The Right Car for Me: daily driver

daily driver

porscha356

Mazda CX5- pros: exterior styling, drivetrain, interior layout
cons: no manual trans, poor visability out the rear quarter, hard plastic interior, gas only

Subaru Out back- pros: exterior styling, workmanship
cons: no manual trans, gas only

VW Golf TDI- pros: love almost everything about the car
cons: small size

Waiting for the Golf Sportwagen to show up and for Mazda to finally get their diesel act into the showrooms.
Really want a larger VW Tiguan with a manual diesel ( and I believe in Santa Claus, too!)

Priorities: Fuel economy / Cargo capacity / Reliability & durability / Driving position & visibility / Materials & workmanship

Preferred Bodystyle(s): Wagon / SUV

Car Needs: Family transporter / Errands about town / Long trips

Primary Driver(s): Senior driver

Need minimum of 4 seats

Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 40000
Maximum age: 4 years

Maximum price: US $ 30000

« Return to results

You can get a manual transmission in both the CX-5 and the 2010-2014 Outback, just only with the base engine and base trim.

The Tiguan has more rear seat room than you might think, about the same as the CX-5, but the cargo area is tight. And the manual is again only offered with the base trim. And no diesel here.

VW will be offering larger crossovers, but a manual transmission might not be part of the mix.

Are you sure the Golf Sportwagen is too small? It's somewhat larger than the Jetta SW. Most likely it's your best bet.

Returning to Subarus, what about the Forester? You can get a manual with the base engine and mid-level trim.

Link to this reponse

Dear mkaresh,

Thanks for your input.

Actually, the Golf Sportwagen seems suited to my needs, but would prefer an SUV style. We are in a Trooper now and the room spoils you but the gas mileage is crippling. Its just that VW is rather slow in getting them to dealerships. We have been waiting almost 2 years now........

Went to Subaru dealership, saw all the CVT transmission stuff and walked away shaking my head. Will try again on the Forester.

Saw the manual in the CR-X a month ago, liked it, but then the other shortcomings reared their ugly heads...... Will revist if the VW doesn't work out.

Again, thanks for responding.

Regards, Bob W

Link to this reponse

It's really unfortunate they don't offer the Mazda 6 wagon here. That would be awesome. And there was the TSX wagon, but it wasn't offered in a manual unfortunately. It's too bad people don't buy wagons in the U.S. They make so much sense.

Link to this reponse

Where to Next?

daily driver

porscha356

Response from mkaresh

11:27 am April 10, 2015

Response from porscha356

1:36 pm April 10, 2015

Response from willied

9:11 pm April 19, 2015