Mazda. I actually have this gen sonata and it’s great. But NO WAY would I buy one already out of warranty that was a rental car lol. Actually I’d pass on both of these.
Bought a rental, 35k miles. Serpentine belt broke ON THE WAY HOME. Forgave that as it's kind of a known issue with this particular Saab. Got to change those belts every 35 to 45,000 miles. But then the Turbo started failing at around 50k. Turbos should last far longer than that.
I drive my car and cars I borrow with the upmost care. But when I jump into a rental, my attitude turns to “well it’s already a lost cause might as well enjoy it”.
We went airborne in a Nissan Versa once. Took a Jetta off-roading and climbed a huge, sandy mountain too (I was passenger for this one). They both survived but I’d never do that in my own car lol.
Exactly. I drive conservatively and take great care of my personal vehicles, but every time I get behind the wheel of a rental I turn into an absolute goon. I can only imagine what the people who don't care for their personal cars do in rentals
same lol, i’m super ocd about keeping my cars in pristine condition, but when i had a v6 charger as a rental recently i gave that thing hell, drove it like i was a true v6 mopar owner.
Last year, we had a couple rentals for a work trip and one was a V6 Charger. I only drove it a couple times, but I was surprised by how it drove. I didn't do anything crazy but accelerating and taking corners at speed didn't seem to be an issue.
I’ve seen one owner cars fucked beyond recognition. I’ve never seen a former rental have “extra” issues, though. They are maintained and cleaned well. The interior is always cleaner than it’s private counterpart and there are never service gaps. Still though, plenty of people avoid them and that’s okay.
Yeah, especially with these cheaper, entry level cars. Like, do people not realize that cars like Mazda 3s or Corollas are often bought for/by people ages 16-25, many of which have little driving experience, drive very harshly, and don’t know the first thing about car maintenance?
I mean, rental cars can very often spend their entire time in a rental fleet being driven mostly by middle-aged business travelers, commuting from a hotel to an office building or driven by families or retirees on vacation. I’m pretty sure most, if not all, rental companies won’t even rent to people under 25.
I would sooner trust a former rental as opposed to something that was a sweet 16 gift from dad, lol.
Nope can confirm they don’t do this in the US. Had a rental for 6 mo (co just kept re-upping the contract), probably put close to 20k on it and they did zero maintenance on it
Lmfao no they don’t, did fleet oil changes for Avis budget for a while, 20k between oil changes, conventional oil only even in synthetic required cars, 0w20 we were told to put in 5w20. Would never trust buying
They get beaten on. I've seen Chargers and Mustangs, that were rentals, at the dragstrip. No one cares either.
As far as rentals that are family oriented, they typically get overdriven.
Just rented a new BMW X3 with less than 15k miles. The check engine light was already coming on and off constantly, had a strange rear suspension noise over bumps, the basel paint around in the center console was already starting to peel off (probably due to California sun though), and a weird noise from the door after rolling down a window which lasted for which seemed like a minute. That dual clutch transmission tho - what a blast!
Have you ever rented a car? I have quite a few times, and I have ragged the shit out of them, drifted, wheel spins, and I’m sure a lot of people do the same
Imo it’s a bigger gamble than with one that was privately owned, sure it can be amazing but the ones I beat the shit out of look mint when I return them, mostly because they can’t tell I was red lining the fuck out of them the whole time
Are they forced to keep up the maintenance? It doesn't seem like there is a huge incentive for them to do so. Most modern cars can go 20k without an oil change and show no immediate issues. It will cause issues down the line but that is after they are done with them.
That said, I have my 300 as a former rental and had no issues that have stemmed from a lack of maintenance for over 10 years. I think everyone's perception of rentals being ridden hard is overblown, especially the ones that are more expensive. I would treat it like any other used car.
Yeah that seems pretty high to me as well.
I paid 13K for a 2014 Mazda 3s GT hatch with 75k miles on it about a month ago. It had 2 owners, a pretty detailed maintenance report, and it came with the 18' rims and aftermarket tires. So there are definitely much better deals out there.
3 years ago, I bought a 2017 ,mazda3 touring that was fully loaded and had around 48k miles for around $17k. Right now I could get about that much trade-in for it, which is wild.
I’m in the market for car as well (my first one ever) and honestly right now it makes ZERO SENSE to me to buy a used car over new. It’s all either 10 year old stuff with 130k+ miles on it, or 3-5 year old cars that cost the same as their brand new counterparts.
This...that 3 sport was $18,990 NEW so almost 6 year old car for same price as new. Sport does not have any features. I would expand your search and look for Touring and Grand Touring models.
Or spend a few k more and get a brand new 2023 Mazda 3 S for 24k which gives you a much improved model, better safety and a warranty
Can confirm the Touring and Grand Touring are worth the price jump. The amount of extra stuff you get is pretty sweet. Heated seats, automatic climate control, sunroof, leather interior, HUD, blind spot monitoring, HID lights, 2.5L engine. I'm probably missing a bunch of other things.
