Smallish stick shift well driving car (not fast)

[uOpt]

Well what the hell, can as well fire up this poll, too. If I decide I won't get my fun from a convertible I would want something that is small and swift and goes precisely where I point it. I don't really care how fast it is straight line. Having a fast car in MA is more depressing than anything else. I will just retire in Germany some day and get two E63s.

Oh and stick shift is required for this car. Mainly to stick it to the manufacturers.

ETA: shit, no poll? I said 10 options.

 

[uOpt]

OK, options are:

• MazdaSpeed 3
• Mazda3, pocket the money
• A3 diesel, pocket the gas money
• SLK - why not have more fun, open?
• 2-series 228i. Not sure about F30s but can't do this without BMW
• VW GTI? Are they any good these days?
• Subaru BRZ

 

[pauldun170]

Toyaburu twins
Miata
Mini
GTI

 

[Wreckem]

Price?

The 2015 Golf TDIs and the GTIs all have the option of manual or DSG. The GTI is hitting dealers at the end of May/Beginning of June and the Golf will be on lots at the end of July/Beginning of August.

I am having a hard time choosing between the GTI S with lighting package or Golf TDI SE with lighting package. They are roughly the same price. But my two choices are $26k+ for small hatches, so that is why I ask about price. In the end I am probably just going to get a TDI and chip it.

 

[Kaido]

Toyaburu twins

That was my first thought. BRZ/FRS are nimble, smallish, and not too fast.

OT, how much do you think adding HP to the Tobaru would affect the driving dynamics?

 

[uOpt]

OT, how much do you think adding HP to the Tobaru would affect the driving dynamics?

That I don't know. Tuning is always tricky as it modifies the car without adding weight and you have practically no opportunity to test-drive without jumping into the pool.

I know I rather have a well-balanced car with a light engine than loading up on a V8 that I carry around like a full trashcan held with outstretched arms while jogging. Things can get pretty bad, e.g. the e39 5-series BMW lose the rack+pinion steering when you get the v8.

I should get off my ass and at least drive a BRZ. I went to the dealer once but they only had one locked in the showroom and there was snow on the road so we just did the sit-in test.

 

[MiataNC]

...I would want something that is small and swift and goes precisely where I point it. ...

*Mazda Miata (with a tuned suspension)
MazdaSpeed3
Ford Focus ST
Ford Fiesta ST
VW GTI
VW GLI
Subaru WRX
Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S

*The Miata isn't "swift", but it handles telepathically when you get a decent set of coilovers and swaybars.

 

[NutBucket]

There's rumors floating around of a Toyobaru convertible but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[vshah]

Civic si sedan if you want decent mpg and the ability to seat five. Also probably the best shifter of any car listed.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

*Mazda Miata (with a tuned suspension)
MazdaSpeed3
Ford Focus ST
Ford Fiesta ST
VW GTI
VW GLI
Subaru WRX
Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S

*The Miata isn't "swift", but it handles telepathically when you get a decent set of coilovers and swaybars.

Genesis 2.0T
v6 Stang
WRX
Velostar Turbo

I wouldn't recommend all of those but if you're in that price range you might as well take a look.

 

[dbk]

Honda 4banger with a 6 speed..so..

Accord Sport/EX/LX
Civic SI
Fit LX/EX
used s2000

 

[_Rick_]

Wait for the new MX-5/Miata, if you can.
Otherwise, Fiesta ST, or even an Abarth 500 or a new Mini Cooper.
Small convertibles, those don't exist in the US, unless you get an Elise.

Of course, my default recommendation is to get a Caterham 160 and a sailor's dry suit.

From you list, I'd pick the Toybaru.

 

[mmntech]

I really like the Fiat 500 Abarth, even though most things attached to Chrysler make me nervous. What about a Civic SI? Fiesta ST also very nice.

Would make it easier though if you told us your budget. New or used?

 

[toronado97]

I really like the Fiat 500 Abarth, even though most things attached to Chrysler make me nervous. What about a Civic SI? Fiesta ST also very nice.

Would make it easier though if you told us your budget. New or used?

There's literally zero reason to buy an Abarth over a Fiesta ST.

