Is there a cheap, manual 5 seater?

Accord wagons are a good choice. So are Volvo wagons or Saab 9-5 wagons. I had both, and they both fit my 3 kids in the back just fine.

Can I start a Subaru Forester vs. Saurn Vue (manuals both) thread?

SAAB 9000 is the answer here folks. Classified as a large car by the EPA based on it's interior dimensions, I can say it will fit 5 full sized humans in comfort. About the only thing you'll have to worry about on it is the DI cassette, just keep an extra one in the hatch and enjoy.

I had a 99 Accord 5spd 4cyl. It has a good-sized, adult back seat, at least for 4 on a road trip. 5 for short trips. That generation is a good bit larger than the previous one.

It will also tow a small boat, at least in flat land FL.

Rear passenger room difference between Saab 9000 and 9-5 is...?

ebonyandivory wrote: Can I start a Subaru Forester vs. Saurn Vue (manuals both) thread?

I remember this thread, I did not remember who started it...

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/vue-vs-escape/75826/page1/

In reply to JohnRW1621: That was me! Not even knowing the Vue could be had in manual.

I do love my direct comparison threads though!

About the SAAB 9000s: I've had several and love them, the back seats are good for adults, and the think that the car is a bit wider than a 9-5 and most other similar cars. The rear passenger leg room is definitely better than most. And the utility of the hatch is fantastic

All that being said though, a 9000 is not an appliance. And I wouldn't recommended one as a family hauling DD, there are just to many things that will need attention due to old age and normal wear. 1998 was the last year that they were made.

If want to go the SAAB route I would recommended the nicest 9-5 wagon that you can find, make sure it's a 4 cyl, and has a good maintenance record.

I personally don't like the way 9-5s feel (I do like the engine), but my wife and my BIL both prefer them to 9000s.

Quick poll: what's a more livable compromise: rwd v8 auto (P71) or fwd 4cyl manual (Saab, Honda et al)?

not sure if it is a manual or a 5 seater.. but today I saw an S40 Turbo for sale at a used car lot for $2000

s40s are based off some pretty tiny cars. I don't think the rear seat room would be an improvement.

Personally, i agree with fritzsch:

Three adults though in a backseat is never going to be a good time

So i gravitate toward 3-rows in this case. But those options are very limited.

My opinion on the v8 auto vs 4 cyl manual is that the 4cyl manual is more fun in normal driving. A p71 is faster but it's not really 'fun' unless you're driving hard enough to enjoy its tank-like feeling. Like, 50mph over speed bumps or bottoming out through dips. Driving a manual just makes me happy. Driving a p71 'normally' is just boring. Just my .02.

irish44j wrote: 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.

That must be a regional thing. Around here $3500 is absolute TOP DOLLAR for 4th gens. Like, it better be NICE. 4th gens with absolutely no rust issues, i might add. Right now there are two 4th gen at or above 3500on my local CL and neither one is worth it.

The other 51 are under $3500. 34 of them are under 2500. 19 of them are under 1800. So down here they are pretty cheap.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/4271565613.html

SAAB 9-5, available in a manual wagon configuration. We used to fit 3 adults ranging from 160 to 300 pounds in the back seat. Shortest was 5'10'', tallest 6'3''.

ebonyandivory wrote: Quick poll: what's a more livable compromise: rwd v8 auto (P71) or fwd 4cyl manual (Saab, Honda et al)?

We actually went from a Civvy Crown Vic, to a 99 Maxima (for a short time), to a SAAB (9-5 sedan). As a pure family car, and throwing out towing and reliability, the SAAB won. For a tow vehicle, the Crown Vic was the winner. Maxima was great, but we only had it for 6 months and never really had the hwole family in it. I can tell you the trunk wasn't nearly as big as the either two. Same goes for the back seat.

Around here (New England)the Maximas have a real problem with rotted radiators supports along with rocker panels, doors, fenders.... The engines are bulletproof, tranny's are pretty good but the bodies just don't last. One of my kid's has had 3 or 4 now and they run like tops (he is also a Nissan tech) and are fairly dependable. They still seem to command a high price even in rough shape, last one he got was $2200 with 160k miles and only minimal rust. I would not want to sit in the back with two other adults for any real length of time, very tight.

What about a late 626? You can get a 5-speed in both the 4 and 6 cylinder versions. A really nice one should be well within your price range.

In reply to mtn: I can't afford to throw out reliability!

Kenny_McCormic wrote: P71 with a manual swap.

Two nights ago I had a dream that I swapped a T-56 and Cobra IRS into a new Crown Vic. I awoke with a powerful lust for a big, 4-door, 4 wheel independent suspension, V-8 powered, manual transmission, rear drive 'Murrican car.

Oh, no wait...I've had that lust for years now!

Isn't there a market for a new base model 4door rwd v8 manual car with room for 5? It's not like I'm asking a lot... Right? Hello?

jimbbski wrote: 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.

Do not listen to this person...

I had a stick shift Plymouth Voyager. They quit making them in '93 or so, but it will seat 5 easily, 7 in a pinch.

ebonyandivory wrote: Quick poll: what's a more livable compromise: rwd v8 auto (P71) or fwd 4cyl manual (Saab, Honda et al)? Isn't there a market for a new base model 4door rwd v8 manual car with room for 5? It's not like I'm asking a lot... Right? Hello?

Well any RWD car is going to have the driveshaft hump for the middle passenger to contend leg room with.

I don't think what you want exists with a manual transmission, at least not in your price range. You might luck out and find a CTS with the V6 5Speed combo for your price, but I really cant think of anything this side of BMW.

I had a stick shift Plymouth Voyager. They quit making them in '93 or so, but it will seat 5 easily, 7 in a pinch.

They stopped making 5spd in 94, and they will seat 6 easily, 7 in a pinch. Or 8 in a pinch if you replace the middle bench with a 2nd rear bench from the junkyard.

Mine averaged 27. It seemed to get 27-28 @75 mph. I got 33mpg out of it at 55mph the one time i had enough patience to check. Not bad for a 6-8 passenger vehicle. Then i added a turbo. Last time i took it to the track it ran 15.8 slipping the clutch the WHOLE way down the track. I still have it after 7+ years.

My Saab 9-5 wagon is a 5spd, and seats 5 comfortably. I average 28mpg mixed driving, over 30 purely on the highway. Goes like stink as well with a Stage 1 tune

In reply to Storz:

Details please...