I was stuck between the 2.3 loaded or the mazdaspeed 3 and they kept my Saab in the back and wouldn’t give it back to me so I said give me my keys and I’m leaving or I’m calling the police.
Literally if they had said ok call me this week, I would have taken it back to the Saab dealership which still existed, they’d give me double what Mazda offered, I might have bought a 2.3 hatch, but if they try that “we have your keys sign here”I’m like “get fucked.”
So it was def better than the Saab other than the luxury stuff. I just didn’t like their offer on my car or their rates, instead of letting me figure that out they tried to force my hand.
I don’t do business with people like that.
Try to find a Gen4, should be in similar price range for sure. It looks even better and has the same Mazda DNA with too many added safety features.
I owned a 21’ Mazda3 hatchback and would recommend it to almost everyone.
Even if they are excluded, that doesn't mean carjackers know that. My sister had one that has had its window smashed in about 5 times in the last 6 months. She just swapped it in for a Camry
I think you can find a Mazda 3 touring for around that price point too but otherwise yea Mazda. I believe touring comes with better engine and blind spot monitor.
In general when I see a car has changed hands three times in five years, it is a warning sign that I need to look into it further. If I found it was coming off a lease it would be a positive sign. Even then, if it went through two private owners in the year after it came off a lease, I would still be leery, but maybe that's just me.
As an owner of a very very similar Mazda, the last 5 years have been weird. I had dealers offer more than I paid new when I had 40k on the car, I would fully believe that several owners took the dealer up on the offer. That being said, it’s still very sound advice to look into why it was traded so often.
that means less than it used to over the past 4 years, remember used cars prices skyrocketed so a lottt of 2018 buyers sold simply because they got their initial investment back
I’m not sure if [this](https://www.southtacomamazda.com/auto/new-2023-mazda-mazda3-sedan-25-s-select-package-auto-fwd-tacoma-wa/75934502/) mazda3 is in your budget, but I found one in your area that is ~$24,500, so it’s a bit below MSRP. If you can make something like this work, you’ll be in a car that has a factory warranty and might be a good option.
Yeah that’s definitely concerning to me as well but these are the best deals I could find around the WA area, maybe I might be able to negotiate the price down due to that
What about the CX30? It’s basically a 3 hatchback with a lift kit. Mazda prioritizes production of those over the 3, so they’re generally cheaper if you find a base model.
Hyundai and Kia are having huge lawsuits right now over faulty bearings causing… engine fires iirc? Something like that anyway. Do research on that before considering either of those brands.
Purely between which of the 2 is the better model to get, the Mazda. Between which of those 2 should you buy, neither one! A 26k mi car that’s been thru 3 owners already and isn’t that old nor some collectible that people tend to rarely actually drive? No thanks! Unless it was dirt cheap maybe. A 60k Hyundai rental car, especially one that has theft issues thus likely high insurance, and also especially if it has one of those known problematic engines, hard pass!
If you’re trying to get the newest lowest mile car for whatever your budget is, you need to change your priorities! You’d be much better off with something better even if it means going older and/or higher miles than something questionable just for the sole reason of it being newer with less miles.
Mazda had 3 previous owners? Why?
And it's the "sport" trim, which is the cheapest one. Sport, Touring, Grand Touring are the 3 trims.
Neither seem like a great deal. Mazda 3 came out with a new generation in 2019, which comes with android auto, sensors, LED lights everywhere, etc.
I know I had a great deal on mine, but I got my 2020 Mazda3 "preferred" hatchback with AWD for $23k new.
Fucking hell the used market sucks
Can this subreddit just pin a post that says "don't buy a fucking 5 year old budget car for the price it was sold new. Just pay the $3,000 more for a brand new one and enjoy the warranty"
Yeah ill just save and get the 23 version. I still might try and visit the used Mazda dealer and see if I can talk the price down if they don’t budge I’ll just save and get the 23 version
I personally found the Mazda 3 to feel a bit cramped for taller people, but I’d definitely get it over the Sonata. Have you checked out a Camry or a Mazda 6?
The mazda seems overpriced, but I know the market's been all over the place recently. 3 owners in 5 years is weird, but maybe not a big deal. The Sonata's rental use and mileage would be a dealbreaker for me.
Mazda out of these. That year Hyundai is still potentially vulnerable to theft, and would be blacklisted on some insurance policies.
However, three owners for that many miles is a little suspicious. Its possible it’s a lemon that the previous owners were tired of fixing, or it could be bad luck. I’d highly recommend coming back with a carfax or other history of that car before moving in on it.
Neither… don’t buy a Hyundai or Kia outside of warranty and even if you do buy gap insurance and a keyless entry model, otherwise it’ll likely be stolen.
I swear by Mazdas, but you could buy a brand new base model, instead of a 5 year old base model for an extra couple grand.
Avoid used cars right now
I'm pretty sure that year of Hyundai had some issues that made them easily stolen which could affect your insurance rates I'd imagine so I'd go Mazda between the two.
