I feel like going from a 400hp uber-sedan like a Lincoln MKZ to a compact economy car (even if it has a 'Sport' or 'SI' after the name) like a Civic or an Elantra will just leave you, well, disappointed.
I understand that you're looking for something a little more raw and connected than the big Lincoln, but at the same time, you bought the car because you obviously appreciate big power, and at least some sense of luxury and solidity. Those two are things that something that a Civic SI or an Elantra Sport just won't offer you. They are economy cars, and will feel like economy cars. I just feel like you'll be left wanting.
The Golf R (as has been mentioned by yourself and others) would fit the bill, and has the advantage of feeling a lot more upscale than something like a Honda or a Hyundai.
Since you seem to be a fan of leasing, have you considered leasing a BMW 3-series? The BMW 340i is available with a stick both in RWD and AWD guise. 320hp is certainly nothing the sneeze at, and there is something about BMW's being the ultimate driving machine?
It's definitely a concern of mine that if I go for something that is a performance-oriented trim level on an otherwise economy car that I might end up being unhappy with my choice. I've watched some reviews and read the specs of the Civic Si and I think it has everything that I'd be looking for. To be honest, I use very few features that the MKZ has. The nav system for example - I've only used that twice. I will miss cooled seats and a heated steering wheel as those features aren't common yet, but more and more cars are offering them.
I will confess that the answer to most of the questions I pose to myself come up Golf R or GTI. Those are technically economy cars but have always had a premium feel to them. I'd take a base Golf over a base Jetta any day, for example. The R and GTI have a premium look and feel and the R is a true sleeper which is something else I like. My hesitancy about the R is that there may be some uncertainty about availability when I'm ready to take the plunge.
I took your advice and checked out the 3-series. That would definitely fit the bill but I've promised myself to come in as close to $40K as possible. The R is the only car in the running that will require some relaxing of that rule. The 3-series with the 320HP engine and a manual transmission clocks in at $56K.
The MKZ was my first lease and I went that route simply because in the past I'd buy a car, roughly calculate the trade-in value for three years out and structure payments to put me at a break-even or slight equity position then, put less than 20K kms on it annually and then trade it in at 36 months. That's essentially a lease but I took responsibility for guessing the value at 36 months. I figured that a lease might be the safer way to go so everything is known upfront. I'm planning to lease next time too but for a different reason. I'll be 53 when I take delivery of this car and 56 when I turn it in. I need to be able to tell myself (and my wife) that this is a phase and I'll outgrow it and it has a hard stop anyway. Then at 56 I'll buy a beige Corolla.
Re: your comment about the Jetta, keep in mind that the new GLI is being introduced at the Chicago Auto Show 2 1/2 weeks from now. It finally gets onto the new platform like the GTI.
I think to ultimately make a decision, you will first have to deal with/put paid to this obsession/worry about age!
Your interests and needs are honed over years of car craziness, and will not change significantly IF AT ALL in a relatively short period like 3/5 years. The only thing that would do that is a new physical limitation. And even then it would only be a knee or hip problem getting you to change from manuals to automatics, not much else. Take it from me, unfortunately I have lots of experience!
I agree with what Great_Big_Abyss says. A $ 30k + HST car is not a $ 40k + HST car. (even if mine has a heated steering wheel
). The main differences are the areas to focus on during a test drive, as in Reply 5. And in terms of performance, keep in mind your 400 HP weighs about 3,750 lbs, a Golf R manual weighs 3,300 lbs. and a GTI Autobahn manual weighs 3,060 lbs. Its not just HP alone.
