Which Car to buy within $20k?

Hi,
I am looking to buy New Sedan/Coupe/Hatch, and have narrowed down to four choices.
Which of the below would you advise. I am a single guy, live in California and will be using the car mostly for work commute and weekend(long) drives with friends to visit places in the state.
- Honda Civic 2015 Sedan
- Mazda 3 2015 Sedan
- Subaru Impreza 2015 (Sedan/Hatch)
- Ford Mustang Coupe/Convertible 2013-2014 (Have seen some used rental ones with 20K mileage for sale)
Please advise.
Thanks,
CaQ
I am looking to buy New Sedan/Coupe/Hatch, and have narrowed down to four choices.
Which of the below would you advise. I am a single guy, live in California and will be using the car mostly for work commute and weekend(long) drives with friends to visit places in the state.
- Honda Civic 2015 Sedan
- Mazda 3 2015 Sedan
- Subaru Impreza 2015 (Sedan/Hatch)
- Ford Mustang Coupe/Convertible 2013-2014 (Have seen some used rental ones with 20K mileage for sale)
Please advise.
Thanks,
CaQ
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2021 Genesis G90
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2009 Cooper Clubman; 1999 Wrangler; 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
So, mustang v8 never crossed my mind.
I have listed some pros and cons of cars I am considering:
Civic
Pro: Reliable, Resale
Con: Common
Mazda 3:
Pro: Looks, Handling
Con: smaller trunk, less rear legroom Subaru Impreza
Pro: AWD(though I may not drive in snow that much), Good space inside.
Con: I've read CVT is not that great, Engine has less power and noisy, Speakers(Sound system) is not that great.
I am considering Subaru Crosstek also.
Mustang:
Pro: Looks, Unique (none of people in my circle have mustang)
Cons: have to buy used, gas guzzler.
What do you guys say?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
As for the Mazda, you could get a 5-door Touring for like $21k and take the trunk issue off your cons list.
'94 Pajero 2.8TD, '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c, '21 WRX, '20 S90 T6, '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel, '97 Suzuki R Wagon, '92 325i, '97 Alto Works, '96 Opel Astra, TWO 4wd '97 Pajero Minis (1 turbo auto and 1 N/A manual); Wagoneer L on order; and in queue for Lucid Air Pure, Blazer EV, and Fisker Ocean.
Update:
I liked the Mazda3 sedan compared to impreza after test drive. It was easier car to drive and quite responsive.
I checked out civic also, its drive was close to mazda3 with less acceleration, and got to know it does not come in all black interior with exterior color of my choice.
Apart from more cargo space, any other reasons for recommending the Mazda3 hatch over sedan?
The sedan looked better imo.
And I remember the salesman mentioning that the hatch makes more road noise at high speed due to less weight at rear. how true is that?
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2009 Cooper Clubman; 1999 Wrangler; 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
'94 Pajero 2.8TD, '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c, '21 WRX, '20 S90 T6, '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel, '97 Suzuki R Wagon, '92 325i, '97 Alto Works, '96 Opel Astra, TWO 4wd '97 Pajero Minis (1 turbo auto and 1 N/A manual); Wagoneer L on order; and in queue for Lucid Air Pure, Blazer EV, and Fisker Ocean.
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Brawny. Torque-y. Aggressive. It's what drivers have in mind when they're looking for a late-model Charger. They're here on our lots -- many with a powerful V6 that delivers the goods -- but also a good handful that pack the no-joke 5.7-liter engine that puts out 370 horsepower and 395 foot-pounds of torque.
"This is my 2nd Charger and I love it even more! I love the way the car handles. Very smooth. The interior is very nice and comfortable. Of course the 370 hp HEMI engine is the bomb. So fast and well handled. I also love the technology, and even the cup holders can chill or heat your drink. This model was rare to find loaded with all the features I have."