[justinparrk]

So my dad is getting my sister her first car in about a month or two and she needs help picking on a car.

Her wants so far are pretty much :

2010 Kia Forte EX (MSRP $15,795) 25/34 MPG

2009 Mazda3 i-Sport 4-door (MSRP $14,690) 24/32 MPG

2009 Mazda3 s Sport 5-door (MSRP $18,625) 22/29 MPG

2009 Honda Civic Sedan DX AT (MSRP $16,305) 26/34 MPG

She has her heart solely on the Mazda3 5-door because of the way it looks but that's pretty much her only reasoning. That's pretty much the one she's least likely to get though b/c it's the most pricey. Also, my parents will probably be paying for the car and insurance so all she'd need to pay for is gas. She's in college now (UCRiverside) and she pretty much will only be doing commuting around there to/from the LA area and around the LA area. Which do you guys think is the best choice ?

Oh yeah. And she wants to be able to drive the car a LONG LONG time.

[CupOfNoodles]

Personally I would go for the Civic.
It's not badly priced and it gets good mileage. It's probably more roomier than the Mazda3's too.

[Sleepypig]

i say get the mazda 3 5door!!!

im bias cuz i have a mazda 6 and a miata haha

[mroh]

i really wanna know what the Kia forte is like. looks promising for a budget, but sporty car. but if she needs to drive it for a Long time, then the civic is the only real long term proven car i would think. although i dont personally know how well the new gen. of civic holds up.

[[K]Jae]

The Civic would be a better choice tho the Mazda's 3's are about just as good.

[90th.degree]

Mazda's are tried and true number one in the hatchback form. Can't store much in a Civic compared to the 3.

[PDURRR]

i'd want a mazda3 hatch, in that awesome blue paint they got

[jphase]

mazda 3 hatch would be my pick...

[1love]

Civic by a mile if you want reliability. Honda is on their 8th generation of Civics, so they have a long history of good reliability.

Mazda3 is just entering it's 2nd generation. It's reliable, but not as reliable as the Civics.

If she is getting the Civic, don't get the DX! It have no air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, radio, mp3/ipod plug, power locks, and a bunch of other stuff.

If she can live without those things and sing to herself while driving then yea she should get the dx trim.

[Tuffcore]

2010 Kia Forte EX (MSRP $15,795) 25/34 MPG

2009 Mazda3 i-Sport 4-door (MSRP $14,690) 24/32 MPG

2009 Mazda3 s Sport 5-door (MSRP $18,625) 22/29 MPG

2009 Honda Civic Sedan DX AT (MSRP $16,305) 26/34 MPG

Oh yeah. And she wants to be able to drive the car a LONG LONG time.

Kia and Mazda shouldn't be associated with, "able to drive the car a LONG LONG time." If reliability and longevity is a deciding factor, then get the Honda.

Reliability is not Kia's forte, but selling cheap cars is.

[mrxandree]

Why dont you check out S2000 although its manual

[MRSaturdayNight]

I agree...if your gonna go for the civic, dont get the dx...get the lx at least. For her first car I would pick the honda civic. I may be a little biased as well bc my first car was a brand new 2004 honda civic lx. I loved it as my first car. I didnt know much about cars and what was good and not so the civic lx is a great starter car but is also very reliable. It has great gas mileage and very low maintenance issues. I just recently bought a 2010 Mazda3 i touring...its about the same price as a honda civic (without options). I love my new car...i love the new 2010 design. If I were your sister I would decide between a mazda3 and a civic..shop around and see which dealership could give you the best deal between those 2 cars.

[90th.degree]

Why dont you check out S2000 although its manual

The S2000 is far from budget, and is completely useless as a A-B car. Try again.

[[K]Jae]

^^
Yea, their probably looking for a new car and its her first car so a S2000 wouldn't be a good choice along with insurance cost.

[lateapex]

Here is some reviews about the Forte I posted a couple weeks ago in a similar thread. Both are pretty in depth and share some good info.

Motortrend
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans...view/index.html

Autoblog
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans...view/index.html

Out of the cars you listed, the EX Forte has more features, better warranty more power, and equal or better mileage. If you get the fuel economy package it gets 27/36 mpg. As for the Civic DX and Mazda 3i, the LX model Forte would line up more directly, and be cheaper. The Mazda 3s lines up with the SX model.

[KaiLien]

Speaking from a girl's point of view, I would choose the Mazda3 4dr. Cheapest out of the ones you listed and she liked that car too. I think it looks just as good as the 5dr...except it doesn't have the pretty hatch in the back. However, since you want it to last for a long time, the exterior body style of the car is more accepting since its like a sedan. It gets good mileage and has pretty colors to choose from. Especially that drool-worthy electric blue they have...

[hellolove.]

It's between the Kia and the Civic.
Mmmmm, I'd say go for the Civic because it's safer and more reliable.
The steering on the Kia is a bit weird I hear.

[andyroxs]

Reliability is not Kia's forte, but selling cheap cars is.

pun intented? the Forte looks nice..