[kevin993]

Not sure, but we may be in the market for a car. Looking for wisdom.

Trying to keep costs in check. Strongly prefer a manual. A three door would be ideal. New or used are both fine. Need functional, not fancy. Prefer smaller than larger. Prefer something more spiritually similar to the Honda CRX than to a four door sedan with a bigger trunk.

Just for giggles, think about an $7k budget or a $20k budget. Yes, those are very different price points and the higher price point rules out some options to buy new. I've done online shopping and have some of my own ideas, but don't want to influence the Pelican brain trust other than offering the list below as lead candidates:

VW Golf?
Hyundai Veloster?
Mini Cooper?
Mazda 3?
Ford Focus?
Toyota 86?

Recommendations welcome. Mostly looking to make sure I'm not excluding an obvious silver bullet solution.

Thanks all!