Vehicle recommendation (4 seat, sporty, manual, reliable)

[edyvw]

If you want great aftermarket support, you have to go Euro cars.
GTI/GLI would be my choice. VW CC could be option too or that Aerton which no one pays attention to. They are manual or DSG.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Sorry, edited. Doesn't have to be new -- I was typing fast.

The Toyota Corolla GR is catching my eye.

Just to add price point <$50k.

Great!

Yeah, the GR Corolla is a good choice. If you do shop for one, remember that they are available with an automatic now, so if you want manual, make sure the one you look at really is manual.

The non-GR hatch was available with a manual, but it was dropped when the GR came out

View attachment 269744

OP said *reliable*

 

[CheezWhiz]

OP said *reliable*

Agree with this criticism! But Jeeps are absolutely fun, 4x4, can be had with a stick, etc.

 

[raaizin]

Hi Guys,

I've got an older Prius that I'm creating a list of replacements for when the time comes (it's not urgent).

Here's my current desires, I'm not brand loyal.

Soft requirements:

• Prefer manual, though not a dealbreaker
• Somewhat sporty, want something fun to drive on my daily commute with a long section of highway

Hard requirements:

• 4 seats with enough room for 2 carseats
• 4 doors
• Reputation for maintainability (parts availability) and general reliability. I like to buy common cars, or ones with a big after market enthusiast market
• Not RWD, needs to be FWD or AWD

Any ideas?

-kehyler

Civic Si..........................

 

[meep]

BMW 328 x drive. Sedan, great gas mileage, AWD available, plenty out there at Carmax, can be had in a manual.

 

[GaryMX5]

Hey ! No teasing !! He said - RELIABLE !!!

Joke aside - this one is an AWD.

In the meantime - as of last year, the Mazda 3 was still available in lower trim in both sedan and hatch, as a manual, with a 180+ hp engine.
It will take two car seats as long as we agree that they will be each on a side. One in the middle and one on the side will very likely not work.

The MY 2025 is autp-only, but older ones should still be available.

That, and the base Sentra, while it's still available in manual. Any 130hp+ manual car that doesn't weight two tons is sporty plenty.

The six speed manual is only offered in the Mazda 3 Premium trim hatchback for 2025 (nicely optioned in my opinion...not a base or poorly optioned entry trim)

 

[wemay]

Here is another good choice if looking at late model used. Camry Nightshade in blue. Old pic, car is pre dealer prep and still in plastic.

Those wheels are gorgeous

 

[wemay]

Honda Civic Si
Elantra Sport/N-Line/N
Forte GT
Mazda3
GLi

 

[tbm5690]

or that Aerton which no one pays attention to.

I think VW only ever sold one of those to @Zee09

All kidding aside, I always thought it was underrated and a good looker.

 

[edyvw]

Those wheels are gorgeous

OP said “somewhat sporty.”

 

[edyvw]

BMW 328 x drive. Sedan, great gas mileage, AWD available, plenty out there at Carmax, can be had in a manual.

Yeah, you won’t find one with manual that is in good condition for cheap.

 

[wemay]

OP said “somewhat sporty.”

I was commenting on the wheels nothing else.

 

[97prizm]

Hi Guys,

I've got an older Prius that I'm creating a list of replacements for when the time comes (it's not urgent).

Here's my current desires, I'm not brand loyal.

Soft requirements:

• Prefer manual, though not a dealbreaker
• Somewhat sporty, want something fun to drive on my daily commute with a long section of highway

Hard requirements:

• 4 seats with enough room for 2 carseats
• 4 doors
• Reputation for maintainability (parts availability) and general reliability. I like to buy common cars, or ones with a big after market enthusiast market
• Not RWD, needs to be FWD or AWD

Any ideas?

-kehyler

Ford focus st or RS. A slightly off lease Toyota Corolla GR (awd, manual transmission, 4 doors). A Mazda 5 minivan that offered the 2.3 turbo from the 3 and offered a manual transmission.

 

[97prizm]

Kia offered a sedan with a manual transmission option up until this year.

 

[IndyIan]

VW sportwagen is a good newer option, either with fwd or awd with a manual. TiGeo here loves the DCT in his as well, for its ability to handle more torque.
Personally I always have a wagon, as a sedan/hatch just doesn't have the space for gear, strollers, bikes, etc.
Also try a Camry SE if you are OK with a sedan, don't let the BMW guys make you think its got to have the badge to be fun. An alignment, and some suspension tweaks can improve almost any car to be more fun to drive, if not ultimately all that "fast".
Anytime I've seen a regular BMW (non M or M-sport suspension) at autocross, it wallowed around much worse than my Neon, or Focus wagon.... and they all were slower too! Now one with good suspension, tires, and driver is a nice car to drive/race.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

@kehyler - what is your daily commute with a long section of highway that will allow somewhat sporty and fun to drive? What do you do on it now? What would change with vehicle to make that more fun?

Perspective- I'm 3 lane expressway going opposite rush with lighter traffic at about 70mph for 20 minutes, then 2 lane with stop lights for about 10 minutes. Unfortunately IMO for me, no vehicle I have or could get would make that more fun, more enjoyable possibly. Quiet, comfortable, good tunes, stable and stays in lanes easy make it more relaxing of a drive. Speed changes and idiots for me pretty much negate cruise control use. LEO's watch HOV lane and those weaving in and out of traffic lanes.

I'm just my data point so just trying to understand options that would change yours.

 

[nwjones18]

I have 2 car seats in my Mazda. It works but is snug, rear facing is a no-go..

 

[tcp71]

Our 2013 CX-5 fits the bill. 2.0 skyactiv, 6mt, room for car seats. Too bad they dropped the MT option after 2016. Maybe a low mileage example in your area?

 

[edyvw]

VW sportwagen is a good newer option, either with fwd or awd with a manual. TiGeo here loves the DCT in his as well, for its ability to handle more torque.
Personally I always have a wagon, as a sedan/hatch just doesn't have the space for gear, strollers, bikes, etc.
Also try a Camry SE if you are OK with a sedan, don't let the BMW guys make you think its got to have the badge to be fun. An alignment, and some suspension tweaks can improve almost any car to be more fun to drive, if not ultimately all that "fast".
Anytime I've seen a regular BMW (non M or M-sport suspension) at autocross, it wallowed around much worse than my Neon, or Focus wagon.... and they all were slower too! Now one with good suspension, tires, and driver is a nice car to drive/race.

Go to track and check are they slower.
I was faster on Autox with Yugo than some people with Audi.

 

[Elkins45]

Mazda 3 from 2012 onward. My 2012 (2.0, MT) was such a fun car. Or, for a real oddity a Mazda 6. I have a 2016 with a manual and it’s such a pleasure to drive and roomier than the 3.

Finding a manual 6 is probably a lot harder than a 3 though.