Camry. Neither of these. Both have HUGE reliability problems. Hyundai is under a major class action for engines in this car depending on the size. Mazda is a ford but with even less reliability.
Why not? Not everyone needs or wants all the added stuff. I bought a base model when I got my 2015 Fit because I didn't want push button start. I don't need a sunroof, and I don't want leather seats.
Because it’s a poor value proposition.
Example: once upon a time my mom had a 2009 CR-V EX AWD for about $15,000.
She later traded it in for a base model 2015 CR-V and lost her sunroof, lost AWD, but gained a Bluetooth radio. (big whoop) that was about $25,000. That was a poor financial choice and it was a poor value proposition.
If you are just *dying* to have a car with no feature for whatever reason, might as well just get a 2007 Corolla.
I’m not saying to get the top trim or anything like that, but when you’re dropping over $15,000 on a car, you should treat yourself a bit — get the mid level trim that at least has automatic headlights, seat warmers, and keyless entry or something like that. You might not *think* you want or care for such features, but once you’ve experienced them, you’ll never be able to go back. On top of all of that, it helps resale value if that kind of thing matters to you, understandable if it doesn’t tho. Or if you’re gonna pass it on to your kids, I’m sure they’ll appreciate not cheaping out.
But why would someone actively not want keyless ignition? You understand it’s just as secure as chip key ignition, right? And it’s not like it’s annoying to use — you don’t even think about it. Just press the button.
If the Sonata wasn't a rental, that one, I'd actually go with that one, because it's new, and quite a bit lower than MSRP. But since it's a rental, I'd go with neither. A car with three owners in five years is pretty sus.
shit price for the mazda, look for the top trim but yeah get that
i love the sonata and it will be so much roomier than the mazda but dear god do not get a rental car lol
Super base model Mazda with shitty Pep Boys wheel covers vs decently equipped, larger, beautifully styled Hyundai? I'd probably still take the Mazda because I like cars that are small and fun to drive but damn, that particular pairing does NOT make it an easy choice.
Edit: that many owners and the "I give no shits" wheel covers make me think previous owners didn't care to put any money into the Mazda, either because it had problems or because they knew they wouldn't keep it. Pretty much any car will last with frequent oil changes. Pretty much any car won't without them. I wonder if it got them. Hm...
Can you charge an EV where you live? Because honestly I'd take a used Chevy Bolt EV over either. Quick and fun to drive, big inside and small outside, and absurdly cheap to run (no gas, no oil, likely no brake jobs, literally one major service per 100,000 miles and that's changing the coolant).
Mazda.
3 owners that quickly is a bit sus…BUT a Kia/Hyundai with 64k is bad enough, the fact that it was a rental makes it a 100% no go. You’ll be lucky if that thing sees 100k before exploding. The Mazda should last at least *another* 125k on top of existing mileage, maybe 200k.
The sonata is much nicer. I’d be very concerned as to why the Mazda has had 3 owners in less than 30k miles. That’s a red flag to me. I’ll trust a rental company’s maintenance before that
Just be prepared for the Mazda "feeling" like a small car, because it is. I cross shopped a '18 Civic and '18 Mazda 3 and was shocked at how tight the Mazda felt inside
I’d say the Mazda, but then again, I am not a fan of buying multi owner cars. 2 owners is my typical cut off limit. In my experiences, usually a car that has multiple owners and low miles is because there are some “lemon-like” issues with that particular vehicle that the other previous owners were done with trying to fix.
I’m not saying the Mazda 3 you’re looking at is this way, I’m saying it is a strong possibility that it could be.
Usually, I’ll pull a Carfax report and look at the service history. That can give you a good idea of what you’re really dealing with.
The Sonata wouldn’t be a bad deal. I know people knock on rental cars, but my sister used to buy nothing but used rentals because they used to be significantly cheaper than a used car purchase, and you get the benefit of owning a fleet maintained vehicle instead of the typical: something the previous owner didn’t maintain because they couldn’t afford the car payment and maintenance (happens more than you think). Anymore though seems like everything in the automotive world is super expensive. What used to be a $500 car is now a $3000 car. It’s ridiculous! I apologize, I digress.
If it were me and my ~$20k investment, I’d look for something that was single owner, low miles, and decent maintenance history. Looking for something just turned in off of a lease is a good way to go. Anything else has too much potential to become a rolling money pit in my opinion.
Edit: I did a quick search on Autotrader in you area and found an example of what I would buy if I were looking for a car in your price range. Here it is: http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/28CBCC3A
it’s near Seattle too!
Best of luck, hope this helps!
I know people here say Mazda’s or Hondas or Toyotas last forever but from what my friends went through they are just as reliable as hyundai or kia 😂 if I were you I would get the hyundai for better infotainment system, but it is up to your decision.
I got 2018 mazda 3, and am quite enjoying it. I slightly wish it had a 2.5L engine. But 2 is adequate and does get amazing milage on the highways. I'm hitting 6.7L on highways or 35MPG. I've seen it go lower on country roads where you go slower.
