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I owned a 2004 Mazda 3 GT and test drove a 2014 Mazda 3 GT before settling on my GTI. The new Mazda 3 is a little bit quicker but a Mazdaspeed 3 from the older gen would spank it. The only problem with buying one of the older 3's is that you're not getting a lot of modern equipment for your money and the new 2014 Mazda 3 is about as well equipped as they get for the price.
However, they do hold their value pretty well so a good one (and buy a 2.3L or 2.5L engine version...the entry level ones are sooooo slow) with decent mileage, in good condition with a clean title might not be cheap. I got $9k for my ten year old car with 80k on it so I honestly think you can find a better more interesting car for the price.
Also, a lot of 2004s were broken into due to a poor door lock design that opened the fucking door when you kicked it hard enough.
The second gen was probably much more reliable and better built but fucking stupid smiley face looking.
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