Commuter Car

-
L

LJS30

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2007
Messages
1,053
Reaction score
5
Location
Hemet, California
Well guys my old Lincoln Mark 7 is becoming so problematic that it's time to purchase a "new" car. Through my bank I want to purchase a good commuter car in the price range of 10 to 12 grand. Give me some good cars that would fit the bill. Perhaps your own personal experiences?
 
Well, for my money i would buy a used Toyota Camry. I drive 50 miles a day round trip to work. City and highway miles. My car now has 322,000 miles and drives great and the air has never been charged and is still ice cold. Regular maintenance items done and regular oil changes. Combined mileage hovers around 34 mpg. yea, the driver's window is slow, and the 4 cyl. is a little tired, but look at how many miles are on this car and still going strong.
 
For commuter, I always recommend Civic/accord. Accords got bigger as they got newer, but those 90's versions were the right size. I have an 05' Civic with 115k miles. Not a single problem. I think if you went for a Focus or similar American car, you'd have problems down the road. I am sure they are decent enough cars, but if you are getting a commuter, you want minimal problems. Just my 2 cents!
 
Honda civic si, 200hp with good mpg plus vast aftermarket parts if needed.
 
Well it depends on what you want .. You want some jap job ? Im getting 27 mpg in my 95 buick centrey really nice ride Im 350 6 foot and i fit it just fine . really good car
 
Dart_Doctor said:
Well it depends on what you want .. You want some jap job ? Im getting 27 mpg in my 95 buick centrey really nice ride Im 350 6 foot and i fit it just fine . really good car
Click to expand...

Yeah Asa that is a good little car you have
 
Get yourself a nice little used turbo diesel vw jetta/passat. Great mileage and they last a long time. Plus they have a decent resale value.
 
I like my CrownVic...you can get them pretty cheap and usually low mileage ones are easy to find.....also Grand Marquis and Town Cars. These cars can easily achieve 25MPG and ones with 2.76 gearing will probably get up to 28mpg and they ride nice and are V8 rear wheel drive. My 99 has 164K and drives like new and looks it to.
I really like the CrownVic sports that they made from about 2001 to 2007. They come with bucket seats and console. Dual exhaust from the factory..etc...

Of course a V6 Mustang would be cool and get some decent MPG too.
 
oh TDI Golf or Jetta forgot about those...I was behind a TDI Golf this morning. You could probably get about 50MPG with those. My buddy just bought a TDI Passat...now that's a nice car.
 
My mom had a 2008 frod focus she put 93,000 miles on it in 2 1/2 years only thing she did was oil changes, tires and 1 set of front brakes. Plus she averaged 37 mpg
 
We just retired two vehicles recently.

A Nissan truck 497,000 miles
Honda Accord 512,000 miles

Need I say more?
 
TrailBeast said:
We just retired two vehicles recently.

A Nissan truck 497,000 miles
Honda Accord 512,000 miles

Need I say more?
Click to expand...


Wow, and I thought I had a lot of miles (183,000) on my '98 Olds Intrigue! Just keeps chugging along getting consistent 22-23 mpg mixed SoCal city/freeway driving and close to 30 mpg freeway only.
 
I bought a Mercury Tracer for $500 and drive it 60 miles a day back and forth to school. I still love the looks i get getting out of it. Just think of a 300 lbs. NBA basketball player getting out Ford Escort, same thing,
 
My newest vehicle is a 90 chevy pickup, LT1 330 hp, T56 six speed, 3:42 posi. 27 mpg hiway over 21 in the city. Cruises @ 93mph - 2000rpm. Cost me less than 8000 to build
 
It's too bad you don't live closer. I have a friend who is selling a 95 Buick Regal Gran Sport. It books for $2600, but she only wants $1800.
 
Thanks for the input guys it's greatly appreciated. I broke down and bought a 2012 Camry. I am actually pretty impressed with this little car.
 
Girlfriends car is a 93 Accord has 310k miles on standard maintenance. Automatic. She bought it a year old. It still runs VERY strong.
 
LJS30 said:
Thanks for the input guys it's greatly appreciated. I broke down and bought a 2012 Camry. I am actually pretty impressed with this little car.
Click to expand...

Hmm which one/model/spec?
 
MK IV Golf/Jetta/NB with the ALH engine (1999-2003) are great little cars. My experience is low 40's MPG wise. They're generally pretty bulletproof, but there are some maintenance items that should be known before buying one. I would look for a car owned by a savvy TDI owner who maintained it properly, rather than a low mile example. VW diesels are reliable and economical when maintained properly, but NOT zero maintenance. Parts can be expensive.

Otherwise go looking for the newest Asian car you can afford.
 
C130 Chief said:
MK IV Golf/Jetta/NB with the ALH engine (1999-2003) are great little cars. My experience is low 40's MPG wise. They're generally pretty bulletproof, but there are some maintenance items that should be known before buying one. I would look for a car owned by a savvy TDI owner who maintained it properly, rather than a low mile example. VW diesels are reliable and economical when maintained properly, but NOT zero maintenance. Parts can be expensive.

Otherwise go looking for the newest Asian car you can afford.
Click to expand...

Boy ain't that the truth.

I will only buy Volkswagen TDIs now for commuting. I was converted. I will also never buy a used one again. 20,000 miles of chasing turbo blow-off valve problems, still to no avail.

The new Jap cars work well for commuting as well. Good mileage, low maintenance, good longevity and resale. I'm just partial to German Engineering.
 
1970Duster said:
Hmm which one/model/spec?
Click to expand...

It's the SE model with the 2.5 liter four cylinder. You put that behind a six speed transmission and this commuter car moves very well. I am pleasantly surprised with the layout of the interior and the ergonomics in this machine. I think this car is going to last us a very long time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top