Manual sporty SUV options

naddis01 · 12-04-2023, 09:43 AM

I can't believe I am asking this question but what sporty manual SUVs are there?

We have bought a new house that has a steep driveway that instantly flattens into the carport. The change in slope is aggressive enough that my wifes I20N bottoms out on the change in gradient. Hence the question.

Criteria....
Manual transmission
More ground clearance than an I20N
New or near new
Nothing too big

Something along the lines of a Puma ST or Kona N would be ideal but a don't think are available here.

**FTE217** · 12-04-2023, 09:59 AM

CX3 https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...1820366/?Cr=55
Vitara
Jimny https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...0716225/?Cr=35
Puma ST is available https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...gType=showcase

naddis01 · 12-04-2023, 10:23 AM

I'm thinking more along the lines of jacked up hot hatch rather than run of the mill.

The Puma ST Line is available but not the full fat ST.

Dr Smith · 12-04-2023, 11:17 AM

Thinking outside the box...what about adjustable/pump up ride height...ala East LA style....

Big_Daz · 12-04-2023, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

I can't believe I am asking this question but what sporty manual SUVs are there?

We have bought a new house that has a steep driveway that instantly flattens into the carport. The change in slope is aggressive enough that my wifes I20N bottoms out on the change in gradient. Hence the question.

Criteria....
Manual transmission
More ground clearance than an I20N
New or near new
Nothing too big

Something along the lines of a Puma ST or Kona N would be ideal but a don't think are available here.

Kona N is available here… just over $50k da for base mid $50ks for premium. Has the i30n drivetrain (200+ kw, etc). I’ve driven a few and they are awesome and worth a look. No manual though (DCT only) so may be off your list.

https://www.hyundai.com/au/en/cars/sports-cars/kona-n

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naddis01 · 12-04-2023, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

Kona N is available here… just over $50k da for base mid $50ks for premium. Has the i30n drivetrain (200+ kw, etc). I’ve driven a few and they are awesome and worth a look. No manual though (DCT only) so may be off your list.

https://www.hyundai.com/au/en/cars/sports-cars/kona-n

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Yeah the Kona N is available but I was talking a manual version.

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 12-04-2023, 01:46 PM

A recent article which may help you. Not much to choose from given your criteria....Kia Sportage might be the closest, but I'm not sure I'd call that 'sporty'?

https://www.whichcar.com.au/advice/e...an-buy-in-2023

**FTE217** · 12-04-2023, 12:47 PM

not much around as a HOT SUV hatch depending budget as you know.
IMO the ST Puma is nice but a lame small motor but suits the general shopping burb trolley.
My wife the target and one day maybe her upgrade.
What other Jap/Korean is there that is sporty as ?
Kona N
Tiguan R
Macan

https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/f...w-hot-hatches/

Franco Cozzo · 12-04-2023, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

I can't believe I am asking this question but what sporty manual SUVs are there?

We have bought a new house that has a steep driveway that instantly flattens into the carport. The change in slope is aggressive enough that my wifes I20N bottoms out on the change in gradient. Hence the question.

Criteria....
Manual transmission
More ground clearance than an I20N
New or near new
Nothing too big

Something along the lines of a Puma ST or Kona N would be ideal but a don't think are available here.

Park it on the street 👍

Bossxr8 · 12-04-2023, 01:03 PM

The Cupra Formentor is the hot ticket, basically Golf R running gear in a higher body, but I don't know if it comes in manual. I'm assuming probably just DCT?

**FTE217** · 12-04-2023, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The Cupra Formentor is the hot ticket, basically Golf R running gear in a higher body, but I don't know if it comes in manual. I'm assuming probably just DCT?

Yer I forgot about the Cupra.
They are a good looking nice size SUV.

Why have to be a manual ?
My wife learnt in one but would never bother anymore.
Limits choices today.

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naddis01 · 12-04-2023, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

Yer I forgot about the Cupra.
They are a good looking nice size SUV.

Why have to be a manual ?
My wife learnt in one but would never bother anymore.
Limits choices today.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A few reasons...
We prefer manuals
My kids are reaching driving age and I want them to learn in a manual
We prefer manuals

simon varley · 12-04-2023, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

A few reasons...
We prefer manuals
My kids are reaching driving age and I want them to learn in a manual
We prefer manuals

I've had this discussion and reluctantly come to the conclusion...

.. that we are dinosaurs

no point in teaching the kids manual if there ain't any out there for them to buy and drive. In Vic at least, they are only restricted to auto on their Ps and can jump into a manual the day they come off them.

