2010 Mazda 3 Sport Wagon vs 2010 Subaru Impreza Sport Wagon

[canuck_driver]

Hi, can you help my friend decide?

A very good friend of mine is deciding between the Mazda 3 Sport and Subaru Impreza Wagon both manual transmission. In particular for values sake, he is looking at the Mazda GS package and Impreza Sport Package. He likes the features and ammenties of the Mazda for the price as it good value and he will be running a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires on the Mazda and likely the Sube as well but not sure at this time of writing.

He has driven both and likes the Impreza Sport Package more than the Mazda 3 GS but it's the price of the Impreza Sport Package that is stalling him. He doesn't care for the base Impreza's appearance at all so he is ruling out the value in the base model. He lives and works in a snow belt region of southern ON. He has a 4X4 SUV in the house hold as well that he will be keeping.

I know these two cars have been discussed in length before and I apprecaite your input,


Thanks

[toolatecrew]

Sport Package on Impreza gets you:

Leather geashift, heated seats,leather wheel, better stero with steering wheel contorls, sat radio, body kit,  fog lights, moonroof and alloy rims.

The Mazda 3 Sport GS does not have a sunroof,traction or stability control. You need to add the comfort package. You cannot get Sat radio, leather wheel or shifter.

TO get them as close to comparbly equipped the Mazda is about 2K less expensive (GS with Comfort package). You can add your own Sat radio for a couple 100$.

The Mazda is going to be a much better value if AWD is not in the mix. Frankley that's the only advanatge the Subaru has. If he doesn't care about AWD (you still need snow tires) than its a no brainer. Mazda 3 all the way

[Leviathan]

He has driven both and likes the Impreza Sport Package more than the Mazda 3 GS

That's the answer  

[canuck_driver]

Looks like he is going Mazda3, the 2.5i Impreza is too high on auto insurance apparently!