by "Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
Published 06/21/2017 at 18:15
by "Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
Published 06/21/2017 at 18:15
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STARS: 0
I’ve been really lucky not to have to commute for my job since I bought my Mustang, but it looks like that’s going to change. I’ll be commuting about 120 miles a day with my new job and I am not willing to put those miles on my current car.
With that said, I’m in the market for a commuter. My requirements are as follows:
Comfortable, decent MPGz, reliable, low insurance rates for a 20-something, all for around $5000-$7000. An optional requirement (optquirement?) would be that it isn’t something you see 1000 of a day. So no Corollas or Elantras if possible.
My first thought was a late model Fiesta SE with the stick, and that’s my number one possibility thus far. I could, however, go down the American luxobarge route like a Mercury Milan or Buick Lucerne for maximum comfort. Though with the latter two, reliability and gas mileage may suffer.
Above all else, I want something that I won’t mind driving the wheels off of. I’ll potentially be putting 30,000 miles a year on it, so I don’t want to feel guilty about that either. :)
What say you, Oppo?
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
06/21/2017 at 18:19, STARS: 2
A used gti
"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
06/21/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 0
“Comfortable, decent MPGz, reliable, low insurance rates for a 20-something, all for around $5000-$7000.”
You’ve just described this:
And $7000 will get you a decent 2005-2009 Prius.
And according to Consumer Reports as well as other sources, it’s one of the most reliable and durable cars you can buy.
"Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
06/21/2017 at 18:23, STARS: 0
Yep, I am also considering the Prius (can’t believe I just typed that).
"Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
06/21/2017 at 18:24, STARS: 0
Didn’t think about those, thanks for the suggestion!
"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
06/21/2017 at 18:25, STARS: 1
"jasmits" (jasmits)
06/21/2017 at 18:25, STARS: 4
I’d look for a Fiesta like you mentioned or a Civic with a stick. Comfy enough, economical, cheap and no qualms about running it into the ground.
Another thought: first-generation Chevy Volts are getting pretty cheap on Craigslist and if you can plug in at work that means basically commuting for free. Even if not, they’re still very economical if you need to supplement the battery with the gas engine.
Even a lease on a current-gen is very cheap. I’m usually the last person to advocate for a lease but if you watch Rob Ferretti’s videos on his it makes a lot of sense. You wind up paying about 200 bucks a month for a car with zero worries, as cheap as possible maintenance and next to zero fuel needs.
"SPAMBot - Horse Doctor" (spambot2002)
06/21/2017 at 18:28, STARS: 0
Kia Soul? Haven’t looked at used pricing, but they are cheap new and decently equipped. This whole topic is anti-oppo so I don’t feel bad that I just recommended a soul haha!
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
06/21/2017 at 18:28, STARS: 1
Where I live, a decent 07 gti range in price from around 7,000-9,000
"Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
06/21/2017 at 18:29, STARS: 1
Will sell soul for gas moneys.
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
06/21/2017 at 18:40, STARS: 1
I think your inclination with the fiesta is a good one. Chevy Sonic and Honda Fit are two other good ones in that range but you see a lot of fits.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
06/21/2017 at 18:40, STARS: 0
R50 or R53 Mini.
"Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
06/21/2017 at 18:43, STARS: 0
Not a bad idea, wouldn’t mind the extra room just in case.
"Where have all the lightweights gone?" (sniderjadam09)
06/21/2017 at 18:46, STARS: 4
If you can stretch that budget a little bit, a 2012-13 Mazda 3 with the Skyactiv motor might be right up your alley. You can find them with a manual, and they can top out at 40mpg highway.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
06/21/2017 at 18:49, STARS: 1
Prius, is probably the best choice.
Other compacts out there that are good are the carolla (hate it), Civic (over priced), Mazda 3 (if you can find a good one). The Ford Focus isn’t bad, even a honda Fit or Hyundai Elantra would be solid commuters. Lots of options in this price range.
If you can find a mid 90's buick park ave, that would be pretty sweet, maybe with <100k on the clock.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
06/21/2017 at 18:56, STARS: 0
Suspension on the second-gen, BTW, is shared with the 2003-2013 Corolla/Matrix/Vibe platform, so there is actually a somewhat sizable aftermarket.
Steering rack is incredibly slow, though.
However, if you’re considering a Mercury Milan... how about a Mercury Milan Hybrid ?
"promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
06/21/2017 at 19:01, STARS: 2
You’re going to be happiest with a Camry or Accord. Back when I was commuting 120 mi/day, I was happy to have a big fuel tank and 30 mpg in an unassuming long-wheelbase body I didn’t care much about. It meant I could fill up every other day and spend the bare minimum keeping it running.
I guess if you want an alternative choice, you could look at an EcoBoost Taurus, but I don’t know how good those are. Maybe the Mazda3 Skyactiv, those get decent MPG and are fun-to-drive.
