The thing I love about this car the most is just how under the radar it is. I'm coming from a raw, superfast STI, and although I severly downgraded the performance, I gained quietness, luxury, and better looks both inside and out. I loved my STI, but I couldn't stand the attention it got, because most of it was negative, and people trying to race me. I couldn't go a day without getting revved at, or challenged, and also I got pulled over several times for no reason. This car gets looks, but it's more of a confused look, followed by compliments.
I don't normally buy cars that are not doing well in the market place, but this may be the best car you can get for the money right now $23k is an absolute steal for the sport model. It would me smart in the future to keep making this car with an AWD turbo platform in the next generation, because if people really gave this machine a chance, and improve it, along with some advertising, they'd realize that it's just a fabulous combination of performance, practicality, and luxury. I do think the future version should not have a Mazdaspeed tag on it. It's time to start putting this engine as an option in all it's lineup on a regular basis. Hell, I think it's time to put this engine in the Miata, so Mazda has a real wrecking force in the sports car market. You can say goodbye to my S2000, if Mazda comes out with a hard top miata with this engine in it.
