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I'm in the market for a new car - I've previously owned a 2000 civic sedan and a 2003 Civic EX Coupe which will be going to my brother so it's time for another new car. I was looking into the new 2004 Civic EX - I like the grille and tails much better (no more red horseshoe) but was considering something else. In the running are (1.) Civic EX (2.) Mazda 3s (3.) Used Honda Prelude. I really want the Prelude but don't want the hassle of maintaining a used car. Aside from performance though - does anyone know how good Mazda is with reliability? I'm wary of buying the Mazda since I plan to have this car for along time. I've owned and 2 Honda's myself and up to 5-6 in my family and haven't had any problems.

I assume I will get overwhelming support towards the civic since this is a civic site - I was just wondering what your guys thoughts of the Mazda3 were and if it's worth it in the long run. The specs are better but does it really perform?

 
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since you plan on owning the car for a while, i'd go with a lightly used prelude. try to get something with under 50k miles, and you have a great platform if you want to make a fast car, more potential than the civic.

 
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not an option but get the g35 coupe!! haha, no but of that list, get the 2004 ex

 
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Since you have driven 2 Civics already you might get tired of it, I suggest you get other cars. I'd probably get the Mazda because its a much more contemporary car than the Prelude in terms of look and feel, and I really like the side blinker. Don't take my word for it though, take a test drive of each car and decide for yourself.

 
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I actually like the red horseshoe on my civic.
get a used prelude. I wouldn't get a mazda...dunno why...I just like honda better.

 
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honda accord

 
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the 3s shares a bunch of parts with the focus if im not mistaken.

 
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ALthough the Mazda is partly Ford... I have to say, go see it for yourself. I went to a Mazda dealership before and I think the Mazda 3 looks great and has a great interior.... kind of more driver focused interior. If you were to get a Mazda 3, manual tranny is a MUST! Mazda autos suck big time.... my uncle had a 626 and a lot of times 1st gear is gone unless you slap it into D1. As for the Prelude, get that if you have $$ for insurance and want to go fast. Civic's are nice, but do you really want that many in the family? There are many choices out there...

 
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if i were you i would get a Civic SI since the SI is the top of the line Civic might as well go big

 
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The Mazda 6 is my next car ... its amazing

 
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the prelude insurance is going to be rediculous!!!i'm 24 and it was going to be 265 for me to get a '99 sh...try the zoom-zoom...

 
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i agree with Hypnotik, you may also want to try a used 99/00 Si or GSR.

 
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I would go for the Prelude or the 3S.
You'd probably get sick of the Civic in no time.
The insurance rates on the Prelude would be steep, and so I would probably go for the Mazda 3S, but take test drives of all the cars, and I think that you'll get a better feeling once you've driven all of them. You don't have to worry about reliability with the Mazda, just do the scheduled maintance, and you should be fine. It does share a lot of parts with the next generation Focus, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, i mean after all, the Focus, Mazda 3, and Volvo S40 are all built on the same platform.

 
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Actually, when it comes to Fords, Focus is not bad!

 
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When the hell are people going to stop equating Fords and Mazdas, they're two completely different things...

 
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Hey - anyone have any thoughts of the Nissan Sentra SE-R - anyone think it should be in the running?

 
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one of the members from the NE section has a new sentra... look in the forum and ask him. I think he likes his

 
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That will happen when Ford is Ford and Mazda is Mazda. Ford and Mazda have been together for a while. Honda and Toyota are the only 2 Jap auto makers that are independent of any other company. I dont remember what Nissan is with, but Subaru is with SAAB and GM is in control of SAAB now.

 
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I would put the Sentra SE-R in the Prelude category, and the other Sentras in the Civic 4 door category....

 
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NOOOO DONT!!!
get the new CRX if it comes out with me!!

 
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I like the way you think...


Oh god...where is nookiemonster when you need him...

 
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no more civics, get a navigator

 
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i think mazda 3 is built on the same platform and the focus, so they would share alot of parts

 
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READ HERE

 
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Get a used GSR

 
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I'm leaning towards a 97-01 Prelude. I certaintly want the Prelude more than any of the other choices (not b/c or performance reasons and such - I just like the car). I can always fall back on an 04' Civic EX Coupe for sure if I can't find anything better but I'm really leaning towards the Prelude.

The only problem is that i've been looking for a Prelude for about 3 months and cannot find one in decent shape for around 10,000-12,500, which is what I'm willing to spend on the Prelude. Most dealers want ridiculous a amount (18,000+) and private sellers in my area (NJ) are scarce. I'm looking for one with somewhere around 60,000 miles or less and as stock as possible (modifications and used cars are a crap-shoot to me - not all the time, but I don't really want to take chance) and somewhere in NJ so I can take a look at the car and test drive it. Anyone know of someone selling one in NJ or have seen one advertised in NJ for a decent price?

 
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Okay lemme school you people once more. Ford owns 33% stock share in Mazda. They have made it clear that Mazda operates independently of Ford. However Ford takes the liberty in using their R&D from time to time, and makes Ford R&D available to Mazda. Hence the 3 and new Focus sharing many things. Ford is not just an automotive company, they are an international conglomerate and investor. Thus they have invested in large stakes of Mazda, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Range Rover, and some Volvo stock shares. They don't have any part in the design of these companies vehicles mainly because they want to keep each company's individuality so that Ford can own a piece of each of its competitors.

In all honesty Ford is the best thing that ever happened to Mazda. Mazda simply put, is not the largest Japanese manufacturer, and you can thank Ford for the financial backing that has brought us Mazda's amazing new line up. Namely, the return of the rotary. You guys really should understand the marketplace and why companies merge and buy eachother out before you open your mouths.

 
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mm... gotta get schooled once in a while to learn some stuff.