**FTE217** · 13-04-2023, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

A few reasons...
We prefer manuals
My kids are reaching driving age and I want them to learn in a manual
We prefer manuals

naddis I have the same mindset but......
My 2 eldeset kids have full license nowadays, I grew up with manuals, infact my Sprint 8 I ordered in manual and love it....connecting me with the past.
My 2 boys I taught in manual with the same mind set, since they have ended up with autos due to many reasons, mostly not enough choice and we in the burbs compared to your location if I'm right.
Are my boys better drivers having had manual experience ? am I looking at things how it was long before when manual cars we're way better than the early days of autos ? auto boxs of the past are nothing like todays for eg.
My last 18yr old daughter right now preffered auto due to the pressure coming for the test result coping with traffic, she didn't care about manual so she set the path.
Arranged her having alot of lessons, all in auto as well doing most of her 120hrs with me.
Looking for cars soon for her auto has alot in the market to buy whereas look at the issue your looking into now.
By the time your kids get into their 20's what manuals will be around to buy.

Not many manuals to buy today as we've checked, the general population have moved on, less sedans/wagons etcetc....it sucks but we're in the minority.

Good luck whatever you end up with it will be interesting to see what you end up with.

naddis01 · 12-04-2023, 02:09 PM

Thanks for the link. It appears there is nothing to suit our criteria. I might have to come up with some ideas on modifying the driveway instead.

roKWiz · 12-04-2023, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

Thanks for the link. It appears there is nothing to suit our criteria. I might have to come up with some ideas on modifying the driveway instead.

either this or a 2CV.

westoftown · 12-04-2023, 02:13 PM

could you raise the i20?

Friend of mine lived in an area where there was a lot of poorly surfaced roads with potholes among other things, put some higher suspension on his wifes Mazda 2. Was mild enough to have solved the problem and not so wild that it became unstable or a liability, she loved the car too much to sell it.

Worth considering?

kevino · 12-04-2023, 02:15 PM

Yes there is two

Mazda Cx 3 2 litre manual
Kia Sportage 2 litre manual

The Cx 3 is the better performer torque comes on at 2800 rpm.

The Puma in Aus is auto only - I own one - the seven speed dual clutch auto does not like steep drives I walk up them.

There is also the Mitsubishi ASX but its design is ten years old.

There is the odd Cx 3 available there’s one new for 28 k da in Lismore Nsw.

XR Martin · 12-04-2023, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Yes there is two

Mazda Cx 3 2 litre manual
Kia Sportage 2 litre manual

The Cx 3 is the better performer torque comes on at 2800 rpm.

The Puma in Aus is auto only - I own one - the seven speed dual clutch auto does not like steep drives I walk up them.

There is also the Mitsubishi ASX but its design is ten years old.

There is the odd Cx 3 available there’s one new for 28 k da in Lismore Nsw.

Sportage is massive compared to a CX3.

kevino · 12-04-2023, 02:16 PM

Yes there is a Vitara 1.6 manual but the engine is a slug

hayseed · 12-04-2023, 04:48 PM

XR Martin · 12-04-2023, 05:18 PM

You could also try slightly bigger tyres as well as a 10mm spacer in the spring seat.

naddis01 · 12-04-2023, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayseed

image

Yes, that's what it needs however the driveway is already concrete. I'm not real keen on ripping the whole thing up to re do it.

hayseed · 12-04-2023, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

Yes, that's what it needs however the driveway is already concrete. I'm not real keen on ripping the whole thing up to re do it.

Why Rip the lot up..??

Just get a concrete saw & cut & replace/flatten the pinch Point..!!

naddis01 · 12-04-2023, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayseed

Why Rip the lot up..??

Just get a concrete saw & cut & replace/flatten the pinch Point..!!

The flat part is literally the house slab. I'm not keen on cutting that. So to come back far enough down the driveway to correct the angles would require basically ripping up the entire driveway.

Not to mention the price of concrete out here is ridiculously expensive.

hayseed · 12-04-2023, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

Not to mention the price of concrete out here is ridiculously expensive.

Be cheaper than buying another Car..!!

Franco Cozzo · 12-04-2023, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

Yes, that's what it needs however the driveway is already concrete. I'm not real keen on ripping the whole thing up to re do it.

Parking it on the street is free, you don't need to modify the driveway and you get to keep the car too

naddis01 · 14-04-2023, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Parking it on the street is free, you don't need to modify the driveway and you get to keep the car too

That's the easy option but I'd prefer to park it behind a 6' fence to keep the locals away.

kevino · 12-04-2023, 06:46 PM

Dct s and hills not a good combo

Manuals and hills a good combo

kevino · 12-04-2023, 07:52 PM

Not keen on the CX3?