TDI fades into regulatory oblivion; Enter Miata

[Tave]

Help me pick out this hypothetical car that I may or may not buy now or some point in the future.

Conditions:
-Cheap
-New
-Fun
-Manual


Thoughts
FocusST (turbo?)
Wrangler (expensive?)
Civic Si sedan (front runner)
GTi (expensive?)
Jetta (don't like)
Dart (turbo?)
MS3 (???)


Suggestions?

[2o6]

Fiesta ST


I've heard the new Civic Si is pretty lame compared to the old one. Fiesta and Focus should be nice, but I naturally gravitate to the smaller car. The Wrangler just seems like it'll be shit on road most of the time. GTI is always a good choice, and non GLI Jettas suck. Pretty much every other compact beats it up. MS3 is also good.


V6 Camaro? Mustang? Toyota RWD Twins?


I would say the Veloster Turbo, but most modern Hyundais aren't really fun to drive.

[J86]

I have the same thoughts and go for a TDI Jetta Sportwagen, but you don't seem to like it.

BRZ?

[GoCougs]

I had a few new Civics as service loaners. Nice for what they are but lots of typical Honda road noise; I have to imagine the Si is even more so. The clear front runner IMO is the 4-door GTI w/6sp MT. The refinement is not to be underestimated - if you can pick up on such things you'll actually be shocked vs. others in the segment like the Civic or Impreza/WRX. Starting at $25k isn't materially more expensive than anything else on the list.

[Rich]

BRS!!!!!

[Lebowski]

Probably the GTI based on that list as the starting point.

[CJ]

Focus ST without MyFordTouch.

[SVT666]

Focus ST or FR-S

[Tave]

Yeah it's been awhile since I've driven a GTi, I should test one. I'm not sold on VW's reliability though: it's a little more upfront and potentially a lot more down the line. Honda has the Si on lockdown and gives you a ton of content on the base model. Too bad its instrument panel looks so juvenile.

I like the NA + Honda stick.


No on the Fiesta ST.

I could see myself in a Genesis Coupe but not a Mustang or Camaro, maybe a Toyobaru but they don't give you a ton of content.


Has anyone driven the Focus ST?

[SVT666]

All the comparos give it the nod over the GTI and MS3.

[GoCougs]

Yeah it's been awhile since I've driven a GTi, I should test one. I'm not sold on VW's reliability though: it's a little more upfront and potentially a lot more down the line. Honda has the Si on lockdown and gives you a ton of content on the base model. Too bad its instrument panel looks so juvenile.

I like the NA + Honda stick.


No on the Fiesta ST.

I could see myself in a Genesis Coupe but not a Mustang or Camaro, maybe a Toyobaru but they don't give you a ton of content.


Has anyone driven the Focus ST?

If you're going to be in and out in 3-5 years with average mileage a GTI statistically speaking shouldn't be a lot of trouble; it's VW's best vehicle by a long shot. The only aspect I'd be leery of would be the DSG.

[Tave]

All would be manuals. That should have been a condition my bad.

[Rupert]

Yeah, BRZ.

^Another one of THOSE answers.

[S204STi]

GTI. It actually was my preference over the WRX in terms if of driving experience, but I chose the Subaru for 4wd and longevity.

[Tave]

I prefer coupes but this would be my only car and I would like 4 doors. I'm not married to the idea of a pocket rocket either I could do anything from a pickup to an Accord to a Mini. It just needs to be a manual at that price point, preferably with some utility. If I did a coupe I would probably get the BRZ or Genesis.

[CALL_911]

For what this anecdote is worth, my GTI has done well. I abhor the nav system/radio, and I've had some pesky false alarms with TPMS lights and lights telling me I have bulbs out (I didn't know those existed), which I can't get rid of myself. Aside from that, it has been pretty good.

[MrH]

Not enough content in a BRZ? What features are you looking for that are missing?

I highly recommend you test drive one. I can't imagine getting anything else after a test drive. It's really that different than the genesis, mustang, camaro, Gti, and si.

[Onslaught]

Genesis
BRZ
MX-5

[Tave]

Not enough content in a BRZ? What features are you looking for that are missing?

I highly recommend you test drive one. I can't imagine getting anything else after a test drive. It's really that different than the genesis, mustang, camaro, Gti, and si.

Like I said, 4 doors preferred, plus I'm driving it all over for work and think I might get tired of the BRZ suspension.

The Civic has a better stereo and sunroof.

[Laconian]

Fiat 500 Abarf?

[Tave]

No to the 500. I have an Aveo, enough is enough.

[Madman]

Golf GTI, Focus ST and MazdaSpeed3 are all excellent choices.  You can't go wrong with any of these. 

[MrH]

Like I said, 4 doors preferred, plus I'm driving it all over for work and think I might get tired of the BRZ suspension.

The Civic has a better stereo and sunroof.

Suspension is firm but plenty comfortable for daily driving for me.

Just promise you'll test drive one?

[2o6]

No to the 500. I have an Aveo, enough is enough.

Size too small?

[CALL_911]

If the FRS/BRZ was out when I got my car, no chance I'd have had a GTI. Definitely worth a drive.

[CALL_911]

Actually, the GTI has made my life easier than a BRZ would have on a lot of occasions (namely moving in and out of places, which I've done a LOT since I've started college). But if you're not going to be hauling a lot of shit in your car at least once a year, it's obviously a nonissue.

My mom, who is 5'0" and weighs like 100 lbs or something had a hard time fitting in the back seat of the FR-S. As a passenger, she absolutely hated it. She couldn't fathom why I liked it more than my car.

[J86]

I'm curious what you guys do with small cars.  I regularly need to borrow suburbans, pickups, etc. from friends and I have a 4 door family sedan.  Does no one have hobbies that involve gear?  Or miscellaneous adventures that require them?

[Madman]

Size too small?

I prefer coupes but this would be my only car and I would like 4 doors.

Fiat 500 is a couple of doors short.  The upcoming 500L looks like it could be a contender but are they going to make a performance oriented Abarth version?  Sounds like Tave wants both practicality AND performance, which is where the Golf GTI, Focus ST and MazdaSpeed3 all score big.

[CALL_911]

I'm curious what you guys do with small cars.  I regularly need to borrow suburbans, pickups, etc. from friends and I have a 4 door family sedan.  Does no one have hobbies that involve gear?  Or miscellaneous adventures that require them?

I bike locally, so I never need to put a bike in the back of my car. That's the extent of my activities that require sizable gear. My tennis racquet also fits in the back of my car. Being a hatchback, it can hold a LOT of shit with the back seats folded down.

[Tave]

Suspension is firm but plenty comfortable for daily driving for me.

Just promise you'll test drive one?

You don't have to sell me, I'd love one. Just not what I need.

Size too small?

More like 2 too small. I'd go even larger it just seems like the compacts are in my sweetspot as far as price/value. To be honest I'd love a truck, but they kill you on options.