Mazda3 vs. Impreza

[KLS]

Had my Audi stolen, may need to replace it, trying to decide between
the Mazda3 and the Impreza. Other than AWD favoring the Impreza, any
clear winner here? The Mazda is quite a bit cheaper, a big plus, and
better on gas mileage, but I'd love to know how it performs in snow
conditions.

 

[Dano58]

Had my Audi stolen, may need to replace it, trying to decide between
the Mazda3 and the Impreza. Other than AWD favoring the Impreza, any
clear winner here? The Mazda is quite a bit cheaper, a big plus, and
better on gas mileage, but I'd love to know how it performs in snow
conditions.

Hi, KLS, my son has a '99 Impreza so I hang out here as well as the
Audi group..... The Mazda3 is certainly a lot better looking than the
Impreza, regardless of which year Impreza you're looking at.....! In
90% of the conditions, front-wheel drive is as good as AWD - I had VW
Jettas for years and never had any issues in New England or Upstate NY
winters, using all-season tires only. Personally, though, I always
seem to have to be somewhere in that other 10%, and I like knowing
that basically nothing is going to stop me. And the extra security AWD
brings makes me feel better about my son's safety when he's driving.

What type of Impreza are you looking at? I suspect the WRX can be
found in your price range. That's a very nice car (but no A4,
certainly).

Dan D
'99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's)
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6 (mine's)
Central NJ USA

 

[KLS]

Hi, KLS, my son has a '99 Impreza so I hang out here as well as the
Audi group..... The Mazda3 is certainly a lot better looking than the
Impreza, regardless of which year Impreza you're looking at.....! In
90% of the conditions, front-wheel drive is as good as AWD - I had VW
Jettas for years and never had any issues in New England or Upstate NY
winters, using all-season tires only. Personally, though, I always
seem to have to be somewhere in that other 10%, and I like knowing
that basically nothing is going to stop me. And the extra security AWD
brings makes me feel better about my son's safety when he's driving.

I should tell you that we had a small snowstorm today, and I drove the
Mazda3 manual tranny in it and was quite comfortable and satisfied
with the performance. It skidded around a lot less than the 99 OBW
wagon we have, and that's largely because of the traction and
stability control built into these cars. Very impressive, and
entirely satisfactory for my needs at this point, I think, given that
Subaru is going to cost a couple grand more and has a mushier shifting
feel than the Mazda. I think I'm sold on this car.

 

[Roger Buttsnort]

I should tell you that we had a small snowstorm today, and I drove the
Mazda3 manual tranny in it and was quite comfortable and satisfied
with the performance. It skidded around a lot less than the 99 OBW
wagon we have, and that's largely because of the traction and
stability control built into these cars. Very impressive, and
entirely satisfactory for my needs at this point, I think, given that
Subaru is going to cost a couple grand more and has a mushier shifting
feel than the Mazda. I think I'm sold on this car.

The Mazda is a LOT more reliable!
You wont have to worry about blowing headgaskets and a shitload of other
poorly designed
problems.

 

[M.J.]

The Mazda is a LOT more reliable!

Perhaps it is, but Mazda3 is not cheaper at all!

Maybe if you are comparing the 2.0L engine model,
then it could be a grand or so less, but if you compare
apples to apples, that is Mazda 2.3L with a base model
Impreza, which is similarly equipped, and for 2008
is priced very competitively, then Subaru wins- both
cost pretty much the same. Edmunds gives invoice
of 16,800 USD for both 2008 Mazda3 s-model and
Impreza base model.

The differences read: you get AWD and 15 hp stronger
engine for Subaru, but give up rear disk brakes- base
model Impreza has drums, and Subaru engine is not DOHC
like Mazda, but a more docile single overhead cam.

My preference would be the Impreza, but I must admit
the Mazda3 is very close, and far better looking.

Check the $$$ numbers for yourself at edmunds.com
I may have missed something:

http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda3...p.p.eq.cvehicledata##-1##-1~~nf12||4d617a6461

http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/impre...p.eq.cvehicledata##-1##-1~~nf12||537562617275

M.J.

 

[AS]

Having had experiences with both brands, my opinion:

Subaru gives you a bunch more hardware for the money.
Subaru feels sturdier.
Subaru all wheel drive a plus in the snow.
Mazda experience much better than Subaru, i.e, no wind noise on the
doors, no headgasket issues, no slipping tranny, no noisy lifters,
better fuel economy, no rear wheel bearing issues, etc. etc.

Good luck!

 

[eachcornerpulling]

I've owned Subarus since 1978 but in 2004, after much research and a
test drive I bought a Mazda3 Sport. It was peppy, cornered like on
rails, looked good, was a reasonable price, and had lots of nifty
gizmos like rain sensing wipers and an immobilizer.

But the more I drove it, the less I liked it, and after 5000km ended
up totally hating the thing. Taking a loss, I traded it for a 2005 OBW
2.5i and have never regretted it.

Some of the many things I disliked about the M3:

1. It was tinny - when reaching over to wash the windshield, the hood
buckled if you rested a hand on it! Subarus are much stronger -
thicker metal?

2. Very poor ground clearance, often bottoming out on steep driveways,
hanging up in snowy parking lots, couldn't go on rutted lanes.

3. Uncomfortable seats for long journeys and major road noise on most
road surfaces. Inadequate and poorly designed luggage space. Ugly,
cheap black interior showed every scuff and speck of dirt.

5. Small gas tank - always seemed to be filling up. Poor rear
visibility, particularly when rear seat headrests in place.

6. Steering too sensitive on long, fast freeway trips - tiring to
drive.

I could go on...

Conclusion: Buy a real car - a Subaru!