Fun to drive, compact to mid-size, manual transmisison and big trunk

I have always found it interesting that the Audi A4 and Passat are on the same frame, yet the Passat has a larger trunk AND more room in the rear seat, too. And the Audi is the more expensive. I would love to hear the explanation for that. Having said that, I have owned 4 Passat's. Here in the States I could only get one fully loaded with the MT and that was a short-lived production called the W8. The trunk space was compromised due to the 4Motion (AWD). Rumors are out that the Jetta Sportwagen is being replaced by a GTI wagon of some sort, so it may be worth researching to see if that would be available in Canada in a higher end than base, and with the MT. I fully understand the desire for MT.

Hopefully someone can chime in on the Mazda6 - I have no knowledge of this model.

Your comment about SUV's is spot on. Even with my Touareg, two sets of clubs had to be criss-crossed, without any cart. Disappointing. Chevy Suburban would fix that, but a second job is requried to keep fuel in it. Then you lose your Saturday for golf.

Research the new GTI, either a hatchback or wagon I think. Or look for a 1 year old Sportwagen TDi with MT. You will be surprised at the pep that little diesel will throw at you!

Member from FL: I like wagons, too, but it sounds like TheNit wants a sedan. As for the Passat and A4, they haven't shared a platform since 2006.

TheNit: it looks like we have your location as Alaska. Contact me through the site or by replying to one of our emails and I can fix that. Just let me know which province.

The Volkswagens have big trunks. The GLI is considerably more fun than the Passat.

I like the Mazda6 a lot, but it isn't as sporty as the Jetta.

The Honda Accord Sport might be worth a look. But it is a fairly low trim level. If you want leather and a manual in an Accord sedan...not happening.

A BMW 3-Series has a larger trunk than many people realize, but I'm not sure its width is club-friendly. If you're okay with a hatchback, the 3-Series GT might have enough with the seat up, and will definitely have enough with it down. I don't know if its Canadian pricing with the features you'd want is under your max.

With any of these cars you'll want to take you clubs to the dealer to see how well they fit. Or measure them and take a tape measure. But if you want to be sure, nothing beats having the actual clubs.

You might also check whether the clubs fit in an Acura TL--if a dealer near you happens to still have one with a manual.

A final possibility is the Buick Regal GS, which is offered with a manual and has a very German feel to it. But will the clubs fit?

My bad on the 3-Series GT. I don't know how I forgot that it was auto-only. True also on the AWD + manual combo with the sedan. So BMWs are out.

Sounds like a matter of which is more important, driving fun or seat memory. The GLI seems the leader if the former. If the latter, probably the Mazda6.

I assume your clubs won't fit in a Mazda3, but worth checking. The s is now available with a manual.

The Buick is probably the most fun to drive of those with memory, but that's a lot more to pay--unless incentives and discounts close the gap considerably. Those are worth checking. If a dealer does have a manual GS on the lot, they might be desperate to get rid of it.