dj Dozhe

I bought my 6MT blk/blk 06 when they first came out, and remember thinking, "This is absolutely the one." Mid 20's price, 6 speed manual gave it just enough power when needed, great handling, very reasonable mpg, all the necessary options were already there, and damn, she's a pretty lady inside and out. It was a no brainer. Almost a decade later, due to a few accidents, she's on her last legs and I have to buy something new. But what?

I always imagined I'd just get a new TSX, or whatever that name would become. It would be a sporty, reliable, well priced buy, with all the necessary trimmings; just like my 06. But now the time is here, Acura and I seem to have very different opinions on what kind of cars they should be making, and so I have absolutely no idea what I should even put in the running. I'm asking here because this community really knows the car experience I'm coming from.

Any suggestions are helpful, and here's some info.

1. Really trying not to spend over 25K.
2. If it's new I'd REALLY like it to be a MT. I have no issue buying used, but would be leaning towards AT as I don't trust other drivers' manuals.
3. Reasonable fun. I'm trying to hit that sweet spot my TSX had of performance available, but MPG not totally sacrificed.
4. Reliable.
5. A looker.
6. 2nd Gen TSX is a nope. ILX is a nope.

Am I looking for a unicorn? Does this kind of buy not exist anymore, or am I just looking in all the wrong places?

2012wagon

If second gen TSX is a nope, how about:

1) base 2015 WRX?

2) 2015 Accord Sport manual

VQPower37

my vote would go for the 2015 accord sport manual

NBP04TL4ME

^^^^exactly what I was thinking!!

I noticed OP is local and found this - 2014 Honda Accord Sport- 6mt

2012wagon

Per OPs #2, he doesn't want to buy used manual.

If used=auto
if new=manual

NBP04TL4ME

I saw that but it's only 8K on the odometer.......
Was thinking that might be acceptable

dj Dozhe

Thanks for the suggestion. Honestly, for me, the only thing missing on that car is the option for leather/leatherette seats. I won't allow something like that to be a deal breaker for me (which is why it's not on my list), but damn so close to perfect. I was considering the mazda6 touring as well, but I've never owned a Mazda. The Accord Sport really feels almost like what the new TSX should've been.

I've never been one for the WRX styling, though it's a great car. And after thinking about it a used Honda MT with less than 10K should really be ok. These things can take a bit of a beating. If you guys have any other suggestions I'm all ears, but thanks for pointing out a serious contender.

NBP04TL4ME

Didn't realize leather wasn't an option on the Sport. Are there other trim levels that have a manual and leather domination?

2012wagon

I didn't buy the Accord Sport for a few reasons:

1) Horrible color options
2) no moonroof
3) No HID
4) No leather


You can move up to the EX Honda Accord with manual, and you get moonroof, but again bad colors, and that doesn't have dual exhaust.

I am not a WRX design fan, but I think the current one is nice

I have owned 11 Mazdas (9 Miatas), they are great cars. Bad resale. My favorite mazda was my 2011 Mazdaspeed3. Fast and manual.

dj Dozhe

@npb I'm not seeing one. The EX-L has leather, but no manual option.

NBP04TL4ME

I looked briefly as well and didn't see it either

dj Dozhe

I'm planning to drive whatever I get until it dies, so resale isn't much of a concern to me. I just want it to be reliable enough that it lasts for a good long while without issues. Should I have concerns in that regard?

loulinjai

Accord Touring 6MT? It's available in Canada - not sure about the States.

2012wagon

Nope. Then just get the Mazda6. But the manual doesn't come in the GT trim. You can get Mazda6 Touring with leatherette and manual. Same issue as Accord, but better looking IMO.

If you don't care about resale, its a great car and it won't get lost in a parking lot of 5 million accords. You can also pick great colors in the Mazda

dj Dozhe

Looks like the Touring is definitely the front runner. Time for some test drives. Thanks!

dj Dozhe

Unfortunately for me, it doesn't seem to be.

2012wagon

Enjoy it. It is a fantastic drive. I love the red.

NBP04TL4ME

But the touring trim doesn't meet your first two criteria and being a V6 might not meet your third criteria

2012wagon

He is talking about Mazda6 touring not the overpriced Accord Touring

loulinjai

Let us know what you think of the Mazda6. I think it's an underrated car for the mid size segment. The new Skyactiv chassis and powertrains are very competitive in output, refinement and fuel economy.