Is moving closer an option? Even though I didn’t have to deal with traffic, the mental exhaustion eventually wore me down and I realized they weren’t paying me enough to do this.
"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97)
06/21/2017 at 19:05, STARS: 0
An EP3 Civic Si would be squarely in your requirements while not being completely uninteresting to drive. A previous generation Accord Coupe V6 is in that range also. At not too much higher than your budget, early FRS/BRZ cars could come into the equation, as would an early 350z.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/21/2017 at 19:06, STARS: 0
1st gen Toyota Matrix XRS for mad tyte VVTL-i y0
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
06/21/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 1
Lucernes are damned comfy, get an epa estimated 28mpg highway, could be optioned with an alarmingly high amount of toys, and as long as you avoid the Northstar like the plague, pretty damn reliable (iirc they kinda like motor mounts but otherwise it’s just another W-Body car that will outlive the sun.) I’d commute the wheels off one.
"Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
06/21/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 0
So, I’m moving to Southern Maryland. I grew up there and am very familiar with commuting (it was an hour drive to high school everyday). I’m moving back because houses are cheaper down there. I’ll be working in central Maryland, and housing is way too expensive in that area (unless you’re talking a little one-bedroom shack). Virtually everyone in Southern Maryland commutes to DC.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
06/21/2017 at 19:09, STARS: 0
I’ve started to shop for a commuter as well. However, I definitely have different standards here. I currently only drive a Miata with a less than 20 miles per day commute. But I may end up with a 1-2 hour one way commute (maybe not every day, but still long) and so I want something a little more comfortable.
Don’t get something boring. Just don’t do it! It’s worth the gas money to at least have something you genuinely enjoy. I’m shopping with a similar budget that I might stretch for the right car. I really liked the Infiniti Q40 I drove recently, would be considering an older G35/37 coupe with a manual. I also really want a 04-05 wrx hatch or 07-09 Mazdaspeed3. The Lexus Sc300 if I can find one not trashed in manual. Another idea I’ve toyed with is an E39 M5 or E46 M3 but that will destroy my budget.
I think my definition of “practical commuter” is a little wonky but I just can’t stand the idea of something boring.
"SPAMBot - Horse Doctor" (spambot2002)
06/21/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 1
The new ones come with A/C seats on a trim. This is my new DD requirement haha. Not sure when they started offering this, though.
"DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully" (danceswithrotors)
06/21/2017 at 19:40, STARS: 0
I second this. Also, I drive one, so...
"DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully" (danceswithrotors)
06/21/2017 at 19:44, STARS: 1
One of these will serve you well. This one is mine, with about 180k on it, a bent nose from having someone hit it in Modesto and scratches on all four corners from street parking in San Francisco. It’s been amazing so far. Only time this little Mazda has failed me was when I got stuck in some soft sand out in the Mojave desert. YMMV.
"2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered" (2fast2furiousfc3s)
06/21/2017 at 19:49, STARS: 0
Get a LeSabre and bask in the 23mpgs and the ultra reliable 3.8, plus you can get an ultra nice one for your price range and you will mostly find them under 5
"Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]" (jarrettw)
06/21/2017 at 19:50, STARS: 0
Even the non-Skyactiv ones are decent on fuel. I get 32+mpg highway on non-fuel efficient tires, and enthusiastic tendencies.
"Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition" (realasabass)
06/21/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 1
I did a 140 mile a day commute in a 2012 Focus and it did swimmingly. It averaged 40-44mpg on the highway with the auto. I would go with the Prius though, driving dynamics don’t come into play too much on the highway.
"TomServo (Resides on the Satellite of Love)" (mk7silkblue)
06/21/2017 at 20:24, STARS: 0
Prius c, and a Miata for weekends. If you don’t want to die of boredom a golf with a 5 speed is great, its what I have.
"jminer" (jminer)
06/21/2017 at 20:55, STARS: 1
Base focus hatch. I drive a 2012 with a stick and it does the trick nicely. 37 mph highway at 80 miles an hour and a ton of room with the seats folded down. Prices may vary in you area but got a 12 base with 60k mi for $7k last fall.
"Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
06/21/2017 at 21:25, STARS: 0
Just found a 2010 Focus SE manual coupe. 60k miles and $7k. Looks good and makes 35mpg hwy!
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
06/21/2017 at 22:59, STARS: 0
find a non diesel gate tdi.
"jminer" (jminer)
06/21/2017 at 23:39, STARS: 0
I was never a fan of the coupes, for me it is hatch or nothing!
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/22/2017 at 09:11, STARS: 1
You mentioned a Lucerne, which would be a great choice, or an Impala. Cheap parts, motors that run forever, and 30 mpg. I’d shy away from anything cool or interesting as you don’t want to get attached to it. This thing is an appliance. Stick shifts are fun, but if you have to sit in traffic they get old quickly. Get the most practical thing you can for your commute and keep your fun car for fun car things.