Casually looking for new DD/beater

So, my stable consists of:

96 Impala SS
67 LeMans convertible
98 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad
02 F150

The SS has 150k on it and its old.  Stuff is rusting and breaking
The LeMans runs well, but its also old and shouldn't really be a DD
The bike runs great, but its getting cold and it needs some things; choke cable, tires, oil change, etc.
The F150 runs great and its my current DD, but it gets 13mpg and its full of foibles.  Its nickle-and-diming me to death, both at the pump and with little dumb things.

You may recall a few months ago I was thinking of ditching the SS and replacing it with a high-end luxo car that has tanked its depreciation curve: CLS55, Jag, E38.  I have kinda rethunk that and wanted to revisit it with something more sensible.

Must be:
- decent MPG (my best car right now gets 16mpg, so something in the high 20s/low 30s might be nice)
- seats 5
- car.  Not CUV or SUV.  Hatch and wagon preferred
- fun.
- comfy
- classy
- reliable, or at least not a complete pile.
- absolute must... manual gearbox.  It has been so long since I've had a manual and I'm having withdrawal
- budget of 6k or less

I came up with:
- e46 estate
- e39 estate
- Audi something (but I really hate VAG)
- Something else?
- E-class wagon

Help me find a nice luxo wagon/hatch that isn't quite as lofty as a flagship.

None of these are luxury rides but are fun and reliable.

Mazda Protege5, Mazda3 (hatchback), Mazda6 (sedan or wagon), Saab 9-5 wagon, Panther platform of your choice.

Not a hatch, but there was just a thread about a great candidate.  Honda Accord V6 manual sedan.  Only made for a few years, but checks your boxes.

Saab 9-3 sportcombi

Mercedes anything with a manual is beyond unicorn status I think. Non M car E46's are pretty easy to DIY and the wagons are nice

Jaynen said:

Mercedes anything with a manual is beyond unicorn status I think.

That's certainly been true here in the USA. For older Mercedes models (up to the mid-'90s) you can find a pretty good selection of manual transmissions in models originally sold in Europe.

Legacy gt?  

I'd make you a deal on my 2000 Passat sedan 5 speed....... it's reliable and with a few repairs it'd be very nice.  For way under your budget. 

While I'd probably be looking for a 5-series BMW - and was, until a low mileage supercharged Buick Regal popped up at a price I couldn't pass up - there are a couple other possibilities that come to mind that have decent interior space and a manual.

• Cadillac CTS.
• SAAB 9-2X (dressed up WRX; it might be a bit too small) or 9-3.
• Acura CL

Mazda6 wagon

Mom had a CTS wagon.  It was far from fun, and the number of breakdowns was pretty intense, even coming from a guy who owns 4 domestic cars with over 150k on them.

That Saaburu looks interesting.  I know Subys so at least it would be familiar territory.

The 9-3 tips some of the right boxes but all I know about Saab is that its dead and was dying since 1985.  Everything else is just a slippery-looking GM.  Clarkson hates them which means they might actually be good.  Can you Saab lovers explain to me why they're a good choice?

Volvo C30s are starting to drop into that price range. Not sure how comfortable it would be for 5 people though. Maybe Adrian will chime in.

Any euro car for $6k will need at least $1500-2000 in deferred maintenance done.  If you shop hard enough you'll find a seller like one of us, where the car truly is in proper shape, but sadly, the majority of the time that's just not the case.

As long as you have some cash set aside to get the car back up to snuff, you'll be fine...

High reving, reliable fun...

The Vibe does have some appeal, but I had originally been looking for something really flashy; cls55, older S-class, Jag, so the point here is to shoot the middle.  So things like Mazda, Pontiac, and Toyota aren't on my list.  Fantastic cars, but think more e46, A4, AMG, or something that I can be slightly proud of when I toss the keys to a valet.

It's not a wagon, but...

You've just written the job description for a first-generation G35.

You can find w203 Mercedes c class with a manual transmission, I think that might be the only model newer than 1996 that was sold with one here. 

Duke, you should just basically call me whenever you're selling a car.  Chances are, I want it. :)

G35s are nice, but no wagon.  Not a necessity, but I like the extra cargo space of a wagon/hatch.

Not luxe by any means, but 06-10 HHR's are definitely in your price range.  They are downright cheap now, I see them go for 3-5K on CL in my neck of the woods.   They did offer a manual transmission but finding one so equipped that isn't an SS model may be a stretch.  SS models are the best (basically a cobalt SS wagon) but they tend to be pricey. I had an LT with leather, power everything and a sunroof, will pull down at least 20 MPG combined easy.  The looks at a love/hate proposition, but mechanically they are pretty sound. 

The Saabaru is all Impreza/WRX (depending on trim) behind the A-pillar, for better or worse. Not sure that meets the "classy" requirement.  9-3 or V70 wagon might be your best bets, otherwise I think you're going to end up picking 2 out of classy/manual trans/wagon. In that case, I'm definitely in the early G35 camp.

Volvo V50 AWD 6 spd?  

It has seats for 5, although I wouldn't want to be that 5th person for a long trip... or anyone in the back seat, for that matter.  Being honest, if I have to replace my TDI, this might be what I get.  Of my three suggestions, this the newest.

A V70/850 5 spd is nearly a dream car of mine. Roomier than a V50 (duh...) and the front seats are to die for. Oldest suggestion - pushing 20 years...

A Mk IV Jetta TDI Wagon like I have can also be surprisingly reliable, but on the rare side and about the same as the V50 when it comes to rear seat passenger room (my mother has a V50, so I know it fairly well).  An '02 or '03 (ALH engine) is the only one I'd recommend, so looking at 14 or 15 years old.

You're right, the manual/classy/wagon is a tough one, but there are plenty of E46 and E39 stick wagons out there so I have hope

Don't discount the CR-V, 5-speed available on the first gen, much better reliability than anything else on the list, and plenty of room for anything.  I don't think you could get the 5-speed on the EX trim however, so you'll give up creature comforts.