What is better honda fit or mazda3

better in what sense?

Yes, reliability and low maintenance cost. My Acura Legend is 25 years old and still going but rubber parts are wearing out and it is getting too expensive to maintain. But it is so nice not having a car payment. So cost is a factor and the cars will probaby be 2010 and up. Unless you have a better suggestion. Thank you for responding.

I like the later Mazda's.

I had never considered a mazda until I read reviews from various respected auto people. I was set on the honda but, I wanted something with a sporty look, not just a square box. This will probably be my last car and want some fun with it. Bright color , perky looking. Yet reliable and affordable. I have a german shepard this is why I want a hatchback. It was mentioned by several people that I should check out Enterprise or Hertz rental sales. What do you think of this. the prices seem somewhat more realistic than dealer prices. But, having a car that a lot of people have driven, bothers me because maybe they are not careful with a car that isn't theirs. But, 2 folks I know purchased their cars from Enterprise and are happy with this. What do you think, is it a place I should check out? Thank you for your time helping me.

Car rental places are the worst. All they care about is washing them and turning them back out on the street for money. Why change oil? It will last 15,000 miles. --- Take that into account when negotiating. Have a mechanic check the car over.

Tough to say, since it's an apples to oranges comparison. The fit (a subcompact) would compete with the Mazda2 (a subcompact). The Mazda3 (a compact) would compete with a Honda Civic (a compact). Mike (Fromcartofinish.com)

Oh thank you mike I did not know there was a difference. Today I am going to look at a 2010 Volkswagen 4 dr. hatchback automatic at a volks dealer in elk grove, CA it has the car fax availa ble on line and comes with a 24 month warranty free from the dealer. It had good reports in consumers what do you think?

VWs as a whole haven't been reliable historically according to Consumers Reports (which rates reliability by surveying owners of the vehicle), although that has been changing in recent years depending on the model and engine (i.e. they may rate the gas engine variant as reliable, but not the turbocharged or diesel versionl). BTW, I assume you're referring to the VW Golf when you mention the VW 4dr hatchback above? If so, then the reliability does depend on the engine according to the 2013 Consumer Reports auto issue (which is the April issue each year, and I recommend highly for researching vehicles to buy, whether new or used. As to the warranty from the dealer, does that mean it's a manufacturer's certified used vehicle? It matters, because the manufacture's version of an extended warranty tends to be more comprehensive than the non-manufacturer's version. The price is still negotiable in any case. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. There are more reliable hatchbacks out there that may be worth considering. If you give me the parameters of what you care about in a vehicle, I may be able to help whittle the list down to better matched vehicles, so you have less to test drive and may find a better vehicle as well! Mike 240-403-1069 FromCarToFinish.com

mazda 3 would be my choice, is all the above you are looking for