I went shopping for new cars two years ago with three requirements: a decent amount of power/handling, a manual transmission, and covered cargo space for my gigantic goalie bag. I ended up with a '06 Mazda 6 V6 hatchback, which allowed me to drop my bag straight into the trunk with no sliding or contorting, while still being a reasonably fun to drive car.

Three weeks ago, a guy in an '89 S-10 ran a red light, tagged me between the passenger doors, and now my perfect car is gone.

I haven't been able to find a comparable car locally, and while I'm not opposed to travelling quite a bit of distance for the right thing, even the available cars in Charlotte or Atlanta aren't quite what I'm looking for, so I'm opening up the floor for suggestions of other things to look at. We've always been a Mazda family, so I haven't driven much non-Mazda stuff other than your standard rental car Impala/Accord kind of thing.

Anyway, suggestions for something fun to drive with a manual and decent cargo space (the bag is 43" x 24" x 24" and bulges a little at the sides) would be greatly appreciated. I've got around $15k for something late-model used.

[/words]

2/21/2009 4:51:40 PM

330i or 330ci

WRX wagon

[Edited on February 21, 2009 at 5:26 PM. Reason : that bag will fit in anything, other than an MR2 or Elise or something.]

2/21/2009 4:57:46 PM

ford lightning

2/21/2009 5:18:57 PM

Quote :

"WRX wagon"

2/21/2009 5:23:30 PM

I'd rather not have to put the seats down to fit the bag in...when I looked at WRXs, it seems that I'd have to, but I suppose I could be eyeing it wrong.

2/21/2009 5:48:06 PM

did you look at the WRX wagons?

at any rate, i can't imagine how a bag of those dimensions wouldn't fit in the trunk of most regular cars.

2/21/2009 5:53:28 PM

cressida with a 2jz

legacy wagon

2/21/2009 6:11:54 PM

Go to carmax with your goalie bag and try it out.

WRX wagon is your best bet though you might be able to find an A3 as well. That car was pretty fun when I drove it around.

2/21/2009 6:21:53 PM

what you need is an international CXT, less than $100k and will fit your bag with no problems

2/21/2009 6:44:31 PM

ahmet will sell you a wrx wagon on the lowlow

2/21/2009 6:46:20 PM

^^

Quote :

"Forbidden You do not have permission to access this document. "

2/21/2009 7:33:46 PM

2/21/2009 8:22:58 PM

My WRX is long gone... That would be my suggestion also. A3's are cool, but a Subaru is a more lateral move for someone used to Mazdas.

2/22/2009 12:33:41 PM

What about a Legacy GT wagon, if the WRX is a little small for your tastes? One size up, still should be a fun drive, more attractive (at least in my opinion). Only issue would be price, since the GT appeared in what, '05?

2/22/2009 4:38:17 PM

^^^ lulz

i bet you could get one new for $70k with the economy the way it is

2/22/2009 4:39:13 PM

So I borrowed my friend's WRX wagon...fun to drive for sure, but I have to lay the seats down to get the bag in and that essentially renders it a four-door car with only two seats (I carry this bag a LOT). Any thoughts on an SVT Focus? I'd have to lay the seats down in it, too, but since it's a 2+2 it'd be much easier to just treat it like a bonafide two-seater.

2/23/2009 7:57:24 PM

i would WAY rather have a WRX (either sedan or wagon) than an SVT Focus. If I was gonna get a Focus, I'd just save my money and get a regular one.

2/24/2009 2:57:19 AM

so you dont like this legacy wagon?



it'd be the obvious choice for me, considering your space requirements

2/24/2009 9:05:05 AM

Quote :

"cressida with a 2jz"

christ on his throne the ugliness

2/24/2009 9:21:00 AM

I remembered that back in '06 I had a much larger bag than I do now and checked out a WRX wagon...very pleased, and much better than the SVT Focus.

2/24/2009 6:11:01 PM