I am no longer selling Mazdas so haven't been around them as much these days. I currently have a 2010 Mazda3 Sport GX with manual trans and A/C that I am giving to my 17 year old son. I am looking at the 2016 and 2017 Mazda3 Sport models and a lot has changed since I bought almost 7 years ago. I knew back then that I wanted the 2.0L Mazda so the 2010 Sport GS was out (had the 2.5L). I now see Mazda only puts the bigger 2.5L engine in the GT models (sedan and hatch). I am buying another manual transmission car and have it narrowed down to the 2016 and 2017 3Sport. I see that the GS only adds $1500 on the 2016 and $1750 on the 2017 so it is an option now. I have a 13 year old daughter who will eventually learn to drive on this car and get it when she is 17. I don't know much about the electronic parking brake that now comes on the 2017. I don't like the fact that I won't be able to change the brake pads myself with the EPB but I am wondering if it will make it easier for her learn with the manual transmission. I am thinking the EPB could be engaged when stopped on an incline and the car would not be allowed to roll back? Correct me if I am wrong. My son had experience riding motorcycles with manual transmissions so it was easy to teach him. He did struggle a couple of times when he had to stop on a hill with traffic all around. This was in out manual transmission 2011 Mazda Tribute which has the parking brake mounted on the floor with a pedal (terrible design and not sure why Mazda moved it from the center console like older Tributes). Sorry to get off topic. I am sure I can get better deals on remaining 2016 Mazda3 Sport models so just wondering if most people think it is worth paying extra for the 2017. I like the styling on both (not much is different) so that is not a factor. I would probably just choose the cheaper sedan if I were keeping the car for myself but want my daughter to have the same space as my son when she takes the car. Both kids love dogs, snowboarding, and mountain biking so the added room of the hatch is needed. I plan to buy within the next 2 months and have it narrowed down to the 2016 Mazda3 Sport GX or GS, 2017 Mazda3 Sport GX or GS, and 2017 Honda HR-V LX 2WD with manual trans (love the idea of the Magic Seat). I've yet to drive the HR-V because there aren't any around with manual trans. Thanks for any replies.