I've got a 3i 2.0L 5-speed and average 28/9 mpg, I can get 34/35 on the freeway and still go 75-80 mph.

 

well if your looking for something cheap to buy, and cheap to drive go corolla, ive gotten great mileage, if you want looks and sportiness its prolly not the way to go, either way you will love the toyota, and im sure the mazda, weight of toyota w/ manual is about 2400 pounds if that helps you

 

if u read CarandDriver's december issue
mazda3 got 2nd place (shouldve won IMO)
corolla LOST

from a driivng dynamics perspective. its like a ferrari vs lincoln towncar
DEAD SEIROUs

corolla has a grampa like personality. it has 195mm wide tires(too narrow). skidpad of 0.76g HOW THE HELL THATS WORSE THEN MY MOMS HONDA ODYSSEY

buy a corolla. throw ur money away. (although those things do last forever)
this coming from a mazda6 driver. u should listen