1) Impreza Hatch
+AWD
+Road manners
+Visibility
-AWD
-Transmission (5sp manual is vague, CVT is good for a CVT but still a CVT
-Steering (accurate, but light and numb)
-Dealer in fairly inconvenient location
2) Focus Hatch
+Steering
+Road Manners
+Exterior styling
+Dealer about a 10 minute walk from work
-Reliability
-Resale (??)
3) Mazda 3 Hatch (skyactiv)
+Road feel
+Real world fuel economy
+Priced well
-Unproven tech (skyactiv)...durability unknown
-Resale
-Rust (I've noticed more Mazdas in the north afflicted with some bad cases than many other makes)
Feel free to suggest anything else. I'm not looking to spend more than $25 000. I'm willing to drive either manual or automatic, as it really depends on if it's a good gearbox. I would consider certified used. And...I really don't want another sedan/coupe.