Is this a good car for me?

[Anonymous]

(Please don't go and buy it haha)

I am tight on funds and need a very affordable car. I like the sliding doors because I have a toddler and car seat wrangling in these DC close quarters is nuts. I hear Mazda is pretty reliable. I like nice things, like leather, backup cameras etc. I wish it was good on snow, but I guess I have to get different tires. I commute via metro every day but use my car a lot on the weekends to run errands and visit family 4-6 hours away. I like boxy cars because I always feel like I am hauling something - this or that from home depot. If Kia Soul had sliding doors. I would like that car. I like this low price point bc I can pay cash, and also the Arlington CO taxes will not kill me. I estimate that worst-case I could get 5 years out of this car. Assume they sell it to me for 6k, that is $1200/year, plus about $25/mo for the Arlington Co taxes. Ok, so, $125/mo, plus a safe estimate of $600/year for repairs, so that is another $50/month, for a total of $175/mo to drive, worst case scenario. What do you think?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-Mazda-MAZDA5-Alexandria-d840_L36592#listing=196604950

[Anonymous]

We have a 2012 mazda 5 and have been pretty happy with it.

[Anonymous]

Mazda is a good car. I stick with Mazda, Honda, or Toyota.

[Anonymous]

look at the Subaru crosstrek. it has a lower price point than the mazd and you can get leather and AWD.

[Anonymous]

If safety is a priority, look elsewhere. The Mazda5 did not do well in crash testing

[Anonymous]

I used to work at a body shop, and we called mazdas mostly plastic vehicles. Not safe for kids.

[Anonymous]

I'd be concerned with the age.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP -- look at the crash rating for the Mazda 5. We found a good deal on one last year but passed on it given the safety issues.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/07/mazda5-and-nissan-leaf-lose-their-consumer-reports-recommendation-iihs-crash-test/index.htm

[Anonymous]

OP, what is your budget?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:(Please don't go and buy it haha)

I am tight on funds and need a very affordable car. I like the sliding doors because I have a toddler and car seat wrangling in these DC close quarters is nuts. I hear Mazda is pretty reliable. I like nice things, like leather, backup cameras etc. I wish it was good on snow, but I guess I have to get different tires. I commute via metro every day but use my car a lot on the weekends to run errands and visit family 4-6 hours away. I like boxy cars because I always feel like I am hauling something - this or that from home depot. If Kia Soul had sliding doors. I would like that car. I like this low price point bc I can pay cash, and also the Arlington CO taxes will not kill me. I estimate that worst-case I could get 5 years out of this car. Assume they sell it to me for 6k, that is $1200/year, plus about $25/mo for the Arlington Co taxes. Ok, so, $125/mo, plus a safe estimate of $600/year for repairs, so that is another $50/month, for a total of $175/mo to drive, worst case scenario. What do you think?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-Mazda-MAZDA5-Alexandria-d840_L36592#listing=196604950

I think you need to reassess this combination of requirements.

[Anonymous]

OP - maybe look into buying a newer Hyundai - you can get the luxury at a low price and they are pretty reliable cars. Don't buy anything over 5 years old, that's just dumb. You don't know the car's history, and most cars don't last beyond 10-12 years, so you'd be buying a new car pretty soon after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - maybe look into buying a newer Hyundai - you can get the luxury at a low price and they are pretty reliable cars. Don't buy anything over 5 years old, that's just dumb. You don't know the car's history, and most cars don't last beyond 10-12 years, so you'd be buying a new car pretty soon after.

I garage and take meticulous care of my vehicles. Once eight years hits, things start falling apart - seat, cruise, steering column, power windows, etc.