I was looking for a fun-to-drive 4-door hatchback with power, AWD, and HIDs, and my budget was under $30,000 + Freight + Taxes.
I cross-shopped the aforementioned 5 cars and came up with 18 different criteria that were important to me.
Judging by above total, it seems like the GTI comes out on the top with ST being second followed closely by MS3 and Si.
But, this is assuming that all dimensions have equal value which is really not the case. I then devised a plan on how to solve this by placing importance on different dimensions. For example, I value drivetrain more so I placed a higher # on AWD than I did on looks.
I placed 15% importance in AWD, 10% in power, fun-to-drive, and price, a further 5% for HIDs, interior features, maintenace costs, reliability, size, comfort, fuel economy, transmission, and the remaining 15% were divided equally for the rest of the criteria.
Here are the final results!
I just couldn't decide between the Focus ST and the Mazdaspeed3 based on my subjective and objective importance.
Maximum points any car could obtain would be 500. Both Focus ST and MS3 had 300, or 60%.
All five cars are clear winners based on what one values more.
Even though I value power and AWD, the WRX did not win out as it placed low scores on price, lack of HIDs, lack of interior features, highest fuel economy, only car with 5-speed transmission, and the highest insurance costs. Everything adds up, and at the end, Focus ST was the winner for me.
But all five cars are excellent and each offers something that the other doesn't, and there are no wrong choices.
In the end, I'm extremely happy with my choice and grateful that we have so much competition. At the end, it is the customer that benefits the most.