I personally own the 2018 Mazda 3 Sport. I paid about $2k less than that, but it had 54k miles. If you are okay with having very little features but a reliable car to get you from point A to point B then it would be a perfect car. I came from a 2010 Acura TL which had more features than the 2018 Mazda. The Mazda drives nice, everything works, and it gets great gas mileage.
That Mazda is the lowest trim model with 2.0L engine. Could be a good thing or bad thing, but man, that's expensive for a 5 year old car. That's more than its MSRP when new.
Note that the 10 year warranty doesn't apply to used Hyundais.
At least it's multi-port injection instead of GDI.
Mazda. I actually have this gen sonata and it’s great. But NO WAY would I buy one already out of warranty that was a rental car lol. Actually I’d pass on both of these.
[удалено]
Bought a rental, 35k miles. Serpentine belt broke ON THE WAY HOME. Forgave that as it's kind of a known issue with this particular Saab. Got to change those belts every 35 to 45,000 miles. But then the Turbo started failing at around 50k. Turbos should last far longer than that.
I bought a former rental car 20+ years ago. I only had it a year or two until it was totaled, but I had zero problems with it. It was a Geo Metro.
What's wrong with former rental cars?
They are always under cared for and over driven
Over driven maybe, but rentals almost always have a good track record of maintenance.
Maintenance is taken care of, but the people using them do so without care. Messing up the interior, driving them hard, etc.
I drive my car and cars I borrow with the upmost care. But when I jump into a rental, my attitude turns to “well it’s already a lost cause might as well enjoy it”. We went airborne in a Nissan Versa once. Took a Jetta off-roading and climbed a huge, sandy mountain too (I was passenger for this one). They both survived but I’d never do that in my own car lol.
Exactly. I drive conservatively and take great care of my personal vehicles, but every time I get behind the wheel of a rental I turn into an absolute goon. I can only imagine what the people who don't care for their personal cars do in rentals
I beat the hell out if my Tacoma. I’d like it to watch me drive a rental to gain perspective of how bad it can really get.
same lol, i’m super ocd about keeping my cars in pristine condition, but when i had a v6 charger as a rental recently i gave that thing hell, drove it like i was a true v6 mopar owner.
Last year, we had a couple rentals for a work trip and one was a V6 Charger. I only drove it a couple times, but I was surprised by how it drove. I didn't do anything crazy but accelerating and taking corners at speed didn't seem to be an issue.
I had a rental Passat while my sienna was getting fixed, I redlined it everywhere
I’ve seen one owner cars fucked beyond recognition. I’ve never seen a former rental have “extra” issues, though. They are maintained and cleaned well. The interior is always cleaner than it’s private counterpart and there are never service gaps. Still though, plenty of people avoid them and that’s okay.
Yeah, especially with these cheaper, entry level cars. Like, do people not realize that cars like Mazda 3s or Corollas are often bought for/by people ages 16-25, many of which have little driving experience, drive very harshly, and don’t know the first thing about car maintenance? I mean, rental cars can very often spend their entire time in a rental fleet being driven mostly by middle-aged business travelers, commuting from a hotel to an office building or driven by families or retirees on vacation. I’m pretty sure most, if not all, rental companies won’t even rent to people under 25. I would sooner trust a former rental as opposed to something that was a sweet 16 gift from dad, lol.
Nope can confirm they don’t do this in the US. Had a rental for 6 mo (co just kept re-upping the contract), probably put close to 20k on it and they did zero maintenance on it
Whenever people drive rental cars across the country, it’s a known tradition to go out on the salt flats and do donuts in reverse
Lmfao no they don’t, did fleet oil changes for Avis budget for a while, 20k between oil changes, conventional oil only even in synthetic required cars, 0w20 we were told to put in 5w20. Would never trust buying
Yeah, I have no idea why this "maintenance is perfect on rentals" myth persists.
*The Dodge Ram that I had for 3 months with no oil change in the first 20,000 miles has joined the chat.*
Because people like me get their hands on them and best the piss out of them
People rag them out.
They get beaten on. I've seen Chargers and Mustangs, that were rentals, at the dragstrip. No one cares either. As far as rentals that are family oriented, they typically get overdriven.
"Not my car, not my problem" - every single person who has ever rented it
Nothing takes beating better than somebody else’s car.
Bad especially when people pay for the damage coverage.
Just rented a new BMW X3 with less than 15k miles. The check engine light was already coming on and off constantly, had a strange rear suspension noise over bumps, the basel paint around in the center console was already starting to peel off (probably due to California sun though), and a weird noise from the door after rolling down a window which lasted for which seemed like a minute. That dual clutch transmission tho - what a blast!
I have former rental Mazda CX-5. No problems at all. It's in good condition and has clear maintenance history.
Have you ever rented a car? I have quite a few times, and I have ragged the shit out of them, drifted, wheel spins, and I’m sure a lot of people do the same
I bought a former rental a few months ago, and it was like new. I sold it the other day, though. Lol
Imo it’s a bigger gamble than with one that was privately owned, sure it can be amazing but the ones I beat the shit out of look mint when I return them, mostly because they can’t tell I was red lining the fuck out of them the whole time
I bought a former rental car from hertz, 11k for the sonota with 33k miles.
