As well as looking at the tC, I'm also looking at the Mazda 3. The deciding factor is probably going to be the total estimated cost (including repairs and gas) for a couple of years. The tC and the Mazda 3 5-door are both pretty much dead even in price, both have similar gas mileage, both should be pretty reliable, and both should depreciate fairly well. But I'm not too sure on the insurance cost of the tC vs the 3. Does anyone own both? Which costs more to insure?

 

This probably will not help but this is probably the best you'll get. (considering i don't think anyone owns both.)

Consider this... comparing similar models of the two brands on MSN autos we see this:

The MSRP of the Camry is $18,045 - $25,405, while the total cost of ownership is $26,035 - $31,376, 6 to 8 thousand more than the MSRP...

The MSRP of the Mazda6 is $18,995 - $23,195, and the total cost of ownership is $28,815 - $31,770... there appears to be more of a gap there...

While this does nothing to compare actual total cost of ownership values, it can show you a trend for the two companies as far as that price value goes.

Real life? The tC seems to be a better bargain. More options standard (and better looking imo). But you've probably been told all this already.

Still, my friend owns a Mazda3 5 door, and every time he hangs out with me he wants to ride in my tC. He keeps telling me he wishes he had waited and bought one.

 

my mom's an insurance agent, and i was deciding between the mazda 3 or tC. She said that they more or less cost teh same. However, the tC might be a little cheaper due to the standard knee airbags, and if you compare what features you'll get from each car, then the tC comes out to a better deal. My tC should be coming in by the end of the week, so in my opionion i like it more, but the 5door Mazda 3 is still a nice car. It just comes down to personal preference.

 

Thanks for input! I'm leaning more towards the tC (which is why I'm on this forum, and not a Mazda forum), but I was expecting the insurance cost of the tC to be higher since its a 2 door hatch and not a 4 door hatch. Thanks marat, I figured they would be pretty close, but I never thought about the knee air bags. I like the looks of both in different ways. The tC is more of a refined style, and the 3 is a funky "look at me!" style. After bargaining I'm sure I could get a 3 with the same features as a tC for roughly the same price since I plan on paying cash. One big deciding factor is probably going to be the production numbers for 05', I'm used to sticking out, I don't want my neighbor and my neighbor's neighbor to have the same car as me.

 

I've had my tC for a month, and my dad is still considering a Mazda3 or a 6, and I have no regrets. The initial options and reliability of a Toyota swayed me. BTW, I wanted an RSX, and got a more reliable one in a better color (Black Cherry Pearl) for $5,000 less !!!! The tC is an amazing "overall" value to drive and appreciate!!!

 

I've had my tC for a month, and my dad is still considering a Mazda3 or a 6, and I have no regrets. The initial options and reliability of a Toyota swayed me. BTW, I wanted an RSX, and got a more reliable one in a better color (Black Cherry Pearl) for $5,000 less !!!! The tC is an amazing "overall" value to drive and appreciate!!!

 

I thought about an RSX as well, but the base model doesn't thrill me, and the Type S starts at about $25k. As far as reliability, I can't say the Scion will be more reliable than the Acura. Toyota and Honda are way too close to say one is better than the other. One might be almost problem free for 150k miles, the other might make it 155k

P.S. If I go for the tC I'm probably going to get BCP as well, but unfortunately I have only seen pictures thus far.

 

good luck with your car ...whether its mazda3 or tC

 

before i got my tC i rented a mazda 3 because i was left w/o a car from an accident.

When i got the mazda as a rental I was hecka happy! I was very impressed by the interior of the car and the exterior was eye catching. Sport shfit was very fun to have for an auto and the handling of the car was decent but very responsive. Envouh space for front passengers but kinda cramped in the back... and had ok trunk space.



But the tC... wow .... besides the great exterior, the interior is very nice and has much more to offer. panorama roof, disc brakes all around, reclining back seats.. tons of options that the mazda 3 doesnt have! tC was the best value for me. As you can see im really happy w/ my tC

 

Great picture of the Tc effortless!

 

thanks man.. working on my photography skills uh check my "www" for a few more pics

 

I traded a Mazda3 s in on my tC. If you have any specific questions pm me.

 

How bad a hit did you take on trading in the Mazda 3 as it just came out less than a year ago?

But you made the right decision going to the tC.

Kevin

 

Diffently some nice photography on your website effortless, Your camera really shows some strong colors.

 

yea.. what was the value of the mazda 3???

 

I was told they would take 3 different sources and take the higest one for my trade in value. Well, not one of their sources had it listed. So they called "their guy" who also had no idea but he said for the mileage the car had just to take 3500 off of the price I paid. I had some equity in the car and it left me with 1900 difference. I had the 3 s with every option except leather, sunroof, and 6 disc changer. I was set to get the leather and the sunroof but, Mazda makes you pay an additional 500 just for them to find the vehicle you want. So I settled for what they had on the lot.

Oh yea one more thing. I hope you like going to the dealership for oil changes because they have a special oil filter on the car. No one produces it because they have the lock on it. So I ended up paying like 40 dollars for an oil change everytime because of it.

 

The dealers will sell the factory oil filters, I believe they are required to by law. I do my oil myself anyway, so that's not that big of an issue.

 

*coughsresalevaluecough*

 

*coughsIansweredthatcough*

 

they are both nice cars pick whichever one you think looks better luck with that!