Help pick out my next car

Well, little Fletch is almost a month old and I will begin hauling him to and fro on the way to work soon dropping him off to the MIL. The ten year old Civic coupe has done it's wonderful duty of being a cheap DD, but is small and would be a hassle dealing with getting him in and out perhaps. My Tacoma DD Cab with 190,000 is awesome, but don't look forward to driving it everyday when the time comes. I have really good offers on both. I'm torn between a sedan/hatchback or Suv. I'm more of a car guy, but the ride height and versatility of an Suv is nice. I also lean towards Japanese brands, especially Honda. The front runner cars are 1st gen Tsx's, 7th Gen Accord sedan, 2007-2011 Civic Si or a 4th Gen 4Runner. I really don't need a 4x4, but the in-laws live on a county road where it can drift in the winter. I've been impressed with the snow tires on my Civic and wonder if they would do the trick. The wife does have a Escape AWD if I needed to switch. If I only have one car, that means no manuals since the wife would need to drive it sometimes. If I go with just one car, I can do $15000-$20000. If I keep the truck, I can go maybe $8000 and get a manual. Reliability, gas mileage and fun is what I'm looking for. Also something safe of course. Oh, and something somewhat comfortable too for a change. I thought of a CR-V also, but what fun is that? Mazda's and Subaru's are nice, but no dealers close by if there was a recall or needed to take it in for something under warranty. Here is your chance to enable

Tsx, hands down.

TSX, or Mazda 6 if you're going to go the (boring) Honda (boring) Accord route. There's always BMW 3 series in every price range.

Maybe a slightly used Ford Focus ST, one of the new models. I know its domestic, but decent space inside, and they're a hoot to drive.

The newer Civics with the K20 engines are real peaches, but you gotta watch for the 2006-2009 models, as they had a factory defect that would cause the engine block to crack after 40k miles or so. Usually covered by warranty, but if you buy used its definitely something to watch for.

I'll second Mazda6. I had an 08 that my wife stole from me after her daily driver was totaled. Its only a 2.3/auto, but its still pretty fun to drive for a midsize sedan, and it should be easy to find one in your $8k range, and they were available in manual.

Oh, and I can't say anything about the reliabilty of other drivetrain setups, but its up near 90K miles, and I can't think of any "unscheduled" trips its made to the dealer for service.

Mazdaspeed6. 300 all wheel horsepower and manual transmission available! Yum!

I like the BMW 3-series but they are not the most reliable option (I have one). I would say to check out a Mazda 3. They are maybe more sporty than a Mazda 6 (good choice also). A Jetta or Passat diesel would definitely fit the fuel efficiency and reliability requirements.

If you could wing it with a 2 seater, I say you can look at a Miata and a C4 Corvette.

The experts say the 07-up Civics aren't as good as the top competition.

All this talk of Mazda6, the Ford Fusion shares the platform. The 4 cyl was offered in manual and not just the stripper version. You could get leather, climate control etc or what Ford calls the SEL level along with a manual. Even more overlooked is the Mercury Milan, also offered manual 4 cyl in all levels.

After reading all the rave reviews, I was thoroughly unimpressed with the TSX. Smaller than it looks. Janky interior. Did not feel the least bit "quick." Basically a 1st gen integra with crappier interior and a $10,000 premium. TL's are similar in price. Nicer interior, more room for kids/stuff, more powah, but definitely not a "Heyday" Honda (Neither is the TSX, IMHO.)

At slightly more than the cost of a manual TL with similar miles, I ended up with a 400HP 'Murcan made leather couch, and am berkeleying loving_it. YMMV.

berkeley honda.

In reply to poopshovel:

Have you heard anything about the automatics in the TL's? Roughly 2004-2008 models. I found this:http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4254779443.html

poopshovel wrote: At slightly more than the cost of a manual TL with similar miles, I ended up with a 400HP 'Murcan made leather couch, and am berkeleying loving_it. YMMV. berkeley honda.

What 400hp couch is that now sir?

someone find this man a leftover 2013 buick regal turbo

This is not really addressing your main car purchase but if you like Hondas, are ok with SUVs, and your wife already drives an Escape, you should totally sell the Escape and buy a Vue Redline.

I bet he got a goat or a G8