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United States24701 Posts
There has been a new development in my search for a car. I received the new edition of Consumer Reports today which has the promised Road test: Hatchbacks. As mentioned in my previous blog post, I've been seriously considering a hatchback (although I'm not sold yet) but the previous edition of CR, the Annual Auto Issue, did not have data for many of the new models. This has been partially rectified.
They have now published an updated ratings chart for comparing all of the cars in this class. Only the 2008 Toyota Matrix and Scion xD are said to be too new to have reliable data. In descending rating order (best first)(bold indicates highly recommended):
Volkswagen Rabbit:
Toyota Prius:
Mazda3:
Subaru Impreza:
These four hatchbacks are all recommended, but the rabbit and Impreza are highly recommended due to safety features. I read their one page article on the Rabbit, and learned that the only real drawback with it is that it has slightly lower than expected fuel economy. It is hailed for its agility, ride, braking, transmission, controls, solid fit and finish, and turning circle. It's a little bit cheaper than the mazda3. The tested price was 19,725 USD but I'd expect one I'd go for to be 20-21k.
The Impreza seems to be very similar to the Rabbit except it is slightly more money, and has options to be upgraded to a higher level (including a 305 hp turbo). Other than that, I see no real advantage to it over the Rabbit.
I'm still interested in the Mazda3, but I'm also considering both the Rabbit and the Impreza. I'm very open to suggestions or information about how to choose between these models. I'm also still open to talk about other types of cars besides the ones discussed here. It's almost time for me to start shopping seriously, I think.
Edit: I'm not too keen on the Prius right now...
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United States22883 Posts
I would get the Impreza. The Prius is not a fun car to drive and if you tell a girl you've got a Rabbit, she'll think you mean the vibrator.
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 06:28 Jibba wrote:
I would get the Impreza. The Prius is not a fun car to drive and if you tell a girl you've got a Rabbit, she'll think you mean the vibrator.
Any serious reasons why Impreza > Rabbit/Mazda3?
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Korea (South)11583 Posts
all of these cars make me think of a soccer mom
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 06:32 CaucasianAsian wrote:
all of these cars make me think of a soccer mom
Make some suggestions in the same price range.
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Hatchbacks are nice. My parents bought me suzuki sx4 in late 06 and have had no problems with it yet. Both my parents and I absolutely the sx4.
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 06:47 DukE_ss wrote:
Hatchbacks are nice. My parents bought me suzuki sx4 in late 06 and have had no problems with it yet. Both my parents and I absolutely the sx4.
I see. That's a bit on the light side, but it looks good. I'm glad you enjoy it.
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On May 04 2008 06:53 micronesia wrote:Show nested quote +On May 04 2008 06:47 DukE_ss wrote:
Hatchbacks are nice. My parents bought me suzuki sx4 in late 06 and have had no problems with it yet. Both my parents and I absolutely the sx4. I see. That's a bit on the light side, but it looks good. I'm glad you enjoy it.
yeah that's one of the things I dislike about the car.
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Completely unadvised opinion: the Mazda looks best imo
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 07:15 minus_human wrote:
Completely unadvised opinion: the Mazda looks best imo
I think I agree with you. Of the ones above at least, the mazda looks slightly nicer.
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United States22883 Posts
On May 04 2008 06:31 micronesia wrote:Show nested quote +On May 04 2008 06:28 Jibba wrote:
I would get the Impreza. The Prius is not a fun car to drive and if you tell a girl you've got a Rabbit, she'll think you mean the vibrator. Any serious reasons why Impreza > Rabbit/Mazda3?
I would never get a hatchback, but I prefer more power and if I were to buy a new car right now, Subaru would be high in the running.
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United States20661 Posts
Subaru's probably the best car out of that lot.
For 20-ish k why not spring for something like a MINI?
