Fit vs Vibe/Matrix vs Mazda3
I am currently researching hatchbacks to replace my Honda Civic. I need something that gets at least 30mpg on the freeway (preferably 32-33), has excellent safety and reliability, and has a base price of $18,000 at an absolute maximum (preferably $16-17k or cheaper). Coming from a sedan, I'm worried about thick C-pillars blocking visibility, so blind spots are also a concern. I don't need much power, just something that can maintain 65mph up hills without a particularly heavy load. I don't mind buying used, and something 2009 or later is preferable. I don't particularly care about the exterior styling of the car, either, nor do I have any preference on luxury features (Civic didn't even have power windows, power locks, cruise control, anything). I'd like a hatchback to be able to carry my family's bicycles around, have an easier time with our large dogs, and have something we could sleep in on long road trips/rainy camping expeditions.
The Honda Fit is an excellent vehicle, it seems to fit all the critera perfectly, except when I test-drove one, it felt like I was driving a tin can on wheels. I know it gets excellent safety ratings, but would it be able to keep me in one piece in the event of a freeway crash? The Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix seems to have issues with blindspots, are these complaints well-justified? And the 2012 Mazda3 hatchback comes with a brand-new Skyactiv engine, which improves fuel economy substantially over the 22/29 2.5-liter engine of past years, but I'm a bit leery to buy a new engine in its first year of production.
Which vehicle would you say best fits the criteria? Are the downsides worth the upsides, or are they not even real downsides and I'm just imagining things? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, and thank you for taking the time to read my giant blocks of text.
The Honda Fit is an excellent vehicle, it seems to fit all the critera perfectly, except when I test-drove one, it felt like I was driving a tin can on wheels. I know it gets excellent safety ratings, but would it be able to keep me in one piece in the event of a freeway crash? The Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix seems to have issues with blindspots, are these complaints well-justified? And the 2012 Mazda3 hatchback comes with a brand-new Skyactiv engine, which improves fuel economy substantially over the 22/29 2.5-liter engine of past years, but I'm a bit leery to buy a new engine in its first year of production.
Which vehicle would you say best fits the criteria? Are the downsides worth the upsides, or are they not even real downsides and I'm just imagining things? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, and thank you for taking the time to read my giant blocks of text.
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@ bobw3: I'm mostly afraid of http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr041409.html . In that article, they even go as far as calling the Fit a "minicar" in the same category as the Smart Fortwo, and I admit it's not THAT thin, though it definitely felt smaller compared to other vehicles I test drove the day I was at the dealer. The Fit does have excellent crash ratings into barriers though, so maybe it's not that much of an issue.
I guess my big question is, no car is perfect, but which one has the more liveable vices: The Fit's small frame, the Vibe/Matrix's blind spots, or the Mazda3's poor gas mileage/new engine's unknown reliability? I've already got points for the Fit, but are the blind spots easy to adapt to in a Vibe, and has anyone had trouble with the Mazda3's Skyactiv engine? I found http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=393637 as a possible flaw, though it is possible to fix.
Maybe I'm being a bit too pessimistic, though trying to find the "best" vehicle in a market swamped excellent choices is actually fairly difficult, for me anyway.
You're right. However, the "best" vehicle for you is not what others say but what you say.
Your criteria (cost, fuel economy, size, trunk capacity) are reasonably achievable by several vehicles.
The issues you cite are in some cases unproven (e.g. Mazda 3 Skyactiv unrealiability) but concerning.
When I went through a similar process last year I laid out my criteria along with the pros and cons for a dozen models in a table. Eventually the table identified my top three (Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, VW Golf). I then emailed dealerships for the best deal and to arrange test drives. I chose a Mazda3 Sport with a 2.0 (non Skyactiv) automatic and have not regretted the decision. BTW at the time Honda was not providing attractive offers, so the Fit was eliminated from the list.
p.s. Used cars (such as the Vibe) were too much of a headache; getting used cars checked by an independent garage is necessary and a pain.
PS: I agree that Mazda's reliability is right up there with Honda's, or at least it should be. Both brands keep reappearing in my searches and both are Japanese-made. I can't really debate which is better, having never owned a Mazda, but they both seem excellent enough by my standards.