"Go Hawkeyes" (joehawkeye)
07/28/2017 at 12:24 • Filed to: None
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"Go Hawkeyes" (joehawkeye)
07/28/2017 at 12:24 • Filed to: None | 0
| 34 |
I’ve decided to trade in my truck for a small compact with a manual. I need better gas mileage than the 12mpg I get with my truck plus I really have no need for a truck. I plan on only having this new compact for 2 years then giving it to my son when he turns 16. Then I’m going to get myself a midlife crisis sports sedan from Germany.
I figure I can get about $15k for my truck and want to spend about $10k so looking for something under $25k. I’m leaning towards a 2017 Sonic Premier hatchback. I like that I can get a manual and still get all the bells and whistles (well, at least all the bells and whistles such a cheap car has anyway). I really like Android Auto too.
So tell me why I shouldn’t get the Sonic and what I should get instead and why.
2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:30 |
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Really a sonic? Definitely stay away from that. Fiesta st, or even better Honda fit?
random001
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:31 |
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New impreza?
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random001
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:32 |
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I’d go Mazda3 way before the Sonic. It has a nice manual, pretty nice car. I considered it.
Abarth is also an option. Get them a year or two used for 1/3 the original price, and fun as hell.
CB
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:34 |
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Hyundais are nice. Our Elantra GT has gotten decent fuel economy (6 litres per 100 kilometres on a 850 kilometre roadtrip), is pretty comfortable, and has a good amount of room. It’s a smidge slow, but not terribly so.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:35 |
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Honda civic, Mazda 3, Focus ST.
Roundbadge
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:39 |
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Tacoma regular cab 4cyl with a manual. It’s a compact...just still a truck. You already said the fun car is coming in a couple of years.
I had trucks from 1995 until 2009, and then finally acted on my “I don’t need to drive a truck!” impulse. Then I didn’t have a truck and needed to do truck stuff. I’m now driving a 2.7L Tacoma w/ a 5spd.
It usually gets around 21-24 mpg, and if you don’t mind stepping in it a little bit and burning a few extra dinosaurs, it actually feels peppy. In 2 years, it’ll be a perfect car for your son and you can still borrow it for truck stuff.
LongbowMkII
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:41 |
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Hope they figured out the 1.4t clutch slave/throw out issue
Wacko
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:43 |
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a Krypton Green Sonic Premier with RS lowering kit
DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:43 |
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The Sonic has pretty much the best interior packaging in its class. I can (and have) sit in the back seat semi-comfortably for short road trips. (I’m 6' and 215 lbs of squish, and in the road trip I’m referring to I sat in the back seat with my wife and another grown man. I was impressed). But the interior is appalling. Truly appalling. They strip everything out and then sell them back to the consumer as options. However, the newer ones are better.
For the money one would pay for a Sonic Premier, one would be better off with a Mazda3 or even a civic for the same price. Both cars are bigger and more practical. Mazda interiors don’t feel too cheap, mazdas have a bomb-ass infotainment system (controls next to the gear selector! like a luxury car haha) They’re both fun to drive. Both get great gas mileage. And the civic can be optioned with Honda sensing, which is their suite of safety features that can help a young driver stay on the lookout. Only get the sonic if you can get a fantastic deal.
EDIT: I said the sonic has the best interior packaging in its class, but I forgot about the Honda Fit. The Honda Fit is king of that class. If you really want a car that size, buy a Honda Fit.
ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:44 |
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There were some recent conversations about the new Elantra Sport on the main page. Smart looking car, might be a pretty fun car with good kit that can be had at a great bargain.
FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:49 |
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Civic Sport hatchback is around $21k and has a lot of features - it is a “lower” trim, but the interior is still a pretty nice place to be - auto climate control, leather wrapped wheel and shifter, aluminum pedals. The 1.5T packas a decent punch and fuel economy is top of class. For just $1500 more, I wouldn’t even think twice about this vs. a Sonic Premier.
