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+--- Thread: Another one, I need a commuter car (/showthread.php?tid=10573)
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Another one, I need a commuter car - Ryan T - 01-31-2014
So I recently accepted another job. This new job will require me to travel 120 miles round trip at least 4 days a week and there is no way I'm driving my F-150 that much. The drive is 5 miles of interstate and 55 miles of highway ranging from 50-60mph speed limits. Very little stop and go. I think I go through 5 red lights on the entire commute.
Here are my musts:
1. Economy. Putting that many miles on a car I don't want to have to fill up with gas every day, so it needs to get at least very high 20mpg and preferrably in the 30+mpg on the highway.
2. $14,000 and under. I'm not going to drop a bunch of money into something I'm just going to mile the shit out of.
3. Reliability. I don't want something that will require constant work. General maintenance is a given and so are things here and there but nothing with horrid relaibility ratings or excessively hard to work on.
4. Under 75k miles. If I'm going to be piling on the miles for the forseeable future, the lower the better.
Here are the vehicles I have been looking at so far and an example of each. Critique them, if you know something about them give me the + and - of them. Or give me your own ideas.
~2010 Honda Civic.
+Can be had all day for 11-14k with less than 50k miles.
+Great gas mileage, 38mpg highway rating.
+Good relability?
+Available in Coupe or Sedan, not sure which one I would want.
- Not much power
- Somewhat smaller/cramped than some other choices
~2012 Chevrolet Impala
+300 hp
+Tons of room
+Can be had with 25-35k miles in my price range.
+EPA of 30mpg highway
- Blah styling
- Blah handing
- Questionable reliability?
- Crappy city mpg.
~E46 BMW 325 *EDIT* I MEANT E46, NOT E36
+Most fun to drive
+Most stylish
- Highway mpg seems to be the lowest
- Cost of maintenance.
- Worst in the snow/bad weather
- Oldest of the bunch
~2008-2010 Subaru Legacy
+AWD great for snow/bad weather
+Plenty of room
+Comfortable
-Gas mileage is ok with high 20's
- Harder to work on than a regular ole 4-banger or V6.
~2004 Honda S2000
+Fun to drive
+Convertible
+Reliability
-Gas mileage in the high 20s but not likely to crack 30 on the mountain highways.
- No good in bad weahter
- Cost to maintain might be higher?
-Might be uncomfortable after a while?
Your help is much appreciated!
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - Jake - 01-31-2014
If I had that sort of a commute, I'd be wanting something with a longer wheelbase and creature comforts. I've done the "highway trips in a 2-seat roadster" thing and it blows.
Of what you listed, honestly, the Impala sounds the best of those options. An E36 would drive you nuts with "random old car shit" that always needed fixing.
Other options to consider... Acura TSX maybe? I wonder if you could squeeze a TDI Volkswagen into your budget - your driving would be one of few where the upfront cost would make sense, and the diesel motors will live on forever. A previous-gen Fusion could be good, too (although they're as bland as white bread).
You could also find an E39 BMW 530i for $9k, pay an indy shop $AFewThousand to get it all up-to-date on wear items, and enjoy that highway drive quite a bit. But then you're back to the old BMW follies.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - SlimKlim - 01-31-2014
I wasn't going to suggest this because I figured my head would just get bitten off as soon as someone saw the brand, but you listed an E36 which might actually be a worse idea than my suggestion for once.
How about a VW TDI? Doesn't particularly matter what model, Golf for a little box on wheels, Jetta for a small sedan, Passat for a better ride.
Blows your MPG requirement out of the water with 42 highway, and it's a diesel so it takes miles like a champ. If you look at the ones on autotrader, even 08-09s are being sold with almost 200k on them because people buy them for this exact purpose. I learned to drive stick in a '98 TDI with 175k on that refused to die despite our constant prayers.
It's not gonna be sporty but if you have to give up power for economy I'd rather have a little torque machine under the hood than a choked out little 4-cyl gasser. They are FWD which is good for commuting in bad weather, and they're pretty comfortable cars. My GTI isn't bad for 3-4 hour trips but it's not great, the Passat would be more expensive but more comfortable.
