[onewhippedpuppy]

Mazda3 is a fantastic car, but probably not a $5k car. I have two little sister in laws with them, one a 1st gen the other a 2nd gen. Another little sister in law with a 1st gen Mazda6. All have been mechanically flawless, so much so that my in-laws are probably buying the next teenage girl in the household a new Mazda3 next year. In my opinion they are nicer inside (very Audi-like styling) and better to drive than the Civic/Corolla. I have personally owned an RX8, MPV, and Protege5, and we're picking up a new Mazda5 on Friday as a daily driver for my wife. Mazda makes great cars.