[mjohnson]

While not performance oriented or quirky like many of the above, my 6-speed MT '16 Mazda 3 has really grown on me. I bought it as a cheap and economical commuter and airport car (ABQ is 105 miles from home and I fly a ton for work).

It's anonymous here in Los Alamos - there's (relatively) scads of them in this town - apparently scientists like them when they're not buying Subarus. It drives great and, even with stock suspension, really wants to turn. At sea level I'm sure the NA engine is more than enough for its purpose but up here at 7000'+ it could use more oomph.

I wish we'd have looked at the Mazda version of the soccermommobile before we bought the Hyundai Santa Fe. Even with the higher output engine, the Korean CUV is about as much fun as a toaster oven.