Here's a '10 Golf with 78k for $13k.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=22030&fuelCodes=DSL&endYear=2015&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=65906357&startYear=1981&makeCode1=VOLKS&searchRadius=0&maxPrice=16000&showcaseListingId=362193146&mmt=%5BVOLKS%5B%5D%5B%5D%5D&minPrice=13000&listingId=363018603&Log=0
I can't tell you about repair cost specifically for a TDI, so you'll probably wanna look into that. I can say that despite everyone on here telling me I might as well put a bullet in my head if I was going to do something so catastrophically moronic as to buy a used VW, I'm still here and I haven't died in a fire or been bankrupted after a year of ownership.
At 63k I had to put a new intake manifold on it because the variable thingy inside it stopped variating, which cost $180 to do myself, and then I had to have a wiring TSB done for $200 at my shop to fix an issue with the throttle body wiring. I have a clunk under the driver's footwell when turning the wheel at a stop right now, which I'm 99% sure is due to some stupid bolts they used on the subframe carrier stretching out, which requires a $15 kit and 15 minutes to fix. Everything else has been normal maintenance, gas, oil, tires, spark plugs, seafoam (which is jesus-juice for DI engines) and a set of rear brakes.
It's not a Honda, but I'm very happy with it so far, and don't mind the occasional issue because I don't have to drive a Honda. YMMV.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - HAULN-SS - 01-31-2014
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=133931336&listingRecNum=1&criteria=feedSegId%3D28705%26rpp%3D50%26trId%3D22746%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26requestorTrackingInfo%3DRTB_SEARCH%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26stkTypId%3D28881%26PMmt%3D1-1-1%26rn%3D0%26zc%3D25413%26rd%3D50%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice%26mdId%3D21413%26stkTyp%3DU%26mkId%3D20053%26prMn%3D0%26sf1Dir%3DDESC%26prMx%3D15000&aff=national&listType=1">http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.js ... listType=1</a><!-- m -->
215k miles on mine without so much as changing the spark plugs. Long wheel base, more attractive than that vintage impala, less power, but lets be real here, who needs 300hp in a commute car. This one i linked has the 6 speed which I always wanted in mine, and I think accounted for about a 10% better fuel economy. I get 25 in mine driving it like a dog over a mountain and back every day and its the shitty 4 speed.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - WRXtranceformed - 01-31-2014
I think you're going to want to look to the Civic or maybe an older Accord if you value the gas mileage. It's pretty hard to get low 30's in an AWD subaru. You know it will be dead nuts reliable too.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - JustinG - 01-31-2014
Mazda 3 or Focus Hatchback, if you get a newer one, say 2012+ it will have some pretty good tech features (Bluetooth, sat radio, etc) and they can be had in your price range. I was going to say Impreza 2.5 Hatchback, You'll lose some MPG, but gain AWD in instances of snow that you guys seem to get way more often than we do up here.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2015&zip=24201&maxPrice=14000&mmt=%5BSUB%5B%5D%5B%5DMAZDA%5B%5D%5B%5DFORD%5B%5D%5B%5D%5D&makeCode2=MAZDA&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&makeCode1=SUB&startYear=2000&showcaseOwnerId=0&maxMileage=75000&makeCode3=FORD&searchRadius=100&bodyStyleCodes=HATCH%2CWAGON&listingId=362060977&Log=0">http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 0977&Log=0</a><!-- m -->
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - CaptainHenreh - 01-31-2014
2013 Fit 5MT.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - RawrImAMonster - 01-31-2014
If you want something fairly fun to drive thats still reliable and gets pretty good gas mileage I would look at an 06+ Civic Si. My friend has one and beats the absolute shit out of it all the time. I don't know anyone who drives their car harder. At 100k miles we compression tested his and it was 1-2 psi off brand new factory spec on all 4 cylinders. I don't think hes had to replace anything other than normal wear items.
Oh, also we supercharged it about a year ago and its still going strong. Tough motors for sure.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - davej - 01-31-2014
CaptainHenreh Wrote:2013 Fit 5MT.
this.
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Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - Evan - 01-31-2014
I dont think Ive ever driven a slower car than a honda fit. Even Anne said it was so slow she felt unsafe in it.
Since you're heaping on the miles and thus destroying the value of the car, why not go full beater and spend less to begin with?
