What am I forgetting? A What Car thread

Now that it's 100% sure that the Falcon Mazda5 is totaled, I have to car shop. Part of me wants to buy another 5 and motor on (including buying an auto-equipped GT model and swapping in the 5-speed from mine), but part of me thinks it might be a good opportunity to shake it up. I had the 5 longer, and driven it further, than any other of the 100+ cars I've owned, including the P71!

Here's the requirements:
2002-2014
$15,000 or less
Wagon, minivan, 5-door hatchback
Mid-size or above (Mazda3 and Subaru Impreza are too small)
* Manual trans

And go! Bonus points for moonroof, an actual color, RWD, and boost.

Here's what I've got:
Mazda6 Wagon - Pros: V6, very nice looking, a Mazda, perfect size. Cons: Hard to find, fuel economy.
Subaru Legacy wagon (non-Outback) - Pros: GT Turbo version would be ideal, AWD, good looking. Cons: Engine issues, very hard to find, cramped 2nd row.
Mazda5 - Pros: Already like it, seats 6 in a pinch, lots of space, good in a wreck. Cons: Not as sporty/good looking, no colors available with the manual.
Volvo V70R - Pros: Turbo! Cons: Unicorn, $$$
* Porsche Cayenne S - Pros: P-Car. Cons: $$$$$, smallest motor only, looks fugly.

What else am I missing? Did Audi do anything in those years that isn't just another VW (do NOT want!)? Any of the compacts have real back seat space (2 infant rear-facing car seats have to fit and allow full size humans in the front)? Aren't there some funky SUV's with a stick (Saturn VUE?)? SWMBO really wants something with touch a touch more room (it's kids only for the 3rd row in a Mazda5), but I'm not budging off of stick shift unless it's an electric car (Tesla).

Saturn VUEs are available with a stick but 2wd only. This might sound left field but what about an HHR SS? They are right in your price range. Also what about a Ford Focus Wagon? They made them up until 07 and they are available with a stick if you look hard enough. Also, consider a Hyundai Elantra Touring Wagon. They made them up until 11 or 12 and they are available with three pedals.

The Kia Soul is a 5-door, was available with a manual, and comes under the price cap. Chicks dig them too. Not sure if the new 2014 has a stick or comes under the cap, but they are SO much nicer inside than the first gen.

I always thought the Toyota Matrix was cool with the dash shifter.

BMW 5 series wagon. Yes, they do exist with a manual. But if you find one you might want to buy a lottery ticket that same day.

I've also seen a 2003ish Mercedes C-Class wagon in the United States with a stickshift. But that had to have been one of about four in the US.

SUV's available with a stick: Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mini Countryman (is that an SUV?), Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Subaru Forester, Nissan Juke, BMW X3 (Hens teeth again), and VW Tiguan. Not necessarily recommending any of these, just putting them out there.

If the Cayenne is on your list, how about an X5 with a stick?

The HHR, Focus, Elantra, Soul, and Matrix are all compacts and too small.

The 5-series, C-Class, Vue (2WD is fine), and X5 all warrant further investigation.

Javelin wrote: The HHR, Focus, Elantra, Soul, and Matrix are all compacts and too small. The 5-series, C-Class, Vue (2WD is fine), and X5 all warrant further investigation.

I'd be very surprised if you can find a Mercedes wagon with a manual. Everything that I have seen says it never made it over to the States. I would never have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes.

What about a SAAB 9-5? Good gas mileage, huge inside, very safe, you can pick them up for a song... Obviously you still have the issues of it being an Orphan, and it being a SAAB, but you might want to consider them.

I own an AMC and a Pontiac, orphans don't scare me. Time to search SAAB wagons...

First gen xB is a compact, but the back seat is so big it might be worth a look?

$15k could put you in a really nice Tahoe or Suburban plus the manual transmission swap plus lowering it...

The Honda CR-V could also be had with a stick in the second gen. A bonus is that generation had the timing chain instead of the belt.

Matrix/Vibe had a surprising amount of room when I sat in one in a showroom years ago. The XR-S has the engine from the Celica GT-S.

SAAB 9-5s are a good choice, but try to stick to the turbo 4 models and watch out for sludge. There are something like 6 PCV revisions on these cars ;-)

My friend had a 2WD Vue with the 2.2 Ecotec/5spd combo and I liked it. Probably not as engaging as the 5, though!

