Buy it USED, it is just as good.
WRX
With so many new sports cars being designed and produced today... I'd wait a few years and then snatch up a used WRX (with the new facial design).... get it for cheap. I probably wouldn't go for a new car with what is available out there today. Too many quality cars to choose from that can fit under 20 grand easily....only issue is that they do not have to be new.
I'm happy with the MP3's quality/performance overall, but there are issues that will prevent me from buying another Mazda. The lack of attention from Mazda about our CLUNK issue just because our cars are "limited edition" just turns me off. No excuse for Mazda not coming up with a fix for a wide spread issue here.
I used to insist on buying new cars, but in the future I will take a really hard look at used performance cars.... it's a lot different today than it was two years ago.....
