My wife and I were considering a Honda Fit for a while. We liked the test drive. It's a zippy little car (when not loaded with passengers...) I insisted I'd only get one if it was the sport model with manual transmission. My wife can drive stick fine, but she prefers auto, so the car dropped off our list.

At least for 2010, the Civic uses a 1.8L 150hp engine while the Fit has a 1.5L 117hp engine.

I don't think any car maker makes a better, easier to use or smoother manual transmission and clutch than Honda. I have had 2 Honda Preludes, 2 Acura Legends, and an S2000, all with manual transmissions. Every one of them has been a joy to drive and shift.

I've also had a BMW 540 6 speed. No comparison. Honda/Acura nail manual transmissions.

I like the Civic. I test drove a 2009 Civic Si coupe and loved it. I've heard good things about the Mazda 3, but have never driven one. I test drove a Fit with my secretary and it was a very pleasant little car.

BTW, yes, I am a Honda fan, because Honda has earned my loyalty. I have had zero problems with my Honda Acuras. That really is some record.

Vette's are pretty small. I'd stick with one of the C6 models.

Porsches are smaller

While on the subject of sports cars, next week yours truly will be sporting around in a lime green Lamborghini ... somehow or another my son managed to watch over one for a couple of days while the owner is out of town and the much more readily available funds than me guy told my son he could use it at his disposal. I'm not too crazy on the color but what the hey.

Back to real life, I have an '08 Toyota Corolla that I bought new specifically for my drive to and from work and I just turned 100k miles on it this past Saturday. It's been a great little trouble free ugly car with crappy paint and beer can thin sheetmetal that serves it's purpose but whenever it's time to graveyard the little Japanese jewel I believe I'll opt for something a little more domestic.

I still hate driving the little mouse trap of a car and whenever I get back in my trusty ol' 3/4 ton pickup truck I actually feel as though my ass is finally sitting in something substantial once again ... also helps to keep my offensive driving skills sharpened.

Mike a good friend of mine has a late model C6 that I've driven a time or two and I absolutely love the thing, if I were into the sport cars that's what would be in my garage.

I wouldn't mind getting a domestic small car but whenever I hear about the little car with 4-500,000kms on it, it's nearly always a Honda, Toyota or VW.

Subarus also last a long time. At least the ones with the 4 cyl (boxer) engines.

A fried of mine has a Mazda 3 and really likes it. I was just in it last week, and think it is very nice.

Will you be putting 4-500,000kms on it?