What car for my brother?

Hey, it's another "what car?" thread. My brother is starting to kick some tires. He already has a Miata. This car would replace his Altima for daily driver use. (And if anyone is interested in a five-speed Altima, let me know.)

His criteria:

Budget is $15k-$20k.

He does a bit of traveling for work, so it needs to be comfortable and efficient on the highway.

Needs to have a fold-down back seat. Small wagons are fine.

Needs to have a stick shift.

He tends to keep his cars for a long time and also doesn't have time to mess with them, so he's looking at nearly new cars.

Since he already has the Miata, this one doesn't need to be a race car.

On the short list: Kia Soul, 2012 Impreza wagon, Mazda3.

What does the board suggest?

Ford Fusion w/ the stick. All mine have been auto but have been excellent and needed nothing outside routine oil changes etc.

Mazda3!

Is a Focus too sort? Love my Ford 2.0s.

E46 330i easily fits the budget and "nearly new" as in... not older than 5.

Mazda 3!

Used Vibe GT of the '09 and '10 variety

Don't forget the Mazda6i and, as mentioned, the Ford Focus.

2006+ tsx

New Fiesta hatch w/ Stick

Another vote for 2012 Focus. You could probably get into an SE Sport Package with 5 speed manual for around 20k.

The sport seats are nicely bolstered and comfortable. Car is pretty fun to drive, I imagine you can make better use of its power with a manual (we just got an auto a few weeks ago)

the back seat does fold completely flat, the lower (butt) cushions can swing up against the front seats and allow the seat backs to swing down all the way.

Fiat 500.

Fiesta or Fit

Small cars rule, and will continue to do so as gas prices increase.

Wait, are you trading your brother for a car?

failboat wrote: Another vote for 2012 Focus. You could probably get into an SE Sport Package with 5 speed manual for around 20k.

That was my first thought as well, but MSRP on an absolutely 0-option SE Sport Pack is $20,905 according to Ford.com just now. Still probably the nicest choice.

Then again... FIAT 500...

PHeller wrote: Wait, are you trading your brother for a car?

Ha, didn't think about it that way. I don't think our parents would approve.

I'm sure it just depends on how good the deal is. Afterall, Dads have been giving away their daughters for years.

Mazda 3 for sure.

I'm pretty sure the Accord is still available in stick, isn't it? While it may not be the ultimate sports sedan, for someone who drives a lot, needs efficiency and reliability, as well as comfort in a car they can run forever, it fits the bill perfectly. I also don't think it's dead boring either. Something in the '09 vintage should be right in his range.

Love the idea of the Fords!

At least replace it with an car equal in size as the altima. Nothing worse than driving for work and arrive tired.

Since he liked his Altima....... http://www.courtesynissan.com/details/New+2012+Nissan+Sentra+2.5%206-Speed%20Manual%20SE-R%20Spec%20V+3N1CB6AP3CL651235+Richardson

lnlds wrote: 2006+ tsx

Those are very nice cars to be in. But I think it's time he takes another look at domestic offerings, like the Fusion, Cruze, Focus, Taurus, Malibu.

Klayfish wrote: I'm pretty sure the Accord is still available in stick, isn't it?......don't think it's dead boring either.

I have a 2011 Accord 5-speed, sedan, 2.4 liter, 4cylinder

1. Ultimate Sports Sedan? No

2. 20,000 miles in 9 months - dead reliable with oil changes only. Average tank is 29-30mpg with me driving every corner like Mario.

3. Comfortable for a family of 4? We took it on vacation through the hills of Kentucky and I really had no problems doing 80mph. There is a lot of room in this car.

4. Dead boring? yeah, it's dead boring. But for some odd reason I really enjoy driving this car.

2007-2008 Honda Fit Sport. Just cus I had one and it was awesome. Don't care much for the looks of the new ones.

Just to be different, Saab 9-3? Volvo C30? Both have great, orthopedic doctor designed seats so are great for long distance travel and should fit the budget, and they still have some fun in them.

+1 on the Fusion

I've driven the new Fit and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that has any sort of decent highway commute. While it is a great city car (versatility of the seating is fantastic) the one I drove was horribly darty, noisy, and anemic on the interstate.

The Fusion is much better than the sum of it's parts.

2002 Corvette Z06. Put kids in trunk.

Serious answer: Newer V6 Altima with a 6 speed manual?