How about the Mazda 3? A guy at work has the 3 Hatchback and loves it. They are under $20k.

 

Well, we looked at the Mazda3 online. I kinda liked it, she kinda didn't, but if we go over there I'll be sure to check them out.

Although, we talked about all this last night, and now she's kinda thinking about just taking a hit on the Stang, and waiting till her car is paid off to buy something new. She kinda liked the idea of the Caliber SRT4 which should be available by the time her car is paid off. A little over a year...

We'll keep looking and talking it over, but she did make a good point...

 

I believe there is a turbocharged version of the mazda 6 now. I'd be all over one of those if I had to get a 4 door car.

 

I'd go with the Caliber.

 

The Mazda Speed 6 looks like an awsome car but at 33K? A little to pricey.

 

Couldn't decide if to add this to this thread or D's older Caliber thread. . . .

I choose this one.

I'm getting my mom a new car and I showed her the Caliber (which I like) and I almost fainted when she said she liked the look of it.

Also in contention is the Mazda 3, and possibly the Toyota Matrix.

I drove the Caliber around (SXT, 2.0 with CVT) and it's pretty impressive for what it is. It's got a ton of room. I'm 6'4" and still had a ton of headroom remaining. I will say that the CVT would take some getting used to, interestingly enough it has some pep when accelerating between the 30 to 60 mph range. But it's just kind of weird . . . kind of whiny off the get go and if you are looking for tire burning starts, go elsewhere, but over all, it's an impressive little vehicle.

I think someone mentioned the HHR. I drove one for a week all through the great midwest. It's kind of slow off the line, but once it got going it was very nice. And the biggest surprise of all, the interior build was a BIG improvement over previous GM products.

I often had the HHR running at 90 MPH and once up to speed it ran smoothly and with no problems. It also got great gas mileage. We seemed to drive forever without needing to fill up (good thing too because it has a small gas tank).

My mom hates the PT Cruiser and also has no love for the HHR, so those are not being considered, but if you like the look of it, I'd give it some thought. I rather liked it.

The Caliber, to me at least, is a very nice looking car (or whatever they are calling it) I actually like the front end and the fender flares look great. Forget all the "I hate it because it's a Dodge" rhetoric. If it's a good car, it's a good car . . . who cares who makes it. Any more these days any Chrysler or Dodge is essentially a Mercedes, so who cares. If you like it, go for it. My only concern with the Caliber is that it is a first generation vehicle. In the past, any first gen car, especially American, was a problem looking for a place to happen, but these days, maybe not.

If she chooses it and I get it before you purchase your vehicle I'll let you know how it holds up.




K-

 

The aforementioned HHR. Driven long distances past endless amber waves of grain (OK, actually it was green winter wheat) and many a cow.

When we drove past and around people, we got lots of looks and questions about the car.

You'll get a lot of attention with the Caliber too. Just on the test drive, every time I stopped at a light . . . got lots of looks.

Both are fun.