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 07:28 Jibba wrote:Show nested quote +On May 04 2008 06:31 micronesia wrote:On May 04 2008 06:28 Jibba wrote:
I would get the Impreza. The Prius is not a fun car to drive and if you tell a girl you've got a Rabbit, she'll think you mean the vibrator. Any serious reasons why Impreza > Rabbit/Mazda3? I would never get a hatchback, but I prefer more power and if I were to buy a new car right now, Subaru would be high in the running.
Why do you prefer more power? Are you saying you'd get the turbo engine?
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 08:02 Last Romantic wrote:
Subaru's probably the best car out of that lot.
For 20-ish k why not spring for something like a MINI?
Mini is a little too small, a bit more expensive than the others, and the new model is a bit too new for there to be a judgment on predicted reliability. According to CR's review of the Mini Cooper Clubman: Highs: Agility, Fuel Economy, Braking, Fun to Drive; Lows: Controls, slight hesitation from a stop, rear visibility, premium fuel.
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United States22883 Posts
On May 04 2008 08:32 micronesia wrote:Show nested quote +On May 04 2008 07:28 Jibba wrote:On May 04 2008 06:31 micronesia wrote:On May 04 2008 06:28 Jibba wrote:
I would get the Impreza. The Prius is not a fun car to drive and if you tell a girl you've got a Rabbit, she'll think you mean the vibrator. Any serious reasons why Impreza > Rabbit/Mazda3? I would never get a hatchback, but I prefer more power and if I were to buy a new car right now, Subaru would be high in the running. Why do you prefer more power? Are you saying you'd get the turbo engine?
I haven't researched it but if money isn't an issue, probably. More power = more fun.
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 08:46 Jibba wrote:Show nested quote +On May 04 2008 08:32 micronesia wrote:On May 04 2008 07:28 Jibba wrote:On May 04 2008 06:31 micronesia wrote:On May 04 2008 06:28 Jibba wrote:
I would get the Impreza. The Prius is not a fun car to drive and if you tell a girl you've got a Rabbit, she'll think you mean the vibrator. Any serious reasons why Impreza > Rabbit/Mazda3? I would never get a hatchback, but I prefer more power and if I were to buy a new car right now, Subaru would be high in the running. Why do you prefer more power? Are you saying you'd get the turbo engine? I haven't researched it but if money isn't an issue, probably. More power = more fun.
Also = more money because insurance will go up =(
I'm not 25 yet so my insurance is not fun to pay.
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 12:05 G5 wrote:prius looks sick
Are you posting that picture in every thread you post in?
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On May 04 2008 06:22 micronesia wrote:
It's a little bit cheaper than the mazda3. The tested price was 19,725 USD but I'd expect one I'd go for to be 20-21k.
Have prices gone up lately? I got a new mazda6 in '05 for 18k total, and the mazda3 is cheaper. Obviously don't pay the sticker price on the car.
The mazda3 is the only one on your list I've actually driven, and I didn't like it that much. I don't like the shape of it on the inside, and the gas pedal felt flimsy. I love my mazda6, although the gas mileage in stop-and-go traffic is low 20's, which really sucks.
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Ooh the Subaru looks nice. Especially in that color.
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United States24701 Posts
On May 04 2008 13:08 ZianG wrote:
Ooh the Subaru looks nice. Especially in that color.
Nothing wrong with a car looking nice... but obviously that isn't my main concern.
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Based on the fact I am a racing fanatic I'd say the Subaru. If you're just looking for something to get you from point A to B, probably the Mazda 3. Everything I've read about it indicates it's a great choice.
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i got a CR-V 2008 AWD, pretty cool. You should check it out.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/5/0/1/1_08_Rabbit_side.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.autospectator.com/cars/files/images/08_priustouringedition_09.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0406_first_test_2004_mazda3_5-door_03z+2004_mazda3_5-door+rear_side_view.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.subaru.com/media/image/2008/impreza/sport/obsidianblackpearldarkgraymetallic.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4194/smilingmx0.jpg)
