GT vs. Subaru Impreza

[craighaggart]

Those are precisely the two cars that made it to my short list: Elantra GT and Impreza 5-door. My top priority for a car this time around is driver's seat comfort because I have back problems, and both of those cars are comfortable for me (unlike the Kia Forte 5, the Mazda3, and the Mini Countryman).

The Elantra moved to the top of my list when I saw that panoramic sunroof! The Hyundai also has a price advantage over the Subaru and the warranty is obviously better. The Impreza doesn't get any points from me for all-wheel-drive because I don't drive in conditions where it would be beneficial. Finally, my wife came with me on my test drives and she like the Elantra GT interior a lot (although the Impreza seat was more comfortable for her).

I'm apparently abnormal in that I don't like leather seats, and to get the sunroof in the Elantra you have to buy the "style package" which includes leather. I had the same problem with my Miata M Edition; I solved it by buying seat covers, so I'll just do the same thing with the Elantra.

I think there are no bad choices between those two cars. I'd be happy with either one, but the Elantra GT edged out the Impreza for me. I'm currently in the process of finding a "Shimmering Silver" automatic with style package for a reasonable price. I hope to be driving mine within a week or so.

[TurboLed]

Originally Posted by craighaggart

I'm apparently abnormal in that I don't like leather seats, and to get the sunroof in the Elantra you have to buy the "style package" which includes leather.

Too bad, in Canada you could have the GLS trim that has the sunroof without leather seats.

[newbie22]

Thanks everyone for their input. Very helpful. Ended up choosing the GT over the Impreza. Like someone else said, think I was already "sold" on the GT so it was hard to make an objective decision. Panoramic sunroof was a big differentiating factor plus I had a horrible experience with AWD on a previous Volvo wagon. Went through tires every other year. Plus I was told if one goes bad you need to change all four. Didn't want to deal with that again. Otherwise Impreza sems like a good alternative. Surpised that more people are looking at it as well- according to the dealers I spoke to- it is not even on the radar screen of their customers. One last thing- I like the fact that in my area so few folks have the GT. There are plenty of Impreza's around. Assume GT will get more popular over time though.

[Flying Turtle]

Congrats newbie22! Sounds like we both went through some of the same agonizing on this decision. I hope we were right. Kind of the same lack of GTs on the road around here. I've only spied two others so far.

Geoff

[Em-squared]

craighaggart.

[craighaggart]

Thanks for the welcome! I did like the Impreza, but I liked the Elantra GT a bit more -- and I loved the sunroof. I made my choice and I drove my new Elantra home tonight.

[Winkle]

Originally Posted by TurboLed

Too bad, in Canada you could have the GLS trim that has the sunroof without leather seats.

Except that if you want leather and sunroof you have to go with the SE trim which does not offer a manual transmission option. So we all have to make compromises somewhere.

[TurboLed]

Originally Posted by Winkle

Except that if you want leather and sunroof you have to go with the SE trim which does not offer a manual transmission option.

Oh! I did not realize it is possible to get the highest trim in the US with the manual transmission, but I checked on the website and it's true. Weird... I thought we didn't have it because of a limitation of the push-start button or something... And I thought manual transmissions were not as popular in the US...

[Winkle]

Originally Posted by TurboLed

Oh! I did not realize it is possible to get the highest trim in the US with the manual transmission, but I checked on the website and it's true. Weird... I thought we didn't have it because of a limitation of the push-start button or something... And I thought manual transmissions were not as popular in the US...

The standard SE trim without Tech has a conventional turn-key ignition, that's the GT that I have. The SE with Tech trim is the only one with the push-start button ignition and keyless entry.