btabacchi
btabacchi New Reader
3/15/14 7:00 p.m.

What might you choose?

mndsm
mndsm MegaDork
3/15/14 7:13 p.m.

You just said Mazda 3. Pick your flavor, go have fun.

Mitchell
Mitchell UltraDork
3/15/14 7:33 p.m.

C30?

Lancer007
Lancer007 Reader
3/15/14 8:13 p.m.

Mazdaspeed 3 or if you are comfortable with VeeDubs then a GTI could be the ticket.

Edit: SVT Focus. I might be projecting here but they're awesome.

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
3/15/14 8:18 p.m.

BMW 318ti. It's the only RWD hatch you can buy that fulfills all you asked.. and is half the price for a really good once

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
3/15/14 8:20 p.m.

wrx wagon, come rallycross with us.

vwcorvette
vwcorvette GRM+ Memberand Dork
3/17/14 7:04 p.m.

Mazda 2 all day long.

pres589
pres589 UltraDork
3/17/14 7:28 p.m.

I like my SX4 but I don't think it has much autox potential unless you like your autox experience a bit slow. And you don't like aftermarket suspension support.

mw
mw Dork
3/17/14 8:07 p.m.

celica gt/gts. Toyota reliable, possibly car to have for gs, hatch.

yamaha
yamaha UltimaDork
3/18/14 2:08 a.m.

With that budget, I'd want the Saab 9-2x with a bunch of sti parts. Otherwise everything else listed is a good option.

Bobzilla
Bobzilla PowerDork
3/18/14 7:43 a.m.

Unicorn: SX manual trans Forte5.

DaveEstey
DaveEstey UberDork
3/18/14 7:47 a.m.

Really nice 6th gen Civic with some go-fast goodies

DILYSI Dave
DILYSI Dave MegaDork
3/18/14 8:03 a.m.

EF Civic.

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
3/18/14 8:21 a.m.

I'll second 7g Celica GT(S), 4g~6g Civic, and Mazda 2.

trigun7469
trigun7469 HalfDork
3/18/14 9:36 a.m.
Bobzilla wrote: Unicorn: SX manual trans Forte5.

I asked the dealer about that he said they don't make them....I was pretty disappointed.

FSP_ZX2
FSP_ZX2 Dork
3/18/14 10:10 a.m.

Just look how fast this Elantra Touring looks!

Very high on the utility/wagon-ness, and pretty fun to drive...and has modern car reliability. Can hold its own in HS. Mine (2011 SE) has 78K and I would sell it for between 10-11K. Same chassis as Forte, but with IRS. Touring has bigger swaybars and about 30% stiffer underpinnings than Elantra sedan.

Bobzilla
Bobzilla PowerDork
3/18/14 10:25 a.m.

My only complaint with the ETouring is the drivetrain. As much as I loved the old Elantra with the Beta II and 5-spd, that drivetrain combo is dated and showing it's age. The ET shared platform with the Rondo (oh my, what have I done?) but without the good engine (Theta 2.4).

Still, a great car for the money, huge interior and not bad to look at.

Bobzilla
Bobzilla PowerDork
3/18/14 10:26 a.m.
trigun7469 wrote:
Bobzilla wrote: Unicorn: SX manual trans Forte5.
I asked the dealer about that he said they don't make them....I was pretty disappointed.

They lied. 2011/2012 were the only years available, but the ARE out there.

yamaha
yamaha UltimaDork
3/18/14 10:36 a.m.

In reply to FSP_ZX2:

Its not nice to rotate the camera to give the illusion of speed........

FSP_ZX2
FSP_ZX2 Dork
3/18/14 11:08 a.m.
Bobzilla wrote: My only complaint with the ETouring is the drivetrain. As much as I loved the old Elantra with the Beta II and 5-spd, that drivetrain combo is dated and showing it's age. The ET shared platform with the Rondo (oh my, what have I done?) but without the good engine (Theta 2.4). Still, a great car for the money, huge interior and not bad to look at.

It's nothing exciting to be sure...reminds me of a 2.0 Ford Zetec in a Focus. But it is 'adequate' and reliable. My biggest complaint is that it struggles to break 30mpg.

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