Hatchback options

You may want to look into a Honda Fit. It has better interior space, slightly better long term reliability, but a worse power/weight ratio than the 3. The base Fit will be close in price to a base 3 (16-17k plus tax), however a top of the line 3 will be significantly more than the top of the line Fit; 30k+ versus low 20's.

That said, I helped my sister buy a new base 3 a few months ago. They're a good car, and at least in ATL, they were willing to deal on the price when negotiating over the internet.

The VW or Chevy will have worse reliability and depreciation compared to the Mazda or Honda, and as such, they'll be more expensive cars to keep on the road for the same price. I'm not familiar with the Civic hatch; I don't think it has as much interior space as the Fit, but the new Civics are well-reviewed cars.

You could also look into a Nissan Leaf. Some people can get them for under $14k new after all the incentives and credits. If you can make all your trips under 140 or so miles, it could work for you, and if so, it would probably your most economical option.

1

Link to this reponse

I look at the Cruze Hatchback too. It is $15,000 discounted price advertised on the Internet or $22K msrp. For the lack of upmf in the Car & Driver comparison test it handled, braked similarly but at a $9,000 discount compared to theat Mazda3 hatch.

The Cruze offers more safety features:

• Rear vision camera
• Forward collision alert
• Rear park assist

• Lane keep assist
• Side blind zone alert
• Rear cross traffic alert

Where the Mazda3 Grand Touring only offers:

• High Beam Control
• Lane Departure Warning System¹⁸
• Lane Keep Assist¹⁸
• Mazda Radar Cruise Control¹⁹
• Smart Brake Support¹⁹
• Traffic Sign Recognition²⁰

The C&D comparison had the Civic Sport creaming the field in performance meteics. It was the only one using 91 octane and had 235mm width W rated tires compared to the Cruze and 3's 235mm H rqted.

For the $9,000 savings on the Cruze you can spend $600 on a ecu tune that will be close to 100 mph in the 1/4 mile and $200-300 for a rear sway bar to help keep the front end planted.

0

Link to this reponse