I guess I learn something new everyday. Didn't know the GT didn't come in manual in the States, it's available with a 6MT in Canada in all trim levels. I don't know why those powertrain combinations are not available, especially when US typically sells 8x the volume Canada does.

2012wagon

Because the USA gets screwed everyway till Sunday.

dj Dozhe

Definitely will. And while it seems to be underrated by the general public every pro review I see is pretty taken with it, especially in it's category. I'll be waiting to look at the 2016 model which comes out next month as the short list of updates includes the infotainment system. According to most user and pro reviews, the 2014 and 2015 version have been subpar in that air. I like the new grill and slimmer center console as well.

2012wagon

Mazda, like Acura has always been supbar in infotainment. Though the HUD in the new 3 is nice.

Simba91102

No brainer and hands down: 2015 GTI

NBP04TL4ME

My bad -

Not a bad suggestion, but most configurations of the GTI are going to violate his first criteria.

dj Dozhe

It would also violate #5. GTI's, while fun to drive, have always looked short, fat and dumpy to me. Also may violate #4 as I don't really find VW to have the kind of reliability I'm looking for. I still appreciate the suggestion.

NBP04TL4ME

This is the opposite end of the spectrum in that these only come with a MT - These Cars Only Have Manual Transmissions - Three-Pedal Club

2012wagon

^^
Nice list. I had a 2011 MS3. One of the best cars I ever owned.

mrgold35

You might want to wait to see what the MMC ILX looks like once it hits the road. Sounds like it might be a very close replacement to the original 06 TSX. It even sounds better than a TLX 2.4L tech. I might consider the MMC ILX as a replacement for my 06 TSX (same issues of mileage and one +$7000 accident repaired).

khannie112

How about a Civic SI? Similar in size to your TSX - or a Mazda 3 is also probably about the same size.

Both come in MT and you could get it for under $25k

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

Katzskin can fix the leather issue. It's an option with the Accord Sport and have the katzskin put in.

Do you need a moonroof? I drove the Mz6 didn't like it. I had the 1st gen Mz6 and will never buy a Mazda again because of that POS. But that's just me.

2012wagon

For me moonroof is a must, and the Accord Sport didn't have it. Around here you can buy dealer installed one. However, I had a Integra RS with a dealer installed moonroof, and I would never buy that POS again.

1st gen MZ6 was pure crap. Current one with skyactive is world class

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

I always thought moonroof was a must for me, but I look at it as. One less part to fix if something breaks, and one less windows to deal with.

I'm in the market for a 1G TSX 05+ so since it's standard I guess I'll have a moonroof. LOL

2012wagon

^^
Agree 100%. But aside from my dealer installed moonroof (which leaked), I never had any issues with a moonroof.

npolite

The HID you can fix for around $100-200. From what I was reading on driveaccord it's pretty easy to mount the ballasts. The one thing is just that the bulbs need to have the return line on the bottom of the bulb which are the "B" model of bulb.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

^ Yes, I mounted my ballast perfectly fine.

deathangel

I honestly suggest you test drive a '14 Kia Optima turbo. It has all the options you want and I believe it is a very good looking car. If I had anything to nip pick about the car, it would have to be the layout of the center dash

tsxykid105

^ I work at KIA. The turbo optimas are fun but have problems.
1. Spark plugs have to be changed a lot like 30k miles
2. Very loose tolerances and noisy motors. I've seen 11 optimas come it with a metal noise that needed a new engine.
3. Some times the heated seats go out and its because of a short in the heating bad that burns a spot in the coil.
4. Wastegate rod needs adjusting (usuallyna warranty item) recall


Why dont you just find another 04-08 6spd tsx? You can find them for 15k and under with mid milage on them. You like then one you have now. I drive a ton of cars at work but I always get into my tsx and its just not the same. The tsx comes standard with almost everything. And if you have a 25k budget and only spend 15k or less you would have a lower car payment and wifey would probably be happy

Iceman

The new GTI's have a lower hood, ride lower than regular Golf, and have an extended body. You might want to take a walk around a new one, to see what you think. I plan to do the same, at the March Auto Show.

If you want 6MT, you probably also want an enthusiast-oriented car, not one that handles like a Toyota. This (plus the gigantic size) is what drives me away from the Honda Accord.

I think you're on the right track looking at Mazda. Cheap, driver-oriented, can get 6MT with a lot of different trim combinations, for both Mazda 3 and Mazda 6.

I love the looks of the new ILX, but no manual.

fallout09890

9th gen Si