We were leaning towards the Mazda CX-5 (6MT/FWD) to replace the '06 Forester (5MT) in the driveway but the new 2014 Forester is improved in many key areas and is now a serious candidate. The pricing however is a big issue. While the pricing of ALL the Subaru products in Canada is too high when compared to the US the Forester is particularly over priced (base model $21,999US vs. $25,999). Then add in delivery (according to the Subaru US website it's included in the US price vs. $1595 in Canada. So in total, US$21,999 vs C$27,594. I don't expect the pricing here to be the same as it is in the US, but to me this is excessive.
comparing a FWD to Subaru's AWD is apples and oranges.
If you want to be fair...... (i know you want manual but...)
the Mazda CX5 GS - AWD - auto trans. cost $36,923.05
(no roof rails or power tailgate)
the Subaru Forester Limited Edition - auto trans. cost $39,801.99
that's $2,878.94
both have some minor features the other excludes.
but i think you could easily negotiate the price of the Forester down to match the Mazda.