Looking for decent mix of sporty and efficient compact

[JCH13]

Just FYI,

A Jetta TDI runs 0-60MPH in the 8.5-9.0 second range.
A Mazdaspeed 3 runs 0-60MPH in the 5.0-5.5 second range.

Also, I do not understand why you would be reluctant to pay for premium gas but would be willing to pay a large premium for a diesel engine.

Or the price of diesel fuel... which is usually about the same cost as premium. I know, better mileage, blah blah blah. It basically all comes out in the wash.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Guessing OP wants an automatic (or I'd suggest a Honda), which eliminates most of these cars IMO -- sure a Fit or Mazdaspeed is fast, but with an Auto? If they even make it... that's why I suggested the GTI Turbo with DSG. The DSG is a really sporty transmission for an auto. The car has tons of power too. Since you can pickup a used one around $10-12k, seems like you'd have a lot of money "in case" something goes wrong. The premium's a bit more, but a lot of these cars would require premium or diesel which as mentioned is about the same price.

TDI vs. GTI ... the GTI is much faster and sportier. And VW interior is really nice on those GTIs.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Guessing OP wants an automatic (or I'd suggest a Honda), which eliminates most of these cars IMO -- sure a Fit or Mazdaspeed is fast, but with an Auto? If they even make it... that's why I suggested the GTI Turbo with DSG. The DSG is a really sporty transmission for an auto. The car has tons of power too. Since you can pickup a used one around $10-12k, seems like you'd have a lot of money "in case" something goes wrong. The premium's a bit more, but a lot of these cars would require premium or diesel which as mentioned is about the same price.

TDI vs. GTI ... the GTI is much faster and sportier. And VW interior is really nice on those GTIs.

Speed3 is stick only and faster than a gti. The other cars mentioned are normally auto.

Not sure which the OP is looking for. Out of his choices I would either go with the regular 3 or the focus. Both should feel sportier than other cars in its class with good reliability. I keep hearing good things about the Fit too but never really experienced first hand to know.

When you take it a step further at the speed3, si, wrx, etc you're looking at stick only, premium drinking, much more performance oriented versions of the base car. Guess it really comes down to how much performance the OP is looking for.

 

[Phantomaniac]

Guessing OP wants an automatic (or I'd suggest a Honda), which eliminates most of these cars IMO -- sure a Fit or Mazdaspeed is fast, but with an Auto? If they even make it... that's why I suggested the GTI Turbo with DSG. The DSG is a really sporty transmission for an auto. The car has tons of power too. Since you can pickup a used one around $10-12k, seems like you'd have a lot of money "in case" something goes wrong. The premium's a bit more, but a lot of these cars would require premium or diesel which as mentioned is about the same price.

TDI vs. GTI ... the GTI is much faster and sportier. And VW interior is really nice on those GTIs.

Correct, I completely neglected to mention I was looking for an auto. One day I will learn how to drive a stickshift...

 

[JCH13]

Correct, I completely neglected to mention I was looking for an auto. One day I will learn how to drive a stickshift...

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Correct, I completely neglected to mention I was looking for an auto. One day I will learn how to drive a stickshift...

No time like the present

 

[zCypher]

If you think those cars were fun, just wait till you learn how to drive manual. Adds a TON to the fun factor, and many other cars suddenly become much more interesting options. It is a bit frustrating at the very beginning when you learn, if it doesn't come really naturally, but you will be happy you made it through the learning curve once you do! I've found VW to offer a pretty nice driving experience with manual transmissions in the Golf lineup. The Mazdaspeed3 also is a great deal of fun.

Do it!!

 

[Insomniator]

Would be a bit above your price range, but how about a Fiat 500 Arbath? I'm thinking about test driving one just for the yucks tomorrow (actually considering a 3rd household car just for commuting, wife putting 70 easy highway miles on her WRX daily). I'm visiting family in San Diego and I often drive past that Fiat dealer on Convoy (by highway 52).

160bhp
a "real" city car
sporty
0-60 around 6.9s
28/34MPG
$22,700 base price MSRP for a new one

There's also a lower end "turbo" model with 25 fewer horses and 0-60 @8.1s but $3000 cheaper at around $19,700 starting price.

Not saying the fiat is bad (i have no exp with it) but I see really no reason to get one of those over a Mini if you're looking at weird cars like this. They are bigger for the city, but still tiny and better than the fiats in every way from the comparisons I've seen. There is a comparo on youtube and the guys take a 2004 base mini over a brand new fiat... S vs Abarth probably widens the gap.

Yes, i own a mini lol.

 

[nerp]

My 2010 auto Fit was a blast to drive and the stick I test-drove was even more fun! And the new models have both traction control & ABS, which are huge. Had a really zippy feel to it. My wife said she liked it more than her New Beetle, which I thought was one of the most fun-to-drive cars ever. Not to mention the awesome versatility with the seats & space layout.

I took out a Jetta TDI and I'd have to say that it was the fastest car I've ever driven (no sports car history from me). That turbo diesel was nuts, and the electronic steering was like driving on rails, super tight & accurate on off-ramps and stuff. If I were to buy a play-car today (aka I didn't have to sit in traffic with it), I'd totally get this with a manual transmission. Crazy good MPG & way fun to drive.

You need to go test drive a 300+ HP RWD sedan. That TDI won't seem so nuts anymore.

 

[_Rick_]

Not saying the fiat is bad (i have no exp with it) but I see really no reason to get one of those over a Mini if you're looking at weird cars like this. They are bigger for the city, but still tiny and better than the fiats in every way from the comparisons I've seen. There is a comparo on youtube and the guys take a 2004 base mini over a brand new fiat... S vs Abarth probably widens the gap.

Yes, i own a mini lol.

The "S" sounds like the standard Abarth, the extra 25/30 hp are sold as the esseesse kit originally.

Anyway, where the FIAT is class-leading is in aural pleasure. It really rorts and snorts at you all day (http://blog.caranddriver.com/name-that-exhaust-note-episode-127/), like the little turbocharged midget it is. Any N/A Mini will not be as much fun, aurally or to drive.
A supercharged one (Cooper S or JCW) will on the other hand be either a lot or a hell of a lot more fun. The JCW puts about the maximum performance on that chassis that it gracefully accepts.

It's tough to make a proper recommendation for me, as I don't know the US market, and the used market even less, but a 1-series, Z3 breadwagon, (R)S3 might also be options, depending on whether you can stomach age/risk/parts.

One of the advantages of the Abarth, is that the body panels are from a FIAT 500, except the bumpers and spoiler, so something like a door should be relatively cheap to replace, considering how many of those go off the lines every day. And so far I've not heard of any major issues with the Euro-Abarths, but then I've not really looked. If I had to get an Abarth, it would be a Punto in any case. Fun fact: that's a GM platform (shared with Corsa VXR/OPC).