Mazda is owned by Ford, so you're really just buying a ford, look at the Explorer [91-94] and Navaho, exact same.

Just my $.0198597 worth.
-Mark

I'm not too concerned with the age of the car. I mean I'm not looking at anything older than 1990 and even then I don't really want to look at anything older than 1995.

Hey I found a 1995 mustang for $4,900. My next question was, what's wrong with it?

I'm looking on autotrader.ca for cars. The US sites don't work for me since I am in Canada, and I'm not going to the states to look for a car.

The car I'm going to get is going to be a shitbox, I'm just hoping it's a shit box that I don't have to pump thousands and thousands of dollars into because it keeps breaking down.

I intend on paying cash. The car doesn't have to be fancy ( I don't have a lot of money). It just needs to get me from A to B.

You'll probably do best getting a stripped Corolla or Civic or Sentra. Those cars are USUALLY the undead of cars. You just can't kill them.

A friend of mine had an 83 Corolla go 250K miles before they sold it. Not before it died, before they got rid of it.

FI had a Maxima that went 225K miles no problem.

Japanese cars rock.

If you live in an area where it snows a lot I would NOT consider a mustang. My best friend just bought a NEW mustang and has had a terrible time driving in the snow. As a matter of fact, my cavalier is handling better than her mustang. For what it's worth!

What about the Eagle Talon? Does anyone know anything about these cars?

Actually, no you aren't buying a Ford, you are buying from Ford but it isn't a ford.

Some of the platforms might be similar but that's about it.

There is no car by Ford (that I know of) that can even be compared to the Mazda RX series (they have rotary engine power). If you take care of them they will last you forever, as will many other Mazdas that don't have rotary engines.

While the Navajo and the Exploder were built off the same platform, the majority of Mazdas aren't. My family owns 3, and two were built in Tokyo and have absolutely no Ford connections. Ford also owns only 33% of Mazda. I'm actually refusing to buy the new 3, which I would love, because I believe they're being manufactured here. I do not want American hands touching my car.

My family is big fans of foreign cars - after years of problems with Fords (a Windstar, an Escort, and God knows what my parents had before they had me) and Chevys (my parents drove them in high school and when they first got married) we pretty much stay foreign now. My daddy is looking at getting the new 6, which is very similiar to the 626, and I think my mom is keeping her Tribute (similiar to the Escape but much more visually appealing) for a few more years. I've decided I'll be rocking my Protege until I'm out of law school and I have a nice Audi to take home and love.

One of the other big reasons we steer away from American cars is that my dad and I will both only drive stick shift, and most American manufacturers won't let you get a fully-loaded car with stick. (yet they claim they want us to get better fuel economy....) Because Ford played such a heavy role in manufacture of the Tribute, the only stick available is on the four-banger, which is obviously going to be a pooch in such a large SUV. My mom doesn't mind driving automatic, so that's okay for her, but it wouldn't fly for us. And like Blaine said, Ford isn't gonna be making a rotary car that's as awesome as the RX series anytime soon. In addition, the few Ford vehicles that have been successful were based on designs from Mazda or Volvo.

Sorry for the enormous post, I'm just really passionate about Mazdas. :D

Zoom zoom,
GP

I have heard good things about Mazdas as well.

My friend has a Precidia. I like her car, but it's so small. I'm fairly tall and getting in and out of her car is a bitch. It's perfect for her because she is so tiny.

I also don't know how to drive standard so it's only automatic cars for me.

Mazdas are good cars. I'm actually looking at the Mazda 6 and I've heard great reviews.

My current car is a Ford Escort ZX2. Surprisingly, I've had very few mechanical problems with it (knock on wood) considering it's a Ford. Part of the reason is probably because the ZX2 is basically the Mazda Mx6 with the Ford logo on it. After the discontinuation of the Mx6, Ford created the ZX2 in 1998 using the Mx6 engine, design, etc. If you look at the Consumer Report ratings of the ZX2 and compare it to the other Ford cars, there is a huge difference in the mechanical ratings (the ZX2 having very few problems in comparison to the Taurus or Explorer). I truly believe that the reason is because Mazda had originally designed the car.

If you're tall, you don't want a Talon. They are very similar to an Eclipse.

Chrysler/Dodge vehicle. They aren't made anymore. There was a defect with its rear view mirror. This was in the early 90s. A few friends of mine in college had one. Other than all of this, I don't know much about it.

One more comment. :)

In Consumer Report's car issue (I think it comes out during the spring), they rate the best used cars. I believe that the top of their list is always the Civic, Camry, and Accord. You may be able to find the info online.

Used cars suck! Whatever you do, make sure you take a mechanic you trust with you. Also, don't bust ALL your money on just purchasing the car because most likely, you will need to fix problems. I bought a used 94 camry, it's supposed to run forever..unfortunately I put more $ fixing the car than I bought it for because the previous owners did NOTHING to maintain the car....After that, I promised my next car will NOT be used.

Good luck!

That's my biggest concern. I don't want to end up with a lemon and end up putting my money into fixing the car every 5 km. Unfortuately, in my present situation a new car is not an option. I'm far too poor to get a new car.

I would go with either an Accord or Civic. Both come either 2D or 4D and the Civic also comes in a 2D hatchback model. ANY year is good AFTER 1991. You don't want to go much older than that anyways. I know more than I should about Honda's since my boyfriend owns and races one. So, if you have ANY questions feel free to ask. I'm usually on AIM during the day (ztabchbum) 9-5 est. Parts can be found just about anywhere and for relatively cheap. Good luck!