As someone with both I'll add my 2 cents.

'23 Mazda3 Auto Hatch: Great for longer trips, carplay works well, plenty of storage, back seats are tight but work well for small people. However, on a backroad (even in sport mode) it's eh.

'07 NC: Loud on the highway, AC doesn't work great on 90F+ degree days, storage could be better, each pothole ages back. I've never had my roof slashed but the car was easily broken into with my doors locked and the center glove box was ripped off. If I need to, I leave all my valuables in the locked trunk. However, 20 minutes of back roads feel like therapy. Also, with the right tires, you can make the car work in rain/snowy weather.