Ok guys, I'm getting real sick of the fits my car is giving me, so I'm going to start car shopping tomorrow. What I want to know is what kind of deals you guys got so I have a place to start - or a target to shoot for. The RA is obviously at the top of my list, but I'll be honest, I'm also looking at a Mazda 3 possibly as well. Anyways, any hints/advice etc. is greatly appreciated!

 

tell them you want invioce, it's around 17,600 i think. the mazda 3 is slow, but looks nice. i think you should get a ralliart, you're going to love when the mivec kicks-in. (3500rpms)

 

in the range, I think the ralliart is the way to go. the new carolla is nice, too. so is the sentra. but ralliart still takes the cake. try to get invoice price, floor mats, door seals, and ground kit added in for free. watch the finance guy, though. he will most likely try to f*ck you. if you can 3rd party finance, go for it. good to be a member of a credit union =]

 

Cool cool. I don't want a Corolla cuz I think they're about the most boring looking car on earth, my fiance' already has an SE-R (not a spec tho) so I don't really want one of those either, too much copycat syndrome. The Mazda 3s has 160hp, and looks nice but I'm a little leary of the engine's Ford roots...

thx for the responses tho guys.

 

Only thing I liked at was, ralli-art and specV. I love the specV... but comming from a mitsu, i really wanted to try the ralli-art first, and well i bought it. Ull love this car, its quick and nice on the eyes (IMO), RRM has a turbo OUT and there's alot of mods shapping up. There ecu,intake,exhaust alone gives you 30whp, so say goodbye to the specV, type-s and waaaaaaay goodbye to the mazda 3s. In stock form a RA will take a mazda 3s. It just depends, what do you want? Looks or power? IMO... RA has looks and power, while the mazda has looks. P

Looks alone, the mazda 3s is sharp as hell, still a lil too girly for me (a la corolla xrs). SpecV, while nice, too plane looking, def needs a rehaul. RA looks nothing like a girls car and is not plane at all. It's just as sharp, def get an RA... ull love the trq.

 

There is already too many Mazda 3's on the road get a RA

 

I wonder how much a used Evo goes for....

 

^^^ go privite, about 22k+, if you go dealer about 24.5K+, especially comming from cali, ur not gonna find them cheap by any means, even with the MR out... o3 are still selling for like 25k.

 

yeah... I know... still doesn't help me against the insurance RAPE that would insue either.

 

here's a nice little side by side comparison for ya:
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/compa...specifications




my best friend just got the 3 5-door, and he likes it a lot. my other friend has the ralliart, and he's a big fan of that too. they are both good cars with plenty of reasons to go either way. but honestly, i like the ralliart a bit more more for these reasons.

1. its faster.

mazda3 (autoweek)
0-60 in 7.97
0-100 in 23.30
ralliart (car and driver)
0-60 in 7.30
0-100 in 19.60

the ralliart is almost a full 4 seconds faster to 100, which is proof that the mivec pulls well. i've driven it, and compared to my oz, i was amazed that it pulled in 5th (compared to my pitiful acceleration).

2. an audio system upgrade in the lancer is a breeze, in the 3 its a nightmare, and if you do upgrade the 3, you'll likely be stuck with a bunch of non-functional buttons and displays.

3. i like the simplicity of the lancer over the layout in the 3. overall the 3's interior is probably more appealing to most, but i just hate the stupid LED lights that tie in with the stereo. just cheezy IMO.

granted the 3 has cool things available like HID projector bulbs, but they are expensive and aftermarket HID looks great on the lancer as well. and the 3 does have 17 inches on the s package, that's kinda nice if you want to stay stock. oh, and navigation, that's pimp, but again... costly.

you've got two good choices ahead. i say drive em both, think of what you might want to do with it down the road, and enjoy it. post pics when you get your new ride! good luck!

 

see if you can find a used WRX...you'll be happy with it and stock you'll still put a ralliart in the rearview......and the upgrades are out there you just gotta figure out what you wanna do for it...

 

^^^ yeah a used o2-o3 (bubble eyes suck) and its turbo so you know who ever had kicked the car in the nuts and didnt baby it. Be honest, who leaves and babies a turbo vehicle? Before you know it, the car will have many problems, way more than a NA used car. IF YOU BUY a turbo vehicle by it brand new just to insurane quailty stock functin. Go on the NASIOA forums, and read how peeps talking about buyin a USED o2-o3 wrx... they have problems.

 

I think that 17,600 that someone quoted is right... My brand new 04 I walked out the door after all is said & done at 18K even pretty much...
You might want to consider looking at 04's that they're trying to get rid of for the 05's that are coming in...!!!

 

I was out the door for $17,900 on my RA. Got some rebates, and had them put in some extras (door sills, mesh grille, hyperground kit). You'd be able to get a good deal on a new '04 RA, since the '05's are on the way. Not many changes to the '05, except for the grille, which you could have them throw in as an incentive.

 

OK guys, I'm stoked as hell, I'm the proud new owner of an '04 Lightning Yellow Ralliart!!! I drove the Mazda first, then I drove the RA, and well.... NO COMPARISON. The RA just owned that Mazda, so I bought it!