Hunting a V6, manual daily driver - ideas?

[atc3434]

Yep, I'm looking to find a daily driver to replace the GA with. Its really my wifes car anyways, but its days are numbered. It'll have 175k on it by the end of the winter, and I can't see sinking big bucks into it when the inevitable big failure of something comes. So, I'm considering candidates for a daily driver. Manual transmission is a pretty important consideration, I miss my Contour SVT. I drove my buddies Escort the other day, and even that was fun, so a 5 or 6spd behind a v6 would really make me smile from day to day. Looking for not crazy miles, maybe between 75k and 100k, under $8,000 if possible, and of course v6 (or boosted 4cyl) and manual. I won't consider a v6 Mustang or Camaro, I need rear seating. MPG is important too. I was looking at Mitsu Eclipses, the 2000 to 20005 models. Also, Nissan Maxima's might work out. I'd love a G6 GTP, but that's too much $$$ at this point.

So throw me some ideas. Lets discuss the "sport, middle-weight" daily driver options, at say under $10k.

[nascarnate326]

v6 manual, that isnt a Fbody, that petty much rules out GM, I would check out the Eclipse. Good luck :)

[atc3434]

v6 manual, that isnt a Fbody, that petty much rules out GM, I would check out the Eclipse. Good luck :)


I really thought about it, but I'm not going to own a Camaro or Mustang with a V6, I just can't bring myself to do it. Beside, I've got my V8 F-body toy already, I need something to put people in the back of if needed. The only other GM I could come up with was the G6 GTP, way too much money at this point. In about 3-4 years the used market for one might be about right.

[notsoaveragej0e]

What about Vibe GT?

[atc3434]

What about Vibe GT?

Not much of a fan of the styling... is that a turbo 4 banger?

[Mirage85]

Used Mazda 6?

[notsoaveragej0e]

Not much of a fan of the styling... is that a turbo 4 banger?

I think it's just a high output 4 with a 6speed....


Edit, from epinions review:
The Vibe GT and its Toyota twin, the Matrix XRS, both use the 180-horsepower, 1.8-liter Four from Toyota's Celica GT-S sports coupe (albeit detuned to 173hp in the wagons). This engine is well-known for its unusually peaky power delivery, meaning that it makes most of its power way up in the highest reaches of the tachometer. In my test-drive of the Celica GT-S, I noted that acceleration felt disappointingly ordinary in normal driving, and that the variable-cam changeover at 6000rpm was a bit abrupt.

[stillriza]

eclipses have rear room...? i didn't know they came in 4 door.

[DrFabulous]

Used Mazda 6?

Agreed!!

[Mike Jung]

What about Vibe GT?

I think it's just a high output 4 with a 6speed....


Edit, from epinions review:
The Vibe GT and its Toyota twin, the Matrix XRS, both use the 180-horsepower, 1.8-liter Four from Toyota's Celica GT-S sports coupe (albeit detuned to 173hp in the wagons). This engine is well-known for its unusually peaky power delivery, meaning that it makes most of its power way up in the highest reaches of the tachometer. In my test-drive of the Celica GT-S, I noted that acceleration felt disappointingly ordinary in normal driving, and that the variable-cam changeover at 6000rpm was a bit abrupt.

Did they ever fix their high rev'ing engine from blowing-up ?
(& I am not talking about people mis-shifting either.)

lol

[Saber326]

get a volvo. they have rear seating and they are really nice cars. lots of them have turbos too.

[Mike Jung]

get a volvo. they have rear seating and they are really nice cars. lots of them have turbos too.
Type R ;) :D

[crazypontiac03]

Mazda 3?

[Cliff8928]

a CTS maybe... or a Saab.

[DrFabulous]

Mazda 3?

Not V6 ;)

[timberwoof]

Have you looked into the Accords. I see alot of them around here and they don't look that bad. Plus they have V6 manual options.

[XMBlackGT1]

The Nissan Maxima would be an awesome car and they hold up forever. If you were looking for something NEW, the new 07 Altimas with the V6 and the stick are really fast.

[Gizm0815]

any vr6 volkswagon

[GrandAmGT1996]

mazda 6.


or, a early 90s z24 cavalier, 3.1L 5-speed.

[WeibSunder]

My dad had a 1999 Nissan Maxima v-6 that was stick shift. That was a fast car...I really enjoyed driving it.

[onilink67]

im with a vr6 vw

[atc3434]

I've always liked the Maxima... that might be a winner.