idioteque
07-29-2010, 09:08 PM
I'm looking for a used car ('05-ish to '06-ish) under $17000, for commuting within the city but also for mountain driving during hiking, camping, and skiing trips. It has to be a hatchback, because, well... I have one now and don't think I could live without one.
I've been doing internet research, as well as LOTS of admiring when on the roads and in parking lots, and have narrowed my choices down to:
1) Mazda3. These look great, inside and out, and from reviews i've read, they handle and perform extremely well. The fit and finish of the interior looks awesome - second to none!
2) I like the exterior styling of the '04-'04 impreza wagons, but of course the AWD is the major selling point here. My only concern is that these cars seem very small and "cheap," and you can really see it when looking at the interior fit and finish. The door panels remind me of my first car, which was a 1988 Hyundai Excel. Aside from the AWD though, I like the Mazda3 much better.
3) Subuaru outback. Compared to the Impreza, the Outback is a much more solid car, and made from better materials. the problem is that they are much more expensive, and it seems hard if not impossible to find something relatively new with less than 50k.
anyhow, i'm wondering if anyone has experience with any of the above, and can comment on how these cars compare, both for city commutes, but also for power passing in the mountains, etc.
Also, are there any other comparable hatchbacks that I am missing here?
I've been doing internet research, as well as LOTS of admiring when on the roads and in parking lots, and have narrowed my choices down to:
1) Mazda3. These look great, inside and out, and from reviews i've read, they handle and perform extremely well. The fit and finish of the interior looks awesome - second to none!
2) I like the exterior styling of the '04-'04 impreza wagons, but of course the AWD is the major selling point here. My only concern is that these cars seem very small and "cheap," and you can really see it when looking at the interior fit and finish. The door panels remind me of my first car, which was a 1988 Hyundai Excel. Aside from the AWD though, I like the Mazda3 much better.
3) Subuaru outback. Compared to the Impreza, the Outback is a much more solid car, and made from better materials. the problem is that they are much more expensive, and it seems hard if not impossible to find something relatively new with less than 50k.
anyhow, i'm wondering if anyone has experience with any of the above, and can comment on how these cars compare, both for city commutes, but also for power passing in the mountains, etc.
Also, are there any other comparable hatchbacks that I am missing here?