Juliana- Here's a review: [link] You also might search his site for other Jeep articles. It does really badly in crash tests, so you'll want to check out other vehicles.

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P-C, my DH is a car reviewer and has driven hundreds of cars and SUVs and truly his favorite car is the Mazda 6. He likes the drivability and the looks and also has high praise for Mazda service and support.

That's really good to hear, Scrappy! I've been a little worried that it isn't as loved by Consumer Reports as some of the other cars I was considering. Yet U.S. News and World Reports ranked it #2, so it can't be that bad.

I sent out for a few more dealer quotes this morning, since it can't hurt to have more. May have to just go with the color of the car that's the best deal. The blue and black ones also look nice, though is a black car bad? Because it's hard to see in the dark? And is red too flashy and likely to get stolen?

Le sigh. I'm trying to give the Prius a fair shot in my mind, but it's a smaller car, and if I wanted to buy a smaller car, I could buy one for cheaper than that. Not sure if it's worth the extra cost when I've already gone higher than I expected when I first started considering getting a new car months ago. It's a slippery slope.

Happy birthday, -t!

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Every now and then on weekends, I drive a lot, and I'd like a car I can road trip in, but on a regular basis, I don't drive too much, I don't think.

With those two choices, the Mazda or the Prius, I guess my question is, what kind of driver are you? And what are you looking for on those weekend drives and road trips? Are you a sporty/aggressive/fast driver? Or are you wanting comfort & convenience? Are you wanting good mileage? Is your carbon footprint a concern? These two cars are different. It's not like comparing a Camry and a Civic. While the Prius does have some zip to it, it's design is not for that pedal to the medal need for speed kind of thing.

For me, I picked the Prius because of it's super ultra low emissions and excellent gas mileage. The high geek factor also tickled my fancy something fierce. The fact that I bought it right as it became the "It" car with rising gas prices, eh, ya, that was cool. Rarely am I in the leading edge of cool. But now that it's not the "it" car, I'm not getting rid of it.

If these are your final choices, maybe rent one for one weekend each? Take it for a prolonged spin.

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Happy b-day -t!

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While the Prius does have some zip to it, it's design is not for that pedal to the medal need for speed kind of thing.

Yeah, I'm not really a sporty/aggressive driver, but I do enjoy driving and listening to music, the sensation of cruising down the road and whatnot.

For me, I picked the Prius because of it's super ultra low emissions and excellent gas mileage.

One of the main strikes against the 6 is that it doesn't get very good gas mileage. I know the Prius is a good choice. Ach, this is hard.

One of the Mazda dealers just e-mailed and said he would sell the car for invoice plus fees. That's...good, right? That seems really desperate. Intriguing. He even has it in Black Cherry.

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Happy Birthday, -t!

The blue and black ones also look nice, though is a black car bad? Because it's hard to see in the dark? And is red too flashy and likely to get stolen?

I'd avoid black cars while living in NC, because they turn into giant solar collectors in the summer and get way too hot. I read somewhere that red cars are more likely to get pulled by the police, but that may be an urban myth.

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Sounds to me like you are wanting the Mazda. When in doubt, flip a coin for 5 times. The coin toss doesn't decide what you get, but what you find your hoping the coin decides is. (if that makes any sense). Or, you could do it the rational way of a list for both cars with pro's & con's. Blah. Boring. (yes, I do that all the time).

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Or else make the cars fight! Get two friends to take a Prius and the Mazda on test drives, and have a little demolition derby....

One thing to consider is the price of gas may go back up in the near future (which would also raise the resale value of the Prius). It all depends on the economy, though....

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What omnis is trying to say:

when you are called upon to make up your mind/and are hampered by not having any/the simplest way to solve the dilemma you'll find/is by simply spinning a penny.

No not so that chance will decide the affair/while you're passively standing there moping/but the moment the penny is up in the air/you'll suddenly know what you're hoping.

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Sounds to me like you are wanting the Mazda.

I can't shake it. I keep feeling like I'm making a mistake. I mean, the first thing on the list of CR's Car-Buying Tips is not to fall in love with a car! Don't get emotional! Be rational! Except this is how I seem to do everything. It's how I found my apartment. I looked at almost a dozen places, and it was the first place I felt really really good about and I got it the next morning. I've paid more rent on the place than it costs to buy a car, and I've been happy with it.

I'd avoid black cars while living in NC, because they turn into giant solar collectors in the summer and get way too hot.

Ah, good point.

I read somewhere that red cars are more likely to get pulled by the police, but that may be an urban myth.

I think I heard somewhere that you pay higher insurance on a red car because you're perceived to be, well, a sportier and more dangerous driver.

I just realized the catch in "invoice plus fees." He didn't mention the going rebates. Well, it's an interesting starting point, at least.

And a San Jose dealer (also with Black Cherry) gave me a better offer than the Oakland dealer in red. Man, I like that guy, but Black Cherry is a cooler color. It's different.

One thing to consider is the price of gas may go back up in the near future (which would also raise the resale value of the Prius).

Hrm. The other thing is that I hear there's a new redesign coming for the Prius. So that would make the 2009 Prius old news.

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