I narrowed it down pretty quickly to the Fit or the Soul, but they will have to make it worth my while. It sounds like you like how the Soul handles? I prefer manual transmissions and the Soul+ appears to come with it.

I haven't seen the inside of a Fit yet, but if it is like other Hondas I have seen I probably won't like it - but I do need to check it out. I do like that it is a smaller vehicle.