solfly's next car, a call for help

I currently daily drive (in the non winter at least) a 2002 EP3 Si.

I have a 1 year old.

I am looking for a vehicle that meets the following criteria:

4 doors, 5 also acceptable. Must fit a car seat somewhat easily.

Manual transmission.

Fun.

"Neat."

Under $8,000.

Not european.

So far I am leaning heavily toward an Acura TL or TSX or V6 Accord possibly.

Sell me on/learn me other options.

Also, I have a fullsize truck for truck type stuff and my wife has a CRV for most baby transporting duties, I just need to be able to comfortably move him in my car from time to time.

Do you live in an area where rust free cars can be found? If so Protege5 is the answer. 

new england so not the best as far as rust is concerned

In reply to solfly :

TL and TSX are both great daily cars, and fun to drive, especially with a manual.  A couple caveats:

• They hold their value astoundingly well.  I have a clean 2004 nav/auto TSX with 75,000 miles on it, and Edmunds says it's still worth $4600+.  A car guy friend recently bought a 2005 nav/manual TSX with 110k for $6000 or so.  I think you can find a nice one in your budget but they do still command a surprising premium.
• The TSX is not really any bigger inside than an E46... meaning you'll need to confirm rear-facing infant seats fit in the back.  I suspect you'll need to shop the larger TL, which will cost a bit more (though it is of course more car).  The TL is also a very nice place to be.
• AFAIK both require 92 octane gas.  Not a deal killer but something to be aware of.
• Manuals in either will be hard to find; the TL even moreso than the TSX.  It's not a bad auto box as autos go, however.  The ATX has held up well behind the K24, not as sure about the 6 cylinder.  MTX of course avoids this issue.

I'm in the midatlantic, where they salt and brine all winter.  The TSX is has been a daily driver parked outside for 14 years at this point and has no noticeable body rust.

Duke said:

In reply to solfly :

TL and TSX are both great daily cars, and fun to drive, especially with a manual.  A couple caveats:

• They hold their value astoundingly well.  I have a clean 2004 nav/auto TSX with 75,000 miles on it, and Edmunds says it's still worth $4600+.  A car guy friend recently bought a 2005 nav/manual TSX with 110k for $6000 or so.  I think you can find a nice one in your budget but they do still command a surprising premium.
• The TSX is not really any bigger inside than an E46... meaning I you'll need to confirm rear-facing infant seats fit in the back.  I suspect you'll need to shop the larger TL, which will cost a bit more (though it is of course more car).  The TL is also a very nice place to be.
• AFAIK both require 92 octane gas.  Not a deal killer but something to be aware of.
• Manuals in either will be hard to find; the TL even moreso than the TSX.  It's not a bad auto box as autos go, however.  It's help up well behind the K24, not as sure about the 6 cylinder.

I'm in the midatlantic, where they salt and brine all winter.  The TSX is has been a daily driver parked outside for 14 years at this point and has no noticeable body rust.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

Fits all the criteria.  I have not seen it but I made contact with the owner. I live a little more than an hour from it. 

Wonder why he posted it as automatic and then said 5spd swapped

Mazda 2, the 4-door miata. 

6MT G35 Sedan 

Pros: In a whole other league of daily than the EP3, basically a long-wheelbase 350Z, tons of room for child seats, athletic ability removes qualifiers.

Cons: Oil consumption, no volume knob on 03-04 cars.

Mazdaspeed3

Pros: Fast, tunable, makes turbo noises, hatch area doubles as baby change table.

Cons: Big time torque steer, sometimes hard to find a good one.

G_Body_Man said:

6MT G35 Sedan 

Pros: In a whole other league of daily than the EP3, basically a long-wheelbase 350Z, tons of room for child seats, athletic ability removes qualifiers.

Cons: Oil consumption, no volume knob on 03-04 cars.

Mazdaspeed3

Pros: Fast, tunable, makes turbo noises, hatch area doubles as baby change table.

Cons: Big time torque steer, sometimes hard to find a good one.

g35 certainly fits the bill on paper, i'm just not sure I can get on board with a Nissan, I've seen some odd things in the shop with them

Either Mazdaspeed seems interesting...

vwcorvette said:

Mazda 2, the 4-door miata. 

...that will never fit a baby seat. 

solfly said:

G_Body_Man said:

6MT G35 Sedan 

Pros: In a whole other league of daily than the EP3, basically a long-wheelbase 350Z, tons of room for child seats, athletic ability removes qualifiers.

Cons: Oil consumption, no volume knob on 03-04 cars.

Mazdaspeed3

Pros: Fast, tunable, makes turbo noises, hatch area doubles as baby change table.

Cons: Big time torque steer, sometimes hard to find a good one.

g35 certainly fits the bill on paper, i'm just not sure I can get on board with a Nissan, I've seen some odd things in the shop with them

Either Mazdaspeed seems interesting...

You'll probably want a Mazdaspeed 3 over a Mazdaspeed 6. The Mazdaspeed 6 sometimes decides it needs new drivetrain components even if there was nothing wrong with the old ones.

I totally hear what you're saying about Nissans, but I still highly recommend checking one out. If you've ever lusted after a golden-era Skyline, a 6MT G35 drives a lot like an R33.

Why not a Civic Si sedan? If not that, a 7th gen 6-spd Accord would be nice if you can find one.  I almost bought a 1st gen Tsx, but that back seat was tight. 

Fletch1 said:

I almost bought a 1st gen Tsx, but that back seat was tight. 

It actually fits teenagers better than it would a rear-facing infant seat.

Fletch1 said:

Why not a Civic Si sedan? If not that, a 7th gen 6-spd Accord would be nice if you can find one.  I almost bought a 1st gen Tsx, but that back seat was tight. 

That's an option, was looking for something a little different maybe.

In reply to G_Body_Man :

Pretty accurate. I haven't driven mine in over 1 month and it has developed a leaking axle seal/cv/something in that area. Haven't investigated yet.

WRX wagon check boxes except I don't want to be a "Subaru kid"