"" (bignslow)
09/04/2014 at 12:31 • Filed to: None
0
25|
"" (bignslow)
09/04/2014 at 12:31 • Filed to: None | 0
| 25 |
I was thinking of getting a new commuter car and came up with a list of things that it would have to have for me to consider it.
reliability - I want a car that will run and not need anything more than regular oil changes.
fuel economy - At least 25 mpg
cheap to insure
cheap and easy to repair - I do my own work so parts must be cheap.
not be beige - I am not talking about the color here. No boring appliances.
must be able to drive year around, including in the snow
$6000 price limit
Is there a car that will satisfy all these needs?
Mattbob
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09/04/2014 at 12:39 |
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if you get rid of the mileage req, I would say a jeep cherokee. Whats your price range?
Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
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09/04/2014 at 12:41 |
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Sounds like almost my exact same search.
Mine is mostly focused on one car now: Volvo.
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> Mattbob
09/04/2014 at 12:41 |
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Just added price limit. I considered Cherokee in the past but after realizing the 4 liter gets worse mileage than my V8 Crown Vic I gave up on that idea. Mileage is actually one of my bigger requirements. Otherwise I would just keep driving the Vic because it meets the rest of my requirements.
Steve in Manhattan
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09/04/2014 at 12:43 |
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Mazda 3? Never driven one, but heard good things.
mcseanerson
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09/04/2014 at 12:44 |
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Ford Aspire. 30 mpg in town 40 mpg on the highway, with the stick shift mind you. With the 3 speed auto it's 30mpg everywhere. simple, lightweight, I drove mine 30k miles between oil changes because I did not love this car. It's one of those things where the harder the drive it the more you appreciate it.
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mcseanerson
> Steve in Manhattan
09/04/2014 at 12:46 |
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This is a very good recommendation. I had an 04 base model 2.0 5 speed manual with no ABS. I loved this car.
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mcseanerson
> Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
09/04/2014 at 12:46 |
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Volvos are not exactly gas friendly.
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Mattbob
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09/04/2014 at 12:46 |
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an older manual subaru legacy then. I believe you can pick up a couple for $6000 so you could have a spare. I'm not sure on parts though. They might not be super cheap.
twochevrons
> Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
09/04/2014 at 12:49 |
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My 850R wagon doesn't check all the boxes (in particular, it gets closer to 20mpg around town, and parts aren't especially cheap), but aside from that, it'd be perfect. Especially since even the fast R and Turbo 850s can be had for a pittance, and they're tough enough that reliability shouldn't be a problem in a well-looked-after example.
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Steve in Manhattan
> mcseanerson
09/04/2014 at 12:50 |
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Every time I need a Zipcar I try to get a 3, but they're all reserved.
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Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> mcseanerson
09/04/2014 at 12:50 |
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You can get close to 25 mpg with some of them, and you can also haul plywood.
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mcseanerson
> Steve in Manhattan
09/04/2014 at 12:51 |
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They are actually really good sporty basic cars. I had a Sentra SE-R Spec V before it and I thought this base model 3 drove better than it.
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Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> twochevrons
09/04/2014 at 12:51 |
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Ya the mpg holds those things back , but they can be fun to drive.
I typically get all my parts from wreckers so that usually isn't an issue.
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mcseanerson
> Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
09/04/2014 at 12:52 |
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Hitting 25 mpg in a Volvo is like getting 40 mpg in the older Mazda 3s. You can do it but you gotta work real hard at it.
OPPOsaurus WRX
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09/04/2014 at 12:52 |
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As always, WRX
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/…
u can talk then down a bit i bet.
deekster_caddy
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09/04/2014 at 12:53 |
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As far as driving year round is concerned, don't make AWD a requirement, snow tires turn any wheel drive into just fine year round driver (as long as it has heat, a defroster, and a roof). After driving on all seasons in bad winter conditions for decades, I now use snow tires every winter and won't switch back. Yes, of course you can get by on all seasons, but if you use snow tires you have far superior traction no matter what wheel drive (it's amazing really), and you allow yourself to choose a much more aggressive summer tire for the nice weather.
PatBateman
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09/04/2014 at 12:53 |
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I will give you the exact opposite if what you're asking for:
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Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> mcseanerson
09/04/2014 at 12:54 |
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I fully agree, it won't be easy. Since gas is so much more expensive here in Canada Volvo might not be my best option for a winter beater but its still fun to look.
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mcseanerson
> Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
09/04/2014 at 12:59 |
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I used to have a 740 turbo wagon and I loved it but one thing I don't miss was taking it to the pump.
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Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> mcseanerson
09/04/2014 at 13:00 |
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Its like my Sonoma, love that nimble little truck but my god it loves the fuel.
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twochevrons
> Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
09/04/2014 at 13:01 |
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I suspect that's a lot of the reason behind my poor economy figures. It's just far too much fun to plant my right foot and let that turbo do its thing. Having said that, I did a long highway run a while back, and 70mph, it was hovering around 30mpg with the AC on, which I thought was pretty good.
I've become intimately familiar with the Volvo selection at our local wrecker. They charge something ludicrously low for engine sensors and electronics modules, so it's not too bad, especially when I looked at a dealer invoice that I got with the car. But mine's up for a timing belt and water pump, and the cost of that kit hit me rather hard in the wallet.
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> deekster_caddy
09/04/2014 at 13:03 |
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I don't need AWD. I've been driving RWD since I started driving and winter tires is all that I need. What I meant when I said all winter is that it can't be a sports car that will get stuck in a first snow bank.
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Steve in Manhattan
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09/04/2014 at 13:09 |
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What about a Ford Focus ZX3/5? Nice cars - I have no idea about reliability.
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deekster_caddy
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09/04/2014 at 13:14 |
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Right, that's all good. Many people drive sports cars year round and snow tires makes it possible. I'm not saying you want a Corvette or Viper to DD year round (although you could). I'm just saying that seasonal tires opens up the possibilities much much further.
JEM
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09/04/2014 at 13:27 |
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I get 20-22mpg in my 4.0L 1996 Cherokee - granted that's with the 5 speed. Granted it's not 25mpg but it's really not bad. I DD it year round.
Now, granted the moment you put it in 4WD you'll be getting like 14mpg. That part doesn't bother me since it's rare I have to go long distance in 4WD.