New car dreaming: sub $25K, manual, ~175 hp or more: Go!

Went to the Toronto Autoshow yesterday. Getting a bit of a new car itch (I have not bought a brand new car since 2000). Yes, it would be cheaper to take a Benadryl.

The KIA Forte and Optimas were nice. But you can't get the bigger engine withe the manual in anything but the Koupe, and that's a bit to cramped for me (and in 7 years when it gets a cage, it's going to be a bitch). Certain flavours of VW Golf/Jetta/Beetle would work. Mazda has nothing in that price/power point. I liked the DART, though it just falls under the power window. The Lancers look tired. The Subarus are way over priced in Canada. What am I missing?

BTW, I saw the Fiat 500L pre production car. It looks like a Countryman, which means it's ugly. And I'd buy one tomorrow if it's priced where it should be and has the 160 HP turbo with a true manual (I'd buy a Countryman S if it could be had for under 25K too). I must have been dropped by my parents as a small child.

Thanks,

J

Wait a couple months. The new Forte SX will be out with it's 205hp turbo engine in the 4dr hatch. Should be right around that $25k price point.

The Mazdaspeed 3 starts right around the $25k mark new, doesn't it? If not, you can certainly get a "used" 2012 with <10k miles for your price point.

What does the Veloster turbo cost?

Might be different in Canada, but the 2014 Mazda6 is over that power level and starts at $21k with a 6-speed manual.

Wait for the Fiesta ST.

Klayfish wrote: The Mazdaspeed 3 starts right around the $25k mark new, doesn't it? If not, you can certainly get a "used" 2012 with <10k miles for your price point. What does the Veloster turbo cost?

Dealerships are pretty willing to deal on the new Speed 3 as well. My buddy shopped all of the local Mazda dealers around us, and all threw out numbers lower than sticker. He ended up getting one at invoice AND they gave him a very generous trade in on a 2009 Focus. IIRC, without the trade in it would've been right around $23k out the door...

A lot of people are getting nice discounts on the Focus ST as well. The invoice for what is an already well equipped "base" ST comes in at just under $23k.

Mazdaspeed 3 is $30k here, the Veloster turbo is just over $26k. I wonder if the Forte SX will come with the manual (the SX currently does not)? Kia seems to not offer manuals on anything but the base engine.

Does it have to be brand new? A slightly used Toyobaru would meet your requirements nicely, but they'll be hard to find.

DaveEstey wrote: Might be different in Canada, but the 2014 Mazda6 is over that power level and starts at $21k with a 6-speed manual.

This is supposedly a great driving car.

However, If you are planning on racing this thing I would go with the Fiesta ST. That should easily clear your requirements.

The Mazda 6 starts right at the price point here. But yeah, it's a bit big to turn into a rally car in 5-7 years.

• Chevrolet Camaro 1LS V6/6-Speed Coupe, $23,745 for 323HP.
• Ford Focus ST Hatchback, $24,495 for 252HP.
• Ford Mustang Base V6 Coupe, $22,995 for 305HP.
• Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package Coupe, $24,990 for 305HP.
• Hyundai Genesis 2.0T Base Coupe, $25,195 for 274HP.
• Hyundai Veloster Turbo, $22,895 for 201HP.
• Mazda Mazdaspeed3 Hatchback, $24,995 for 263HP.
• Mazda Mazda6 Sport Sedan, $21,975 for 184HP.
• MINI Cooper S Hardtop, $24,000 for 181HP.
• Nissan Juke SV Crossover FWD, $22,680 for 188HP.
• Scion FR-S Coupe, $25,155 for 201HP.

I've heard they're about to bring out a 184 hp Dart GT.

You said the Forte was too small

Forte Coupe is too small. The Forte5 was nice, as was the sedan but a little less desirable than the hatch. With the manual you are stuck with the base engine at around 150 hp.

Edited for Canadian consumption.

Chevrolet Camaro 1LS V6/6-Speed Coupe, $28,200 for 323HP.
Ford Focus ST Hatchback, $29,995 for 252HP.
Ford Mustang Base V6 Coupe, $22,999 for 305HP.
Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package Coupe, $24,499 for 305HP.
Hyundai Genesis 2.0T Base Coupe, $26,499 for 274HP.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo, $26,249 for 201HP.
Mazda Mazdaspeed3 Hatchback, $29,995 for 263HP.
Mazda Mazda6 Sport Sedan, $24,975 for 184HP.
MINI Cooper S Hardtop, $28,950 for 181HP.
Nissan Juke SV Crossover FWD, $23,678 for 188HP.
Scion FR-S Coupe, $26,300 for 201HP.

Well, I guess you're buying a Mustang or Mazda6?

edit - or if you're willing to drop down an extra $1500, then that opens up the Genesis, Veloster, and FRS. That's not a bad set of choices if you ask me.

Man alive, the Mustang has crazy bang for the buck.

Mustang won't fit in my driveway, to narrow (I live downtown). I was kind of underwhelmed by the Mazda 6. Also a bit WTF because no diesel until the end of the year and no wagon.

If the Forte hatch is coming out with a manual soon, as bobzilla mentioned, may be worth the wait. My wife's DD is a '11 Forte SX hatch. We bought it for $15.5k when it was 1 year old with 17k miles on it. Man, what a sweet car. Very nice.

Klayfish wrote: If the Forte hatch is coming out with a manual soon, as bobzilla mentioned, may be worth the wait. My wife's DD is a '11 Forte SX hatch. We bought it for $15.5k when it was 1 year old with 17k miles on it. Man, what a sweet car. Very nice.

I wanted the hatch, but when our SX sedan popped up for sale for less than half the price of new with 18k miles.... I couldn't pass up. Very glad I didn't, car is awesome.

GTI

In reply to Jeff:

Since you seem to like bizarre little psuedo-wagon things, what about the Juke SV Turbo 6-Speed?

Javelin,

Yes, I do like bizarre little pseudo wagon things. And yes, I'm now looking at the Juke. I have always thought they were weird, but I am drawn to weird. My wife, who has great taste (except when it comes to men) hates the Juke. But she rarely drives, hasn't owned a car in years, and takes the TTC to work.

How hard do you think it would be to tune the Juke for 200hp?