[Richbot]

The right answer is another E9xM of course, maybe a vert for unlimited headroom, lol.

But if you're being practical and/or significant others in your life will murder you if you do that, get a Bolt, no question. Just did this math for my own situation and settled on an EV. Ended up doing it in the stupidest way possible so that it could also be a longer-haul family/carpool hauler (Model X) but the "something new and different, that won't add any work to my daily life" angle for a daily made an EV first on the list of priorities.

[Cyberdemon]

As they say "it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, then a fast car slow". I love the E90, and the excitement you get closer to the limit is way higher, but the GTI was a blast cause you could drive the god damn piss out of it and never feel like you'd end up spending a night in jail.

The cheap, shitbox nature and fact you don't have to wait 20 minutes for the oil to warm up is a great plus for a FWD car. I could blast around corners on 3 wheels in the GTI and then look down and still realize I was going very slow.

[njdrive]

Honda Civic SI or if you can find a 2013 Acura ILX with 6spd manual. The 6spd ILX has the same engine as the Civic SI (2.4L).

[akkando]

You know it's probably not a good idea given the age of the car, size, storage but.... I'd be tempted to get an e36 m3 sedan. Those can be had for 15k. Their older so they're simpler, and in North America we got the regular non M engine so parts are cheaper and easier to come by.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-bmw-m3-187/

[bimmergixxer]

A 350Z, 6 speed manual would be reliable and fun but would not meet the criteria for the kids and practical, so maybe an Infinity G35 coupe? Fun, reliable, manual and back seats.

[86Zed]

Do you have kids already? If so you probably know 4-doors and easy access is really going to save you frustration etc. Hence why so many people are running around in bigger cars.

This a car forum though and there is no need to compromise on all fronts! We have a one year old and the current kiddo haulers are a 2016 GTI and 2011 BMW wagon, both bought used at or below your budget. Both fit the stroller and crud while leaving space for groceries.



Both the wife and I made 6MT a must-have requirement. An Acura ILX or similar would be in the running otherwise. Out of the options you mentioned a WRX or 2 series makes the most sense. Having owned both a 228i MSport and GTI I would say the GTI is 85% of the BMW (sans RWD) for a whole lot less money. We also owned a Mazda3 and it bored us to death with autotragic, sold in under a year.

[Humdizzle]

i'd vote GTI, Mazda 3, or Civic Si. GTI has the best driving dynamics. Mazda has the best interior.

2013 335i cars are down to the mid teens. but i'd rather have a GTI. F30's are seriously uninspiring to drive.

I'd also put a clean e92 335is 6spd into the mix

[Cerberus]

Fiesta ST

I love mine!

[RugbyBro]

Best bang for the buck - Mazda 3. Great on gas and very reliable, had one for 4 years. Fun? As fun as 15-20k economy car can be. My non-car friends all seemed to love it and love driving it.

[stein_325i]

Best Econobox - Mazda 3. Reliable, enough practicality, and still fun and rewarding to drive. GTI is also good, but at $15k mileage would be up, and a lot of them are modded, and not sure how those do reliability wise.

For $15k, if you want a bit more frills and luxury, I would also look out for the Infiniti G35/37 which can also be found as the Q40. Essentially Infiniti's answer to the 3-series, great to drive, great size, decent reliability, and six-speed was optional, although a bit rare, and these cars do tend to be modded hard but the newer ones should still be clean. The Q40 is the exact same car as the G37 just with new badging when Infiniti switched their naming scheme. Because of this the Q40 does not have the higher resale of the G and can be found cheaper while being newer, two years ago my friend bought one off lease for $18k, so they should be down in price by now.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Captain Starbucks

Just saw the Jetta. I don't know much about them. Reliable?

No. The GTI is a much better choice.

[kaputt]

The Civic Sport models are great. Both the turbo hatchbacks and the NA sedans (can’t get a coupe anymore).

I have an NA Civic sport coupe with a manual and it’s been a fantastic car. Shockingly fun to drive as well.

