Damn it. I feel almost contractually obligated to make some crack about the lack of a hatch whenever the new WRX/STI comes up. I got nothing applicable to this though...

Less mass is always a good thing and I look forward to the new car, but a real send off for the NC would have been something with forced induction, rather than limited edition paint. /me goes back to plotting upgrades for his 2008.

Let's do the math[1]:

I know what she can't handle: A hatchback.

What? No brown diesel Cutlass wagon with a six-speed manual? Oldsmobile can just forget about my business then!

I sorta feel your pain, at 6' with a long torso the NA and NB never quite fit me. NC was just right, but I took my friend who is 6'2" for a spin and he wasn't a happy camper.

My wife and I bought the Jetta as a fuel efficient, roomy, "appliance" car. We never had any expectations that it would be a "fun" car, but even so, the DSG was a bridge too far; we both ended up missing the manual transmission.

A couple years ago I broke with my 7-cars-with-manual streak and bought a Jetta SW with a DSG, thinking it would be just as good as a manual. And by pretty much every objective measurement it is, but I still can't wait to sell it and replace it with something that has a clutch I get to operate.

While I'm firmly in my mid-40's, I do like craft beer, locally sourced food, and own some M83. Unfortunately I also think hatch/wagon > sedan. No, I really have no other point than that.

My "car" is a 2008 XTerra Off-Road (the old version of the Pro 4x) so I commend your recommendation!

Yes, but probably worth waiting for the Mk7 Golf R no?

A test drive of a 328i x wagon is definitely on the todo list. One coming offa two-year lease would be just about the right price. Respectfully I take some issue with paddles being just as fun as row-your-own, but as you and many others have pointed out, it's a pretty small segment I'm shopping, so something…

No manual available on the XT unfortunately.

When I sold my first gen bug-eye WRX is was a steaming pile of wreckage. Ok, maybe not that bad, but I always drove it like I stole it. I get the impression most owners drive them this way. Not sure I want to buy a used one :-)

Jan 2015 per VWVortex.

Not sure. I've had zero problems in 66k miles. Did replace the rotors at 60k, but that doesn't seem very unreasonable. Other than that it's only been regularly scheduled maintenance. Oh, and lots of fill ups, it craves petrol.

Subaru is killing me these days, remember when you could get a turbo Legacy wagon or Outback with a manual transmission? Seems like a fevered dream now.

Very tempting, but I think I'd wait for the Mk7 Golf R to land if we went that route.

Heh, my "car" is a 2008 Xterra Off-Road with a 6-speed manual. For what it is, it's deceptively quick in a straight line. Terrible mileage, rough ride, but they can have it when the pry the keys from my cold dead hands. No, I have no idea who "they" are.

We did drop the AWD and manual requirements for her present car: A VW JSW TDI w/DSG. We even have a set of studded winter tires on it. But we live in rural NH on a dirt road and there is a lot of snow and ice to deal with and while the mountains are small by Colorado standards, there are plenty of steep hills. …