u.. u can always have a mechanic take a look at it before u purchase it.

the 3 is nice, but like nookie said, two different class of cars.

the sport guy in me says prelude.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #21  
zachgeyer's Avatar
My penis is just like all my posts, very very short
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7,594
Likes: 0
From: SF Area
Rep Power: 349
zachgeyer has a spectacular aura aboutzachgeyer has a spectacular aura about
prelude
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #22  
wzcb08's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Rep Power: 0
wzcb08 is an unknown quantity at this point
Mazda 3
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #23  
J_Scogs's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Buchanan,MI
Rep Power: 0
J_Scogs is an unknown quantity at this point
Let me tell you. I bought my wife a Mazda6 seven months or so and it has been in the shop about one of those months. The rotors prematurley warp and the transmission slips. We drove the 3 for two weeks and it is very cheaply made. When the doors close they sound like the glass is going to break and the interior is pretty cheap. My 01 civic is 10 times better in quality and reliability than the mazda. One other thing Mazda is owned by Ford and the shop manager for our local shop says that Mazda is using alot of Ford parts and they are having alot more cars in the shop. This is just my opinon and experience with Mazda. When the Skion XB comes out we are selling the Mazda. So stick with a Honda or any other import
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #24  
JX6's Avatar
JX6
Redline Adrenaline VP
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 859
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City,LA
Rep Power: 283
JX6 has a spectacular aura aboutJX6 has a spectacular aura about
PRELUDE
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #25  
Civic_Si_Veloz's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Rep Power: 0
Civic_Si_Veloz is an unknown quantity at this point
Prelude hands down!
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #26  
02ciVike's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
From: Ont., Canada
Rep Power: 0
02ciVike is an unknown quantity at this point
I would definitely have to say Prelude x 100. It looks way nicer, better built, faster, better handling, and maybe it's a car you might want to hold on to down the road.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #27  
gearbox's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 20
From: NV
Rep Power: 812
gearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond repute
Prelude is just an all around better car. The only mazda I would consider is the mazdaspeed. Get the prelude--you'll be much happier I bet.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #28  
eggfooyoung's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Rep Power: 0
eggfooyoung is an unknown quantity at this point
The prelude. First off its a honda and second there are plenty of aftermarket parts to make it even faster.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #29  
silverem2's Avatar
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Rep Power: 298
silverem2 is a jewel in the roughsilverem2 is a jewel in the roughsilverem2 is a jewel in the rough
prelude, all round nicer
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2004
  #30  
fraga's Avatar
Wicked Moderatuh
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,651
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
Rep Power: 378
fraga is a glorious beacon of lightfraga is a glorious beacon of lightfraga is a glorious beacon of lightfraga is a glorious beacon of lightfraga is a glorious beacon of lightfraga is a glorious beacon of light
Originally posted by J_Scogs
Let me tell you. I bought my wife a Mazda6 seven months or so and it has been in the shop about one of those months. The rotors prematurley warp and the transmission slips. We drove the 3 for two weeks and it is very cheaply made. When the doors close they sound like the glass is going to break and the interior is pretty cheap. My 01 civic is 10 times better in quality and reliability than the mazda. One other thing Mazda is owned by Ford and the shop manager for our local shop says that Mazda is using alot of Ford parts and they are having alot more cars in the shop. This is just my opinon and experience with Mazda. When the Skion XB comes out we are selling the Mazda. So stick with a Honda or any other import
I can't count how many flaws there are with this statement. This is, like you said, YOUR experience with this car. We've had our car for pretty much the same time. Their have been 2 Service Bullitens out. Both were negative on our car. As for the rotors, we too had experienced that, took it got it fixed and back in the same day. Mazda has an awesome warranty. You should probably check into your local lemon law. Sounds like you got a bad one.

As for the question at hand, I would pick the 3 in the hatch because yeah, the 4 door does look funny.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:43 AM.