A car that sits tall, looking for a new DD

I think the Xb (of either generation) is a good idea.
Similar cars:
Nissan Versa, Cube or Sentra (all available in manual trans)
Suzuki SX4 and maintain 4wd capabilities.

The mini SUV's that you have mentioned sound good as well.

Try out a Kia Rondo/Mazda 5. The Rondo can be had for $12K around here, used maybe less. There is a ton of headroom and your thigh will be parallel to the floor. Manu-matic is all you can get in the Kia however.

I test drove the 5 and it was smaller, but similar in driving position. I think they sell for a bit more, but you can get a 5-speed.

Compared to:

I thought about an Xb, but cannot do those center gauges.

Seats- that might be an option, I will see what I can find out there aftermarket, the legacy is practically sold (just waiting on financing from the new guy, plus he is flying from Indiana and driving it home).

Forester XT is on the list, but it seems like the only ones for sale are black or white, (neither of which I want) or have an autotragic. I have found a pretty Blue with silver cladding regular one local, we will see if it is still around in 2 weeks, not turbo, but at least a manual.

Fit- Already have one, not sure if two are necessary, plus I would want the newer one, sport package, they have not dropped enough yet.

I will go and look at a volvo, I remember those seats.

Did craigs/autotrader search, no elements with a manual within 500 miles

Anyone know about the maintenance on something like the SX4, hard to find parts ect? I like to try and do my own work

Oh, and the Mazda MPV had AWD up until 1999 or so.

I will look at the 5, just to see if they fixed the issue with the center console that I had on the 3. Rondo might be an interesting idea, but the no manual option does turn me off, Anybody know about the seating position in a Spectra 5?

AWD not a requirement here in phoenix AZ, but moving to the pacific NW in the next 5 years, could be nice to have, but again, not necessary for now.

Oh, and you guys rock you know that right? Thank you for your help and ideas.

The Suzuki comes sedan and wagon. Some could be had without AWD. Other than that, I know very little about them.

Another: Kia Soul but too new to fit under the $10k budget?

Honda Fit/CRV/Element... all of them have seemed to sit tall and be pretty easy on entrance and exit, and I think you can get two of the three with a manual tranny...

Focus...I had a 2002 ZTS. It had a height-adjustable seat. I am 6'6"--it was very comfortable--just did not have much room beind me for kids when I had the seat set for myself.

I have a Mazda6 now--with the power seat is is extremely comfortable.

Wife has Mazda5--not much legroom, but is very upright seating.

Focus- owned one, it was a bit of a lemon so wife says no more foci (even an svt 5 door, poo)

Mazda 6- had one of last gen ones as a rental, it seemed like it had the turning radius of a cement truck, I know the new ones improved that but not cheap enough yet.

Mazda 5- on the list to test drive after this thread discussion.

Oh, Kia Soul- no boxes, so no cube, Xb, or Soul (I got no Soul!)

LOL--yeah--I can turn my Mazda6 in about the same space as the Queen Mary. You get used to it and adjust accordingly.

The 2000 Focus was a problem car--by 2002 they were pretty good. Aside from the issues, did the car 'fit' you well?

I am 6'5" and we have an autotragic Mazda5. The seat doesn't go back quite far enough to be really comfortable so I'm going to modify the mounts to get another 2" or so. When you get in make sure the seat is all the way down and the steering wheel is all the way forward and up. It's really a fun microvan to drive. Ours is a 5 speed auto and gets 24-25mpg in mixed driving, about 30mpg on the highway.

We used to have a Mazda3 and the center console drove me nuts. Ours was also a 4 speed automatic. The 5 speed auto makes all the difference with that vehicle, with the same engine our Mazda 5 feels much more quick and fun to drive.

I'll just add that I was fairly impressed with my best friend's Honda Element. Not fast of course, but fast enough not to be annoying (this is relative). Most of all, I was surprised at how well poised the chassis was, with very little roll for such a tall vehicle. I had a chance to drive it through some pretty twisty mountain roads while on vacation and it held it's own. During my admittedly brief experience over the weekend, the car seemed comfortable, versatile, and competent where it counts. I also loved the non-carpeted interior as well. Perfect for what you want to use a car like this for.

I'd second the idea of looking into a different seat for the legacy. I have a bad back as well, and switched the seats out of my impreza for wrx seats. Makes a world of difference. There are several subie seats that offer more support, and height adjustability that might help you solve your problem without getting another car. They all interchange, the only difference is you might have to switch over the seat belt buckle.

Have you looked at the Focus? It has a surprisingly upright seating position. The Mazda3 has been mentioned, but the Ford relative is less expensive, which out much else traded off for the lower price.

Just saw someone else mentioned Focus, so it is worth looking at. The ZX3/ZX5 later ST and the SVT are all worth looking at and truly fun, capable cars.

Well at this point the Legacy is sold, so just changing out seats would not work. I can get the legacy seat to go high enough, I just have to pull back the sunroof cover for my head to fit. So it is not just a batter of adjustibility, but the space from the top of the seat cushion to the floor, that is the key factor, that is why I have been looking at the Tall Wagon, small SUV family of cars.

My experience with the focus was detailed above, no Foci allowed in the house.

that is a car that sits tall

or

this

In reply to InigoMontoya:

Sorry I had missed the Focus discussion.

Im curious what about the mazda3 center console bothered you? Granted, im a regular tiny man at 6'0", but it doesnt bother me at all on ours, whereas the ugly shifter area in the mazda5 is my main problem with that car's interior..

Here is my next batch of ideas available with manual trans. Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape (Eibachs are available for these) Hyundai Tucson/Kia Sportage Dodge Caliber/Jeep Patriot/Compass Saturn Vue Chevy Colorado 2wd 4cylinder crew cab

Tribute/escape is on the list, might take a look at the Tucson

Discovered the Audi Allroad has the same engine as the twin turbo s4....

The Mazda5 is a great option. Way more fun to drive than that sort of vehicle has any right to be, available stick, great mileage for the amount of available space, sliding doors are super convenient, all the seats fold flat so you can sleep in it (nice feature for a track support/weekend trip vehicle, works great with an air mattress back there). It's pretty much my favorite utility type vehicle right now, too bad they won't put the MS3 motor in it for a little bit extra.