Here's what I could come up with:

1.) Mazda3 5-door - ~ $18,500

2.) Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS wagon ~ $18,500

3.) Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback (wagon) - ~ $17,000

4.) Volkswagen Jetta GL Wagon - ~ $19,000

5.) Pontiac Vibe - ~ $16,000

6.) Toyota Matrix - ~ $17,000

7.) Suzuki Forenza Wagon - ~ $18,000

Am I missing anything? Which do you guys think is the best value?

Thanks.

M.

 

Wow. Vibe/Matrix is the same thing but let's stick with ole yoda. The Impreza is impressive. But I got to give it to the new 3-5. It looks great, is roomy and feels like a more expensive car.

Loaded 23k with HID, Leather, Sunroof, MP3, kit Not bad., http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/sele...U_CGM&x=72&y=8

 

Matrix starts at 15k http://www.toyota.com/matrix/ GS4fun has one.

 

http://www.subaru.com/servlet/showro...mmand=overview

At their site, u can compare models. Look to your left.

 

Among the cars you listed.....go with the Impreza. It has a proven All-Wheel-Drive system, good build quality, generally better-than-average reliability, good driving characteristics (though in standard form it's a long way from the Sti), and versatility for just about anything as long as you're not carrying heavy loads. I see you are in Georgia. Even though you generally don't get a lot of snow and ice there (except in the mountainous north), you DO get heavy rain and thunderstorms....and the AWD is a definite plus on wet roads, too...not just snow.

The Hyundai Elantra GT sport hatchback / wagon (which you did NOT list) offers even MORE value in some ways. The quality on recent Hyundai products is comparable to Subarus, they have a much longer warranty, and a much lower price, but of course the Elantra does not have the Impreza's AWD.
The new Kia Spectra 5-door is also being introduced this fall with about the same price and warranty as the Elantra GT...and should have about the same quality.

Good luck.

 

Sorry, whip...a typo.....I meant South Carolina, not Georgia....but it's pretty much the same climate.

 

My pick would be the Mazda 3 5 door, nice, fun to drive little car, looks great too

 

My pick would either be the Mazda or the Subaru.

 

Thanks - particularly to Sick (I'll look into the Matrix again) and mmarshall (I forgot about the Hyundai but may be looking for something a bit bigger) - but also to everyone - for the replies.

Just so you know, this car would be for my mom. She wants to replace her 2001 Sienna with a smaller vehicle that can "haul around a couple bags of mulch" ... and wants something new with a warranty b/c she thinks, for some reason, that the 3.0 liter complete with transmission is going to explode soon - out of warranty.

I haven't decided whether I could negotiate a price on any of these cars that would make a swap worth her time and the associated hassle.

Thanks again; I'll let you guys know what happens.

M.

 

Hey man, I'm at teh skool, but I'll send you a message when I get home.

 

For Fun-to-drive factor, I would get Mazda 3.

For AWD stability I would get Impreza 2.5 RS wagon.

But what I would get for myself is Matrix (even better, in 4WD form).

 

only new?

 

Yes, Globe, the AWD Matrix is a good choice......but the main reasons I recommended the Impreza were , First, Subaru has more AWD experience in the U.S. than Toyota does, and, Second, AWD adds weight and drag.....and the Impreza comes with 165 HP standard vs. the Matrix's 123 HP AWD. The Matrix would probably be sluggish with AWD...Toyota, to my knowledge, does not sell the AWD with either the 130 HP or the 180 HP engine in the Matrix.
The Pontiac Vibe AWD may be a good choice also...it is identical to the Matrix, but usually you can get a better deal on one because it doesn't have the Toyota nameplate even though it is the same car.

 

The 2.5RS wagon is not bad, especially the 165hp engine and Subaru AWD. But my bro has a WRX wagon, and I personally won't get another impreza wagon Matrix wins in terms of utility, because my neighbor has a Matrix, and I think it's much easier to use the Matrix as a cargo carrier/utility car than the Impreza.

Now if it's a Matrix AWD + TRD Supercharger that's another different story Especially with Toyota reliability.