So I've been trying to help my friend whos looking to lease a new car. Hes decided to narrow it down to the impreza (no wrx/sti) and the mazda3. His price range is about 23k so both these models fit. He and I like the looks of the 3 (he'd get the hatch) but hes been smitten with the drive of the impreza. Anyone consider the two or have an comments (positive or negative) on the two? I like both but the i think the 3 looks a lot better than the impreza. I got to drive the impreza, which seemed nice, but not the 3. Anyone driven both?

I'd probably go with the three myself, but wanted to see what others thought. Also any other cars in the price range? I like the GTI, but hes not so hot on it.

oh and he'd be getting mt in either.

 

I haven't driven either, so I don't know if I'll be much help. I'll just say it here.... I personally think the Impreza in any form, base, WRX, STi (presumed) looks like complete ass. There's nothing that could save that car's styling aside from a complete redesign from the ground up. The current Camry looks sportier and is more eye-catching than the new Impreza.

I think Ashburner just bought a Mazda 3.

 

I haven't gotten to look at the new imprezza yet. I rented an 07' a few months ago. It was fun to drive and pretty rev happy (it would downshift with a slight blip of the throttle, rental ie. AT). I took it up some twisties, and it was a lot of fun, and the grip through the corners is great even if it lacks power compared to the wrx/sti. But what I couldn't get over is how cheap the interior felt. It just didn't feel well built, and had a lot of little rattles. Also all the interior plastics felt really cheap. I'm not sure if this was because it was a rental car, but it only had like 5k miles. I think it's pretty bad if I'm happy to get back to my xB. Hopefully the new one is better.

I think I'd enjoy driving the imprezza more cause of the awd. But unless the interior is significantly better in the new model, i'd probably go with the 3.

 

mazda 3. But I am somewhat biased.

 

I agree with costco on this one. Although I own an sti and its one of the best cars I have ever owned there is nothing that you could do to make the new impreza look good. In that price range why doesn't he consider some other cars that are sportier or perhaps go used.

 

I owned a 3 for about 20K miles and loved it. I would have never sold it except my bad back decided it didn't like shifting a manual anymore (don't ask).

I can recommend both though. Hard to go wrong here.

 

3

 

Mazda3

Resale on them are actually quite good so it's possible that the Subie might be a better lease deal.

 

ive heard the new impreza has a really soft ride. And the 3 has problems with keeping its engine in its engine bay <-- not a joke. But id take the chance and get the 3...

 

Completely wrong.

The Mazdaspeed3 has #4 motor mount issues that have been resolved through a recall.

I have 275hp to the wheels with an intake and exhaust and have had no issues since the mount was replaced under warranty.

The regular 3 has never had issues.

 

3

 

OMG! you have 275 whp in your Speed3!?!? I'm quite certain I don't even have that in my FX45 (which I have intake and cat-back exhaust)

 

Dyno'd on October 27th ... 275/287.

Don't have a scanner or I'd prove it with a dyno sheet. I'm going to a buddy's tomorrow. I'll try to scan it there.

 

oh, I wasn't doubting your claim... it's just amazing to have that power for a car that size... do you ever take it to the tracks?

 

Same motor in my mazdaspeed 6. never dynoed but i did a 13.8 @ 102.

 

LOL, sorry man. I wasn't thinking that at all.

I was just providing more detail and saying I could show you the dyno to see the curves

Apparently there is a ton of headroom left ... I'm nervous about messing with the boost though

I haven't tracked it yet. Thinking about doing some 1/4s next spring.

 

I have wondered how the MS CAI and CBE would do on that engine. I would assume it would be the same, no?

I got a 25hp/32TQ gain with the CAI/CBE combo. Parts were about $900.

 

Deff get the Mazda, unless its an STi i wouldn't be caught dead in one of those turd buckets

 

I think its funny that there's such a hugh gap between a WRX and none-WRX

In fact, I definitely see more WRX/STi's on the road than the plain ones... I wonder what the ratio is in terms of sales...

 

They figure if they're going to buy an ugly car, it might as be a fast ugly car.

 

w/ 23k, couldn't he get the legacy 2.5i? I think it's a much better looking car. although I guess spending a few thousand more just for looks is sometimes kinda hard.

accord coupe also starts under 22k, but might be hard to get it for under 23 OTD.

 

why not used 04-07 sti?

 

can you lease a used car?

 

Now that must be a fun car to drive. I love the Mazdaspeed 3. If I didnt have a kid I wouldn't mind having one.

Just wondering, with that much power is there much torque steer.

 

Obviously at times there are just certain driving conditions where there's some torque steer but honestly you could probably say that about a 115hp Suzuki SX4.

Driving straight and getting on the gas does not rip the wheel from my hands.

Car rag writers are just idiots

 

Another overexaggerated flaw in powerful FWD cars. It never bothered me, really. Yeah, so the steering wheel wiggles back and forth. Mash the gas in a powerful RWD and you'll need to correct also.

I really don't know what these car editors are doing to make torque steer bother them so much. Right before the exit of a corner, even flooring it, I've never had the steering wheel violently wrench my hands back and forth.

 

thanks for the responses everyone. Personally I like the 3 better too. My friend is pretty smitten with the drive of the impreza though. maybe its the all wheel drive?

Interior, again I like the 3, but the impreza isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It has a sporty look to the gauges and everything.

Oh and yea, can't do used b/c he's going for the lease.

 

My vote is the speed3, but I have not driven the new subie yet.

Mad torque steer, but very few cars will put a shit eating grin on your face for under 25k.

 

I would love the speed three. Dealership we went to, though, said due to supply/demand they were selling them at 4-5k over MSRP. With a tag already at 23kish that becomes a little high.

 

what rapists 4k over sticker for that econobox.

 

you can buy them under sticker here in Florida.

 

i'd definitely lease the legacy over the impreza any day.

 

Mazda Speed 3 but then again Im biased

 

mazda3 base hatch > impreza base

 

Mazda has made great strides. Even the reliability is up and on par with the subes. Now the impreza is no longer MIJ either. I'd go with the 3 unless you live in a snow drift.

--former WRX owner and Subaru fan.

 

my friend has a hatch 3... It's a wonderful car inside and out. if he gets it, tell him to make sure it has all the whistles and bells, including navi!

 

oh yea what dealership? one I went to (ocean I believe) was selling it for somewhere near 30k because "of it's limited availability"

 

That is just indicative of their stealership sleaziness and not that the car is routinely sold at that price.

You can certainly find them at or under MSRP.

 

Easy tiger...

There are 2 of them at Russel Mazda in clearwater..at least last week there was when I was there. But Russel sucks as a dealer. Tyrone Square mazda in St. pete may have a couple. When I mwas looking at the MS6 I also was looking at the MS3...they were more than ready to discount the car from sticker.

The MS6 just fit what I wanted in a car better.

 

One of my co-workers picked one up for 21k out the door.

Its base, but its still a speed3. That thing is fast!!