Car shopping, looking for ideas

[misle]

I'm looking to get a new car. I've been driving an '07 Mazda 3 for the last 7.5 years and it's time to get something new.

I'm looking for something that falls into these parameters:
Fun to drive
$25k-ish or less
Manual transmission
Keyless/push start would be nice

I have a few cars in mind, but I don't want to skew opinions, so what would you recommend I take a look at?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Focus ST
Mazdaspeed 3 - unsure when the all new one comes out
Miata - all new for 2016
Scion FR-S
2015 Mustang V-6 or 2.3T - should be out in a few months.
VW GTI

Not a bad choice amongst the bunch

 

[Imported]

Brand brand new?

BRZ/FRS
ND Miata

 

[MiataNC]

Number of seats?
Number of doors?
FWD or RWD?

 

[misle]

Not necessarily brand new. Something recent with low miles would be preferred. New is also an option.

Number of seats - Minimum of 2
Number of doors - Minimum of 2
FWD or RWD - RWD would be great, but there aren't many in my price range, so I'm open to either.

My 2nd automobile is a big ass van, so this car can be pretty much anything.

I mainly posted this to get ideas on cars that I really haven't considered yet, like Fmr12B's recommendation on the GTI.

Think of it this way: If you had $25k to buy a fun manual car, what would you consider?

 

[MiataNC]

Think of it this way: If you had $25k to buy a fun manual car, what would you consider?

1. Used Mustang GT 5.0L
2. New Focus ST, Fiesta ST, GTI, MazdaSpeed3, WRX
3. New/Used MX-5 Miata (with full suspension tune)
4. Used Corvette Z06
5. New/Used BRZ or FR-S

 

[Imported]

1. Used Mustang GT 5.0L
2. New Focus ST, Fiesta ST, GTI, MazdaSpeed3, WRX
3. New/Used MX-5 Miata (with full suspension tune)
4. Used Corvette Z06
5. New/Used BRZ or FR-S

My list would be close to this. Though I'd probably add a 135i instead of the FWD cars listed at 2.

 

[ballmode]

1. Mustang GT with sports package
2. 370Z
3. Miata
4. WRX/STI/EVO
5. If you can't find these and can go older: C5 Z06, S2000, E46 M3, Boxster/Cayman

 

[JulesMaximus]

1. Mustang GT with sports package
2. 370Z
3. Miata
4. WRX/STI/EVO
5. If you can't find these and can go older: C5 Z06, S2000, E46 M3, Boxster/Cayman

I'd probably steer clear of a used version of 1, 2 and definitely 4.

Good luck finding a decent Porsche Cayman for under $25k and I wouldn't touch a 10+ year old Corvette/M3/Porsche with over 50k miles on it.

 

[phucheneh]

I wouldn't bother with anything other than a BRZ or FRS.

 

[dbk]

used BMW 1 series 6mt ..

 

[uOpt]

$25000 new?

Hard to do better than another Mazda 3 if you want practical.

The BR-Z is interesting but a bit more expensive and about (expt 0.5) practical.

 

[debian0001]

Used Buick Regal Turbo?

 

[dbk]

What about Focus ST? Too much $?

 

[_Rick_]

Beetle, Mini JCW, next gen Mustang/Miata.
Focus or Fiesta ST
500 Abarth (short wheelbase can be fun)
Veloster?
CR-Z?
Base BMW 2-series (convertible?) might also be available for that money, not built to order though.
Used Z4/Boxster/Cayman (in order of increasing miles)
Used 370Z?
Used Golf R - did those show up in the US?
Audi TT - same question as before.
Z3M coupe, and put the rest into maintenance.

 

[A5]

Beetle, Mini JCW, next gen Mustang/Miata.
Focus or Fiesta ST
500 Abarth (short wheelbase can be fun)
Veloster?
CR-Z?
Base BMW 2-series (convertible?) might also be available for that money, not built to order though.
Used Z4/Boxster/Cayman (in order of increasing miles)
Used 370Z?
Used Golf R - did those show up in the US?
Audi TT - same question as before.
Z3M coupe, and put the rest into maintenance.

The Golf R never came here that I know of -- at least not in a significant enough quantity to be easy to find on the used market. We got the TT, but I think you'd have to go to a relatively old model to get under $25k.

BMW 2-series starts at $32,100 new here. You're not getting a dealer to $25k. You could maybe find a used 128i or a very high-mileage 135i, though.

A used 370Z isn't a bad idea. Those are pretty easy to find.

A used early-era C6 Corvette might be down to the mid-20s by now. Unlike an older Porsche, it would at least be cheap to maintain...

 

[Zivic]

Think of it this way: If you had $25k to buy a fun manual car, what would you consider?

new
mazda 3
focus ST - might have to push that price a little

used
S2000 -
fairly new miata or save a lot of money and get an older one, still fun
Evo IX or X
BRZ - but I'd have to test drive first and be in love with it
maybe an RX8 if you can live with it being quirky


basically I personally would debate a new mazda3 vs a used s2000

 

[TheAdvocate]

My wife wants the D...

The Mazda6 SkyActive-D, that is. Provided Mazda hurries up and fixes the engine oil problem and starts shipping to the states. It's been delayed twice, most recently in January. They wont ship til its fixed.

She's been test driving cars, and found this online - it's a euro only version right now. We're both hoping Mazda will bring it here:

170hp / 240 lbft range, mid to high 40 mpg, 6 speed, with plenty of room for groceries, but still enough zoom zoom. Can probably be had for under $25k in the lower trim levels.

Please Mazda, make it happen.

 

[SearchMaster]

focus ST - might have to push that price a little

They're being discounted pretty heavily. People are getting the base ST1 model for $20K, the ST2 is $22-$23K, and the ST3 is $25K. It fits the OP's criteria quite well.

 

[Midwayman]

New I'd be looking at the Focus ST for sure. Liked it at the auto show.