I had a 2008 Mazda SPEED3, and it was an absolute blast to drive. It had 263hp stock, and I could still pull down 30mpg on the highway. I really regret trading it in. My wife could not drive stick and I really did not want to teach her on that car for both the cars and her sake. Her car is a 2003 Jeep Liberty and it is the most uncomfortable ride, so we always took my car on trips, so she couldn't help drive.
Totally my decision, but I traded it in for a 2011 CX7, which has the exact same turbo engine. Still a very nice car, but just not the same. Certainly don't feel the turbo pull like I used to, and the gas mileage is no where near as good.