Wow, that's impressive Gerry. I would consider a 2WD Toyota PU for myself, but then I'd get wrapped up doing suspension upgrades.
I have experience with a Golf III and I think it's a more solid car than contemporary hondas but the suspension is very soft. I won't drive anything with an auto, that's my #1 requirement
The RWD volvos are rock solid but getting old now and the later ones are very hard to find with a stick. the 850s are very affordable and very good cars, the turbo is quite fast as somebody else said, but of course FWD, and again hard to find with a stick. In the turbo you have to go to a V70 to get a stick and they are quite rare.
since your 2nd car is already small you might as well just switch it out with another SC
