Hi All,
I'm hoping to get some advice on buying a new or certified pre-owned car (between 2020 - 2024). I was initially dead set on buying a Toyota Camry because of their reputation for reliability, but haven't found anything decent near me. However, I have found a few new Mazda 3s in my area for significantly less money (about $5k less than a new Camry). But, if Mazda doesn't hold up mechanically or retain it's value in the long run, then the upfront cost savings will be a wash (at best).
Can anyone comment on how reliable the Mazda 3 is and how these cars compare?
What do you think is the better way to go?
Thank you.
I'm not super familiar with the Mazda 3 specifically, but Mazdas are good vehicles overall, especially in more recent years.
The older ones from the Ford collaboration era had issues with weak transmissions (Jatco made, IIRC) but they've used their own design for the past 6-8 years or so which seems to have eliminated that problem.
I can say from personal experience the 2.5L "SkyActiv" engine available in the current generation Mazda 3 is very well built. My CX-5 has 110k miles, and the engine runs like new. Quiet at idle, zippy in sport mode, average about 30MPG mixed driving.
OTOH, it's hard to go wrong with a Toyota Camry. Toyota is still #1 in reliability, and they hold their value well. The Toyota probably won't be as sporty to drive as the Mazda, but that's about the only knock I can think of here.
Really, I think both are good choices.
The Camry is usually cross shopped with the Mazda 6 or Honda Accord. But the Mazda 6 doesn’t exist anymore in the current Mazda lineup.
The Mazda 3 is usually cross shopped with the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, or in Mazda eyes striving to become a more premium brand, the Acura ILX, Acura Integra, and the Lexus IS.
Toyota owns a tiny bit of Mazda. And they share some production facilities. Yet Mazda is still relatively independent in terms of their design and drivetrain engineering decisions.
I would roll in a Mazda personally. I actually want them to build a new Mazda 6, with an inline-6 that is in their CX-90.
