Help! Trying to finding the perfect commuter, need ideas

"DUCK-HAMS" (Hippy-Dippy)
12/05/2015 at 12:55 • Filed to: None

Hi Opposite lockers!

I start a new job in January and I’ll be driving on the highway for most of the commute. I currently have an early 2000’s miata that I love but I don’t enjoy driving it on the highway (cruising above 4000rpm) and winter is coming (I don’t wan’t to turn this post into an argument about miata’s in snow but they suck for that). So I want to get something that drives nice on the highway, has good fuel economy, that has an emphasis on handling, and I can get for under $15k Canadian. Or! Get something dirt cheap and tolerable and keep the miata for pleasure. I’m looking for ideas! This is what I have so far:

Honda CR-Z. Pros: Great fuel economy, emphasis on driving. Test drove better than I was expecting. The used resale value is really cheap. Cons: 2-seater (I have a family of 3). I don’t know anything about them.

Nissan Micra. Pros: Good Fuel economy, cheap brand new. Cons: I’m assuming these aren’t fun to drive.

Ford Fiesta ST. Pros: Good Fuel economy, fun to drive. Cons: Too expensive brand new and can’t find used ones anywhere.

Fiat 500 Abarth. Pros: Ok Fuel economy, fun to drive, can find used for price range. Cons: How are they on the highway? Snow?

Any thing else I should look into and why? Thanks!

DISCUSSION (16)

AkursedX > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 13:02

I would throw the MKV and MKVI GTI’s on your list. With a set of snows, they are great in the snow. 30-35mpgs all day and great handling. I think they are a little more refined and would be more comfortable on the highway than the Focus ST. And you should be able to find one with with reasonable km’s on it in your budget.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 13:04

Get a used 5 Series, with xDrive if you want.

Like this:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

duurtlang > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 13:04

Fiat 500 Abarth. Pros: Ok Fuel economy, fun to drive, can find used for price range. Cons: How are they on the highway? Snow?

Take one for a test drive and find out for yourself.

Having said that, I’d keep the Mazda and get something cheap for the commute.

bob and john > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 13:05

Golf TDI.

inb4 diesel gate: so the car farts a little more. big shit. the golf tDI had similar suspension tuning as the GTIs (to help with the heavier motor) they have torque EVERYWHERE, get amazing fuel econ, and the motors are relatively bulletproof. plus, they are quiet fun to chuck aorund, can be had with a manual, and once you look into tuning tht little 2.0L lump, you can get 180HP and 300lb-st of torque no problem.

our A3 tdi has been nothing but a trooper for us in its past 6 years and 170K km.

DUCK-HAMS > AkursedX
12/05/2015 at 13:25

VW GTI seems to be coming up a lot. I’ll have to see how far back in years or kms I’d have to go before it becomes an option.

DUCK-HAMS > duurtlang
12/05/2015 at 13:26

Yeah ... I might be leaning that way too.

DUCK-HAMS > bob and john
12/05/2015 at 13:27

Ok cool. I’ll look into that. Thanks.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 14:12

The CR-Z wouldn’t be a good idea as you have a family but it’s a really cool car, despite the “needs a K20” crap it gets. I don’t know anything about the Nissan Micra but I have seen a few. Fiesta ST doesn’t seem bad as does the 500 Abarth. As for the issue of snow I’d just get snow tires and call it a day.

Someone suggested the current Elantra and that’s not a bad choice, it rides really well and handles pretty well. The only thing is that manual versions may not be so common and Hyundai lied about the fuel economy. Maybe some other choices can be a Civic (Si), Toyota Matrix or Mazda 3.

yamahog > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 14:24

Requisite Big 3 pitch:

Ford - Fusion (can find some used AWD), Focus, Fiesta. I was also going to suggest Flex (AWD with the TTV6, spacious) but idk if they’re available in Canada nor would I guess they’re too great on gas.

GM - Cruze (available in diesel too), Sonic, uhhh... there has to be something else. V6 Camaro if you’re ok with RWD? Or C4 Vette, you wouldn’t be the first Canadian Opponaut ;) no rust worries!

FCA - Dart? Maybe you could find an AWD Charger or 300? Built in Brampton, too! http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/… Would not recommend a used Jeep for commuter purposes in general, but they’re “fun to drive” in their own way.

DUCK-HAMS > Nymphicus Hollandicus
12/05/2015 at 14:38

We’ve got a nice SUV for family time so the CR-Z isn’t out of the running yet. The used prices for them are so low compared to what you get!

I’m going to look into the Elantra. Can I trust the fuel economy measures on their site now at least?

Drove a civic Si. It was ok.

Chasaboo > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 14:41

Honda Fit. It's a win on so many levels.

DUCK-HAMS > Chasaboo
12/05/2015 at 15:14

I drove a 2013 and didn’t really like it. Granted it was a auto and smelled like smoke. Sell me on this, why a Fit?

Nymphicus Hollandicus > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 16:51

It’s fairly accurate, but your mileage will vary

Brian Silvestro > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 17:03

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 18:12

The stock 500 is supposed to be pretty decent in the snow with a good set of tires so I imagine the Abarth would be the same.....they’re light and with narrow tires they just skip over/through it! :)

I’d love a 500 down the road myself as I’m a big FIAT fan!

That being said, if you want cheaper but still surprisingly reliable/comfortable, have you tried an older Hyundai Accent or Elantra? Top-spec models with all the gadgets aren’t even that expensive. My ‘09 Accent hatch with the 5-spd cruises at about 2800-3000rpms at 100kph or thereabouts? Can’t speak for the Elantra, but the Accent doesn’t handle too bad considering it’s a relatively cheap car, and I get about 6.6L/100km average (about 7-7.5L/100km in the winter). A bit plasticky, maybe, but durable enough!

coqui70 > DUCK-HAMS
12/05/2015 at 21:29

Used Mazda 3.