15-17k budget - Not sure which car is right for me

[FerraraZ]

I honestly am having troubles find what is the right car for me. I currently drive an Infiniti 1996 with 205k miles on it but I've started my new job and my daily commute is 20 miles to work and 20 miles back in seemingly back roads with quite a few stop lights on the way.

I guess the things I DO want are: Manual Transmission Coupe/Hatchback/Compact Good gas mileage Reliability

I've been scouring the internet just trying to figure out what is best for me but honestly almost every car in the class I simply like or love. I feel like if I'm going to finance the car for 60 months then I'd prefer new however I'm told that buying barely used is not a bad thing either.

I'm certain someone has been in my situation before and even budget. I'm a 24 yr old who just finished college and placed in respective career so it is a pretty big decision for me.

 

[sdifox]

lulz going from an infiniti to a compact is going to suck

 

[ThatsABigOne]

At the top of my head: Nissan Altima Coupe.

 

[mmntech]

Get a sedan instead of a coup. Insurance is cheaper. Here's some cars to consider.
-Ford Focus
-Honda Civic
-Hyundai Elantra
-Hyundai Veloster (?, haven't driven this one yet)
-Kia Forte 5 or Forte Koup
-Mazda 3
-Toyota Matrix

If you want a bit of luxury, the Elantra GL has a lot of bang for buck.

 

[ballmode]

Civic Si Coupe or Sedan (i'd get the sedan if its me)

If you want a little performance you might want to try a WRX Wagon but it might be too big for you and 28ish highway too low of MPG.

 

[bbs lm-r]

07-09 mazdaspeed3

 

[jlee]

07-09 mazdaspeed3

This.

 

[JCH13]

07-09 mazdaspeed3

This.

That.

I <3 mine.

 

[Jumpem]

Do you get winter weather where you live? 2012 Impreza, AWD and 36mpg.

 

[Throckmorton]

07-09 mazdaspeed3

Worse gas mileage than a Mustang.

 

[exdeath]

07-09 mazdaspeed3

This.

That.

I <3 mine.

Forth-ed.

 

[exdeath]

Worse gas mileage than a Mustang.

But a Mustang isn't a compact or a hatch back.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Do you get winter weather where you live? 2012 Impreza, AWD and 36mpg.

This^

 

[tbike06]

Accord coupe? I like the 2008 and newer design.

 

[JCH13]

Worse gas mileage than a Mustang.

Much more utility than a V6 mustang what with having 5 doors if that is of value to OP.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

VW TDI, take your pick on which. I prefer Golf over Jetta. Even the 2.5 I5 is decent. But the TDI will pay for itself with the mileage.

 

[Throckmorton]

Much more utility than a V6 mustang what with having 5 doors if that is of value to OP.

But it's pitiful for a compact FWD car to get such bad gas mileage.

 

[desy]

Zuki sx4 awd

 

[HAL9000]

Ford Focus / Fiesta
Fiat 500
Citroen DS5 / DS3

 

[Jumpem]

But it's pitiful for a compact FWD car to get such bad gas mileage.

It's perfectly acceptable mileage for a turbo four.

 

[JCH13]

But it's pitiful for a compact FWD car to get such bad gas mileage.

EPA is 18MPG city to 25MPG highway.

The EPA rating is low, I got 30-33mpg on the highway when it was stock, with the super-sticky stock tires. With a few mods, including the Mazdaspeed CAI, I saw a bump of about 2mpg. My lowest ever combined tank was around 25mpg, which is the EPA's estimated highway mileage.

The real-world numbers aren't too bad for a car that (I've read) dyno'd as high as 250whp in stock form and over 275whp with a Mazdaspeed CAI and catback. The somewhat low mileage rating is largely due (I think) to relatively wide sticky tires, soft tire pressures, and an alignment favoring performance. I've read of people pumping up the tires more and driving mostly out of peak boost getting well over 35mpg combined.

 

[FerraraZ]

VW TDI, take your pick on which. I prefer Golf over Jetta. Even the 2.5 I5 is decent. But the TDI will pay for itself with the mileage.

I test drove this today and honestly I feel like I made my decision because of it....

 

[Johnnie Walker]

I test drove this today and honestly I feel like I made my decision because of it....

TDI?