Help a former Civic hatch guy!!!

[Greenbean]

So I am in the market for a Yaris hatch...

I used to be in the Honda world years ago, Did some engine swaps (don't want to anymore) Had one lowered to race, one lowered for DD. Couple EFs (88-91) one EG (94) also had a 2000 EX, and an Acura RSX-S.

NOW fast forward to 2017...

Married, home owner, keeping my older Land Cruiser but am going to trade the Tacoma in on a Yaris hatch I hope. I need something I can tinker with and such.

I really want a manual, but am not sure what the "best" year or generation is? If there is one...

I would love a newer LE but seems if you want keyless entry you have to get an auto. :( I will not be hetting a fully loaded model. I want a base to start with.

SO probably I'll end up in an L 3-dr to begin with and go from there. part of me can't believe Toyota will put an up to date Entune BT unit on a base model but no factory keyless entry remote.


Guess I'm looking for a manual tranny...

I'll be tinting the windows, Eibach springs for starters, brace the chassis a little, new wheels and tires and just making a good fun car for myself. Doubt I'll dive into the audio. I do like the BT in my 2015 Tacoma, it's just stupid convenient. And the back up camera has been a life saver.

No track days, I want to keep the engine as reliable as you'd expect a Toyota to be. Possibly an intake if there are some and maybe a nice muffler, I need to keep it civil on the freeway.

The search is on, and we haven't ruled out ordering a 2018 L 3-dr MT also.

I have a great relationship with the local dealer as they have ordered Tacomas for me in the past with great success. Nothing crazy like TRD models I just like the 4-cyl engines in Tacomas so they have to order them. Wild I know.

Thanks in advance gang...

This is the Yaris that has me wanting a hot hatch again! Google is great!