Saved from a Focus!
My wife and I have a running joke, any Ford or any unknown vehicle we refer to is called a "Ford Festus." Like, "what was he driving?" "Oh, it was a Ford Festus."
Actually I don't have anything in particular against Fords. But a CX-5 is a huge step up from any econobox IMO.
My wife has the 2012 focus hatch, and its actually nice (euro-styling, great handling & fuel sipping), but again hampered by the autotragic gearbox. I couldn't get one in manual unless I got the ST, a regular focus with 5spd was just too hard to find in my state.
Back on topic though, if you've test driven both, nobody can really sway you either way. The manual is one of the better shifters out there, and the automatic would give your kid an easier chance to drive it, for better or worse. you'll be driving it the majority of the time, so pick which makes you happy.
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