Which Car? Newish, fun, efficient, family commuter car

Moving in a few weeks, and SWMBO is not too keen on me riding my motorcycle to work every day (which is what I do now, but commute is growing from 6 miles/day to 60), also not keen on spending $20/day to drive my truck.

Need a car that meets the following:

$28000 max

2010 or newer (New would be nice, but used is ok too)

Sedan/Wagon/Hatch (Not an SUV. She has one, don't need another one)

Seating for 2 adults, 2 kids in carseats (none yet, just future proofing), a small dog, and their stuff for a weekend

Fun/engaging to drive

Fuel efficient (at least 30mpg highway)

I will be driving about 60 miles per day (all highway), with an additional monthly trip of about 500 miles.

I have a list that is quickly spiraling out of control (there are a lot of options). Basically with payments, fuel, and insurance premium it needs to be less expensive than driving my truck.

Acura TSX, particularly if you can find a manual. But the automatic is very nice as well.

Mazda 5. Easy to find in manual. Room for 4 + crap+ dog is no problem. Also fuel efficient (I average 29-30 mpg lately. 31-32 is the highest I have been able to eek out). Handles good for what it is and also aftermarket suspension parts are ample for it.

I am reasonably happy with the Cruze 1.4 turbo six speed I just bought. I can pull 40mpg on the highway and it's fun-ish to drive if not a bit slow.

The turbo is tiny and comes on with peak tq around 1800rpm. You can loaf around in 6th gear at 30mph.

Paid about $16,000 even a couple weeks ago for an LT model.

Prior to that I had Fusions 06,08,10,12,14 that I was happy with. The new 14's are really nice.

Also consider a Focus ST. I was finding them in the low 20's new but the extra cost, insurance and lower gas mileage ruled it out with my 100+ mile a day commute. That and I would be more tempted to burn through tires, gas and tickets with it.

Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ?

These are somewhat rare but might be the perfect setup:

Pre-2013 Hyundai Elantra Touring. Manual available and just the right size.

VW Jetta Wagon Diesel

Mazda 6 wagon I think only a few manuals out there.

Forte5 SX with the 1.6T and a 6-spd. Hits every point you ask for and saves you $5k from your max. plus you get 10/100 warranty and new car goodness.

I like the Forte5 and test drive one but the Focus ST was better in every regard save the warranty and you can get them for the same money.

Definitely look at the Focus ST and the Mazda3, Mazda6. The new Mazda SkyActives should get ~40 MPG and 6 speed manual or auto trans options. The old Acura (TSX?) also seems like a fun option with the 6 speed manual but not sure about the looks post-2010.

dculberson wrote: Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ?

^ this

I would say that since are looking at a newer car, don't shy away from a sports car since it would be a much harder if not impossible sell to the wife with 1 or 2 kids. You could always trade the sports car in.

Go with the FRS/BRZ or a NC Miata.

If you needed better fuel mileage, look at a Passat diesel if you could live with an auto.

A mazda6 makes a nice commuter appliance that's still somewhat fun to drive. It really does get close to 40mpg highway too. My 2014 base 6 isport was under $22k.

I've heard good things about the Honda Accord Sport 4cyl/manual.

Greg Voth wrote: I like the Forte5 and test drive one but the Focus ST was better in every regard save the warranty and you can get them for the same money.

Haven't driven the Forte5 yet, but I am not comfortable with the Focus. Right leg for me is wedged against the center console. long trips would KILL my leg.

Might scare some, but I would look at a 2010 or 11 saab 9-3. should be able to find a manual. we bought a 2010 about 3 years ago with 20k on it for ~17k. it gets around 30mpg on the freeway.

Wow lots of suggestions.

Sorry Mazda 5 is a no go for me. Call me vain, but not going to get a minivan.

Forte5 doesn't get 30 MPG with turbo, and doesn't excite me without it.

Elantra Touring/GT seems like it might work, but the old ones are just ugly, and new ones aren't much better.

I wish I could convince the wife (and myself) that an FRS/BRZ was a good idea, but I can't.

She also is against a manual because she doesn't know how to drive one. I'm arguing that she can learn, and she would probably only drive it one or two days a year, so she can deal.