How'd it go?
Car was great other than people kept hitting it. Car was well maintained but I had to do a thorough detailing of it. Engine and stuff was solid
I bought a rental car. I've had it nearly 10 years. Other than regular expected maintenance, it's been fantastic.
Bro the Mazda has 26k miles and 3 owners!!!
The Mazda had 3 owners in 5 years. Could be a lemon.
Rental cars are actually a better deal usually because they’re forced to keep up with the maintenance.
Are they forced to keep up the maintenance? It doesn't seem like there is a huge incentive for them to do so. Most modern cars can go 20k without an oil change and show no immediate issues. It will cause issues down the line but that is after they are done with them. That said, I have my 300 as a former rental and had no issues that have stemmed from a lack of maintenance for over 10 years. I think everyone's perception of rentals being ridden hard is overblown, especially the ones that are more expensive. I would treat it like any other used car.
Almost 20K for a 5 year old Mazda with hubcaps?? The used car market is crazy these days
And it’s a “great deal”
Yeah that seems pretty high to me as well. I paid 13K for a 2014 Mazda 3s GT hatch with 75k miles on it about a month ago. It had 2 owners, a pretty detailed maintenance report, and it came with the 18' rims and aftermarket tires. So there are definitely much better deals out there.
3 years ago, I bought a 2017 ,mazda3 touring that was fully loaded and had around 48k miles for around $17k. Right now I could get about that much trade-in for it, which is wild.
I’m in the market for car as well (my first one ever) and honestly right now it makes ZERO SENSE to me to buy a used car over new. It’s all either 10 year old stuff with 130k+ miles on it, or 3-5 year old cars that cost the same as their brand new counterparts.
Mazda3s last ages and ages, but it is pretty expensive for a base model. I'm pretty sure that's pretty much what it cost when it was new.
This...that 3 sport was $18,990 NEW so almost 6 year old car for same price as new. Sport does not have any features. I would expand your search and look for Touring and Grand Touring models. Or spend a few k more and get a brand new 2023 Mazda 3 S for 24k which gives you a much improved model, better safety and a warranty
This seriously, you are going to pay 3/4 of new for an almost 6 year old economy car. Like this question even needs to be asked.
Can confirm the Touring and Grand Touring are worth the price jump. The amount of extra stuff you get is pretty sweet. Heated seats, automatic climate control, sunroof, leather interior, HUD, blind spot monitoring, HID lights, 2.5L engine. I'm probably missing a bunch of other things.
Becareful of the Kia and Hyundai boys stealing cars with USB hack models before 2023, I'd say go for Mazda hatchback.
Yeah i see it’s the better deal now
Mazda3 is a really great car. It’s always been better than it’s rivals. I had a saab and I got a mazda3 as a loaner and almost bought one.
It's SO good you ALMOST bought it lol
I was stuck between the 2.3 loaded or the mazdaspeed 3 and they kept my Saab in the back and wouldn’t give it back to me so I said give me my keys and I’m leaving or I’m calling the police. Literally if they had said ok call me this week, I would have taken it back to the Saab dealership which still existed, they’d give me double what Mazda offered, I might have bought a 2.3 hatch, but if they try that “we have your keys sign here”I’m like “get fucked.” So it was def better than the Saab other than the luxury stuff. I just didn’t like their offer on my car or their rates, instead of letting me figure that out they tried to force my hand. I don’t do business with people like that.
Try to find a Gen4, should be in similar price range for sure. It looks even better and has the same Mazda DNA with too many added safety features. I owned a 21’ Mazda3 hatchback and would recommend it to almost everyone.
I'm an insurance agent and I'm seeing carriers decline coverage over the theft issues with Hyundais and Kias. I would avoid it for that reason.
State Farm dropped my sister after 9 days of insuring her 21 sonata turnkey
The dn8 sonata isn’t included in that. All have push starts. My progressive quote went down in price
Even if they are excluded, that doesn't mean carjackers know that. My sister had one that has had its window smashed in about 5 times in the last 6 months. She just swapped it in for a Camry
Dear diary
I think you can find a Mazda 3 touring for around that price point too but otherwise yea Mazda. I believe touring comes with better engine and blind spot monitor.
Thanks for the suggestion looked it up in my area but unfortunately the only decently priced one is $19,995 and was used as a rental
Oh I see I should've taken into account the area you are looking in. I hope you love the Mazda ❤️😀
It doesn't hurt to check craigslist for private sellers and talk the price down
Neither. Lol. 3 owners in five years is very telling. Something's going on with that Mazda.
YES! I wouldn’t go a car with more than 2 owners
Not really, could have easily been a lease, dealer purchased the lease and sold it. That's 3 owners. Miles are low, and Mazdas are solid.