Aaron M - MasoFiST
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:51 |
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The Fit has rear seats that fold flat, so utility-wise it beats out pretty much every other subcompact. A new (2015+) Fit with the stick can do 0-60 in less than 8 seconds, while the Sonic RS with 10 more horsepower squeaks out only an 8.7 (my Fit, a 2013 with only 117hp, can do it in 8.4).
The GE Fits (09-14) had a rear sway bar in the Sport trim, one of the reason they’re considered the best handling. The GK Fits do not have one, but the aftermarket abides. There’s also rumor of a Fit Sport trim coming back in 2018, which may reinstate the RSB in a stock vehicle.
Bytemite
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:53 |
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Why not just use that $10k to buy a manual compact?
In fact, for even less than $8k you can get tons of awesome, modern enough fun cars.
WRX, Celica GTS, MR2 spyder, RSX-S, mk5 GTI, 05-06 Mini Cooper S, IS300, NC Miata, 350Z, Focus SVT, BMW Z4. Any of these over a Sonic...
PS9
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 12:54 |
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*answering this same question 20 years from now*
Oh, that’s easy. You can get the Civi-...oh, right. They’re all CVT now. No hatchback Corolla either. Uhh...GTI? Nope, DCT only. Dodge doesn’t make hatchbacks anymore, Nissan small cars are awful (and all CVT anyway). Focus? Nope, Auto. Fiest-...oh, right. They don’t make that in the US anymore.
Uhm...Hyundai? Auto. Kia? Auto. BMW, Audi, Merc? Auto, auto and more auto.
OH, I GOT IT! The boxster! Yeah, they still make that in manual. For now. Gone next year. I know it’s not a hatchback, but it’s all that’s left so better get it while you can!
Averyrm - GTI YUP
> PS9
07/28/2017 at 13:02 |
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*EDIT* I’m an idiot and missed the 20yrs from now. Regardless, GTI or Golf has my vote * *
You can get a GTI with a 6 speed. I average 32mpg, easy to get at $25k. If you don’t want your son to have that much horsepower, a regular golf can also be had with a manual. Tops out at 22k
themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 13:02 |
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The new civic is a VERY nice vehicle to be in. There are still some 3 cylinder Focii/Fiestas that all only have stick shifts that seem to go for pennies compared to their rivals. The cruze is pretty average, but cheap.
Sonic is nice enough but I was never really a fan of the interior. Now, if it was me, I’d get a fiesta ST while I still could. But that also means trusting a 16 year old with a fiesta ST in two years....So take that as you will.
DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
> PS9
07/28/2017 at 13:05 |
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You’ve always been able to get a manual in the Civic.
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Bytemite
> ZHP Sparky, the 5th
07/28/2017 at 13:07 |
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Better yet, the Elantra GT Sport is an awesome car. This thing is the i30 in Europe and the reviews are good.
itschrome
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 13:18 |
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Fiesta st
Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 13:21 |
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Ford Focus ST?
punkgoose17
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 13:29 |
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Lots of good options not ranking them in an order:
Hyundai Elamtra GT sport
Ford Focus
Mazada 3
Honda Civic
Honda Fit
If you want to keep the truck you can get a used Fiat 500 for less than 10k. I would avoid the Abarth 500 and the Focus ST, so you 16 year old will have less capabilities to get into trouble.
My personal choices would be a Mazda 3 hatch. Fun to drive, safe, easy to load hatch, and not crazy powerful. Or, an Abarth 500 and keep it for myself.
Textured Soy Protein
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 13:48 |
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The Sonic is ok but it’s got a twist beam rear suspension and only 138 hp. It gets 28/32/38 (city/mix/hwy) mpg on regular gas.
Here are some other ideas for brand new manual transmission compact cars that are more entertaining, and their fully loaded sticker prices. Any of the ones above $25k you could probably get into that range by reducing equipment, or negotiation/incentives.
Ford Fiesta ST -$24,150 - 197 hp - 26/29/33 mpg on regular
Still has a twist beam rear suspension but it’s a lot more fun, with 197 hp and assorted go-fast goodies. It doesn’t have Android Auto but does link to assorted apps. But you can’t link to Google Maps. Kinda cramped inside and a little loud and bumpy. Not the most civilized.
