Bought a gas saver

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
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Dec 1, 2005
Messages
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Well,bit the bullet and now have a car payment.I was tired of paying 125 bucks to fill my Chevy truck up.It is now the official tow vehicle only.
I looked at all the imports in the sedan style and was on the way to look at a used 2006 model and thought i would swing thru the Mazda dealer and have a look.
The Honda and Nissans were on the pricey side so i ruled them out.
I test drove a 2008 Mazda 6 Sport sedan.The sticker was 22k on it which was way more than i was willing to pay.
I really liked the car,sharp styling and drives great.
The salesman was really nice,no pressure at all and said Mazda was doing huge rebates to move out the 2008 models.
So no trade in and i drove away with it for 15900.That was cheaper than a couple used cars i was looking at......:D
 

triumphrick

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
1,737
Re: Bought a gas saver

Good job! Those cars have a great reputation and even more so a very spirited ride. A couple of years ago Mazda had an event called "Rev it UP" where the would bring 20 - 30 cars to the stadium parking lots and have people drive the cars for fastest time around an autocross track. My son and I showed up and won our divisions! We then went to Miami, where I promptly picked off acone, but he ended up winning there too. He went to Atlanta next and did not win the regional. However that showed a lot of people that the "zoom zoom" was not just advertising. Enjoy. ;)
 

xxxflhrci

Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 14, 2008
Messages
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Re: Bought a gas saver

Buying something that burns gas to save gas never makes financial sense if you work the money out on paper.
 

Gary H NC

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Dec 1, 2005
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Re: Bought a gas saver

Buying something that burns gas to save gas never makes financial sense if you work the money out on paper.
Yea,I went over that in my mind a thousand times...:rolleyes:
My truck is almost 10 years old and i would have ended up buying something in the next year or so anyway.
Now the truck will get a well deserved rest and i'll drive the wheels off the Mazda.
I figured at that price why not?

Hey truimphrick, That road coarse sounds like a blast!These cars do handle very well.The 17 inch low profile Michelins X tires were a good selling point for factory tires..
 

bhammer

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Mar 29, 2008
Messages
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Re: Bought a gas saver

Zooooommm Zoooommmmm!!! :D

Great car, I've had them as rentals.
 

JRJ

Commander
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Sep 11, 2001
Messages
2,992
Re: Bought a gas saver

I know what you mean. Been towing with my PU quite a bit. Enjoy that new car.
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
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Re: Bought a gas saver

Thanks guys,
Its strange to own a car. I have been a truck guy for 25 years or more.
Now we need more parking space! i have too many vehicles...:)
 

Kiwi Phil

Commander
Joined
Jun 23, 2003
Messages
2,182
Re: Bought a gas saver

My wife has a 3yr old Mazda Tribute, V6 3L, with every whistle and bell Mazda have. Think it is the Luxuary Traveller.
Personally I don't like them for parts.

Many years back she sold our Benz and got a Mazda 929, and when it came time for a little work, I found the parts to be very expensive compared to other makes. The prices they charged was boarding on stupid, and there were no after-market parts made.

Got to admit, the finish on Mazda is definitely superior to other Rice-wagons tho. Probably one of the better finished cars made.

This current one is going at the 1st sign of 'wear', but knowing my wife, she will go buy another.

Is the Sports Sedan actually a Sedan or is it the AWD? I ask as the new AWD's here look very nice. Everytime we see one I bring another topic up to divert the wife.
Cheers
Phillip
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Bought a gas saver

my sister had one, drove the wheels off it. it never gave her a problem.
 

eavega

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
1,377
Re: Bought a gas saver

15900 for a 6?!:eek::eek::eek:

I am super jealous! I bought a 3 hatchback new in 2006 with only a few bells and a one whistle, and paid almost $17500. Great deal for you!

In any case, I love my wee-mobile. Great on gas (32 MPG average, I've gotten it to 38 MPG doing highway using cruise control and not breaking the speed limit too badly). Kiwi Phil brings up a great point, though. Even an oil change is a task on the 3, and you can't go to your local auto parts and pick up a filter, its a special inline filter on the 3.

Good luck. Hope you enjoy your Mazda as much as I am enjoying mine.

-Eric
 

tysonnathan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
246
Re: Bought a gas saver

Buying something that burns gas to save gas never makes financial sense if you work the money out on paper.

Full size pickup= 15mpg
300cc Dual Sport Dirt Bike= 75mpg


Assume 15000 miles driven/year
Gas Cost= $4/gal


Annual pickup fuel cost= $4000
Dual Sport fuel Cost= $800


Savings= $3200
Dirt Bike Cost= $1600

Net Savings= $1600/year or $133.33/month



This is an example of how I bought something that burns gas to save gas.... I worked it out on paper, and it makes financial sense to me....
 

stevenw00

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 25, 2008
Messages
91
Re: Bought a gas saver

Full size pickup= 15mpg
This is an example of how I bought something that burns gas to save gas.... I worked it out on paper, and it makes financial sense to me....

