SWMBO is looking for a new daily driver since the untimely death of her 2000 Protege last weekend. She has her mind set on an 04-09 Mazda3 hatchback. We've checked Craigslist, AutoTrader and many other sites with only a couple decent candidates and lots of wasted time looking at supposedly "nice" cars people and dealers are advertising. Price range is possibly up to $6000 but ideally under $5000. Rather stay under 150k miles due to how much she drives. I'm located in the center of NC but willing to travel for a nice car. Absolutely must be an automatic. Absolutely no rust. Hoping a GRM'er will have one for sale or know of a nice one. Thanks.
EDIT: also possibly open to an 04-09 sedan with 2.0/auto due to the better gas mileage although she prefers the style of the hatchback.
In reply to untchabl:
I have one that I've owned since 2010. It's an '09, auto so it has the 5 speed. Have a 104K miles on it. I bought it with 26K miles on it and have maintained it well ever since. I have records out the ying yang. It's my DD. Just got a new alternator. I had been toying with the idea of selling it only so I can buy something V8 and RWD. I'll take some photos when I can and post them up.
Edit: forgot to mention I'm in Orlando and the car has also been here all it's life. It as a former rental car at MCO I bought from Hertz. Super clean with no rust, but a few dings you would expect from being a daily driver.
Good luck with your quest. My son and I just picked up a decent 2005, higher miles, 9160K) little bit of rust...but good condition and one family owned...for a grand yesterday.
Rust free Mazda threes are hard to find up North.
Search is over, bought an 04 with 134k miles locally this evening. Needs a few things, tires and at least one rear wheel bearing but very solid overall when compared to others we looked at.
