Mazda3
Base price: $14,690
The Mazda3 is an economy car and an excellent, refined one at that. But the Mazda3 has two other distinct personalities. Buyers can opt for a Grand Touring version, which can be equipped like a near-luxury car, or a MAZDASPEED3, which is one of the best hot hatches on the market. A Grand Touring starts at $20,895 and comes standard with six airbags, electronic stability control, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, xenon headlights and heated front seats. Add a Bose sound system with a 6-disc CD changer and a sunroof ($1,335), remote engine starting ($350) and a navigation system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio ($1,950) and the total comes to $24,530. The MAZDASPEED3 ($22,740) adds a sport suspension, bigger brakes, a 263-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and tons of fun.
Base price: $14,690
The Mazda3 is an economy car and an excellent, refined one at that. But the Mazda3 has two other distinct personalities. Buyers can opt for a Grand Touring version, which can be equipped like a near-luxury car, or a MAZDASPEED3, which is one of the best hot hatches on the market. A Grand Touring starts at $20,895 and comes standard with six airbags, electronic stability control, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, xenon headlights and heated front seats. Add a Bose sound system with a 6-disc CD changer and a sunroof ($1,335), remote engine starting ($350) and a navigation system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio ($1,950) and the total comes to $24,530. The MAZDASPEED3 ($22,740) adds a sport suspension, bigger brakes, a 263-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and tons of fun.
Mazda6
Base price: $18,550
According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study, 76 percent of shoppers are interested in blind-spot alert systems. That was the highest total for any feature included in the study. The Mazda6 is one of a select few vehicles that offer this technology for less than $30,000. In fact, it is standard on the Mazda6 Grand Touring, which starts at $24,910 for a 4-cylinder i version. Also standard on the Grand Touring are keyless access and starting, leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, rain-sensing wipers, a universal garage door opener and xenon automatic headlights. Also available are a navigation system ($2,000), remote engine starting ($350) and a Moon Roof and Bose package ($1,760) with a moonroof, a 6-disc CD changer, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and a 10-speaker, 333-watt Bose sound system. Choose them all and the total comes to $29,020. Or, you can opt for the $28,260 6-cylinder s version, add the Moon Roof and Bose package, and still stay under $30,000.
