Cars I should be looking at?

I am looking to replace my 2003 Protege5 at some point in the near future, and I was looking for ideas about cars I should consider.

My requirements:

• 4 seats (back seats need to be not too complaint worthy for a 7 and 10 year old)

• Entertaining to drive, but not unreasonable for 70 highway miles daily commute

• 2010 or newer

• Available in the $15k range

• Manual transmission (maybe paddle shifter)

• Not a Dodge/Chrysler product

Cars I'm currently thinking about:

• Focus ST (2012 or newer for the updated model)

• Volkswagen GTI (2012 or newer for the new model year)

• Mazdaspeed3 - I don't love the idea of a discontinued model

• WRX - these seem pricey compared to the others. Also, not great MPG.

Any thoughts? Anything I should know about these models?

1st gen CTS-v

Mazdaspeed 6

Depending on the height of your kids - V6 Mustang?

I'm shopping for a similar vehicle and a local dealer has a '10 Fusion with 112,000 miles for $8k and a '14 Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost hatchback with 24,000 miles for $12k.

I've driven the Fusion and I'm leaning toward that one if they'll come down on the price, but it would be nice to have a fun little hatch. I'm really intrigued by the 1.0 EcoBoost.

Out of the cars you listed, I'd go for the Focus ST if you can find a nice example for <$15,000.

300hp V6 Mustang. You'll love it. I just bought a 2014 GT and it's really not that fun on the street -too much power if you know what I mean. For the money it is hard to beat the value and fun that the V6 version provides.

Getting close to tsx territory there. I'm more and more impressed with ours each day. Would also be looking at Lexus IS's which we would be in if I fit better.

Did the same thing as you recently, with nearly identical criteria (my kids are 11, 8, 8 and my commute is 110 miles highway round trip). I wound up with a Focus ST and have very mixed feelings about it. On the plus side: It's a hoot to drive. I have the Ford Racing ECU tune, so it's a torque monster. Incredible throttle response, go kart like steering (less than 2 turns lock to lock). Creature comforts are nice...I have the ST3 trim with sunroof and nav, so it's loaded. Recaros are really nice. So from a drivers' perspective, it's great. Negatives: Ridiculously short fuel range, as in 275 miles on one tank. And I'm not flooring it all the time, I'm being fairly conservative. Much less cargo room than I had expected, stupid subwoofer in the hatch makes it worse. Monster SUV size turning circle...pain in the ass to park. Ford Sync system SUCKS balls, has a mind of its' own. Torque steers like a bastard. A bit on the noisy side, even for a hatch.

So it's truly a love/hate thing for me. Makes commuting fun, but as a pure commuter it's not so fun.

If you don't need a hatch, look at the Accord V6 6spd coupe. Seriously. One hell of a car and back seat is plenty big for kids. Fast as hell...it'll run step for step with my tuned Focus, probably even beat it.

Thanks for the ideas... I'll have to debate if I can trust the kids with coupes

If you can deal with the coupe, definitely try the Accord V6 I plan to look for one when it is time to replace my civic.

2011 volvo v50 T5 6 spd

Regal GS.

Up to '12 Fusion, they are pretty entertaining and a good value.

Forte5 should be on that list. Whether the old first gen with the big block 2.4 or the newer 2nd gen with the turbo1.6 GDI

Bobzilla wrote: Forte5 should be on that list. Whether the old first gen with the big block 2.4 or the newer 2nd gen with the turbo1.6 GDI

I should have added this to my post. It also seems that sticks are not that hard to find.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/657323479/overview/

If I weren't so focused on hte current car, I'd be on a damn plane for this one.

Nice car, but it's got a salvage title.

Klayfish wrote: Nice car, but it's got a salvage title.

I'm OK with that. with 13k miles? hell yeah I"m ok with that.

If you liked your Protege, check out the Mazda 5. 12-14 models got the 6 speed manual. I have a 10 and drive almost 70 miles a day on my commute. Great mile eater.

Unicorn Cobalt SS turbo sedan. Or HHR.