what would you guys suggest as a second car in addition to the 8? My girlfriend is moving back from overseas in a few months and she is going to be needing a car.
She always liked the miata, but I sorta thought then we'd have 2 cars that are too narrowly focused on sport driving. But then again we don't plan on starting a family any time soon so any feedback from ppl who only have these 2 cars in their garage would be nice (how do you get by with the trunk space etc, do you have to call your buddies with vans for favors every few months?). Plus, the second car would probably be an automatic so is it gonna be a totally separate experience than the mazdaspeed version?
Or any inputs from 8 owners with the following second (or third or fourth or fifth, etc depending on how lucky/smart/both you are) car that I'm thinking of would be nice: Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Land Rover Freelander, Toyota 4runner.

 

I think a Mazda3 would be a pretty good choice.

 

I second smoker's suggestion.

That is my ideal 2 car garage too, a Mazda 3 5-door to compliment the 8.

 

get her the ford GT it only goes 200mph

 

and it only costs 200,000 as well :p
mazda 3 eh?.... maybe I should go try it out

 

I have a 2004 civic coupe for the winter time

 

My wife drives a Mazda 3 (5 door) AT. Space is insane, get a sales guy to show you the trunk and the shelving system, engineers spent too much time on that if you ask me. I wasn't sceptical at first, but after driving it, yup it's a fun car to zip around town. Not as torquey as our old VW Golf, but it'll speed you through rush hour frogger drives just the same. It uses a Volvo chassis if I'm not mistaken so it's safe with that respect. Mind you, the Mazda 3 is the same car as the Ford Focus (correct me if I'm wrong about this ) with some changes here and there, so engine parts etc. can be from Ford. Overall, my wife loves the car, it can haul *** when needed and carry a lot of crap. The price is good too. If you want to compare it with suvs, I would say go for the 3. You?ll get better mileage and get the same use out of it storage wise.

As for the Miata, well, I saw one a long time ago flipped over on a major road. Let?s just say there was a body bag and a head size bag when I drove by the accident.
________
Toyota Financial Services Specifications

 

I traded in my 99 miata for the 8 (because are planning to start a familly.) Sure the miata had very limited trunk space but I did end up going cross country to BC with it and managed to bring back a case of wine from the Okanogan valley as well as golf clubs (sans golf bag of course) and all my necessities for 12 days.

It's how you use the available space. The 8 has about double the space as the miata.

I say 'go for it' with the miata if you absolutely love the open air experience. But in my opinion the 3 is too ho-hum for me since there are too many on the road already.

 

No more SUV's please! :begging:

I'd second/third the vote for the Mazda3. Good bang for the buck. But it really depends on what she's going to use the car for. Do you need it to do housework (hauling wood, etc...) or just something to get her/you from A-B or just a beater car. Do you want better gas mileage, more power? You have to be more specific as there is too many suggestions out there.

 

Or a Prius wouldn't be bad. You know, balance out the gas bill with the 8. :p

 

oh yes the prius! has any test drove it? is it slower than say your average civic?
well I'm just looking for something with a little bit more cargo space (I can't fit a plastic tool box in the 8's trunk cause of the small opening).
I was thinking of a SUV cause I miss the times when I could drive up to microwave towers out in the woods and now it takes me days to hike to those places and I'm scared of parking my 8 in the middle of no where. Plus I kinda wanted the adverse weather for that "just in case" factor (I know the 8 can handle winter in van with winter tires, but it could get high centered going through deeper stuff?)
weird how no one suggested suburu :p
but thanks for the input guys!.... guess I'll just have to go and actually get a drive in those cars before I know

 

wait until the 2005 mitsus come out and get her en evo... hehe

 

The Mazda 3 is a great car but the interest rates are high. If I was in the market I'd buy a Subaru Impreza TS sedan.

I truly believe that an ape designed the Subaru Canada website, but from what I can gather these are the important bits:

22,995 for a 5spd
Lots of torque 166 lb-ft
All wheel drive
4 wheel disc
Galvanized body
16" alloys
Power group
60mo rate is 1.8 I believe

Downsides:
No colour coded mirrors
Flimsy interior

 

Definitely go with something more off-road friendly! Suburu's are your best bet next to an SUV.... they're just ugly as hell (which your gf may not approve :D)

Do you snowboard, bike or hike trails?

 

Why not a Mazda 6 sport wagon?

 

I agree, go for the 6. I managed to get my wife into the dealership under the pretense of buying a Mazda 6 (we bought the 8). A very nice car which has very acceptable performance numbers for its class. You can get a great price on these right now because they haven't moved as many as the 3. You also have the choice of sedan, hatch or wagon....depending on your utility need....too bad they don't make an awd version.

 

If you're fixed on the SUV, there's always the Mazda Tribute :-)

 

I agree....I think the 6 wagon is very sharp....and you can get it in a 5-speed! My wife wants out of our MPV, but she won't even look at the wagon - she has her heart set on the Tribute (I hate SUVs). Too bad the 6 wagon isn't available to Canada in AWD yet - it is in the UK. 0% 60 month financing for the 6 wagon doesn't suck either!!!

 

Actually, the new Volvo S40/V50 is based on the Mazda3, not the other way around. The Mazda3 was developed all-new from scratch, and is the basis and source for all the Ford division's new small models - the Volvo is based on the 3, and the new European Focus is based on the 3. The North American Focus is different now, it's just the old Focus with a new dash. The MZR engine family is also Mazda designed, it's Ford that is borrowing it for Focus use.

The 3 is definitely a great choice, even if it's not a convertible! (ps - roll bars are easy to install in a Miata, look OK, and prevent injuries like Hobbes described)

Regards,
Gordon

 

Another vote for the Mazda 3 (5 door)... great little car!

 

M3 with the 2.3 w/ the 17s and a 5sp... (5 Door)

 

It really depends upon the use you plan for the car. When I bought the 8, we bought an automatic Infiniti G35 sedan for my wife. It is now available with AWD, and overall is a pleasant car to drive with a fair bit of power.

The tires are all-season, and are OK in the summer. I use winter tires for the winter.

If you are looking for a less practical car than that, the G35 coupe is nice, and a different feel than the 8. Variety is always nice.

 

First choice for fun has to be a Miata

But if you you are trading off fun for practicle then consider
New Mazda5 coming to Canada in 2005

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/040825-1.htm