You could find a used one for $15k but also some new ones are available for not much more, especially if you find a manual that’s been sitting.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Captain Starbucks

Can you guys recommend a fun to drive, reliable car that can still haul kids? 6MT a plus but will strongly consider all electric. Doesn't necessarily have to be 4 door but can't be a bro-mobile like Mustang, Camaro etc.

I'm thinking Mazda 3, WRX, 2 Series, Bolt, 3 series wagon.

Let me know if you have any ideas.

Rob

Requirements: fun to drive, reliable, haul kids and $15k budget.

Suggestion: 2006-2010 Toyota 4Runner

[Alfisti]

Jetta station wagon. We're talking kids right? GTI gonna feel cramped.

[bucketfoot]

Civic Si or Mazda 3

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

GTI. I loved mine but our stroller was too big. In hindsight I should've just bought a smaller stroller.

I don't have kids but I've made this error with the stroller (pushcart) I use for my golf clubs. A 'full featured' stroller seems trick until you realize it's bigger and heavier than something more svelte.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Jetta station wagon. We're talking kids right? GTI gonna feel cramped.

I'd agree but I imagine this is a second car and it depends on the age. The Jetta sport wagon is not very fun though.

I almost bought a TDI sportwagen on an impulse and had to go to the dealer and fight for my deposit back.

GTI is fine if it's just dropping kids at school with some backpacks.

[damnitBobby]

Originally Posted by chassis

Requirements: fun to drive, reliable, haul kids and $15k budget.

Suggestion: 2006-2010 Toyota 4Runner

As someone who owned a 4Runner, there’s nothing fun about driving them. But they are solid vehicles otherwise.

I say Mazda3 (Mazdaspeed3 in particular) as well. Wife has a CX-5 and even it is surprisingly fun for being a crossover.

[Machinebuilder]

I know people may laugh but I was recently looking for a fun little spare car. I know and test drove alot of the cars mentioned which are all good choices. I was leaning towards a GTI or Civic SI but I surprised myself and got a Prius Prime limited for $22,000 after deductions. Its not a fast car but its zippy, fun to drive, comfortable and super economical. Granted I have a BMW 440IX 6 speed also but right now the Prius Prime gets all the use. All I can say is test drive the cars and see which you personally like. Keep an open mind and your final choice may surprise you.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

As someone who owned a 4Runner, there’s nothing fun about driving them.

To play devil's advocate, there's a whole lot of fun to be had driving carefree over dips and bumps in the road, not worrying at ALL about any curbs, parking blocks, uneven pavement, etc. When nudging a curb from any angle is usually a $1k mistake, a 4Runner feels like the ultimate freedom. And the v8 model is an absolute blast, speedometer reads to 110 iirc but it'll actually do around 140 comfortably.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by br2wdc

There are a ton of options for you, and along the same lines as the GTI, I would consider the new VW Jetta, which has a 6MT option and near you in Tacoma, WA I found one example for around $15k:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3343/overview/

I believe it gets 40mpg on the highway, so depending on the type driving you do, you'll have a very versatile car that is fun to drive.

Just rented one of these a few weeks ago. Hard no for fun.

I have a little Elantra GT N-line DD now with the tech package and it's pretty fun, all I could think about driving the Jetta is how it had no driving dynamics. Whatever DNA made german cars in the past, none if it is left in the Jetta IMO. I'm not dead-set against front wheel drive (obviously), but it's obvious they've watered it down way too far.

[br2wdc]

I interpreted his OP as he wanted a new econobox for around $15k with manual option, and IMHO the 2019-20 Jetta hits the mark if you get it with 6MT.

This review provides some additional detail as to why:

https://jalopnik.com/the-cheapest-20...ett-1834421363

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Just rented one of these a few weeks ago. Hard no for fun.

I have a little Elantra GT N-line DD now with the tech package and it's pretty fun, all I could think about driving the Jetta is how it had no driving dynamics. Whatever DNA made german cars in the past, none if it is left in the Jetta IMO. I'm not dead-set against front wheel drive (obviously), but it's obvious they've watered it down way too far.