Car Shopping - VW vs. Mazda

[jnelson]

I'm in the market for a new car recently and I shopped around at a few different dealers today. At the end of the day, I found two cars that I'm seriously considering:

- 08 VW Jetta S, 50k miles, $15K
- 07 Mazda3 S, 20k miles, $16K

Had a chance to sit in both but haven't taken either for a test drive (yet). I know that VWs are a bit pricier in terms of maintenance and probably insurance, but the interior just "feels" better and is a bit bigger as well. Mazdas tend to be more reliable and the slightly smaller engine will help with gas mileage.

I am mostly looking for a fairly new, reliable car that will be good for city driving as well as the occasional highway run (nothing too long distance). I am leaning more towards the Jetta right now but the actual test drives will be a bigger factor.

Anyone have experience with either of these cars?

While we're at it, any positive/negative reviews of Koeppel Mazda/VW would be helpful, haha.

 

[NYreefNoob]

check the maintanance schedule for both cars, do believe most maxda's are 60k on the timing belt and not sure on the vw, in all honesty i have a love hate relationship with germany cars, but not a madza fan either, you look at any honda's ?

 

[Jaynie1028]

Go with the Mazda. Vw are way over priced on repairs and parts. They break down a lot. Mazda holds there value better.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[NYreefNoob]

mazda doesnt hold it's value very well at all, and most dealerships labor rates are about the same other then benz and bmw and of course other high end cars

 

[jerl77]

Go with a japan made car jmo
I would ride a bike before a biy a vw or mazda you can find something nice for that kind of money
Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs

 

[albano]

Go with the Mazda. Vw are way over priced on repairs and parts.

+1 ... VW can cost a fortune to fix...but why does the Mazda have so little mileage?
What warranties are they offering?


BTW Mazda is a japanese car

 

[jnelson]

Both cars are CPO and have 7 year/100,000 mile powertrain and 2 year bumper to bumper.

Not exactly sure on the story behind the Mazda's mileage... I think I'll need to ask about that and pull a CarFax report or something.

 

[Audi0s]

What motor is in the VW? If its the 2.5 its a great motor. Actually half of a Lambo v10, and detuned. Its chain driven, not belt like the 2.0t or the mazda motor. Well look the car over for free for you if you want to bring it over to us in Lyndhurst. We can give you an idea on how its been maintained and anything thats going on with it.

 

[Jaynie1028]

I myself would stay away from vw. I know way to many people that have them and they are always in the shop getting something fixed. I drive a ford explorer and never have any problems with it. I had a Mazda years ago and liked it but didn't love it. If I was going to buy a car it would only be a Honda or Toyota or nissan. Good much, make sure you really read all reviews on both before buying.

 

[albano]

Both cars are CPO and have 7 year/100,000 mile powertrain and 2 year bumper to bumper.
.. I think I'll need to ask about that and pull a CarFax report or something.

I think, most manufacturers require a 'clean' car fax to issue a CPO warranty.
Without knowing exact model and equipment, it's hard to put a price on them, but I would guess that those prices are about $2000 too high.

 

[jaa1456]

I would shop around some more, Honestly I just saw 2 of those Mazda 3's last week. They are pretty nice little cars, Both were the top of line edition with leather and the Bose radio in them. Both under 20k on them and the asking prices were 14k if I remember correctly. They were at DCH Academy Honda in Old Bridge NJ. No clue if they are both still there right now. I know the guy said one had a deposit on it.

 

[bigcapct]

Acura baby!!

Dnt drink the water ,fish have sex in it

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

Acura baby!!

Dnt drink the water ,fish have sex in it

By any chance are these pictures of your acura at the moment? Lol

 

[bigcapct]

Sure is,almost 4 months old ,im in it now lol

Dnt drink the water ,fish have sex in it

 

[albano]

They were at DCH Academy Honda in Old Bridge NJ.

IMO...it is much better to buy a Certified Used, from the authorized dealer for that make...Buy a used Mazda from a Mazda dealer, get a Honda from DCH!

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

Honestly VWs are junk they do have a lot of mechanical problems and it's going to run you like 80 bucks for an oil change. My cousin had a W8 and inside they are nice but you have to think about whats more important to you the look of the car or the dependability. He had mechanical issues w/ it very often like every few months it was something and it was very expensive to fix. I'd say look at a Nissan or Acura they are very reliable and go for a long time normally.

I would not recommend a mazda either..they are decent looking cars but again not that good. For pricing comparison check the blue book value at kbb.com although they are a bit high so personally I go by nadaguides.com this is what most car dealers base pricing on. I usually check both just to get a general idea and you always want to try and negotiate and get it for less than the lowest price.

 

[bigcapct]

+1!!!

Dnt drink the water ,fish have sex in it

 

[jaa1456]

IMO...it is much better to buy a Certified Used, from the authorized dealer for that make...Buy a used Mazda from a Mazda dealer, get a Honda from DCH!

Not a big deal the cars still have warranties. Plus you get the added dchwarranty and dch has a Mazda dealer as well. Im sure you could have it certified through Mazda since they are both dch. I just bought a mustang at a Cadillac dealer and they sent it to their ford dealer to be certified. Car dealers are hurting and need to sell.

 

[tosiek]

I just got a BMW and their new and certified preowned have great warranties and service plans. Your paying nothing for as long as the car is under warranty. After the warranty is up your screwed though. The 3 series BMW's are priced comparatively with the VW and Mazda, to me look and drive much better, but you will get more out of the mazda. The price and features in anything from mazda, honda or toyota is crazy compared to the germans or american cars.

 

[batt600]

Lol yes VW is nothing but problem but if you compare it to a mazda, Vw winnes hands down. Mazda is trash same as VW look in to somthing better like Honda , Toyota , Nissan and Hyundai. Yes Hyundai there making good cars now.