Selling my '06 Boxster - need help finding replacement

[Adam]

I'd definately get the Mazda. It's pretty quick and sporty with the utility of the hatch. I've driven a standard 2006 Mazda 3 with 5 spd manual for two years now as a daily driver and it's been a great car.

[Lil bastard]

I'd give serious consideration to a MINI, maybe the Club Sport. Fairly good all-rounder for the money.

[rick3000]

I'm with Lil Bastard, give the Mini some thought.
My sister has an '02 and they are great cars! Very reliable, awesome mileage, and fun to drive. The layout uses the space well, and they are surprisingly spacious in the front. The Clubman would also be a good choice, if you don't mind the way the back looks. You would probably want an S coming from a Boxster.

I seriously considered a Mini S before I saw my Boxster.

[Quickurt]

I'm partial to Mazda, considering they are a great customer!
Seriously, they have certainly come a long way in the last few years. They take the zoom-zoom and soul of a sportscar seriously. I had an RX8 (04) for 80k miles and loved everything but the rotary engine. The platform was a great car. I now have a CX7 and it is an absolute hoot to drive, especially considering its a mid-size SUV. Tons of room, the turbo 2.3 (same as the mazdaspeed 3 and 6) and the 6 spd tiptronic are great together. The stereo is fantastic (Bose surround), seats are very comfortable, on and on and on. If I drive like a sane man..........I'm getting better than 24 mpg in a 3700 lb. vehicle.
My production manager has a 2.3, non turbo, 5 spd Mazda6 and is tickled with it.

[RandallNeighbour]

Take long-term ownership in mind if you plan to keep the car outside of the warranty period.

Japanese cars are going to make it to 100k without much of a repair bill. Mini's and VW's are not nearly as "repair free" and when repairs come along, you'll pay a lot more comparatively.

I've thought a lot about what you're about to do. I like the Mazda, but LOVE the mini, even if I went with a non-S for price and fuel economy.

BTW, I'd buy a 2 year old car with low mileage instead of a brand new one and take the extra cash and bank it for the possibility of repairs... which may not happen in a Japanese car. Everything drops like a rock value-wise after you drive it off the new car lot.

[cvhs18472]

You would be short changing yourself if you do not look at the Volvo S-30. A fine and fun automobile. I've had mine for close to a year and have not fallen out of love with it. Good gas mileage, dependable, low maintenance costs, fun to drive and a decent amount of room. Ed

[unklekraker]

here's my $.02: I'm thinking of selling my Benz' due to financial reason and I seriously looked at Mazda 6 due to the space that I needed but If I don't need that much space, I would go for the Mini Club S, I love the way it looks but only 4 seater and that would be a problem coz' sometimes, my 20 yr. old daughter still hangs out with us on weekends

but it all boil down to this:
cost wise for maintenance: I would go for the Mazda 6
mpg wise: I would go for the Mini Club S
looks: my 2 boys love the Mini esp. my son who just got his driving permit

I'm still holding out though and see once she turns 21 few months from now, by that time, the price of the Mini's are a lot cheaper