Can you fit golf clubs in a coupe? (Help me ID my midlife crisis car)

June 12, 2018 5:59 AM

Need to get a new car. Must haves are manual transmission and a trunk large enough for a golf bag and a foldable golf cart.

Kids are mostly grown so I don't need a lot of room for passengers. Also, after years of driving really bland sedans, I have mild urge to get something a bit sportier. Stick shift is really important to me. I figure if you have to drive, you might as well enjoy it.

Am wondering if anyone out there has, or knows of, a smaller, sportier car with a good-sized trunk.

Alternatively, please let me know if you have a sports sedan that you enjoy.

Final note, I am not rich. I grew up poor and am moderately successful now, but still have difficulty spending large sums of money, particularly on myself. So, I'm thinking of, like, $30k as a ceiling? (or is that just a pipe dream?)

thanks

posted by qldaddy to Shopping (13 answers total)

I chose my Mazda3 hatchback specifically because I could fit 10' long lumber in it and it came in a 5-speed version (as do most Mazdas, I think). I do not know the size of the folding cart to which you refer, but it's a pretty good bit most stuff will fit.
posted by amtho at 6:35 AM on June 12, 2018

Was coming in to recommend a Mazda3 or maybe an Impreza wagon (or sedan, I guess).
posted by saladin at 6:38 AM on June 12, 2018

Mini Clubman? I've had a clubman and an impreza wagon... The clubman was way more fun to drive. And if you keep the backseats folded down, it'll hold everything you could want.
posted by Jacob G at 6:54 AM on June 12, 2018

Mazda3s aren't coupes.

Yes, you can fit golf clubs in the back of a Mustang. And skis can also be made to fit (if you run them up the length of the car). They don't have big trunks, but they can be made to fit a lot of stuff.

I don't have personal experience with a Camaro, but my sense (after having looked at them) is that their trunks are a bit tighter and more difficult to put things in.

My best advice is take your clubs with you when you go car shopping. Car salesmen won't be surprised by your wanting to try the trunk out with your clubs or skis (and that is speaking from experience).

I also drive a manual coupe, but it's bigger and (sadly) no longer on the market, so I can't recommend you buying one.
posted by sardonyx at 6:55 AM on June 12, 2018

My Nissan 350Z was a fun manual two-seater and literally had a diagram inside the trunk lid showing how to fit two golf bags (deux sacs de golf!) inside.
posted by a moisturizing whip at 6:59 AM on June 12, 2018 [2 favorites]

Every time my dad buys a car he takes his clubs with him and the last time I bought a car I tested the fit of three car seats in each one. Car salesman are very accommodating so it might be fun to walk around and see what catches your eye and then narrow it down based on models the clubs and club cart will fit in.
posted by julie_of_the_jungle at 7:08 AM on June 12, 2018

Seconding the Mustang. Dear boyfriend has one and fits his life in the trunk. You would not believe what is in there. I have seen golf clubs everything else. He travels for work.
posted by oflinkey at 8:11 AM on June 12, 2018

You're unicorn hunting. Does it have to be new, or is lightly used ok? If lightly used.....

Cadillac (seriously). Check out ATS coupe. Theoretically you can get it with a manual. You might be able to find a lightly used manual version, but it'll take some time and probably will need to be shipped to you. But - I think this is probably the type of car you're going for, and it's legit.

Honda Accord Coupe - I think built until 2017 model year. The newest Accord is sedan only. If you can work with the sedan part, you can find the sedan with a manual and a pretty gutsy 2.0 turbo motor - this is a very nice car.

I would stay away from used German cars. But new, in your price range, maybe consider be VW GTI. But this is a hot-hatch, not a coupe.
posted by everythings_interrelated at 8:13 AM on June 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

A Mustang can be had for under 30k with a stick. A Camaro also. Also, look at a Ford Focus ST or VW GTI.

I'm in a similar place mentally but instead of a coupe I'm seriously considering a new Jeep JL 2 door.
posted by LoveHam at 8:15 AM on June 12, 2018

Also, yeah, mustang/camaro - not unicorns. Not a terrible choice at all.
posted by everythings_interrelated at 8:15 AM on June 12, 2018

The Accord coupe is what I have, but as everythings_interrelated said, it's no longer available as a new car, which is why I didn't recommend it. I've got the 2.4 four cylinder, but if you're looking for more of a sports car, go for the V6.

I also didn't recommend it because it's not a small car, so if that's important, keep the size in mind (on the plus size, full-sized adults can pretty much comfortably sit in the backseat).

The trunk size is good, but given the size, it feels like it should be able to take even more stuff than it does (so a reverse TARDIS). I don't golf, but I'm pretty sure I can fit clubs in it, given some of the other stuff I've put in there.

The ride is definitely more of a harsher, sports car feel than a smooth, feel-no-bumps cruiser.
posted by sardonyx at 9:28 AM on June 12, 2018

Duuuuude - Honda Civic Si coupe was MADE for you. Manual, excellent handling, nothing but raves from auto journalists. Your requirement of room for a folding golf cart stumps me, though, as I don't have a sense of how much room those require, but I did find this piece from Car and Driver; plenty of reviews out there if you want to read-up prior to a dealership visit, here's a random one that explains the glories of the vehicle.

There's also a Civic Si Sedan, if that's more your tempo; that would probably have enough cargo space for you.

If you're looking for ease of loading/unloading, lots of people (on Honda forums, on Youtube) LOVE their Honda Civic Sport Hatchback, that might be what you're looking for.

Annnnd I have to put in a word for the ultimate: the Civic Type R. Why not go all the way? Keep in mind it's a bit out of your price range (MSRP $34,700, although dealerships have been charging a premium due to the Type R being a hot commodity; that's tapered off a bit recently, thankfully).

I recommend all the the above not because I'm a Honda fan (even though I am) but because it seems like you want a fun, sporty car, but it also has to be practical for your stated golfing needs; the ones above fit the bill. The only one that may be a bit impractical is the Type R (higher insurance, wheels only good for 10K miles) but it's a hatchback and has tons of room in there, although the second row of seats is a little snug.

Alternatively you could try the Kia Stinger (RWD, unlike the Hondas above), or the Genesis G70 (which also comes in a sport variety). The Genesis is more upscale than Hondas mentioned above - it depends what you're looking for (c'mon Type R - you know you want to!).

My I do go on. Whatever you do, test drive repeatedly and don't be afraid to drop into dealerships and look around - it took me more than a few visits and I found them a bit overwhelming. Multiple visits helped me to form a more solid opinion about the vehicle (and multiple test drives). Have fun!
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 11:29 PM on June 29, 2018

I forgot to mention: the stick shifts on the Type R, Civic Sport Hatchback, and Civic Si are all different. The Sport hatch is smoother, and the clutch easier to depress than the Type R, which also has a more notchy and precise shifter. I'm not sure about the Civic Si but *some* people don't like the shifter.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 11:31 PM on June 29, 2018