Bought a new daily driver today

[deathpunk dan]

I bought a 2008 Mazda 3 5 spd hatch for $500 under invoice (touring option).

The dealer gave me $1500 for my absolutely destroyed 325is (rotted out, trashed interior, lots of rust, needs rear calipers, exh, rear subframe/trailing arm bushings, dented hood, no foglights etc...219k very hard miles!) and the 2008 Mazda3 touring for $500 under invoice. I put an additional 3 grand down and received 0% financing for 36 months.

The car is Aurora blue, 5 spd of course. Touring package means 17" wheels, 6 disc changer, traction control, sunroof/moonroof and satellite radio ready.

The sale sticker on the car's windshield said $19,450. I got it for $17,400 plus the 1500 for the BMW so it was $17,100 out the door after all said and done (not including the 3,000 down payment). So I'm financing ~$12,900 + tax.

Pics coming later. Do I like the car? Absolutely. It's very practical and sporty enough for a daily driver. In all honesty, zero automobiles outside of air cooled porsches make my heart race, but this is as good as it will get for my daily.

I will miss the faithful bimmer. I bought that one over 6 years ago with under 75k on it. If it hadn't rusted/rotted out so much, I'd likely have stuck with her til 250 or even 300k miles.

[HardDrive]

Its seems everyone who has those Mazada 3s are very happy with them.

[azasadny]

I've had my 2007 MazdaSpeed3 since 2/07, have 22k on the odometer and have enjoyed every minute of it!

[einreb]

Its no E30.

[vash]

i only have 3500 miles on my MS3.

i like it alot. i admit, i dont love it. i miss my 4x4 truck, i guess.

[Pazuzu]

Drop the coin to have them install the speed3 exhaust (it'll stay under warranty) and run a ground wire to the electric throttle body (it's poorly grounded) and it'll become a different car. In fact, run a full ground wire system ($50, $60) all around with some ricer octopus grounding system and be happy.

[dd74]

That's a good deal in return for a trashed BMW.

[Zef]

Excellent choice reliability wise...Just put fuel and some oil and go.

[stomachmonkey]

I picked up an 06 3 a month ago. Could not find a 5 door which I like better.

Fun little cars. Driven "normally" I'm getting close to 30 from the 2.3.

Figure it'll make a good 1st car for the daughter to learn on in 7 years.

[TGTIW]

I love my Mazda 3, and further kudos to Mazda for currently being the ONLY manufacturer the has the shift pattern correct on their manu-matic transmission. Pull back to shift up, push forward to shift down. Even Porsche has it wrong on their new PDK.

[Tishabet]

Excellent cars, hope you enjoy yours!