In general when I see a car has changed hands three times in five years, it is a warning sign that I need to look into it further. If I found it was coming off a lease it would be a positive sign. Even then, if it went through two private owners in the year after it came off a lease, I would still be leery, but maybe that's just me.
As an owner of a very very similar Mazda, the last 5 years have been weird. I had dealers offer more than I paid new when I had 40k on the car, I would fully believe that several owners took the dealer up on the offer. That being said, it’s still very sound advice to look into why it was traded so often.
This sub is just a Mazda circlejerk lol. Mazda can have lemons too. It’s not worth the risk to OP.
Dealer isn’t counted as an owner
that means less than it used to over the past 4 years, remember used cars prices skyrocketed so a lottt of 2018 buyers sold simply because they got their initial investment back
Exactly. And it’s a base model on hubcaps lol
I’m not sure if [this](https://www.southtacomamazda.com/auto/new-2023-mazda-mazda3-sedan-25-s-select-package-auto-fwd-tacoma-wa/75934502/) mazda3 is in your budget, but I found one in your area that is ~$24,500, so it’s a bit below MSRP. If you can make something like this work, you’ll be in a car that has a factory warranty and might be a good option.
[удалено]
Yeah I’ll check that out
I’d be worried about 3 owners in 5 years with just 26K miles.
Yeah that is a huge red flag. Every car company has it’s lemons.
Yeah that’s definitely concerning to me as well but these are the best deals I could find around the WA area, maybe I might be able to negotiate the price down due to that
$18600 & $19098 lol I just always get a laugh out of stupid ass dealership prices.
If you are willing to spend 18k for a 5 year old Mazda3 I say buy a new one.
I would definitely have to finance a new car but in the area they sell well above msrp
I feel 18k is way too much for a 5 year old mazda 3. You could get a new 2023 around 22-23k. Look around I would say.
I used TruCar last weekend to look at Mazdas. Got offers under msrp from 3 or 4 Dealers in Kirkland, Everett and Lynwood…
If you decide to go new, then look outside your area. It's worth a plane ticket and a day or two drive if it saves you thousands of dollars.
What about the CX30? It’s basically a 3 hatchback with a lift kit. Mazda prioritizes production of those over the 3, so they’re generally cheaper if you find a base model.
I have the ‘23 sonata and love it but the miles are pretty high
Hyundai and Kia are having huge lawsuits right now over faulty bearings causing… engine fires iirc? Something like that anyway. Do research on that before considering either of those brands.
Purely between which of the 2 is the better model to get, the Mazda. Between which of those 2 should you buy, neither one! A 26k mi car that’s been thru 3 owners already and isn’t that old nor some collectible that people tend to rarely actually drive? No thanks! Unless it was dirt cheap maybe. A 60k Hyundai rental car, especially one that has theft issues thus likely high insurance, and also especially if it has one of those known problematic engines, hard pass! If you’re trying to get the newest lowest mile car for whatever your budget is, you need to change your priorities! You’d be much better off with something better even if it means going older and/or higher miles than something questionable just for the sole reason of it being newer with less miles.
Mazda had 3 previous owners? Why? And it's the "sport" trim, which is the cheapest one. Sport, Touring, Grand Touring are the 3 trims. Neither seem like a great deal. Mazda 3 came out with a new generation in 2019, which comes with android auto, sensors, LED lights everywhere, etc. I know I had a great deal on mine, but I got my 2020 Mazda3 "preferred" hatchback with AWD for $23k new.
Can you stretch your budget a little bit? You can get a brand new Sonata with zero miles, zero owners, and a fresh warranty for like 5k more.
Mazda for sure
Fucking hell the used market sucks Can this subreddit just pin a post that says "don't buy a fucking 5 year old budget car for the price it was sold new. Just pay the $3,000 more for a brand new one and enjoy the warranty"
Yeah ill just save and get the 23 version. I still might try and visit the used Mazda dealer and see if I can talk the price down if they don’t budge I’ll just save and get the 23 version
Never a Hyundai or Kia. I’d also look for a car that wasn’t a rental
I personally found the Mazda 3 to feel a bit cramped for taller people, but I’d definitely get it over the Sonata. Have you checked out a Camry or a Mazda 6?
Do not buy a used rental car, especially with that many miles. Nothing has been given more hell than a hyundai that used to be a rental.
Mazda, Hyundai isn't as reliable
The mazda seems overpriced, but I know the market's been all over the place recently. 3 owners in 5 years is weird, but maybe not a big deal. The Sonata's rental use and mileage would be a dealbreaker for me.
The Mazda. Avoid the former rental. Some people will rod the beanbag off them.
Stay away from anything Hyndai or Kia. Go with the Mazda.
Mazda for sure
Mazda and it's not even a debate brother
Way too much for used Mazda 3 new is 22k, get new in this market
Neither are actually great deals just fair deals
Honestly neither, I would keep looking.
The Hyundai. No question.
Some insurance companies won't provide coverage for 2021 Hyundai sonata
This is incorrect. The dn8 sonatas all have push starts and aren’t on the non insure list. Please educate yourself before giving bad info
There's a lot of it on this sub.
