Maybe a EP3 (2002-2005) civic si?
I travel 40,000 miles a year in the tri-state area and love mine.
Great/supportive seats, small hatchback but has +100" wheelbase, quiet/very solid feel, very safe, low maintenance (timing chain, k-series engine etc), 30+mpg, prices for them are low these days...
Unless the Matrix/Vibe is an AWD model, it will be absolute junk in winter driving conditions, regardless of tires.
See my comment in the other thread.
I haven't seen snow in 20 years.
At the moment, I'm going to steer away from Hondas.
I've had several- good cars.
I think I failed to mention earlier- I'm at a stage (a little older) where the lower seating position of a sports car layout (Honda, Miata, Prius, etc) just doesn't work from a long range comfort perspective.
When I take my foot off the pedal in my Miata, my knees are elevated 8-10" above my hips. Long range, this is rough on circulation, and very painful. Additionally, the tight foot area under the dash doesn't allow for too many options to rearrange leg position.
More upright seating a plus (MINI, Cube, Xb, Matrix, etc).
You have to throw a lot of money at a TDI to keep up with maintenance on a high mileage one that someone has just kept driving. $7500 would be a good amount to budget for the cheapest TDI you could get (purchase price+any work it needs), if you are doing the work yourself. Not that you would have to spend all of that, but you should be prepared to.
Edit: My Vibe/Matrix seat comments were for the first body style. I think they were updated in '08 or '09 and I have no experience with those years.
I thought that might be the case.
They weren't stellar, but they really weren't bad. They had a bit more adjustability than you described. I don't think there was lumbar, but there was rear/ recline angle, raising and lowering the seat bottom, and adjusting the seat bottom height.
find an 84 Lincoln mk VII D!!!
oh looky, found one:
http://carsforsale.classifieds1000.com/make/Lincoln/Mark_VII
Year: 1984, 100310 miles Condition: 7 Asking Price: $ 5500
Have you considered a Kia Forte? Brand new, they handle well and you can option them way up for cheap.
This is the two door version.
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