New Dilemma: New Job + New Commute = New Wheels

"DanimalHouse" (thrillerwa09)
03/30/2015 at 17:21 • Filed to: New Wheels, Is this real life, New Job

First off, it's so awesome to have a community of Oppos who are as excited as I am for me !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which has pretty much been a lifelong dream. But now, I have a new (and longer) commute. I need some more MPG-friendly wheels....

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Currently, I'm rocking my '93 Explorer, on which I heap much praise. I love this thing, it's been in the family since it rolled off the dealer. There's a great picture of me as a kid next to the car that day, wearing parachute pants. #legit

But, this my Explorer is a fuel and oil hog... it's got 230,000+ miles and get about 14mpg.

SO.

What next? I need something used and reliable that I can drive reliably for a couple years. My commute now about 20 miles (I know, not THAT much), but with traffic, can be an hour+ each way. It's about 80% freeway.

Requirements:

Must be $6000

Must get at least (or around) 25 mpg

Must not be a Toyota Camry, Corolla, or Prius

Must have above average reliability ratings

Preferably a wagon / hatch, but not required

Preferably a manual

In Washington, Oregon, Idaho, or Phoenix, AZ (just go with it)

Ideally, this:

Help?

DISCUSSION (18)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 17:27

Done.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/493986…

jariten1781 > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 17:28

What type of commute is it? I had a Mazda6 wagon for 10 years and was lucky to get 17 mpg (sometimes as low as 14 in the winter if there was lots of idling due to snow backups) in my all city commute. It was a rock solid car though, otherwise. You'll probably have to go down a size to get 25 mpg on an hour long 20 miler...that or buy a generation newer and up your budget.

DanimalHouse > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
03/30/2015 at 17:28

Reliability on those old Imprezas?

Textured Soy Protein > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 17:30

I had an '06 Mazdaspeed 6. I live in Wisconsin, and it was rusting like crazy. If you remain in a damp climate, I would avoid any early-mid '00s Mazda that's not a Miata or RX-8. They're the only Mazdas of that era with decent rust proofing.

Other ideas:

'02-'06 Acura RSX/RSX Type-S (the '05-'06 RSX-S is the most desirable)
'02-'05 Honda Civic Si
'03-'08 Toyota Matrix XRS/Pontiac Vibe GT ('03-'05 are a bit more powerful)

DanimalHouse > jariten1781
03/30/2015 at 17:31

That's a fair analysis. Maybe the 3-hatch would get better MPG, since it only has the 4-cly.

DanimalHouse > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 17:33

RSX is a good idea!

gabbo241 > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 17:33

Feel like the Outback 2.5XT mentioned by Tavarish today is perfect for you. Although, lets be honest, real world MPG are probably more like 20. Its hard to average 25 MPG if you aren't driving a crapcan (or a GTI).

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 17:34

It's not the most amazing, but also not terrible. Good thing is that this one is priced well below your budget so you have a little extra to do some maintenance to make sure it's in tip-top shape.

Unfortunately the one car I'd have recommended for reliable transport and good MPG was banned in your rules (Corolla). haha

dogisbadob > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 17:34

NOOOOO don't get the 6 wagon! It was only sold with a V6 over here, and they are terrible in terms of reliability.

Instead, how about a 5? They seem to meet your requirements. There's also the Protege5.

Another good option would be the Matrix XRS/Vibe gt. Yeah it's a Corolla, but more awesome with that 2ZZ. What's wrong with the Corolla and Camry anyway? They're awesome cars :)

If you're looney enough to buy something without a sunroof, they also have the xA and xB and also the Echo. More fun than you'd think, mainly due to the light weight (2100 lb for the Echo, 2300-2400 for the Scions)

The 99-02 G20 is cool, too. Not a hatch or wagon, but a nice blend of sportiness, luxury, prestige, reliability, and economy.

You may also like the 01-06 Elantra GT. Cool-looking hatchback that's good on gas and fun, too.

The final years of the original Saab 9-3 (say, 01-02). It's a real Saab, good gas mileage, and high performance and can even take regular 87 octane too.

You might also look into the Focus wagon. It was available with a manual, but I'm not sure how many actually exist. It may be more common on the smaller ZX5.

Don't forget about the Astra as well!

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 17:35

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/495643… Not a wagon/hatch or manual, but a very reliable car. I had one, and I loved it! It should meet your desired MPG, it's RWD, and they're super fun to drive. They have the same engine as the Nissan 300ZX.

Alternatively, you may be able to bargain this one down to around $6000, and it's an attention getter.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/495262…

Finally, this one is awesome, and driven by a rather Jalop-sounding female

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/491417…

jariten1781 > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 17:37

I had a Protege 5 as well as the 6 and lived in CT, WA, and VA all of which used salt on the roads and had not even the beginning of rust owning both of them for a decade. If you can find one that was given regular waxings and washes in winter it could be OK, but there does seem to be a theme of Mazda rusting that I managed to dodge. YMMV. A car that'd been in Phoenix its whole life would probably be a fair bet.

Yeah, I think a 3 would be a better target size for your fuel economy goals, but they also seem to hold their value better than the 6 wagon with stick so it might be worth taking the savings and putting it aside to cover the fuel hit if you think you'll use the extra room often.

LoremIpsum010101 > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
03/30/2015 at 17:39

I can't seem to reply to the thread proper, so I'm replying to your top comment with this:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/495626…

I had a 2008 Impreza with the same drivetrain; no problems, city-suburban commute for 3 years in Boston (snow, ice, hail, mud, rain, seawater, etc). Nobody wants a manual Forester, so cash-in on your Jalop-ness! Highway MPGs were about 28-30 in the Impreza, so expect a bit less with the extra weight. But on the bright side, the Forester will lug about the same as your Explorer.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
03/30/2015 at 18:05

I like your thinking but I bet that kid beat the hell out of that one

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/30/2015 at 18:08

Agreed, especially based on the picture of rallyin'/muddin' aftermath and the pit bike strapped to the top. haha

OPPOsaurus WRX > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 18:09

is a bit outside your requests but it seems fitting for a rocket scientist

Kinja'd!!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 18:15

I loved my '05 3s manual hatch, fwiw.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
03/30/2015 at 18:16

Yea. At least you know exactly what you're getting into. Those are the exact things I would never trek the buyer.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > DanimalHouse
03/30/2015 at 19:14

The first Gen Focus might also work well. Something like a ~2005 with the 2.3L Duratec and a manual. That engine is very well built and you could bolt on the SVT Focus suspension to make it more fun. You could also install the SVT Recaro seats if you can find them.

Should easily meet your MPG requirements, be not hideously boring to drive, and is as reliable as anything else with proper maintenance.

I do not recommend the SVT Focus. It needs premium, doesn't do well in traffic and parts are hard to find. I have a 2002, number 85 ever made. I love it, but it's not an appliance by any stretch of the imagination.