I'm watching these cars for a possible spring purchase. Manual trans, close to 20k, high fuel economy, BITOG drive it forever style reliability, and some fun are what i want. My wife will drive it, she just wants it to look cute. She thinks the mazda 6 looks like a man car and is therefore not interested in that one. She drives an 03 tdi 5 speed nearing 300,000 miles. Its been great but she drives a lot, and this car probably won't be as reliable as it has been forever. I don't want to loan her my T100 or AE86 while i fix her car.
Mazda 3 doubts i have: Did they lighten the skyactiv too much to be long term reliable? How about the lightening of its 6 speed manual? Why does it not have cruise control on the base model? A driveable mazda 3 really costs $19,240. Only 2,000 less than an Accord LX can be haggled to. Accord wins in brand reputation and theoretical resale value to the point that those 2,000 dollars are not significant.
Nissan is supposed to have improved the 2014 sentra suspension and it will be offered with a manual. I'm not a fan but it could come close to 15k since Nissan wheels and deals to make sales. My point is, the 3 is expensive. CX 5 is on the table as well, but i prefer the 3's price, weight, MPG, and handling over it.
Everything manual, fuel efficient, and close to $20k will be considered without bias towards any brands. Even something like a base Focus ST is considerable. I'd like a power to weight ratio of about 18 lbs per horsepower or better. Mazda 3 is 18.05, Accord LX 17.25, her modded tdi is about 21 lbs per hp with BIG torque. The new car cannot be slower than the old diesel.
Waiting longer than spring is an option if something amazing is coming out soon.
AWD or winter performance is not important as i plan to buy dedicated winter wheels and tires. I like Subaru but many people say their manuals have bad shift feel.
Lets not bring used suggestions into this thread for a few reasons: 1. we already have what i consider to be the best used car, a manual ALH TDI. 2. the purchase will be cash or 0% if offered.
Thank you for your input!
Mazda 3 doubts i have: Did they lighten the skyactiv too much to be long term reliable? How about the lightening of its 6 speed manual? Why does it not have cruise control on the base model? A driveable mazda 3 really costs $19,240. Only 2,000 less than an Accord LX can be haggled to. Accord wins in brand reputation and theoretical resale value to the point that those 2,000 dollars are not significant.
Nissan is supposed to have improved the 2014 sentra suspension and it will be offered with a manual. I'm not a fan but it could come close to 15k since Nissan wheels and deals to make sales. My point is, the 3 is expensive. CX 5 is on the table as well, but i prefer the 3's price, weight, MPG, and handling over it.
Everything manual, fuel efficient, and close to $20k will be considered without bias towards any brands. Even something like a base Focus ST is considerable. I'd like a power to weight ratio of about 18 lbs per horsepower or better. Mazda 3 is 18.05, Accord LX 17.25, her modded tdi is about 21 lbs per hp with BIG torque. The new car cannot be slower than the old diesel.
Waiting longer than spring is an option if something amazing is coming out soon.
AWD or winter performance is not important as i plan to buy dedicated winter wheels and tires. I like Subaru but many people say their manuals have bad shift feel.
Lets not bring used suggestions into this thread for a few reasons: 1. we already have what i consider to be the best used car, a manual ALH TDI. 2. the purchase will be cash or 0% if offered.
Thank you for your input!
