Toyota Matrix v. Mazda 3

No, I’m sorry-I’m in rural Illinois for approximately 1 month longer. The car will be purchased in California b/c that’s where I’m moving, emissions standards blah de blah.

Thanks for your perspective on the Toyota-I’m still slightly biased towards it b/c I like the look slightly better but I’m trying to suspend judgment and wait until I test drive and see the price for both cars with the options I want.

zagloba-I wouldn’t buy American. My father invents different products for a big American car company and he’s adamantly against the quality of the cars. A long time ago he used to do stuff for Toyota and liked their stuff a lot better which is how we ended up a Toyota-biased family. He hasn’t changed his mind about Japanese being better.

I have a Matrix, and what pushed me to get one was that they offer a 4WD option. So if it’s important to have 4WD as apposed to front wheel drive, the Matrix is the obvious choice. It may not be as important to you in California though.