When I read of the Falcon's demise, I was going to suggest:
CX-5 if adding money to insurance check.
or
Saturn Vue if pocketing some money from Insurance check.

Here is my 2003 Vue 2.2L manual trans parked next to my wife's 2010 Mazda5.

The Vue is simple and basic but rather large for what it is. I have written about it extensively.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/school-me-on-the-saturn-vue/75404/page1/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/is-an-hhr-for-me/72014/page1/

Here are some quick finds of Vues out your way with manual:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/4317836927.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/4339446023.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4339815272.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/4336507627.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4335064282.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/4337718133.html

What I found here is much higher priced than my own market but this being tax refund time is about the worst time of the year to shop for a car. demand is higher and therefore prices are inflated.
Do not underestimate how slow a manual Vue sells. These seem to be the perfect storm of a car that overall has a bad reputation (due to the CVT) added to the fact of who really goes looking for a "Cute-Ute" with a manual trans? The postings for these are usually up for a long time and they sell for less than asking price.
Mine was on CL for $4k. The seller bought it to flip after putting an engine in it. He balked when I offered him $3k. A month later, I noticed he had put it on ebay. I pulled it off there for $2450.

What about a Forrester XT?

Subaru forester or legacy. Both have turbo and manual available with just about any options/trim. I really liked the 09 legacy gt manual I drove and the various foresters. They can be very reliable if you look after them and make sure the timing belt gets changed every 100k.

Although I do drive a wrx and am a Subaru guy..

Did the Kia Rondo ever come with a stick?

I guess the Fiat 500L is out as well? Seems pretty similar to the 5 in size, comes with a manual (normal or paddle shifted), boost and a moonroof.

Rear seats are adjustable fore/aft and there's plenty of leg room (at least for me and the wife) so it should hold a couple of baby seats.

A couple of satisfied Vue owners, I'd say that or the 5 for the easy button. A Volvo brick would meet the criteria, but I won't go there again for family usage.

BMW X3 can be had with a stick and is quite peppy.

Honda Element

In that price range why not a 3 or 5 series touring?

Oh yeah and I wouldn't get a X5...

Another vote for a look at a 9-5 Wagon. I am just under 200K on my 03 sedan and it has been rock solid.

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: Another vote for a look at a 9-5 Wagon. I am just under 200K on my 03 sedan and it has been rock solid.

This looks great on paper. Europhobia has scared me off, but they are neat looking cars, too. It would more closely align with your orphancentric plans.

turboswede wrote: I guess the Fiat 500L is out as well? Seems pretty similar to the 5 in size, comes with a manual (normal or paddle shifted), boost and a moonroof. Rear seats are adjustable fore/aft and there's plenty of leg room (at least for me and the wife) so it should hold a couple of baby seats.

Price? I have a $15K absolute ax, and will be much happier at $10K.

The SAAB 9-5 Wagon is a very good -looking option.

Elantra Touring. Kia Rondo.

Javelin wrote:

turboswede wrote: I guess the Fiat 500L is out as well? Seems pretty similar to the 5 in size, comes with a manual (normal or paddle shifted), boost and a moonroof. Rear seats are adjustable fore/aft and there's plenty of leg room (at least for me and the wife) so it should hold a couple of baby seats.

Price? I have a $15K absolute ax, and will be much happier at $10K.

Good point, they start at about $20K with a peak of about $26K. Bummer.

Bobzilla wrote: Elantra Touring. Kia Rondo.

I have a 2011 Elantra Touring SE 5-speed (w/ OE B&M shifter) with 77K. I would sell it for around $11K. Has BTB warranty until 100K. 60K (timing belt etc.) done, new brakes last summer, new tires last fall. Black/black leather...

Daily driver for me. Auto-Xed twice. Solid HS car in a pinch, but a little long in the wheelbase to be real great...

It at least has the room of a Tuscon inside, a very nice back seat legroom-wise. I am 6'6" and can sit behind myself. It is much bigger inside than a Mazda 3, Focus etc. It's bigger inside than it looks, which is why I got it.

My ex, before she was my ex, had a Mz5. The Touring is more comfortable in front for me. It just does not have the rear-row seats (and conventional rear doors)...but has similar cargo space.