making up my mind
So I think I'm going to go with the Impreza, but I'd like to spend some quality time in the Outback Sport (which is just a package on top of the Impreza, not an actual Outback) too. From the pictures online, the Outback Sport has the more comfortable seats of the Outback, and I'd really prefer them. One of the big factors in my decision of Impreza over Civic is our dog: I'm not thrilled by the idea of carrying her around in the back seat. Not often, but a few times while we had Winnie, there were accidents in the back seat that I'd rather repeat only on easily-washed cargo liners.
Test-driving Mazda yesterday was a disaster. First of all, the top of the gear shift knob (labeled with the gears) came off in my hand as I was starting. The Mazda3 in general felt underpowered, weighing as much as the Impreza and having the horse power of the Civic. The engine buzzed, a kind of annoying "something in the cabin is rattling" sound. I hated the speedometer and the stereo controls (both of which you can see at Mazda's site).
Then, because I'm a bit off, I test drove the Mazda5. Despite being heavier for the same horsepower, it felt more responsive (although it's worth noting that in general, I don't push cars very hard). However, it tried so hard to be cool that it failed as a minivan: no semi-adult human could sit in the rear seats, only short people could fit in the middle row, and with all seats folded down it had about as much storage as the Impreza (but worse gas mileage). In fact, just about everything in the Mazda5 screamed "just like the Impreza, but not as good" - which is at least an interesting approach for a mini-van, I'll grant that.
I'd like the fuel efficiency of the Civic in hatchback/wagon form if I could have it - but the Honda Fit doesn't quite qualify. Still left to do: a little work on misphit's Accord to use it as a trade-in, look at the Outback Sport a bit more, and then buy. I took care of financing on Monday.