My 2010 Saab 9-3 Sportwagon has died and we have parted company. I’m struggling to decide what I should buy to replace it. I need a hatch or estate to easily carry family stuff and don’t really want anything bigger than the Saab. In normal times, my trip to work is about 25 miles each way (all dual carriageway), so I prefer a diesel. Since parting company with the Saab, I’ve tried a few cars and concluded a manual is essential. I enjoy driving and an automatic just makes driving a process, not the experience I love. I’d like to catch up on the tech that new cars have now, though. I’d prefer a conventional car rather than something raised like an SUV. It feels like there is no perfect solution and something will have to give but manual is essential.