The Mazda 3 GT is going to be a more fun and satisfying car. However, it's going to cost you up front, in gas and repairs. The insurance will be more too. It also has 17 inch tires and those are much more expensive to replace than the Civic.
Assuming you want auto, air, sunroof, the GT will cost you tax in $29,112. less your discount which is unknown.
The Honda is $25,524 tax in less your discount which is unknown.
Basically, the Mazda GT is $3600. more, but you are getting more car. It will cost more to run each year, but that depends on your mileage. The Honda will probably have less things go wrong with it.
So it really boils down to money. Always does.
You could shave off a few dollars and get the Mazada 3 GS, but sunroof is unavialable. That would then cost you $26,812 less your discount which is unknown. You are now only $1,300 difference from the Honda.
The finance rates are the same for 60 months @3.9
Like Juice mentioned, Civics are changing in a year so that might not be great to get an old body style since it has been around since early 2001.
Whatever you do, by the APA $25.oo printout of the dealer costs on the cars and their costs on PDI and adm. fees and that will assist you greatly in not getting ripped off.
Also, IMPORTANT, do not buy the dealer "rustproofing" or other car care products. Total rip and not on bit effective. They make huge profit on this and the business manger will put you under much sales pressure to buy it. Also, extended warranties on the mechanicals can be purchased near the end of the original warranty regardless of what they tell you.
