You should really check out the Fit... doesn't have all the power in the world....but really fun to drive. so far have been bullet proof. And it sounds like it would suit you. It has been around for 5 years in japan and europe so all the bugs are out of it....I work at Honda of Princeton so let know, I could get you a deal.
I got my fit from paul p. at princeton honda.
I'm a honda "fanboi" at heart, my fit is my 5th honda, but I couldn't be happier. The inside of the fit can swallow so much stuff, it's redicilous. The way the rear seats fold up is ingenious and so easy, that if I had to get a new car I might have to get a pickup truck, since nothing else would compare. It's a little anemic merging on highways, but I get between 30 and 40mpg and it's got enough oomph to get you around. Plus, it's a quality made car and the handling is so much fun (my other car is for track use only and I have a couple grand worth of suspension mods and great tires and the fit still impresses me)
My dad has an element, so I can comment on that. Comparing the interior space and usability, even though the fit is hugely space efficient (popular mechanics called it the most space efficient car in the US), the fit is like an econoline and the element is like a hertz box truck. You can fit 4 or 5 mtn bikes in the back with wheels on, if you lower the saddles. The rear seats can fold up and out of the way, flat, or can be taken completely out. It gets acceptable mileage, takes 87oct, doesnt handle like a huge suv and has enough power to make you happy. Plus, it's a huge bargain.
As for VW and subaru, through personal experiences, experiences of close friends and through my work, those are by a long shot the two car companies I always try to sway people away from. I don't know anyone who has had one that didn't have countless problems, problems that a new car, especially one that is 20k+ should ever have.
ben - I'm guessing you live in hamilton based on the dealers you mentioned. My gf bought her car at mazda and while I wouldn't send my worst enemy to their service dept., mazda makes some really nice, solid, reliable, fun cars. She's had the 3 hatch as a service loaner a handful of times and it's an awesome car. I really considered getting one before I got the fit, but it was too much $$ for me at the time. My pick is the mazda 3 hatch. The new rabbit is much nicer than the mk3 and mk4 vw's and the the new impreza is definitely a step up from the previous gens, but I really think the 3 is the best car out of the 3.
