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[iamlisabee]

I think I'm going to change cars. The 5 has lost some of its charm for me, though I will miss the ability to seat 6 (so I won't be able to drive aquariumgirl around with her kids after January), and I will miss my navigation system

Comments

[entirelysonja]

Well, what is it that you don't like about the Mazda 5, other than the monthly payment? It sounds like you're talking about making payments of $10,200 over the next five years for the Hyundai Elantra; I couldn't tell what your total payments would be for the Mazda 5 (as there's a big difference between 2 years and 3. :-)

According to Consumer Reports, the Hyundai Elantra's gas mileage is only very slightly better than the Mazda 5's (1 mpg better), the emergency handling is worse, and the rear-seat comfort (well, second row in the case of the Mazda 5) is worse. In most other ways, including acceleration, turning radius, etc. the two cars have almost identical characteristics.

Since the Mazda 5 is so new, it's hard to compare them on the basis of things like their expected future repair needs, but the Hyundai Elantra is rated only "average" in that regard. The Mazda 3, on which the Mazda 5 is based, is rated "above average" in that category, though it's hard to say whether that really means anything.

I guess if it were me, I'd be wondering whether the Mazda 5 might have a longer useful lifespan than the Hyundai Elantra.