Primary car - I might need some sense talked into me

[Otter74]

I drove a really nice Mazda 6 hatchback, a 2005 with about 60k miles, around a year ago when I first started casually looking for a Honda replacement. Although it felt rather soft, it was quite nice to drive and had a huge cargo area. So they've always been shortlisted for Honda replacements. Later drove a 2007 Mazda 3 with 60k miles, also really nice to drive, and felt more buttoned-down than the 6. I'm aware Mazdas have rust issues. Remarkably, neither of those two had a bit of it.

Around that time was when I drove a B6 Audi Avant. I just loved the way it drove, and the tightness of everything. That's what got me down the used-German-car path (well, and I have a history with them....)

@petrolhead611, nothing wrong with a Ford as a DD, but there isn't anything available in the US that fits my budget that I like. I've driven a current-generation Focus hatch with the DCT, and it was a very nice car to drive. These Focuses are far too expensive for me, and neither the Focus nor the Fusion/Mondeo are sold in the US as wagons. There was a Focus wagon sold here until around maybe 2009, but it was a facelifted version of the first-generation Focus. They are nice, but a bit dull. I hate the early interiors, too. A 5-door SVT wouldn't be bad, though.

[onewhippedpuppy]

A later SVT Focus with HIDs and Recaros would be nice, and would fall into your price range.

The 3 and 6 are both fantastic cars. My wife is the oldest of 10, within those siblings they have bought three 3s and two 6s, one of which was an upgrade from a 3. After I recommended that they look at a 3 back in 2005, the next four kids have ended up in new Mazdas. I have owned an RX8, MPV, 5, and Protege5, all fantastic cars. My dad has a Miata. Finally, I have a 1993 RX7 on the way. So I'm a big Mazda fan.

[racer]

Check the value of your accord first. A 2003 is surely fully depreciated and may be worth only 1/2 what you think, especially if used on a trade.

Yes, it is "blah".. but reliable 4dr sedans of all makes are blah. This one cost you nothing and will cost you close to nothing for the next 10 years/100K miles.

Take that money spent having a nicer DD car and upgrade/maintain the SC. Go to track events or however you want to enjoy the nice car. Living in a northern climate city, you already HAVE the perfect DD car to keep the SC safe when the weather turns nasty.

[scottmandue]

Mazda... just sayin