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 -
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/sedans/2009_toyota_corolla_v
s_ford_focus_vw_rabbit_subaru_impreza_and_four_more_economy_cars_comparison_test

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