Auto News 5

We've got just less than a month before our Mazda 3 leaves our Four Seasons fleet. In eleven months we've accumulated 24,554 miles and lots of driving impressions - most of them positive.

Sadly two of my three days in this car were pouring rain, and all three days saw unseasonably low temperatures. Still, I made the most of it, making sure the top was down whenever possible.

There is a story behind the story about BMW's foray into compact front-wheel-drive territory. It has to do with Mini, but also with the Bavarian brand's own future portfolio. This change, though, is not imminent. First, the 1-series will be replaced next year by another rear-wheel-drive product (F20) loosely twinned with the next 3-series (F30) out in 2012. The rear-wheel drive 1s will again be a three- and five-door hatch (in Europe), a coupe (complete with 340-hp M version), and a convertible.

Months in Fleet: Five
Mileage to Date: 10,326 miles