Man, I really wanted to be sold on this and plan to make it my next car. But with that disappointing HP figure, combined with the still-atrocious faux vents, I’m thinking it’s not gonna happen.

That hasn’t been announced yet. But I’m there with ya.

Monumental post! Really enjoyed reading it. Thanks and congrats on your awesome new Z!

You’re on quaaludes, QADude!

Should’ve gotten a TSX!

I’d have fun driving it but feel ridiculous looking at the same time. I’m holding out hope for the tamer looking Si.

My only concern with it is the backseat space. I’ve got kids in booster seats, so I’m hopeful they’ll fit comfortably back there. I wanted to buy one a couple years ago, but the car seats were too big for the back and I couldn’t sit comfortably in the front to make enough room.

Pretty sure this will be my experience too in a few years.

How plentiful are manual hatchbacks? I’ve searched a few times and will get only 1-2 in a 200-mile radius. I did happen to test drive a manual hatch sport and really enjoyed the experience. Just don’t know if I could actually live with how ugly it is. I want the size and engine of the Civic but the looks of the Mazda3.

I think it looks nice! Except for that fracking tacked-on screen on the dash! I wish that could have just been integrated into the speedometer area ala Audi’s MMI system.

Can I get an amen for the 599 GTB and its glorious flying buttresses?

I think this is the best looking Ferrari in the past five years or so. Glad they’re moving away from those elongated headlights. 

He is also not related to Frank Anaconda, the adult film star.

Tom, are these steep discounts on VWs going on in light of Dieselgate? Or does this tend to happen in December/January simply as a sales boost? I keep seeing GTIs for sale in my area at $4,000 to $5,000 off MSRP. Now’s not a good time for me to buy, but I’ll be kicking myself if this deal isn’t around in a couple…

I’m a simple man with ‘90s nostalgia. This is what I want.

My brother-in-law works for Daimler, so I could get a family discount on a new Merc. With that percentage off, that would make it somewhere around way-too-much-for-these-plebian-pockets. But boy do I wish I could! Ultimate family ass-hauler right there.

Great article, thank you! Love that these guys are cashing in and sticking it to VW.

Just in time for Throwback Thursday! All joking aside, I always liked the Ford Probe. It looked good. Not sure if it performed well though. Methinks not.

What a great idea. This looks fun!

Great counterpoints! Well put.