I wouldn't drive in LA traffic but got this one when I had a Volks Rabbit stick, was in the middle lane in Chgo freeway and the engine quit with a semi on my tail on the right lane i needed to exit. I got rid of that car, was just a lemon.
My Honda has not been trouble-free, but I have kept it well maintained except I should have had it rust proofed when I bought it used. It's still under 100,000 mi because I don't drive much.
I drive more or less 40 miles daily except Sunday (that’s round trip home to work) so I got economical and reliable stick-shift car as workday vehicle. :-)