~10 or so year old accord is easily under $5k, comfortable, reliable and easy as pie to work on when something finally breaks at 300k.
a civic might be even better if you can handle a little less comfort.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - Goodspeed - 01-31-2014
Evan Wrote:Since you're heaping on the miles and thus destroying the value of the car, why not go full beater and spend less to begin with?
~10 or so year old accord is easily under $5k, comfortable, reliable and easy as pie to work on when something finally breaks at 300k.
a civic might be even better if you can handle a little less comfort.
I was thinking the same thing...this sounds like a car that will ultimately be destroyed through use, might as well grab an old Accord, put $12.89 into it, and run it into the ground.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - JustinG - 01-31-2014
Goodspeed Wrote:Evan Wrote:Since you're heaping on the miles and thus destroying the value of the car, why not go full beater and spend less to begin with?
~10 or so year old accord is easily under $5k, comfortable, reliable and easy as pie to work on when something finally breaks at 300k.
a civic might be even better if you can handle a little less comfort.
I was thinking the same thing...this sounds like a car that will ultimately be destroyed through use, might as well grab an old Accord, put $12.89 into it, and run it into the ground.
Or this. I believe Matthew has a prime candidate.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - Sully - 01-31-2014
JustinG Wrote:Goodspeed Wrote:Evan Wrote:Since you're heaping on the miles and thus destroying the value of the car, why not go full beater and spend less to begin with?
~10 or so year old accord is easily under $5k, comfortable, reliable and easy as pie to work on when something finally breaks at 300k.
a civic might be even better if you can handle a little less comfort.
I was thinking the same thing...this sounds like a car that will ultimately be destroyed through use, might as well grab an old Accord, put $12.89 into it, and run it into the ground.
Or this. I believe Matthew has a prime candidate.
It just got new wiper blades today
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Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - ScottyB - 01-31-2014
08+ cobalt SS. mega sleeper, cheap car underneath but 315hp GM warranted stg 1 power if you want it. 30mpg highway. when you want to dump it you'll still probably get something for it since they're kinda rare.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - Jake - 01-31-2014
Why are you all recommending old Hondas with razor-thin door panels and no sound deadening? A Fit? Come on, Rex. Would you 120 miles a day in one, listening to that 4-cylinder buzz through the un-insulated floorpan?
The Focus hatch is a good suggestion if you get the three-pedal, the wheelbase is just long enough to keep it well-mannered on the highway. The two-pedal "PowerShift" DSG blows.
</rant>
I still vote TDI.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - .RJ - 01-31-2014
Jake Wrote:Why are you all recommending old Hondas with razor-thin door panels and no sound deadening? A Fit? Come on, Rex. Would you 120 miles a day in one, listening to that 4-cylinder buzz through the un-insulated floorpan?
An 08+ accord could be had cheap, and should be reasonable fuel mileage.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - Ryan T - 01-31-2014
Old honda was considered, but I'd rather have something newer/more creature comforts/more modern. If I've got to spend two and a half hours a day staring at gauges I'd rather they be from this millennium. The Fit is No. Ugly and 117hp is just too few. 117hp and 33mpg highway with the fit vs. 140hp and 38mpg highway with the civic, seems like a pretty obvious choice between those two. Civic Si is also something I am going to drive. Gas mileage is slightly worse but still would be around 30mpg highway and much more fun to drive.
I've looked briefly at the Mazda 3 but I will give them another look, the exterior styling is pretty nice. The Accords are nice but their gas mileage isn't as good as it used to be. Reviews seem to say they struggle to get high 20s. My older sister has a 2011 4 cylinder 5-speed, drives like an old woman and still averages 28.1mpg on the highway. For that interstate mileage I'd just got for a E46 or a sportier car.
As much as i like to think a S2000 or Z4 or a sports car would be fun I think the short wheel base and stiff suspension would get old after a few months/a year.
Never gave much thought to the focus till I saw Jake's post, then I saw one in person at the grocery store this evening. It deserves a closer look.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - davej - 01-31-2014
I'd third or fourth a TDI. Find a Passat and call it a day
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - JPolen01 - 02-01-2014
I have a 12 civic si and pull 30mpg on the highway all day. 28-29 around town.
Re: Another one, I need a commuter car - Jake - 02-02-2014
I drove Dan's Passat this weekend. Perfect highway cruiser. Do that, but with the TDI motor.
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