Although it would have taken 5 yrs. to do it, my gas savings vs. my truck COMPLETELY paid for my Harley (including insurance.) For the time I was making payments, I wasn't "saving" money, but I was getting a free Sportster. Now that it is paid off, I am saving a ton of money.
 

xxxflhrci

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 14, 2008
Messages
637
Re: Bought a gas saver

Full size pickup= 15mpg
300cc Dual Sport Dirt Bike= 75mpg


Assume 15000 miles driven/year
Gas Cost= $4/gal


Annual pickup fuel cost= $4000
Dual Sport fuel Cost= $800


Savings= $3200
Dirt Bike Cost= $1600

Net Savings= $1600/year or $133.33/month



This is an example of how I bought something that burns gas to save gas.... I worked it out on paper, and it makes financial sense to me....


Comparing a bike to a 4 wheel auto is kinda like apples to oranges, but whatever....You forgot the added cost of insurance for the bike, tags on a bike, and service on a bike, which includes tires usually over 4 times as often as most 4 wheeled vehicles.

I know you can often get lucky with a cheapo beater. My old man just rolled over 200k on the 700 buck Ford Escort he has been driving for the past several years. Of course, he just spent 700 more bucks on a blown head gasket two weeks ago. On paper, he might have saved a few bucks on gas and mileage depriciation with his better car.
 

xxxflhrci

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 14, 2008
Messages
637
Re: Bought a gas saver

Although it would have taken 5 yrs. to do it, my gas savings vs. my truck COMPLETELY paid for my Harley (including insurance.) For the time I was making payments, I wasn't "saving" money, but I was getting a free Sportster. Now that it is paid off, I am saving a ton of money.

I've got two Harleys. Nobody buys a Harley to "save money.":D
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: Bought a gas saver

I am not dumping my 17MPG Silverado BUT I think we have reached a point were it making financial sense is not what it use to be


There have been to many things like duming are solar program 20 some years ago because it did not make financial sense that are biting us now
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Bought a gas saver

Kiwi Phil,This is a front wheel drive 4 door sedan.
The oil filter is a cartridge type but i found out it can be modified with a factory adapter to accept a screw on filter.Its the same part used on a 2008 mazda 3. After the warranty runs out i will be doing that mod to it..

Phil,here is the 6 they sell in the US,
2008mazdamazda620152417-300x189.jpg


Mine is a dark gun metal gray metallic with black interior..
 

tysonnathan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
246
Re: Bought a gas saver

Comparing a bike to a 4 wheel auto is kinda like apples to oranges, but whatever....You forgot the added cost of insurance for the bike, tags on a bike, and service on a bike, which includes tires usually over 4 times as often as most 4 wheeled vehicles.

I know you can often get lucky with a cheapo beater. My old man just rolled over 200k on the 700 buck Ford Escort he has been driving for the past several years. Of course, he just spent 700 more bucks on a blown head gasket two weeks ago. On paper, he might have saved a few bucks on gas and mileage depriciation with his better car.

You didnt say buying a "4 wheel auto", you said buying "something that burns gas"... a very broad statement.

Insurance= $180/year
Tag= $26/year
Maintenance= ~$200/year

Savings= $1600-$180-$26-$200= $1194

There can be some benefits in buying a more fuel efficient vehicle...
A moped is an even better deal!! When gas gets too high, you just turn it off and pedal...:)
 

xxxflhrci

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 14, 2008
Messages
637
Re: Bought a gas saver

Maintenance= ~$200/year


Since we are splitting hairs here....You can ride a motorcycle 15k miles a year and only speed $200 on maintenance? Come on now....tires alone will cost you more than that.:D That's not to mention top end jobs. A 300cc single banger won't do too many 15k mile years before it needs a top end job.
 

tysonnathan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
246
Re: Bought a gas saver

Since we are splitting hairs here....You can ride a motorcycle 15k miles a year and only speed $200 on maintenance? Come on now....tires alone will cost you more than that.:D That's not to mention top end jobs. A 300cc single banger won't do too many 15k mile years before it needs a top end job.


You caught me!! :D
I wasnt thinking about that... Just going from my experiences, which adds up to about 5k/year... But, I still got $1200 to spare... That should pay for a few more tires and a little motor work every couple years...
 

xxxflhrci

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 14, 2008
Messages
637
Re: Bought a gas saver

You caught me!! :D
I wasnt thinking about that... Just going from my experiences, which adds up to about 5k/year... But, I still got $1200 to spare... That should pay for a few more tires and a little motor work every couple years...

I was just yanking on your chain a bit.:D Enjoy the ride in the breeze. I do all of my traveling by motorcycle and ride one at work when I want to boot.
 
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