IMPREZA vs.?

Hi, AWD. You'll notice when winter comes. Being an AWD vehicle, due to it's extra weight gas conumpsion is a bit higher. My two kids grew up on Subaru since high school days. Still driving them but WRX now.

If you compare thorougly that is all standard equipment, AWD, engine power output, these cars are very competitively priced. The Impreza base model in particular.

M.J.

Go pick up the latest Car and Driver (May 2008, Cadillac CTS Coupe on the cover). They test the Mazda3, Corolla, Civic and Impreza. They finished - Mazda3, Civic, Impreza, Corolla. You can probably find it on their website as well.

This isn't the same test that's in the mag - but a similar review with more cars -

FWIW, because the Impreza is all-new for 2008, there isn't any reliability data out there yet. The engine isn't new, of course, and has had a somewhat chequered past with head gasket issues, but I'd suspect they have gotten less over time. I'm not crazy about the styling, either, especially of the sedan.

Personally, I like the Mazda3 a lot. My wife just started a new job, requiring her to drive all the time (visiting RN) and I have been considering getting her something more fuel efficient than our Honda Odyssey minivan or my Audi A4. My first choice would probably be the Mazda3. We don't have huge amounts of snow in NJ, so with dedicated snow tires for the winter it would be fine. And it gets better gas mileage than the Impreza and is MUCH better looking. But then I start thinking about a 5-door WRX..... ;-)

Dan D '99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's) Central NJ USA