Originally posted by SCRCTeach
Check out the Mazda 3...or if you can find one used in the most recent itteration, a Mazda 6. My wife and I test drove the Mazda 6 a while back. It was the most fun I've ever had (driving
) in a four door automobile. This particular one had the 6 speed semi-auto transmission...what a hoot!
ETA: the only reason we didn't buy it was because at $28,000 it was a bit out of our price range.
The 3 is another choice, but the 6, unless it is the bare bones model, is out of his price range also.
I still think my XRS can take a 3 though
I am one of those guys that knows what he has (as in, no I don't think it can take a vette), but is willing to find out first hand. I am not too proud to loose. I keep wanting to race my buddies '00 Mustang GT, but he keeps making excuses.
There is a guy on Toyotanation that has an XRS with simple bolt-ons that is staying with RS-X Type Ses and regularly beats Sentra SE-R Spec Vs and SVT Focuses at the track. All that and he has 4 doors, roomy interior, a nice sized trunk, etc.
If you can test drive the XRS. That is what sold me. I went in to get a Scion tC and left with a Corolla XRS. The Corolla fits me better and gives me more room. Plus, I LOVE the six speed manual (VERY short throw for an OEM shifter). Once I dorve it, I had to have it.
One last thing. One downside is it takes premium gas only. IIRC it has around an 11:1 compression ratio. I only fill it up with Shell premium and only run Mobil 1 synthetic oil w/ a Mobil 1 filter.