Accord totaled, need a 'new' car

[dgunay]

With two kids, I would not recommend a GTI, Mazda 3 or any hatchback you listed. Not because they are bad or anything, but the rear space is much smaller and less livable for families.

The trunk space is also another issue, people brag about how "practical" hatchback trunk space is, and it's not when you have to use the rear seats. For instance, I can put my long baby stroller longitudinally in GLI's trunk with no issues, good luck doing that in a GTI without folding the rear seats down, it's important because if you put it horizontally, it makes the trunk less usable.

If you want performance more than features and refinement, my vote goes to the Elantra N (NOT the N Line).

If you want the most refined option with features like memory seats, digital dash, ventilated seats etc, Jetta GLI is a great value. It looks better than the Elantra N too.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Glad everybody is OK

How about a Mazda6?

The 2016-17 Accord (late 9th gen) is still within the 8-year rule

The Corolla hatchback was available with manual until 2022, before the GR was released. When the GR came out, they stopped selling the manual non-GR hatch!

There's also the Cruze hatchback, and it was even available with a diesel engine, and yes, the diesel hatch was available with a manual.

Since you're considering the Elantra, there was also an Elantra GT hatch with a manual available.

Here is a Cruze hatchback in orange (not diesel)
Corolla hatchback
Corolla hatchback
Civic hatchback
Accord
Mazda 6

 

[2010Civic]

That sucks. It feels like you lost a family member when a good car gets totaled. Those 7th gen Accords are amazing vehicles.

 

[snarl]

2019 vw jetta s $12995

page is available

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...ate=MD&transmissionCode=MAN&clickType=listing

 

[meep]

The civic sport (non SI) is a good vehicle with the 1.5T and 6mt. And civics are larger than they used to be. It’s a 6 second car if I remember right which is plenty sporting, and the manual gets more out of it than a slush box. That said, the heavier accord is safer when competing with heavier vehicles on the road.

If you check Carmax and carvana, 2014 bmw 3 series sticks are selling around $17k right now. I’ve been watching these, and they will be another different world from Honda driving experience.

I know that road and that stretch, I used to live 5 minutes from there. You do get some occasional snow, but it’s not too hilly. If I did the 3 series, I’d consider snow tires since it’s RWD.

 

[Leo99]

Glad everyone is ok.

As mentioned, there around. I would stick with what you like.

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/1HGCT2A82DA005612

I almost bought one but Honda had a strange blind spot monitoring on the passenger side where there is a camera in the side mirror. When you activate the right turn signal, a camera image shows up in the center dash. I much preferred a simple light in the mirror to let me know what's in my blind spot at a quick glance. I like to know what's around me at all times.

 

[DuckRyder]

If you can stretch your budget a little you can buy a new Jetta S or Sport with a 6 speed for probably less than 25, they have a financing deal at the moment too it seems.

Ours has almost 70,000 and has been back to the dealer for a 2 recalls and some windshields. I would ask everyone spouting off about reliability if they've actually owned one in recent history... Because ours has been excellent. And i owned some earlier ones i would say that about, but this one is a great car.

A local search turned up like 10 on lots with a manual.

 

[atikovi]

When you activate the right turn signal, a camera image shows up in the center dash.

That sounds like a great idea. Better than just a warning light in the mirror.

 

[IndyIan]

Glad you are all ok.

Getting hard to find stick. Good luck looking!

I spotted an Elantra Touring locally but I don't think it's all that sporty and it's on the old side--but it is stick and wagon. [I've been tempted to look but it's black, sunroof and alloys with low profile tires.]

The top spec of the Elantra Touring had a decently stiff springs in it as its an i30 designed for europe. I've never actually driven one, but everything I read says its a competent little euro spec car.

The Golf sportwagen was available with a manual until the end, 2020?, although they seem to have not depreciated at all up here. ~2012 BMW 3 series get pretty cheap and finding one that's been adult owned and maintained well could be worthwhile.

 

[greenjp]

Thanks everybody for the well wishes and inputs.

Good thoughts on the Mazda 6 and looking further afield for older Accords & other options. Many just don't show up if I use a 50 or 75 mile search radius.

Since Covid/work from home started I'm down to about 12k miles/year on the car, and our other car is an Odyssey so we use that for hauling the family around. Hence considering things a bit smaller than the Accord.

A 2010 TSX that looks very clean just appeared at a dealer nearby, older and higher mileage than my target zone but also half the price...

 

[2005jettatdi]

That sucks. It feels like you lost a family member when a good car gets totaled. Those 7th gen Accords are amazing vehicles.

That, and the insurance companies are going to say the car was worth almost nothing at the age and miles. If someone chooses to total my Jetta, I am NOT settling for so called blue book.

 

[greenjp]

That, and the insurance companies are going to say the car was worth almost nothing at the age and miles. If someone chooses to total my Jetta, I am NOT settling for so called blue book.

Indeed I'm sure they'll offer me the trade in value or something which is like $1,000. I did look up and found some Accords of that era, dealer retail is more like $5,000-7,000. So I'd assert that's the true value based on replacement cost. I guess I'll be waiting to see what happens there.

 

[DriveHard]

not sure if it will be in a manual, but the new Kia K4 might be close?

 

[atikovi]

If they lowball you, ask for $5500 and settle for upper $4Ks.

 

[andrew_j]

Hyundai should be skipped . Too many failures…..

I’d buy an Accord again if it were me.

 

[Eddie]

Buy an automatic and run it in MANUAL mode. That's what I do when I wish for a manual. I've found years ago that automatics are better than manuals when it comes to shifting. Ed

 

[Nick1994]

2024 Jetta

Autotrader Link

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Crown Victoria?

 

[greenjp]

Buy an automatic and run it in MANUAL mode. That's what I do when I wish for a manual. I've found years ago that automatics are better than manuals when it comes to shifting. Ed

I am a true die hard, only the real thing will do Been driving them since 1998, not ready to hang it up yet.

 

[andrew_j]

….