Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Eastern Canada My dilemma

I saw a new Mazda 3 sedan with the GFX package and I really liked the way it looked. So I did some research, and went over to the dealership to test drive one.

It felt nice and it is nice, just nice.
The Mazda is literally twice as good on gas then my contour.
It's a new car and it will last a wile before any major repair.
I'm sure there will be a good aftermarket for this car.
it had a good power band and a nice flat torque curve.
The interior is trendy with the dashboard layout and two tone cloth seats.
The car is very affordable, It's the economical thing to do if your planning on buying a house in the future.

One the other hand

The car is no where near as powerful as my tour. NO WHERE!!
It is a tall car from the roof line to the front and rear deck lids. If I lower the Mazda, the tour will still be 6 inches lower in profile.
Everyone will have one because they are so affordable.
I still have people approaching me asking me about my car.
Did is say it's fast.
I still love my tour as if I bought it yesterday and I get giddy every time I start my car.
I did all that work to the car and I love it more for it.
I could never triad in the car and get a good value on it.
BTW it's fast, I went toe to toe with a 3.2TL-S and it was dead even.

I didn't get the same excitement testing the 3 as I did when I first test drone the contour. What do you think, I would like to here your insight

It's a tough decision like you said.
Every car I get into or rent I compare to my Contour.
I've yet to find a good comparison that I can afford.
I too still get giddy when I drive my Tour.

If your buying a house and money is tight and you think you can save a few bucks on gas.
Think about this.....
Call the insurance company and find out how much it would be to insure. Also you would have to deal with monthly payments + a morgage.
Even if something breaks on the Tour I believe it would be cheaper just to fix it.

Save money, buy the house, then a couple years down the road get a new car.

You stated you still enjoy driving it, so to that I say Keep the Tour!

Well personally if I already owned the tour I'd keep it. I'm not sure how much you would save by incurring a new monthly payment. You also have a unique car and here in Oshawa/Whitby there aren't whole lot of them. In London they are a dime a dozen but here I can drive a whole day and not see one. I like that myself. Anyway if you think there are a lot of repairs in your future that will out vie a new car payment then maybe a new car is a good idea. Also it is a first year model and rarely is that a good thing. Just another consideration. I took the 6 out myself both varriants and almost was ready to sign the paperwork then and there. So I know ehat you are talking about.

I am going through similar issues with my SVT. While it still runs great, I have read a lot on these boards to make me think that this can't last forever. I also have to consider that the lip of my new driveway is tricky even at stock ride height. Then there is the rust on the inside lip of the trunklid and on the bottoms of the doors.

My mind has been turning over an A4 of similar vintage or a Passat. Chipped, of course I have also pondered a used WRX, but transmission concerns would worry me there.

I have even pondered going the other direction and buying an older Probe GT or Integra, so that if anything comes up, it's only a cheap old car.

I know what you're feeling though. Part of the pain of being a car guy.

Don't be deceived by the higher roofline. I guess I'm used to mine. When I get into cars like LBSVT's, lauraq's, Snafuflux, etc., I can't believe I'm sitting so...low. The 3 is probably one of the best economy cars out there now. Seeing how it's based off the new Focus platform (I mean the European one...not the crappy 05 remassaged one coming), I can only imagine what it's like.

I guess that's why I haven't dared to test drive a 3 yet. Knowing what is "new" and improved, it would give my car a run for its money. Thing is, the Focus has way too many miles on it, but I maintain it well. It's fairly common, but it's still my first car. My car is well-lit, but a stock 3 isn't (although, in Detroit I saw a 3 well-lit too :O)

The one thing with cars is that it fits your mood at the time. Take me back a few years and I wouldn't have really thought about a 4-door. I would have gone to the Cougar. In a few years from now...who knows? Futura ST? Freestyle? Explorer?

I guess not having the same feeling in a 3 is better than having that excitement feeling when you just test drove a Buick

I don't have time to read everyone else's post (i'm at work), but I say, get a 6!

or keep the tour

I figure I'll give it some time. I'll hold on to it until the end of summer and then trade it in or sel it. I guess I'll have a bit more fun with the tour.