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Test Drive - Mazda & Subaru
Sep. 8th, 2008 08:18 amOn August 29, I headed toward the local Mazda/Subaru/Audi/Porsche dealership to test drive the Mazda 3, Mazda CX-7 (not in my original line-up, but I thought I'd give it a shot), and the Subaru Impreza.
First off was the Mazda 3. This dealership insisted on driving the car a short way and then letting me take over. When it was my turn to drive, I got into the drivers seat, adjusted the seat and mirrors, then touched the gas pedal. The car shot forward and I let out a little yelp, scaring the salesman. Then, I started laughing. The Mazda 3 had just as much pick-up as the Cooper S, but with more comfortable interior styling and also more cargo space. I wouldn't say the 3 was as fun to drive as the S, but it was very close. The car is comfortable and roomy. The sound system was OK (on par with the MINI). Amanda had warned me that the ride in the Mazda 3 was kind of rough. I think this comes from the 3's sport suspension. However, my test drive didn't seem very rough and we went on some tough roads.
Next up was the CX-7. I only test drove this vehicle because I thought it looked awesome. It's an SUV and it's gas efficiency reflects that. I was half-way through the test drive when I announced I didn't like it. There was nothing special about it and at the price point it sits at, I couldn't justify the cost of fueling it up.
Last was the Subaru Impreza. Co-worker Greg has one of these and raves about it. My first impression of the Impreza was "soft." Everything about the car was soft. The seats were cushy and comfortable and the steering wheel's leather cover was buttery smooth (I just couldn't stop petting it). The center console was... convoluted. Which buttons control the stereo? Which control the climate system? It took a couple tries to figure it out. The back seat seemed cramped. It had enough room for a car-seat, but an infant seat seemed like it would be a tight squeeze (on par with our Rio) and that a full-sized adult would feel claustrophobic. For such a large car, I was surprised at how cramped the back looked. The drive was comfortable; smoother than the 3, but not as fun. It didn't seem to have the power that the 3 had under the hood.
(I did not test drive the WRX STI, but I can't find a picture of anything else. The looks is almost exactly the same, though)
Lastly, the salesman told me about some great leases on the Porsche Cayenne. I can lease a Cayenne for the same price as buying the Volvo C30. So I did. Here's my new car.
Isn't she pretty?
Haha, I'm just kidding. A Porsche in my neighborhood? What would the neighbors think?
Current top pick: Mazda3
First off was the Mazda 3. This dealership insisted on driving the car a short way and then letting me take over. When it was my turn to drive, I got into the drivers seat, adjusted the seat and mirrors, then touched the gas pedal. The car shot forward and I let out a little yelp, scaring the salesman. Then, I started laughing. The Mazda 3 had just as much pick-up as the Cooper S, but with more comfortable interior styling and also more cargo space. I wouldn't say the 3 was as fun to drive as the S, but it was very close. The car is comfortable and roomy. The sound system was OK (on par with the MINI). Amanda had warned me that the ride in the Mazda 3 was kind of rough. I think this comes from the 3's sport suspension. However, my test drive didn't seem very rough and we went on some tough roads.
Next up was the CX-7. I only test drove this vehicle because I thought it looked awesome. It's an SUV and it's gas efficiency reflects that. I was half-way through the test drive when I announced I didn't like it. There was nothing special about it and at the price point it sits at, I couldn't justify the cost of fueling it up.
Last was the Subaru Impreza. Co-worker Greg has one of these and raves about it. My first impression of the Impreza was "soft." Everything about the car was soft. The seats were cushy and comfortable and the steering wheel's leather cover was buttery smooth (I just couldn't stop petting it). The center console was... convoluted. Which buttons control the stereo? Which control the climate system? It took a couple tries to figure it out. The back seat seemed cramped. It had enough room for a car-seat, but an infant seat seemed like it would be a tight squeeze (on par with our Rio) and that a full-sized adult would feel claustrophobic. For such a large car, I was surprised at how cramped the back looked. The drive was comfortable; smoother than the 3, but not as fun. It didn't seem to have the power that the 3 had under the hood.
(I did not test drive the WRX STI, but I can't find a picture of anything else. The looks is almost exactly the same, though)
Lastly, the salesman told me about some great leases on the Porsche Cayenne. I can lease a Cayenne for the same price as buying the Volvo C30. So I did. Here's my new car.
Isn't she pretty?
Haha, I'm just kidding. A Porsche in my neighborhood? What would the neighbors think?
Current top pick: Mazda3
