Protege sedan or wait for Mazda 2/3 ?

[surrey02]

I'm looking at getting a protege sedan, but now after hearing about the mazda 3, perhaps waiting for it will be better. Does anyone know if the Mazda 3 sedan is coming out next year for sure ? I've been reading mixed rumors that it :

-will appear in 2004
-has been delayed till 2005

any info would be appreciated.

thanks

[Shayaan]

I think you can really wait forever for a car....

Personally I'd get a two year old Protege or a demo or something that's taken a depreciation hit... when the Mazda3 comes out, then you can sell that at not so much of a loss, and by the time you have saved, can jump into the next one

But personally, I wouldn't wait if you need a car. If you don't need a car, then stick with what you've got until the 3 comes out... who knows, maybe you'll be able to afford something better at that point?

[Duncan]

****, you might mention to the dealer that you've already heard about the 3 and you're thinking about waiting instead. If they want to get a Protege off the lot (and thanks to heavy competition in the compact car market, they should), you might get a better deal.

I'm thinking that, if I can get a decent down payment saved up by the end of this summer, I could get a pretty good deal on a Protege ES based solely on the car's lame-duck status and the usual negotiation strategies -- including the "might wait for the 3" tactic.

Plus, I've got a co-worker at my store who's also a loan officer at my bank. Which should help...

Duncan

[Duncan]

On a side note, I think we'll see the 3 by the middle of 2004 at the latest. Whether it'll be an '04 or '05 model is the tougher issue, though.

Duncan

[///BHRpowered]

this may be a stupid question but what is the mazda 3. a new protega. a mazda 6 coupe??

[Shayaan]

This would be something like the Mazda3, though this is a concept only...

[Necessity]

Mazda 3 is **** impressive on the inside as well. If your not in dire need of a vehicle I'd hold out if you can.

Ford is also going to base their new focus on it from what I understand.

[///BHRpowered]

so..is it a another baby suv or a factory souped up focus??

[Eunos]

The '3' is the successor of the 323/Protegé.

[///BHRpowered]

looks like a ford focus suv