u/AlexMagnuson

It’s time to get rid of my 2010 Scion tC of 6 years. It has been great but it is time to get something nicer.
I will tell you what I like about the Scion, what I would like in the new car and what I am considering. If you know of other options that I may not know about, please let me know. My budget is $10,000-$12,000. I would like the vehicle to be from the past 10 years. Thank you!

What I like:
Very reliable
Manual transmission
Easy to work on
Fun to drive
Lots of cargo space

What I want different:
More comfortable
Higher seating
Larger interior
4 doors
Slightly more fuel efficient
AWD could be nice for Wisconsin winters but FWD is fine

Cars I am considering:
Mazda 6
Mazda 3 hatchback
Subaru Crosstrek
Maybe Outback

Like mentioned, I ordered a set of tech rails ice blocks to lower my GT because I just don’t like the top heavy-ness of it. I used to have a pint X and it was honestly more fun to ride besides the lack of range and always riding push back. In the curves, it easily beats the GT. Sometimes the GT feels like a chore to handle.

Anyway, I’m going to install ice blocks on my GT in hopes to make it handle a little better and inspire more confidence in the corners.

Is there anything I should know? Will lowering the GT improve the handling in the way I hope?