first, requirements:
-under 20k
-decent fuel economy (should run on 87)
-fun to drive
-manual transmission
-4 doors, rear seats must fold down
-newer than 3 years
-no domestics, no VW
saturday I tested a 2010 mazda 3 hatch for 20,500 out the door, with 0% financing. I can get another $500 off for mazda loyalty rebate.
'10 mazda 3s hatchback is rated for 22/29 mpg, although my gf's sedan gets 30-31 highway if driven right, and averages 28-29. It's comfortable for long trips, has lots of gadgets like bluetooth for phone, full id3 tag readout for mp3s, comfortable grippy seats. But the seating position is very high, much like a minivan even if you lower the seat. Handling is pretty good, I pushed the hatch through a turn or two pretty good. The looks.... have not yet grown on me
i test drove a 2010 civic LX 5 speed, light and nimble, very smooth shifter, almost no weight in hte clutch at all. civic quote was 15,700 + title/reg fees. civic did not have any nifty features, not even volume control on the steering wheel, and rolled on steelies with hubcaps. It did have power windows, doors, etc. I could probably work something better as far as a deal goes, and it does have great seats and gets 36 mpg on highway. Handling not as good as mazda 3, even though it's a lighter car. Also louder on freeway
Also testdrove the 2010 mazdaspeed 3. Not impressive compared to last year's model - it's heavier and definitely slower. I was really really not impressed with it. I got a quote for it for $22k before fees, but no particular interest in it. And it requires 91 octane
Sunday I test drove a subaru 5 speed impreza 2.5 hatchback. rated for 20/27, but I think it's capable of getting better fuel economy than that. It's got torque, but the engine sounds incredibly coarse (naturally, for a subie boxer), handles well, and has really good low seating position, all necessary controls on steering wheel, but plastics feel cheaper than mazda 3. Seats are adequate, not as grippy as others, and the material is meh. Room is about the same as a mazda 3, maybe an inch more legroom for rear passengers.
Last contender was a 2009 white mazda 3s hatch, used with 20,000 miles. it still has factory warranty, I could get it for 14,500 even though it's marked for 17k. Pros are it's identical to my old car, handles better (stiffer chassis because it's a hatch, although has shitty eagle tires on it), and has 17" rims. Everything on the interior is like new, slightly updated from what I had before
So I'm not really sure which direction to go here... thoughts?