Just found this forum by accident the other day. I';ve already found the 'activate the tip computer' thread useful.

Last February my wife finally got tired of her 2002 Mustang Convertible. A year earlier she was rearended and the car never felt right afterward although ti was repaired by a competent shop. We went to the Houston Autoshow and she really liked the bright red Mazda 3i touring that was on display. Her car priorities are it has to be a manual transmission, bright red, fun to drive and economical.

We immediately bought an identical car from a local dealer and paid $100 over invoice. We both love the car. Took a 7,000 mile road trip last summer and averaged 35 mpg on mostly non-interstate highways and at extralegal speeds.

Other cars owned are a 2001 Ford Escape, 1969 Jaguar E-type and my son's 1999 Buick Century.

 

Welcome to the forum...you're going to love your 3i. It will fit what you're looking for perfectly.