Yesterday, I wrote about how a recent auto accident resulting in my 2006 Toyota Matrix being totaled, and about beginning the search for a new car. That post detailed some of the requirements for any replacement vehicle: cargo capacity, not too big, being able to work with my iPod Transpod, convenient Aux jack, backup camera, decent gas milage. We have already visited Northridge Toyota: that visit eliminated the 2013 Toyota Prius V and 2013 Toyota Prius from competition, confirmed limited availability of any used 2013 Toyota Matrix, and added the 2012 Toyota Venza and added the 2016 Scion iM [brochure] to the list. Our goal is to keep the price below $24K before we subtract what we get from AAA for the Matrix.
Today, in and around our scheduled theatre, we hit three more dealerships to look at cars and/or test drive: Galpin Mazda, Robertson Honda, and Sherman Oaks Subaru. We had been planning looking at the 2013 Honda Fit, 2013 Subaru Impreza Hatchback, and the 2014 Mazda5 Grand Touring and the 2014 Mazda3 5 Door Grand Touring. Things took a slightly different turn due to the availability of the used product, and we focused instead on new products: the 2016 Mazda3 5-Door, the 2016 Mazda5 5-Door, the 2016 Subaru Impreza 5-Door, and the 2016 Honda Fit. These visits did one clear thing: they eliminated the Mazda from contention. For the Mazda3, we simply didn’t like the storage in the vehicle or the layout of the power outlets and such. It wasn’t comfortable. We took a drive in the Mazda5: we liked the engine, but it had the same layout problems, and the Mazda5 was at the upper end of our price range.
At this point, we have three top contenders: the 2016 Scion iM [brochure], the 2016 Honda Fit, and the the 2016 Subaru Impreza 5-Door. This is essentially the same choice we had when we replaced the 1999 Honda Civic. Yes, the universe is pushing us towards a new car. Here are some comparison statistics to help us decide:
| Scion iM | Honda Fit | Subaru Impreza | |
| MSRP (Approx) | $19,995 MSRP $19,046 Dealer Cost |
$17,525 MSRP $17,246 Dealer Cost |
$20,756 MSRP $19,758 Dealer Cost |
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| Console Layout |
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| Trim Level | — | LX | 2.0i 5-Door |
| MPG | 28/37 | 33/41 | 28/37 |
| Engine Type | DOHC 4-Cyl | DOHC 4-Cyl | DOHC 4-Cyl |
| Engine Size | 1.8l | 1.5l | 2.0l |
| Horsepower | 137@6100 | 130@6600 | 148@6200 |
| Torque | 126@4000 | 114@4600 | 145@4200 |
| Weight | 3031 | 2544 | 3076 |
| Turning Circle | 17.7 ft | 17.55 ft | 17.4 ft |
| Dimensions | 170.5″ L x 69.3″ W x 55.3″ H | 160″ L x 67″ W x 60″ H | 174″ L x 69″ W x 58″ H |
| Cargo Space | 20.8 ft³, 42.37 est ft³ with seat area | 16.6 ft³, 52.7 ft³ with seat area | 22.5 ft³, 52.4 ft³ with seat area |
| Fuel Capacity | 14g | 10.6g | 14.5g |
| Passenger Space | 90.4 ft³ | 93.8 ft³ | 97.5 ft³ |
| Wheelbase | 102.4″ | 99.6″ | 104.1″ |
| Suspension | F: MacPherson Strut R: Double Wishbone |
F: MacPherson Strut R: Torsion-Beam |
F: Strut w/lower L arm, stabilizer bar R: double wishbone |
| Coefficient of Drag | 0.3 | 0.28 | 0.32 |
| Brakes | Ventilated Disc / Solid Disc | Ventilated Front Disc / Rear Drum | Ventilated Disc / Solid Disc |
| Aux Jack | Yes | EX: No Aux Jack | Yes |
| Special Offers | 0.0% APR for 60 MOS. | None | 1.49% APR Financing on all new 2016 Impreza Models |
| Exterior Colors | Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Barcelona Red Metallic, Electric Storm Blue and Spring Green Metallic. | Aegean Blue Metallic. Alabaster Silver Metallic. Crystal Black Pearl. Milano Red. Modern Steel Metallic. Mystic Yellow Pearl. Passion Berry Pearl. White Orchid Pearl. | Crystal Black Silica. Crystal White Pearl. Dark Blue Metallic. Dark Gray Metallic. Ice Silver Metallic. Jasmine Green Metallic. Quartz Blue Pearl. Venetian Red Pearl. |
| Interior Colors | Black | Black | Black Tricot, Ivory Tricot, Black Striped Cloth, Ivory Striped Cloth |
| Interior Cabin Noise |
64.0 dB @ 55mph “noise is still a constant presence, if not always loud” – The Car Connection |
66.1 dB @ 55mph “Road Noise is Significant” – Edmonds |
63.6 dB @ 55mph |
In terms of decisions, I think that right now I need to analyze the stats. My wife likes the Impreza. I like the Scion iM, but I want to test drive the Fit and compare it again to the Scion. I don’t like how the Transpod fits into the Impreza.
ETA: Looking at the stats a bit more, I’m growing to like the Impreza. I want to test drive all three again, and see better how the Transpod might fit and how they sound at the trim level we are considering.
