 I bought this car a little over a year ago to replace a '98 Trans Am. My second choice would have been the Golf TDi. I love the extra space I get out of the hatch while still having a small car. At the time, it offered a lot more features than it's competitors, though it seems Mazda is slowly taking those away with newer models. I've autocrossed a few times in it, and while it's not a fast car, I typically do better on the tight courses with it than I did with the TA. The interior is also a lot more comfortable (& better looking) than that of the TA as well. Overall, it's a great car, especially for the cost, I just wish it got better gas mileage & had a better stereo than Bose.