Mazda3 Sport GT or Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Sport?

[SAS-1]

I have a Mazda3 GT and love it. Appearance wise, it's definitely above the Subuar IMO. However, with the stock tries, mine was handling like **** in the snow. With winter tires it was much better but nothing like what the Subaru AWD could do.

[warpdrive]

Based on posts at the Canadian Driver Forum, I understand that the Subaru with auto splits the power 90/10 front-rear (if true, this is not a true AWD IMO )....with the manual, it does a power split of 50/50. Can anyone confirm this? Does the power split change with the auto if the road conditions (automatically or user induced) change to wet, snow or icy conditions?

Yes, it's true that the standard automatic is 90f/10r which can lock at 50/50 on demand when wheel slippage happens.

The basic Subaru manual tranmission is split 50/50.

STi's are different. Manual STi's have user controllable torque split (the default mode starts off at 65/35) Some other flavours of STi have a different defaults (e.g 45F/55R for the RA Spec C)

Automatic WRX's, Forester XT's, Outback 3.0's have a VTD automatic system which is 45(f)/55(r)full time.

So depending on the Subaru you buy, you can get any number of default torque splits. Confusing to be sure.

[DavidY]

Yes, it's true that the standard automatic is 90f/10r which can lock at 50/50 on demand when wheel slippage happens.

The basic Subaru manual tranmission is split 50/50.

STi's are different. Manual STi's have user controllable torque split (the default mode starts off at 65/35) Some other flavours of STi have a different defaults (e.g 45F/55R for the RA Spec C)

Automatic WRX's, Forester XT's, Outback 3.0's have a VTD automatic system which is 45(f)/55(r)full time.

So depending on the Subaru you buy, you can get any number of default torque splits. Confusing to be sure.

Thanks for the info, Warpdrive and Kingsley. Am I correct to assume that the auto Impreza (base RS) does the split by itself or other? Anything about the split ratio for the new Legacy's with auto?

Dave

[chickenbones]

A day like today in Toronto you would be smiling if you had the Impreza. My friend who owns a brand new Mazda 3 GT had to put on snow tires recently because the stock 205/50 R17 Eagle RSA tires are just terrible on snow. I am sure he is glad he has done so. I made a hugh mistake going out with my RWD car last night so driving out there aftwr midnight was a scary experience in down town. Today though, with my AWD one I drove so confidently with ease.

FWD with snowies are better than an AWD with all seasons in snow/low traction conditions. No all seasons are good on snow, not when compared to dedicated winter tires. I guarantee you'll have even better experience if you have winter tires on your AWD.

[blackhawk]

long time mazda owner since '91 so I like them, solid, mechanically and design

no subaru experience but I know they're popular across the river in PQ, probably cause of the awd

[Master]

I test drove both....I'm by no means a car professional. These two are comparable in prices.

Subaru Impreza RS auto (No Sports package)

1. Acceleration good
2. AWD!
3. The build quality feels better...I like the heavy sound of the slamming door
4. Better crash test than Mazda 3


Mazda 3 GT auto (no GFX)

1. Exterior looks better
2. Interior looks better, more updated, and more feature (auto sensing wiper, steering audio and cruise control, telescopic steeling, etc)
3. Acceleration is just as good as Subie probably because it is lighter in weight
4. Better fuel mileage
5. Cheaper Insurance
6. The back seats folds down well unlike the subie which gives you a small hole access
7. Cheaper than Subie by around $1500

These are two great cars. At the end I went for the Mazda 3. The 16" wheel GT handles quite well in snow. I opted not to go for the GFX because of the 17" wheel.

[warpdrive]

Thanks for the info, Warpdrive and Kingsley. Am I correct to assume that the auto Impreza (base RS) does the split by itself or other? Anything about the split ratio for the new Legacy's with auto?

Dave

5 speed automatic Legacy GT gets VTD (45/55), but the base Legacy (4 speed automatic) has to make do with the the regular AWD system which I assume is still 90/10.

The base Impreza RS auto also gets the 90/10 split. The automatic's AWD system is electronically controlled with a continuously variable transfer clutch, so it will transfer torque on demand.

Which makes sense since the GT is a full $6000+ more than the base Legacy, so that $$$ buys you a better AWD system besides the turbo power. Manual GT's get the performance oriented limited slip diffy