Ford Focus ST - $28,330 - 252 hp - 22/25/30 mpg on regular
More room and refinement than the Fiesta ST. Independent rear suspension. Fully loaded with the ST3 package it has things like power leather sears, heated steering wheel, etc. The ST2 package which stickers at $26,330 is still pretty nicely equipped. But also no Android Auto.
Honda Civic Sport hatch - $21,300 - 180 hp - 30/33/39 mpg on premium
This is the top Civic hatchback trim available with a manual transmission, but it’s not all that well equipped. It has the basics but probably missing some of the stuff you want, including Android Auto.
Honda Civic Si sedan - $24,100 - 205 hp - 28/32/38 mpg on premium
The Si is unavailable on the hatchback body style because the hatch is built in England and the Si is built (and only available) in the US. While Honda imports the CTR from England, they didn’t want to tool up that factory to also build Si hatchbacks. The Si adds some more equipment over the Sport including Android Auto, and the main nice things about it are the 25 hp power bump, adaptive shocks, and helical gearset LSD.
Hyundai Elantra Sport - $24,050 - 201 hp - 22/25/30 mpg on regular
The Elantra Sport takes the regular Elantra sedan but adds a multilink rear suspension, bigger brakes, 201 hp 1.6 liter turbo motor, and either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT. The manual with the premium package is that price above and it has Android Auto. The DCT adds another $1100 and bumps the mileage to 26/29/33 mpg. The Elantra GT Sport is the same basic car in hatchback form but it’s not out yet. Pricing should be similar.
VW GTI Sport - $28,815 - 220 hp - 24/28/34 mpg on regular
The base GTI has 210 hp and Android Auto, the Sport bumps another 10 hp and adds things like xenon headlights, a spiffy electronic LSD, and push button start. You can’t get a sunroof unless you go up to the GTI SE which stickers a hair over $31k.
wkiernan
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 14:36 |
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Is there some reason you need a back seat? You know where this is going.
CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 15:07 |
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Get the Fiesta ST. Lots of good aftermarket support, even warranty friendly via Mountune with their close relationship with Ford.
Android auto on the 16's and up. Unique, fun and cheap!
Snailkite
> FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
07/28/2017 at 15:31 |
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Agreed. New Civic is really good even in CVT form.
OKcarburetor
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 16:13 |
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I can’t think of a reason to buy anything but a VW or Ford in this situation. The GTI just makes the most sense.
MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 16:29 |
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Jeep Renegade? Manual. 30mpg. Fun to drive.
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Go Hawkeyes
> Bytemite
07/28/2017 at 16:48 |
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I don’t like buying used cars anymore.
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Go Hawkeyes
> Textured Soy Protein
07/28/2017 at 16:49 |
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Awesome answer. Thanks!
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Textured Soy Protein
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 17:01 |
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As for my top choices, I’d be looking at the Focus ST, Civic Si and Elantra Sport. The Focus ST has the most power and this generation Focus is surprisingly comfy, but it’s also an ugly interior and lots of torque steer. The Civic Si isn’t a hatchback and it runs on premium, but the adaptive shocks and LSD are appealing. The Elantra Sport sedan looks better than the Elantra GT Sport hatch but I’d probably still choose the hatch. It’ll be out soon enough. Either body style is basically as nicely equipped as the Focus ST3 but several thousand cheaper (at least sticker price). But you give up 51 hp for that discount. Supposedly it lacks much in the way of steering feel.
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PS9
> DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
07/28/2017 at 17:04 |
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Read it again, top line first this time.
B_dol
> Textured Soy Protein
07/28/2017 at 17:25 |
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My wife had an auto Hyundai Elantra coupe a few years back, what a boring snoozefest of a car. That being said, the manual, GT looks and versatility may bring it back into the fold.
John Norris (AngryDrifter)
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 19:28 |
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https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/d/nissan-skyline-gtr/6201637401.html
NojustNo
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 21:28 |
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Man get a used Sonic they are cheap. I almost bought a 2014 rd manual with 50k miles for $9000