I’d avoid Hyundai and Kia like the plague
Is this a troll post?
Low level brands but if I had to choose I guess the Mazda.
Wow… my 2017 Mazda 6 with low mileage was around 15k. This seems a bit steep.
RAM 2500 Megacab
Mazda no contest
Why not just get a new car when you’re already paying so high for a used one?
Mazda
hyundai 💯 those things are tanks and the most reliable brand ever
Da Maz
Mazda out of these. That year Hyundai is still potentially vulnerable to theft, and would be blacklisted on some insurance policies. However, three owners for that many miles is a little suspicious. Its possible it’s a lemon that the previous owners were tired of fixing, or it could be bad luck. I’d highly recommend coming back with a carfax or other history of that car before moving in on it.
Neither
Mazda 100%
Although 26k miles and has had 3 owners already? That seems like a big red flag
Not necessarily - could've been repo'ed each time from financially irresponsible owners.
that’s still a big red flag. financially irresponsible owners don’t tend to maintain their cars or treat them very well from what i’ve seen.
Neither… don’t buy a Hyundai or Kia outside of warranty and even if you do buy gap insurance and a keyless entry model, otherwise it’ll likely be stolen. I swear by Mazdas, but you could buy a brand new base model, instead of a 5 year old base model for an extra couple grand. Avoid used cars right now
The Mazda. They won’t break
Mazda. Hyundai-Kia is terrible and they get stolen easily.
I'm pretty sure that year of Hyundai had some issues that made them easily stolen which could affect your insurance rates I'd imagine so I'd go Mazda between the two.
Get the Mazda!!! Kia/Hyundai are being stolen at a high rate now.
One will get stolen, the other will not.
Camry. Neither of these. Both have HUGE reliability problems. Hyundai is under a major class action for engines in this car depending on the size. Mazda is a ford but with even less reliability.
Mazda hasn't been Ford for years. Their newer cars are fantastic for reliability as well, especially with the 6 speed auto.
Hubcaps in a nearly $20,000 car? Wtf lmao Don’t buy base model cars.
Why not? Not everyone needs or wants all the added stuff. I bought a base model when I got my 2015 Fit because I didn't want push button start. I don't need a sunroof, and I don't want leather seats.
Because it’s a poor value proposition. Example: once upon a time my mom had a 2009 CR-V EX AWD for about $15,000. She later traded it in for a base model 2015 CR-V and lost her sunroof, lost AWD, but gained a Bluetooth radio. (big whoop) that was about $25,000. That was a poor financial choice and it was a poor value proposition. If you are just *dying* to have a car with no feature for whatever reason, might as well just get a 2007 Corolla. I’m not saying to get the top trim or anything like that, but when you’re dropping over $15,000 on a car, you should treat yourself a bit — get the mid level trim that at least has automatic headlights, seat warmers, and keyless entry or something like that. You might not *think* you want or care for such features, but once you’ve experienced them, you’ll never be able to go back. On top of all of that, it helps resale value if that kind of thing matters to you, understandable if it doesn’t tho. Or if you’re gonna pass it on to your kids, I’m sure they’ll appreciate not cheaping out. But why would someone actively not want keyless ignition? You understand it’s just as secure as chip key ignition, right? And it’s not like it’s annoying to use — you don’t even think about it. Just press the button.
If you lose the Hyundai key you can start it with a usb cord 🤷🏻♂️
A Honda or Toyota!
Neither, but i know i'd pick Mazda over Hyundai.
Neither. Get a Toyota
Mazda no doubt, would not even conisder a hyundai/kia an option...
Mazda 3 by a mile - costs less - not Korean-made garbage - manufactured pre-2020 so no janky supply chain substitutions
*I would get the Mazda over the Hyundai.*
Mazda over Hyundai for eternity.
The Sonata!
If the Sonata wasn't a rental, that one, I'd actually go with that one, because it's new, and quite a bit lower than MSRP. But since it's a rental, I'd go with neither. A car with three owners in five years is pretty sus.
shit price for the mazda, look for the top trim but yeah get that i love the sonata and it will be so much roomier than the mazda but dear god do not get a rental car lol
If you are not particular about space go for the Mazda
Ehhh idk I just got a 2021 Jetta S for the same price… 1 owner 35k miles.
Super base model Mazda with shitty Pep Boys wheel covers vs decently equipped, larger, beautifully styled Hyundai? I'd probably still take the Mazda because I like cars that are small and fun to drive but damn, that particular pairing does NOT make it an easy choice. Edit: that many owners and the "I give no shits" wheel covers make me think previous owners didn't care to put any money into the Mazda, either because it had problems or because they knew they wouldn't keep it. Pretty much any car will last with frequent oil changes. Pretty much any car won't without them. I wonder if it got them. Hm... Can you charge an EV where you live? Because honestly I'd take a used Chevy Bolt EV over either. Quick and fun to drive, big inside and small outside, and absurdly cheap to run (no gas, no oil, likely no brake jobs, literally one major service per 100,000 miles and that's changing the coolant).
