The time has come to retire the old Civic. It’s still a good car, but it seemingly always needs minor amounts of work that I never want to do. I’ve been shopping around for quite a while and am really just waiting for the perfect vehicle to pop up locally. I’m fairly set, but wouldn’t mind hearing opinions.

What I’m set on:

  • 2008-2009 Mazdaspeed3. Routinely an award winner. Hatchback, good looks, pretty good interior, and amazing power. I’m looking for one in white, which makes things tough. If they made new ones in white, I’d probably grab one, but they didn’t do that for the first year of the new run. Maybe I should wait until the fall in hopes they release white for 2011?
  • 2007+ Honda Element SC. Ridiculous amount of utility, which is really all I need out of a car. I’m dead set on Galaxy Gray Metallic and a manual. This car has the potential to be an absolute snooze to drive; need a gear shifter, which is really hard to find.

Others I’m considering:

  • NEW Volkswagen GTI. I really like how the car looks, and again, a hatchback. It’s not as fast as the Mazdaspeed3, but with a 6.8 0-60mph, it’s quick enough. On the plus side, it’s likely got a much better fit and finish than the Mazda, but it will also likely fall apart a few years down the line. If I got this, I’d only own it as long as the warranty.
  • Honda S2000. The best car I’ve ever driven (Dear Ulmer, you haven’t driven one so you can’t say “it’s old technology” or whatever you normally say). If I did this again, I’d likely keep the Civic for utility purposes. I’d go white (duh!), but as the color combo I had wasn’t offered after 2001, and I don’t want a car that old, I’d have a tan interior. 

Even further down the list:

  • Infiniti G35 Coupe. Always liked this car. Great motor, but as much utility as the S2000. Likely not holding up as well, either.
  • Lexus IS300. Again, cool car with a great motor. I’m not big on sedans.
  • Subaru WRX. I’d either go newish or way old to the original ones and get a wagon. Two problems here. 1) I’m not a huge fan of the new styling, but spec-wise, it’s a stellar car. 2) This has always been the “boy-racer” car of choice. An older one has been driven hard… and for quite some time now.