Hatchbacks

[cjtennis123]

I'm currently researching new cars and need some opinions.

I'm looking for something under about $19,000, with relatively low miles on it (less than 50,000). I've been looking at a Subaru Impreza Wagon (both the WRX and the non WRX), Ford Focus Hatch and the Ford Fiesta Hatch. All have their ups and downs and I like the styling of all of them.

The Impreza's have the all wheel drive that I love, as well as a larger engine than both the Fords. It also get's the least MPG of the three. That being said, this next year I'd most likely be commuting to St. Cloud State from Champlin. This would make me lean toward one of the Fords. From my research, they're good cars, and drive fairly well (according to some reviews). The Fiesta is nice because it's smaller and get's the best MPG. The Focus gets a little less MPG, but has a slightly larger engine than the Fiesta, and is larger (which is good for utility).

The Impreza I'm thinking of:
http://www.lutherauto.com/preowned-i...48G805376.aspx

The Focus:
http://www.lutherauto.com/preowned-i...4CL146146.aspx

And the Fiesta's are generally all the same. It's probably be black, white, or the lime green. Pretty much whatever comes up the cheapest with the lowest miles.

I'm open to other suggestions for a hatchback as well. More people on here are going to have more experience with cars than I have. If you have or do own one of these three, I'd appreciate any input as to how you like it, how it drives, etc. Unfortunately, I wont be looking into any euro hatchbacks until after college. Just too expensive to maintain for my liking and my current budget.

Thanks in advance!

Colin

[sprstu]

Using a WRX to commute would be a little silly, dont you think? Talk about caging and animal. Great cars but 22-25mpg assuming you dont beat on it and high cost of ownership compared to the fords.

You can get a brand new Fiesta for less the $19K, will get 35-40mpg and has a racing series built around it. The focus is great and the one I would choose assuming you can get agood used one that has more options than a new fiesta for the same money. But not knowing anything about you I vote Fiesta for the sheer new-car smell at $15K.

[cjtennis123]

Using a WRX to commute would be a little silly, dont you think? Talk about caging and animal. Great cars but 22-25mpg assuming you dont beat on it and high cost of ownership compared to the fords.

You can get a brand new Fiesta for less the $19K, will get 35-40mpg and has a racing series built around it. The focus is great and the one I would choose assuming you can get agood used one that has more options than a new fiesta for the same money. But not knowing anything about you I vote Fiesta for the sheer new-car smell at $15K.

Thanks for the imput! have you driven any of the three?

[urgti]

I drove a Fiesta diesel around Europe for two weeks. I assume you can not get them here with that engine, power folding mirrors and a few other things but the rest of the car should be similar. I only filled it up 3 times with one of them being to return it full to avoid the high fees of returning it empty.

For a rental car it was great with the radio able to control my Ipod, it rode nice and handled fairly well on the narrow tires. Coming from almost exclusively owning older VW and Audis its still hard to get over all the plastic inside these cars. If I just wanted an A to B car that functioned as a car the Fiesta would be just fine. It felt cheap but solid at the same time if that makes any sense. If you could get the diesel it would be very easy to choose the car for daily use.

[cjtennis123]

So I went and drove the WRX today. I think that might be the one. Definitely a fun car to drive, but also lots of utility.

[Audiphile]

The Fiesta is cheap and the interior shows that, the Focus has a nicer interior but it pricier. Both are pretty dull to drive, the focus being more so. Id go for a WRX personally, with its nicer interior, better power and 4wd.

[VAGatHeart]

I was quite impressed with the new Focus that I had as a rental for a couple weeks.

[palmer]

My WRX had horseshit gas mileage.

The novelty of speed wore off after about a month. Then I was all "yay, 15mpg" for a while.

[TJ914]

My WRX had horseshit gas mileage.

The novelty of speed wore off after about a month. Then I was all "yay, 15mpg" for a while.

15mpg might be a bit of an exaggeration, but its not terribly far off. My 2005 Saab 9-2x (wrx in disguise) gets about 22mpg commuting to and from St. Paul in traffic. Probably a little better on roadtrips, but I haven't checked mileage in a while.

Aside from the gas mileage its a great car, fast, fun, versatile, and goes through everything mother nature throws at it....but it just sucks up a lot of gas doing it.

Cost of ownership for me has been minimal. I've had the car since February '11, and have put about ~20K miles on it. In that time the only things I've had to replace were oil, brake pads, and rotors.

[Sven7]

My mom's 2.5 Legacy Wagon gets like 22mpg. If you're driving a lot DO NOT get awd. Get a Fiesta. 40mpg stock? Pssh, you can outdo that! How about 45. Perfect commuter car.