And I mean 3 real humans in the back, my three small kids are sardines in my Protege5 so it has to be bigger than that. $3,500 or so... All I can come up with is a 5 series and they're cheap to buy but at that price, not cheap to own.
Are SW2 Saturns bigger in the rear? If so, do the wagons come with a manual?
SW2's can be had with a manual, but it's a small car. Mazda 5 maybe?
It may be a bit older then you want but a SVT Contour are always manual and have a 195 HP V6. And you can find them in that price range. I sold my 2000 late last year for $2300 with 130K miles on it. I could have gotten a bit more for it but I just wanted to sell it quick.
saturn vue, high mileage mazda5, manual swap into a 1st gen odyssey, older chrysler minivans, volvo 850/v70/240/740, saab 9-5, accord, camry?
SW2 is probably not any bigger than a P5. Actually, its probably smaller. Yes, the wagons come with manuals - they are lego cars and interchange completely with coupes and sedans.
That said, what about a manual Camry, Accord, Mazda 6 (if you can find one cheap enough), Fusion etc?
I'm gonna stay away from Mazda... Unless the extreme rust issue is not an issue like it is with my P5.
I'm going to lean toward a wagon if possible too.
Find a Volvo with third row seating?
Why is a manual a needed?
Rust issues seem to be much better in the later models than the P5. We have 2 3's, and 06 and 07 both with 140k+ of northeast driving, and neither have any bubbling or anything. The 06 was much more neglected over its life than the 07 we have had since new and the exhaust and whatnot is certainly more rusty, but nowhere near the bad rust that most P5s in the same environment had at this age.
In reply to HappyAndy:
Volvo manuals tough to find around here. I vote for VUE
Does this have any room? http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4289587547.html
I really like Vues... The auto always kept me away. The manual is good though?
Older Acura Legend. I'm 6' and used to have to ride in the backseat of one for 2 years in college, lol. It was fine for three college-age guys.
P71 with a manual swap.
Volvo 850s can be had for cheap with a 5 speed (nobody wants a manual car that big)
ebonyandivory wrote: I really like Vues... The auto always kept me away. The manual is good though?
Yup. Good car. A little low on power, and interior is pretty "GM", but otherwise they are great.
I forgot the standard GRM answer to these threads (besides P71): Maxima.
Forester. I fit 5 in mine all the time, it's pretty tight so YMMV. Outback is marginally larger?
Early Mazda 6 wagon or liftback V6 manual?
I'd say an accord is a pretty good option. I am 6' 2" and fit okay in the back. Three adults though in a backseat is never going to be a good time
Maxima, Infiniti G35 sedan, Saab 9-5
Maybe the Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata or the new MAZDA6 also but those are newer.
As a father of three, here's my list:
Maxima, Mazda6, Saab 9-5 and Volvo V70. The Maxima is the only one you can't have as a station. They are all fine driving, reliable cars. Take your pick.
ProDarwin wrote: I forgot the standard GRM answer to these threads (besides P71): Maxima.
I can't believe I didn't mention it. But you don't get all that far with maximas for $3500. You'd be looking at early 4th gens in decent shape. Any 5th gen at that price is probably going to have substantial issues.
SHO Taurus sounds like a good fit.
Subaru Forester. Manual, seats five, and can be had cheap.
Here is some recent chatter about my purchase of a Saturn Vue 5 speed manual. I advise reading it in in its entirety. For the 20k miles I have put on it, it has been cheap to buy and cheap to own. It returns me 26.5 mpg in mixed driving. Here is the link to my Fuelly page.
It is not an ultra inspiring driving experience but with General ArticMax winter tires combined with its ground clearance, abs and traction control; it has been tremendous this heavy winter.
On the Vue, the rear seat is surprisingly huge. Entry is very good through the large doors. The seat height is just right without being too high or necessitating the need to climb up to get to the seat nor fall down to exit the car.
My Vue, parked next to wife's Mazda5
The Mazda 5's second row seats 2 adults really well but the third row are what I call "jump seats" which are handy when needed but leave you a bit wanting if they have to do more than occasional work. The 3rd row is only a place for the tiny and youthful.
The Mazda5 replaced our 850 wagon, manual. The Volvo was a good "driver's car" with a spirited feel and the seats were the best. Backseat room for adults was a little tight but comfy once you got in through the small rear door openings.
I think a Saab 9-5 wagon should also be on your shopping list.
The Vues are surprisingly plentiful with manual trans.
A quick dip into Boston CL shows these two at the same place.
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/cto/4279310380.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/cto/4286703121.html
At first I thought they were the same car till I noticed the lack of pin stripping on one.
Both '04's with 140k-ish for $2k
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