Here is the list I made before this thread.

Chevrolet Cruze Eco

Chevrolet Sonic5 - Regular and RS

Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Volt

Ford C-Max

Ford Fiesta - Regular and ST

Ford Focus - Regular and ST

Hyundai Veloster (This one is a bit of a stretch)

Mazda 3 - Sedan and 5 door

Mazda 6

Mini Countryman - Regular and S

Subaru Impreza - Sedan and Hatch

Subaru Legacy

Subaru Outback

Subaru XV Crosstrek

Volkswagen Jetta Wagon - Gas and TDI

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

Volkswagen Passat - Gas and TDI

I think the Volt is currently leading my list. Not as fun to drive as the others probably, but in still engaging in a way, and I like the technology, and potential gas savings. Coupled with the leftovers on dealer lots and the tax credit, it is actually very affordable.

+1 for Toyobaru. It might not quite make 30MPG though.

Toybaru may not be a good idea. If you do not have kids now and plan that you may. A rear facing infant seat takes up room.

Right now, I have the kid mounted to the floor of the Mustang where the passenger seat was, and the wife rides in the back seat as a passenger when we take it. Anything of the like will more than likely be equivalent.

The Corolla has the kid in the middle rear, he wouldnt fit on the sides without some uncomfortableness.

I would suggest to find a friend or someone to steal a seat and just check it out. Otherwise, some extra steps will be needed when a kid drops in.

I have a 2010 Saab sportcombi with the 2l and manual. It is getting 36 going 70 on a road trip right now.

Bobzilla wrote:

Greg Voth wrote: I like the Forte5 and test drive one but the Focus ST was better in every regard save the warranty and you can get them for the same money.

Haven't driven the Forte5 yet, but I am not comfortable with the Focus. Right leg for me is wedged against the center console. long trips would KILL my leg.

You are correct that it is a bit tight. The forte seemed to have more room up front. Also the recaros are a bit snug if you are a ummm portly fellow.

Thinkkker wrote: Right now, I have the kid mounted to the floor of the Mustang where the passenger seat was, and the wife rides in the back seat as a passenger when we take it. Anything of the like will more than likely be equivalent.

Wait, what?

Is the car seat mounted to the floor? Can you take a picture or a diagram or something?

Greg Voth wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Greg Voth wrote: I like the Forte5 and test drive one but the Focus ST was better in every regard save the warranty and you can get them for the same money.

Haven't driven the Forte5 yet, but I am not comfortable with the Focus. Right leg for me is wedged against the center console. long trips would KILL my leg.

You are correct that it is a bit tight. The forte seemed to have more room up front. Also the recaros are a bit snug if you are a ummm portly fellow.

That's me!

Why not a v6 mustang with a stick? Still roomy enough to fit everyone if they are really small.

You want to fit two adults, two kids, a small dog and all your stuff and you want it to be a sedan/wagon/hatch.

You cannot fit that amount of stuff into a sedan or wagon that is anything other than mid-sized. If you have two kids you will need two rear facing child seats at some point. If you have a small dog and you need to bring it then you need some sort of crate that fits on the floor or a harness I suppose for it to sit in the back.

Honestly I think it's impractical to find a regular car where this would be easy to do and still keep it fun.

If the Volt is mid-sized then that seems like an okay idea.

I know it would be tight in anything less than mid size, but not impossible. Worst case scenario we take the Forester or my Silverado if we need more room. Dog's crate collapses, or can be filled with our stuff when transporting. He is a 10 pound miniature dachshund and sits in a dog seat with a harness. Right now it is belted in the seat, but they also make one that attaches to a center console if the back seat isn't big enough or there isn't a center seat like in the volt or countryman). We don't have any kids now, but yes I know they will need to be in rear facing seats at some point if we have them. There is a good section of cars.com which shows various car seats in most vehicles. I think it is called kicking tires or something like that and the articles are titled car seat check. Ideally we will borrow someone's seat and take it to the dealer with us when we really get down to it.

I would like to stay with a car in the small to mid size. Volt is small.

I am not buying a two door car (as much as I would really love a BRZ). Closest to a coupe that I would consider would be a Veloster with the third door, but I look at that is a bit of stretch as well.