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Hey! I have a 2007 Mazda 3 with a needed AC repair. I was told by two different shops that the compressor was bad and both estimates were around 1100.00. The car only has 85000 miles, but Im thinking of trading it in since lately I have been dumping money every month into keeping her up and running. It acutally kills me because I have a strong attachment to the car and the AC is really the only thing wrong. For now. Most of the service has been small, but this possible bill just kills me.
Here are my picks. Keep in mind I need a small car for street parking and I only drive about 100 miles give or take per week to work and back. I park the car on the street and dont even touch it on the weekends. Its basically to get me to and from Jersey City to Secaucus NJ five days a week. So I dont need much. I take an ocassional trip to NC and Pittsburg about four times a year.
Honda Fit
Ford Fiesta Hatch
Hyundai Veloster
Fiat 500
Kia Rio Hatch
Please give me your thoughts on these cars good and bad. Im still on the fence about replacing my Mazda. The Mazda is paid off and Id hate to pick up a car loan. I might cave in and shell out the bones to fix it. OR just suffer with no AC and rent a car for my trips to the south. Jersey is only uncomfortably warm about two months out of the year. I suffered through it last year, but just not looking forward to that again.
Those cars on your list all suck. Spend a few more thousand and get a real car, or keep what you have and do the repair. The Mazda3, on the other hand, is probably the #1 best compact car that can be bought new for under $20k. It's the only non-luxury compact car I've ever driven that I liked. Very solid feel, fun to drive, great engine, great handling, great steering feel. I would rather have the '07 Mazda3 than any of those cars on your list brand new. The 2012+ Ford Focus, which shares some common architecture with the Mazda3 should also be a consideration. Both the Focus and the Mazda3 are available in hatchbacks.
I'd rather repair the 3 than get into any of those new choices. They are very small, and not nearly as nice IMO as your older 3. I also do not see you loving any of those as much, as none are going to drive as nice as your 3.
Maybe expand your search to late model used. Such as a newer Mazda3 or something, if you really want something new.
Otherwise, just repair your 3. A grand is the equivalent to just a couple payments on a newer car. It's really not all that much.
I vote for renting a car for your summer road trips. Or even timing your trips so you are travelling in the morning/evening. This will mean a motel stay on the way to NC, that's all.
Is transit a possibility for your commute?
Any chance you could find a used compressor from a wrecked car. Are they known for problems or is yours a rare dud?
Frankly, you might be better off repairing the 3...a new redesign is about a year or so out, and if you're a fan of how the 3 drives, most others cars will be somewhat disappointing (though the Focus isn't bad).
$1100 to repair a car that has plenty of life left and a car you really like vs $15-$20,000 worth of payments? I would go with the $1100. Look at it this way $1100 is probably only 3 maybe 4 monthly payments on those new cars you mentioned.
If the 3 isn't paid off, it's pretty close to being paid off. I'd pay for the A/C and enjoy the rest of it's life ... no doubt it has at least another 80K in it!
Only a 2007? Paid for? Repair the Mazda... especially if those are your choices!
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