The rebadged BMW.

That’s an easy one

A poser kit car that’s also a “someone else’s project.” Count me in. Whoops, Dammit, must have hit the ND button by mistake.

No. It was the1.8 litre LA5 from 1984-86, then the 2.0 LT3 beginning in 1987.

A well-integrated screen is certainly better than a terrible one. But for most purposes, a knob or button is going to be even better. My ‘17 GTI had about the best touchscreen stereo I have ever used - but at the end of the day, the non-touchscreen two-knob, 10 configurable button, 2 line display radio in my BMWs does…

It is the *physical* buttons and knobs on those cars that aren’t lit.

But again, those people downsizing may still be starting larger and ending up larger than they might otherwise based on the density of the location they live in.

I can’t make butthole jokes about Pluto though......

Tracks with my experiences. My Volvo V60's climate controls are on a touchscreen, but it’s always visible and in a location that’s fairly easy to reach, so while I definitely would still prefer physical controls in principle, in practice I don’t mind it much, especially as the only person in the car the vast majority…

I’m curious to see how that packaging works. 

“This totally fits the bill except for the two main things you stated...”

If the Mazda is “too big” any compact car will be too big, so what you are looking at is one size down. You also want it zippy and sporty, and used, so here are your options :

Manual only requirement basically wipes out like 98% of what’s available.

That Lexus is a TERRIBLE recommendation. There’s nothing fun or zippy about it. It’s a Prius in a fancy suit. 

A Mitsubishi Cyborg Mirage. Not sure if these ever came to the states though.

Isn’t the answer always “Miata?”

How did nobody say Fiesta ST?  

It looks great, no doubt, but:

How dare they keep rolling out vehicles that continue to sell year over year. Seriously, what a bunch of clowns. 

That front spoiler thing is really weird.