 

[GregGreen]

I'm not sure VWs are for everyone, but I love my Mk6 GTI and would buy again. VW hasn't released the Mk7 here in the US yet, but they are coming soon and there's some reports of people getting the remaining new Mk6 models out the door around 20k, which is quite the deal.

 

[SearchMaster]

There's literally zero reason to buy an Abarth over a Fiesta ST.

Exhaust sound. Abarth is pure sex there (as 4 cyl goes).

 

[dbk]

I'm not sure VWs are for everyone, but I love my Mk6 GTI and would buy again. VW hasn't released the Mk7 here in the US yet, but they are coming soon and there's some reports of people getting the remaining new Mk6 models out the door around 20k, which is quite the deal.

That is a great deal (we'll see though)

 

[TheAdvocate]

2015 Golf GTD - 180 hp, 280 lb/ft torque, pocket the gas money.

Just tossing it out as an alternate suggestion - and it depends on VW actually getting them here in time for the 2015 model year. It's coming eventually.

I like most of the suggestions though - especially the toyoburu.

 

[slugg]

If you truly don't care about how fast the car is, the Mazda 2 is my favorite car of all I've owned. Drive conservatively and you'll flirt with 40 mpg. Hypermile and you'll get 44 mpg. Drive like you stole it and you'll get 34. But the best part is that it's a simple, light car with a very good shifter and it handles pretty damn well. I autocross mine all the time, bone stock, and I piss off a LOT of people. It's bigger on the inside than it is the outside, plus it can seat 5 if you really had to, but 4 comfortably. The amount if money you save is pretty huge. Although the 100 HP of fury isn't exactly adrenaline-inducing, the Mazda 2 (5-speed) is every bit as much of a driver's car as a "real" sports car.

If that's too slow for you, a regular Mazda 3 is a good option. A but more power, not much more weight, and still feels sporty and nice. If you want something quick, then I'd go for a FR-S/BR-Z.

 

[tortillasoup]

If you get the Mazda 2, IMO I'd wait for the Skyactiv version which will be coming out sometime later this year.

 

[MongGrel]

If you truly don't care about how fast the car is, the Mazda 2 is my favorite car of all I've owned. Drive conservatively and you'll flirt with 40 mpg. Hypermile and you'll get 44 mpg. Drive like you stole it and you'll get 34. But the best part is that it's a simple, light car with a very good shifter and it handles pretty damn well. I autocross mine all the time, bone stock, and I piss off a LOT of people. It's bigger on the inside than it is the outside, plus it can seat 5 if you really had to, but 4 comfortably. The amount if money you save is pretty huge. Although the 100 HP of fury isn't exactly adrenaline-inducing, the Mazda 2 (5-speed) is every bit as much of a driver's car as a "real" sports car.

If that's too slow for you, a regular Mazda 3 is a good option. A but more power, not much more weight, and still feels sporty and nice. If you want something quick, then I'd go for a FR-S/BR-Z.

If you get the Mazda 2, IMO I'd wait for the Skyactiv version which will be coming out sometime later this year.

+1

I still love my decked out Mazda 3 2006 Hatchback with the 5 speed Auto, much more so than I expected when I bought it.

Wish I'd waited a year till the Speeds came out on those, but considering the traffic on a daily basis here the auto probably is more practical anyhow, but it's been a nice handling fun car awhile now.

I should take care of it more and do more waxing, but it still looks good.

 

[kitatech]

I don't know what AT was in the Mazda2 I rented while looking for my current car, but I would run fast very fast and very far from it...I couldn't find/keep any gear I needed...maybe I just don't know how to drive an AT....

 

[NutBucket]

You have to get over your instinct of choosing gears. Just stick it in D and go. Want to go faster? Just puts the pedal. Don't think and it works reasonably well

 

[thedarkwolf]

I don't know what AT was in the Mazda2 I rented while looking for my current car, but I would run fast very fast and very far from it...I couldn't find/keep any gear I needed...maybe I just don't know how to drive an AT....

Very low power + automatic = horrible experience

 

[slugg]

I don't know what AT was in the Mazda2 I rented while looking for my current car, but I would run fast very fast and very far from it...I couldn't find/keep any gear I needed...maybe I just don't know how to drive an AT....

That car NEEDS a manual transmission. Forget the auto.