enable one of the biggest enablers, new to me daily time, $4k budget edition

I'd really like to stay in $2-4k range, could potentially go up to $6k but I really don't want any sort of car note, even though my credit union has great rates. 

I'm replacing a 2006 scion xb manual transmission, which i didn't expect to love, but the utility, seating position, lack of blind spots, decent fuel economy, engaging behavior to 40mph, decent handling and small footprint caused to it endear itself to me. Unfortunately it was totalled on Friday when a 19 year old somehow thought a left turn had the right of way over oncoming traffic at an intersection that does NOT have a left hand turn arrow. 

Criteria, manual transmission, hatchback, reliable, readily available parts, easy to work on is a plus, engaging enough to not be a penalty box, i'd like to see 30mpg, but I won't nitpick over 27+ if it checks all the other boxes. bonuses for quicker steering vehicles, lightweight, lots of suspension travel. 

Current thoughts:

Honda Element manual with AWD, this was always the plan

manual AWD Element (which sold since last night) 

TDI Golf

When you do your best to turn your mkiv into a golf country

2.3L Focus ZX3

Volvo 240 (likely older and less reliable due to the electrical systems then I'd want)

318ti

RSX type S

or should I clean up the EGT enough to daily, should i look at a 2.3L ranger or other compact pick up? The ability to tow 3000-4000lb if not a complete penalty box would be a plus. Should I look at clean 4.0 XJs? What other suggestions does the hive have? I'm in Maryland, but will travel for the right option. The vehicle won't need to be motorsport-able, but something that could be autocrossed certainly is never a bad thing. Stupid softroading is also entertaining. 

Accent...

Newish / Overbudget-ish:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/4564929936881820/
 

Older-ish:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/410891896549220/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/757340608448807/

Kia Rio:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3311694342211690/
sedan:  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3471038169608558/

Hamsterwagon?   (maybe not AutoX-able?)
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3506875416000846/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/620035381953805/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1181677662216025/

Honda Fit?

Fiesta 1.0L Ecoboost? I see a 2014 a few hours away from me in your price range with ~65k miles. Slap on some used Fiesta ST, or B-spec bits and you'd likely have a very engaging driver in a not very old car, for not much money. I have a FiST, so I may be biased.

Edit: My wife has the previous generation Accent. We bought one for my mother in law as well. I'm a bit fan of them, especially the bang for the buck, but they're not the most engaging to drive.

What about a Toyota Matrix XRS/ Pontiac Vibe GT? They handle pretty well and have the 180hp 2ZZ-GE out of the Celica GTS. They also had a 6 speed manual and weighed about 2800lbs.

A cleaned-up Escort GT would probably not give up that much to the other options on your list other than being a little rougher around the edges (and compared to the Volvo and 318ti, it's probably equal there), but it would leave you with a lot more money in your pocket.

A 2.3 Ranger is rated for towing 4000 lbs on paper, but if you if that paper is not flat this would be rather sketchy. You may find the mileage disappointing, too. They're useful for toting parts around though.

With those criteria and that budget I'd get another xB

If you have backup vehicles, and can have a little give on the reliability, add the SAAB 9-5 to your list - both the sedan and the wagon. It is a more than cromulent vehicle, and fun to drive with the stickshift. Bonus points if you find an aero. 

I've thought about a Fit, as it's a fun to drive mini element in terms of flexibility. Utility is definitely a huge aspect for me, I literally managed to move furniture in the xB. If the utility aspect is merely equal to the EGT, I likely won't consist the option, unless it has another party piece. 

Finishing cleaning up the EGT and finishing the 323 should be the answer, although the TDI tempts me, modified TDIs are more fun then they have any right to be. As long as they're clean they tend to be worth $1500 as well, depending on when the timing belt was last done. Mkiv interiors break upon looking at them, but that drivetrain will keep chugging along forever and the chassis don't tend to rust out. He's sent me under carriage photos and it's clean. I may have to bargain with him upon going down to see it. 

In reply to mtn (Forum Supporter) :

I'd be in trouble if you had said 9-3 turbo as two popped up locally last week and I had been sending them to friends.

Lower half or your range

AWD, 5 speed, small, fun.

Although I will admit sorting though some O2 issues on my sons SX4 is trying my patience. 
 

Well, the in-budget 5MT Element I previously posted is gone, but what about this:

Honda CR-Z with manual

Autotrader doesn't show any manual Elements for sale within 200 miles of New Castle County DE.

Forester?  Should check the boxes other than gas mileage.

In reply to pimpm3 (Forum Supporter) :

And reliability 

Vibe GT is probably a good answer. 

A little less functional interior space compared to Gen1 xB even though a larger car and larger engine.  I think it's a good replacement if looking for a faster xB. 

I was thinking the other day that a 1st gen CRV lowered slightly and possibly turboed might make an interesting DD. 

In reply to Furious_E (Forum Supporter) :

Early manual CR-V or Rav-4 are tempting

Mazda 3

In this thread tb mentions that he'll sell his 2002 Celica GTS after the Challenge.  I think the color is bubble gum pink.

He lives in Metro Philly.  

Unfortunately Elements really aren't in the same league of reliability as an xB. They're leakier, have more balljoint/bushing/wheelbearing problems, are known to have an expensive AC system failure, etc. They're still good cars, just not on the same level. I love Elements myself and have driven and done a bunch of work on both those and the same-gen CR-Vs which i also love. Just being honest about the reliability. I've also personally installed and aligned a lift kit on an Element, and i have a real mixed opinion on that! You're definitely not going to hit 27mpg unless you do the 6spd upgrade (its not a swap!) either. 

captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to mtn (Forum Supporter) :

I'd be in trouble if you had said 9-3 turbo as two popped up locally last week and I had been sending them to friends.

I had a 9-3 for several years, not the  Aero but the next model down which is nicely loaded up. It was a great car, I wouldn't bat an eye at a 9-3 or  9-5. 

In reply to Vigo (Forum Supporter) :

I definitely appreciate the feedback, I believe it's adding the tsx 6th gear and switching to the tsx output shaft iirc. I'm aware of the wheelbearing issues with them, it'll take me back to my mk3 VW days. 

I spend the day working, slowly, on the escort ignition system. It definitely goes slower with a fractured vertebrae. 

In reply to captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :

A 2nd gen Fit will swallow a ridiculous amount of crap, is reliable as an anvil, fun in a slow-car-fast way, and should definitely be within your budget. 

Another XB or Fit gets my vote.

Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :

A 2nd gen Fit will swallow a ridiculous amount of crap, is reliable as an anvil, fun in a slow-car-fast way, and should definitely be within your budget. 

I agree wholeheartedly. 

It's really too bad they didn't make any more interesting versions of the 2nd gen xB. It's sort of right in between a 1g Fit or xB and an Element or CR-V.  If they'd made it with a stick and AWD i'd be at least vaguely interested in one. I like the interior. In fact, i wish they had made a Prius with that interior.