Some drunken clown plowed into my commuter 2014 Focus when it was parked.

[FoMoJo]

If you want relative comfort with ease of getting in and out of as well as usable back seats and useful cargo space, check out an Escape.  The little turbo 4 gets decent mileage.  In reality, it's just a taller more sensibly shaped car.

[Payman]

Agree that the Mustang isn't much easier to get in or out of.  Seating is a little higher, but the doors are much longer, making it a tighter squeeze in crowded parking lots.

In terms of practical luggage capacity, it's no contest.  Mustang has triple the trunk space, and it's useable space by virtue of a large trunk opening (unlike Camaro).  I've loaded my mountain bike into my trunk without having to fold the rear seatbacks down.  And then there's the rear seat area, which isn't particularly useful for carrying people but does offer a nice parcel shelf for additional luggage.

You bring up a valid point. If he needs to occasionally bring the grandkids anywhere, and they need a child seat, the Mustang would be a better option for him.

[shp4man]

Practicality is starting to rear it's ugly head. I'm liking that Mazda 6. Nice looking car, and that red shines and glitters in the sun.   

[shp4man]

I asked a salesman that works here if they still had the Mazda 3 I smogged about two weeks ago. He said ya, then he brought this:



I said, dude, that's not a .....oh, well      It's a fully loaded 2011 with 61K on it. Is that hardtop OEM?  I can easily get in and out of it.

[veeman]

The Mazda Soul Red I find one of the best mainstreamer brand colors out there.  It's fantastic.  I almost bought a Mazda 6 in Soul Red instead of my Crosstrek.  At the time I was looking they offered it with a manual transmission. 

[FoMoJo]

I asked a salesman that works here if they still had the Mazda 3 I smogged about two weeks ago. He said ya, then he brought this:



I said, dude, that's not a .....oh, well      It's a fully loaded 2011 with 61K on it. Is that hardtop OEM?  I can easily get in and out of it.

Well, that's the one then.

[Payman]

I asked a salesman that works here if they still had the Mazda 3 I smogged about two weeks ago. He said ya, then he brought this:



I said, dude, that's not a .....oh, well      It's a fully loaded 2011 with 61K on it. Is that hardtop OEM?  I can easily get in and out of it.

Do it. This is the power hardtop one, and the best looking of the NCs, IMO. Join our exclusive club.

[shp4man]

The thing is, I could actually do this.     It's unfortunately an automatic. But that wouldn't be so bad in stop and go traffic. The thing has every option available, paddle shifters, auto A/C....it's clean as hell, the leather on the wheel shows no wear at all. 

[CALL_911]

See if you can swing an ND, but hell yeah you should look no further than a Miata

[Soup DeVille]

I asked a salesman that works here if they still had the Mazda 3 I smogged about two weeks ago. He said ya, then he brought this:



I said, dude, that's not a .....oh, well      It's a fully loaded 2011 with 61K on it. Is that hardtop OEM?  I can easily get in and out of it.

The cluelessness of salesmen is astounding to me sometimes.

[Laconian]

You should try to drive one before making a decision. Then you'll know for sure if the seating position works out for you. It'd be a fun test drive regardless.

[SJ_GTI]

I would prefer one with a manual, but I suspect a Miata with an auto is still more fun than 99.9% of other cars on the road.

[shp4man]

$500 under KBB "fair purchase price". This may be a deal. Some small chips in the paint on the nose. Car looks like it's been garaged. I'm driving it around more over lunch. Just compared to the Focus, it corners like it's on rails. Ride quality isn't too bad, though.

[Laconian]

$500 under KBB "fair purchase price". This may be a deal. Some small chips in the paint on the nose. Car looks like it's been garaged. I'm driving it around more over lunch. Just compared to the Focus, it corners like it's on rails. Ride quality isn't too bad, though.

The aftermarket is enormous, and you have the technical ability to wrench it until it's perfect.

The power retracting hard top is an OEM feature.

[shp4man]

Sitting in the Miata now eating my lunch and listening to the radio. No salesman, thank God.
Folded the top down. Reminds me of those old Ford Sunliners from the '50s.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Sitting in the Miata now eating my lunch and listening to the radio. No salesman, thank God.
Folded the top down. Reminds me of those old Ford Sunliners from the '50s.

It should also remind you of a Chrysler LeBaron ....

[AutobahnSHO]

dooooooooooooooooooooo it. :)

[Eye of the Tiger]

[shp4man]

I think it's a nice looking car. Maybe minimize that sorry looking front plate and satin black the wheels.

[Laconian]

I just don't bother with the front plate. The front fascia is so small that a license plate ruins the look. Haven't had a ticket yet (knocks on wood)

[Payman]

I think it's a nice looking car. Maybe minimize that sorry looking front plate and satin black the wheels.

Are you buying it? Don't blacken the wheels, they're nice as is.

[shp4man]

Are you buying it? Don't blacken the wheels, they're nice as is.

Need the payout from the dead Focus to put down. I also have to talk the wife into it. She just doesn't get it. Fun? With a car? What's that? 

[CALL_911]

Can you find a manual one?

[shp4man]

Can you find a manual one?

Maybe. Haven't looked much because I was working. 

[Laconian]

Autotragic might go down better with the waifu.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Are you buying it? Don't blacken the wheels, they're nice as is.

Yeah, don't blacken the wheels. Put steelies on it.

[FoMoJo]

Need the payout from the dead Focus to put down. I also have to talk the wife into it. She just doesn't get it. Fun? With a car? What's that? 

Put the top down and take her for a ride in the country.  However, I know what you mean.

[Raza]

Prius V. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Prius V.

+ http://www.droptopcustoms.com

[Payman]

+ http://www.droptopcustoms.com

Man, the Challenger convertible is awesome.