Cars - For Car Enthusiasts

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Shopping for a fairly rugged hatchback (or compact cross) w/ AWD. Maybe Forester vs Mazda 3 Hatch? (feddit.online)

submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by misterred@feddit.online to c/cars@lemmy.world

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Hi, has anyone compared these head to head? I like the idea that the Forester has an available manual transmission. The Mazda looks reliable and very fun to drive. The frontend/grille looks kinda stupid.

We're in very rural northern Vermont with quite a few dirt roads, usually but not always pretty well maintained.

Car dealerships aren't close by. The Subaru dealer is just under an hour drive, the Mazda/Volkswagen dealership just over an hour and a half each way. Locally we have Ford, GMC/Chevy, and Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge.

I'd probably buy new this time although I've had good luck buying 'certified' used cars off of leases, most recently a 2015 Audi A3 off of a 36-month lease cancelled after 24 I think? so pretty close to new - with manufacturer + dealer warranties; someone else having eaten the depreciation; low mileage, and full confidence that scheduled maintenance has been adhered to, prior to my taking ownership. Comfort and tech, of course reliability, and ease of third-party servicing and parts are all considerations for me.

Reasoned opinions very welcome; TIA for any thoughts at all. Buying is hard.

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[–] misterred@feddit.online 1 points 2 weeks ago

I loved my Mazda 323, the early model then known as the Protege, of which Mazda made versions for both Mitsubishi and Chevrolet. A very successful and durable model in my opinion. And like @Artyom@piefed.social I'm cynical about Subaru reliability. I know a couple different mechanics - around here where Subarus are totally ubiquitous - who curse them for being in their shops so repeatedly. But I do like AWD, if not CVT (having no experience with the latter).