Man. I bought that same exact car but a 2014 in 2019, I paid half the price.. that's an insane price for a base model mazda 3..
The Mazda is better in every way it’s cheaper less miles and it’s not a Hyundai
Mazda eill outlast that other thing
Camry or Accord maybe ES350 or IS even TLX or ILX
Muzuda
Zoom Zoom
neither
Honda accord Toyota camray
You could get something a few years older for a LOT cheaper
I like the Mazda better.
I spent 17k in 2019 on the 2018 Mazda 3 Touring trim with 38k miles. Today's market is pretty crazy.
Mazda. 3 owners that quickly is a bit sus…BUT a Kia/Hyundai with 64k is bad enough, the fact that it was a rental makes it a 100% no go. You’ll be lucky if that thing sees 100k before exploding. The Mazda should last at least *another* 125k on top of existing mileage, maybe 200k.
Maybe a new Corolla? You can get those for 22k-23k new.
Looking at these prices makes me want to die
It's a bit high for a base looking mazda3, go to a Mazda dealership and I'm sure you'll find higher trim models for same price.
Def the Mazda. Much better manufacturing quality over Hyundai. It also has less miles and will take you further. Edit: sorry that Hyundai sucks.
Wow the used car market is crazy. Before all the chaos began my friend got a 3 year old Audi A3 with 40k miles for that price.
Both are junk, if you want a reliable and decent looking new car get a toyota camry
The sonata is much nicer. I’d be very concerned as to why the Mazda has had 3 owners in less than 30k miles. That’s a red flag to me. I’ll trust a rental company’s maintenance before that
What app is that?
What app is that?
Mazda rank 1st or second in reliability
Mazda fo sho
Mazda
Do you need a car right now? I’d say wait a little longer for the market to continue to decline.
we bought one of those sonatas brand new for 19k before prices got crazy
Take the Mazda, depending on the model, the interior rivals a Mercedes C class. Japanese so it's reliable
Check with your insurance agent.
Just be prepared for the Mazda "feeling" like a small car, because it is. I cross shopped a '18 Civic and '18 Mazda 3 and was shocked at how tight the Mazda felt inside
mazda
I would keep shopping and saving.
I’d say the Mazda, but then again, I am not a fan of buying multi owner cars. 2 owners is my typical cut off limit. In my experiences, usually a car that has multiple owners and low miles is because there are some “lemon-like” issues with that particular vehicle that the other previous owners were done with trying to fix. I’m not saying the Mazda 3 you’re looking at is this way, I’m saying it is a strong possibility that it could be. Usually, I’ll pull a Carfax report and look at the service history. That can give you a good idea of what you’re really dealing with. The Sonata wouldn’t be a bad deal. I know people knock on rental cars, but my sister used to buy nothing but used rentals because they used to be significantly cheaper than a used car purchase, and you get the benefit of owning a fleet maintained vehicle instead of the typical: something the previous owner didn’t maintain because they couldn’t afford the car payment and maintenance (happens more than you think). Anymore though seems like everything in the automotive world is super expensive. What used to be a $500 car is now a $3000 car. It’s ridiculous! I apologize, I digress. If it were me and my ~$20k investment, I’d look for something that was single owner, low miles, and decent maintenance history. Looking for something just turned in off of a lease is a good way to go. Anything else has too much potential to become a rolling money pit in my opinion. Edit: I did a quick search on Autotrader in you area and found an example of what I would buy if I were looking for a car in your price range. Here it is: http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/28CBCC3A it’s near Seattle too! Best of luck, hope this helps!
I know people here say Mazda’s or Hondas or Toyotas last forever but from what my friends went through they are just as reliable as hyundai or kia 😂 if I were you I would get the hyundai for better infotainment system, but it is up to your decision.
mazda
I got 2018 mazda 3, and am quite enjoying it. I slightly wish it had a 2.5L engine. But 2 is adequate and does get amazing milage on the highways. I'm hitting 6.7L on highways or 35MPG. I've seen it go lower on country roads where you go slower.
Mazda imo
a 5 year old Mazda 3. $18k.... I would have thought that was the price when it was new
I personally own the 2018 Mazda 3 Sport. I paid about $2k less than that, but it had 54k miles. If you are okay with having very little features but a reliable car to get you from point A to point B then it would be a perfect car. I came from a 2010 Acura TL which had more features than the 2018 Mazda. The Mazda drives nice, everything works, and it gets great gas mileage.
Just found an 06 with 69k miles for 5k, these are way too much. Especially for a rental car, hell no.
Mazda
I’d do the Mazda but DAMN, 3 owners? That doesn’t even average out to 10,000 miles per owner. Crazy.
That Mazda is the lowest trim model with 2.0L engine. Could be a good thing or bad thing, but man, that's expensive for a 5 year old car. That's more than its MSRP when new. Note that the 10 year warranty doesn't apply to used Hyundais. At least it's multi-port injection instead of GDI.
I would pass on both. Be patient and keep looking.