Subaru Impreza Hatchback vs Mazda3 Hatchback

ha! I cannot believe I spelled Rocky Mountains wrong - I think I was trying to say Rockies but instead said Rockie Mountains. lol

Hi Omly...I totally agree with you that the Mazda3 is a blast to drive! I love the way it handles. I may NOT be the best person to answer your question, since I don't actually own the Mazda3, but have spent some time behind the wheel of the car for about a week and a 1/2 while my Volvo was getting some major repair work done (broke a front axle in an unintended Dukes of Hazzard maneuver). Also, I DO own a Mazda MX-5 with the same Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control and allows the car to handle extremely well in the snow and slush, even though it's a RWD Sportscar! However, since you're moving to the Colorado Rockies, I would suggest going with the AWD Subaru...This Rabbit Ears Pass place you described sounds like a place a guy from NJ like me would be paranoid to drive through...LOL!

Hi! Thanks for your response. I have been talking to the dealer about the traction control in the Mazda and there are A LOT of people who still drive FWD vehicles in Steamboat - the city in the mountains. But if you get in a situation where you are trying to get home from a trip or something it could be tricky in a FWD vehicle. Basically I would HAVE to get studded tires probably - or at lease VERY good snow tires. But it is doable - just scary to me I guess being that I have never owned a FWD vehicle and have always had at least optional 4WD if not AWD. But I've talked to a lot of people who feel that FWD is safe as long as you go slow and have the proper tires. Not as safe as the AWD though. I think the mazda does great with their zoom-zoom with such a small, fuel-efficient engine - 39 mpg hwy is hard to beat. If the subie, which also has a 2.0L 4 cyl does not have the pep that the mazda has that may be a deal breaker - but the boxer engine in the subie is pretty sweet so we'll see. thanks for the info though, honestly, it does help. hearing that the DSC and TC in the mazda makes a big difference for you in the snow is pretty cool to hear. The pass can get pretty bad, just like all passes here in the CO rockies, but when you grow up with it it's not so bad - sometimes it is truly undriveable though in a blizzard no matter the car you're driving! Thanks!