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John V · 03-15-2016, 09:29 AM

Marisa is getting antsy to replace the Mazdaspeed. Realistically, that means we probably won't do anything until next year at the earliest, but it got me thinking. The car has been extremely reliable and does everything we want of it, but it's got about 160,000 miles on it now so we're expecting it will need some work coming up in the not-so-distant future.

Stuff she likes about the current car:

1) Small size, four doors, hatchback / wagon bodystyle. It's been very functional for hauling around her clients, our dog, and making trips to buy furniture.
2) Manual transmission. She's adamant about no automatics or DSGs.
3) Power. Another turbo car isn't a requirement, but something slow isn't going to cut it.
4) LSD. With the limited slip and snow tires, this thing is unstoppable in the snow. Our previous Jetta with the open diff was OK, but the Mazda blows it out of the water.
5) Reliability. This thing has been bulletproof, other than blowing out both front shocks early on and replacing them with something better.

Stuff she doesn't like about the current car:

1) Fuel economy / range. It averages about 25MPG, but with a fuel tank with 12 usable gallons, 300 miles of range is about all we get. Something better on fuel or with a bigger tank (or both) would be nice
2) It's kind of loud (road noise, boomy engine).
3) The headlights. Her commute in the winter months is a narrow two-lane that is poorly lit and with blind corners. Xenons are sort of a requirement at this point.

Mazda has been teasing about a replacement for this car but I don't see it happening. They just don't sell enough regular 3's to justify a high performance version. The regular 3 is appealing, but it's just too slow. The CX-5 is intriguing, but too slow (and can you even get a manual?).

She wouldn't be opposed to something like an X3 if she could get it with a manual, but I'm not sure either of us want to spend that much money. AWD would certainly negate the need for an LSD. I tend to think all the modern BMWs drive terribly, but she wouldn't notice it and it's not my car.

GTI seems like the obvious choice, now that there is a Performance Pack available with an LSD. The price is also right. I liked (a lot) the one I recently drove. Both of us are worried about maintenance and repairs on a VW after our last experience.

Focus RS is intriguing, but she hates the interior, thinks it's ridiculous to pay close to $40k for a Focus and the mileage will likely be abysmal.

Anything I'm missing? WRXs aren't offered with a hatchback anymore, right?

03-15-2016, 09:29 AM	#1
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	What's next - Mazdaspeed 3 replacement Marisa is getting antsy to replace the Mazdaspeed. Realistically, that means we probably won't do anything until next year at the earliest, but it got me thinking. The car has been extremely reliable and does everything we want of it, but it's got about 160,000 miles on it now so we're expecting it will need some work coming up in the not-so-distant future. Stuff she likes about the current car: 1) Small size, four doors, hatchback / wagon bodystyle. It's been very functional for hauling around her clients, our dog, and making trips to buy furniture. 2) Manual transmission. She's adamant about no automatics or DSGs. 3) Power. Another turbo car isn't a requirement, but something slow isn't going to cut it. 4) LSD. With the limited slip and snow tires, this thing is unstoppable in the snow. Our previous Jetta with the open diff was OK, but the Mazda blows it out of the water. 5) Reliability. This thing has been bulletproof, other than blowing out both front shocks early on and replacing them with something better. Stuff she doesn't like about the current car: 1) Fuel economy / range. It averages about 25MPG, but with a fuel tank with 12 usable gallons, 300 miles of range is about all we get. Something better on fuel or with a bigger tank (or both) would be nice 2) It's kind of loud (road noise, boomy engine). 3) The headlights. Her commute in the winter months is a narrow two-lane that is poorly lit and with blind corners. Xenons are sort of a requirement at this point. Mazda has been teasing about a replacement for this car but I don't see it happening. They just don't sell enough regular 3's to justify a high performance version. The regular 3 is appealing, but it's just too slow. The CX-5 is intriguing, but too slow (and can you even get a manual?). She wouldn't be opposed to something like an X3 if she could get it with a manual, but I'm not sure either of us want to spend that much money. AWD would certainly negate the need for an LSD. I tend to think all the modern BMWs drive terribly, but she wouldn't notice it and it's not my car. GTI seems like the obvious choice, now that there is a Performance Pack available with an LSD. The price is also right. I liked (a lot) the one I recently drove. Both of us are worried about maintenance and repairs on a VW after our last experience. Focus RS is intriguing, but she hates the interior, thinks it's ridiculous to pay close to $40k for a Focus and the mileage will likely be abysmal. Anything I'm missing? WRXs aren't offered with a hatchback anymore, right?