​ My wife wants me to replace my 2003 Mazda Protege5 with something newer and more reliable. I understand her concerns, but I've driven almost exclusively manual-transmission cars for over 20 years, and I'm worried I'll seriously regret switching to an automatic. We have two kids, and our other vehicle is an EV. My budget is under $20,000, and I'm mechanically inclined and do my own maintenance and repairs. I've always liked the Mazda5. The combination of sliding doors, useful interior space, and a manual transmission seems like an ideal compromise for someone who needs family practicality but still enjoys driving. My concern is that finding a clean, low-mileage manual Mazda5 might be difficult, and I'm not sure whether an older one would actually be a meaningful reliability upgrade over my Protege5. I'm open to other makes and models, too. A practical hatchback, wagon, or small minivan would be fine. I'm not looking for anything particularly fast or luxurious; I just want something dependable that I won't hate driving. A few questions for anyone with experience: Is a manual Mazda5 a worthwhile purchase, and are there particular model years to look for or avoid? Would a well-maintained Mazda5 actually be a meaningful reliability upgrade over a 2003 Protege5? What other practical vehicles offer a manual transmission and a good reliability record? For those who've driven manuals for decades and switched to an automatic, did you regret it? If you were in my position, would you hold out for the right manual or accept an automatic to get a newer, more reliable vehicle? I'd rather buy the right older car than spend my entire budget on something newer that I don't enjoy driving. What would you recommend?   submitted by   /u/s1owpokerodriguez   to   r/whatcarshouldIbuy [link]   [comments]