Another what car thread… commuter edition…

I'm starting a new job on the next few weeks that requires a real commute... driving 60-110 miles per day...

most of the time it will be done on a motorcycle as I can use the hov... however I want to have a backup mode of transport... so in the coming months will be liking for a car of some sort... 

what are some suggestions from the peanut gallery for a toaster? Nearly all of the drive will be houston interstate... so 80mph speeds aren't uncommon although average will be lower with traffic.  It doesn't need to to be exciting... ideally 30mpg+ and $15k and minimal maintained ... so my brain initially says Honda or Toyota... but any exact thoughts? 

Prius.

Camry Hybrid.

If motorcycles get HOV privileges, what else gets single HOV privileges?  

Flex fuel? Hybrid? EV? Any?

I set out to answer my above question and found this Texas gov site 

https://www.txdot.gov/discover/express-toll-hov-lanes/managed-lanes/north-texas-hov-lanes.html#:~:text=Who%20can%20use%20the%20HOV,motorcyclist%20may%20use%20HOV%20lanes.

Interestingly the exact words are:

Who can use the HOV lane?

A vehicle occupied by two or more people or a motorcyclist may use HOV lanes.

Does that seem to read...

A vehicle occupied by a motorcyclist may use HOV lanes.

Wouldn't more proper read: 

A vehicle occupied by two or more people or a motorcycle occupied by one or more may use HOV lanes.

In reply to donalson :

You owned or own a Gen3 Prius didn't you?

In reply to John Welsh :

Yeh, most states that's the way it is.  No, if you have a motor cycle license you may not drive a car by yourself on the HOV  lane.  

Nearly 100 miles per day (working a 5 day week) will put you at about 25k annual miles in just commute. Maybe another 5k personally miles so 30k+ per year. 

You might want to factor depreciation in the equation. In 3 years you'll have added nearly 100k to a new car. 

In reply to donalson :

I would buy a Chevy Bolt.  Used is going to have a new battery so  it should last you the projected 20 year life.   Used will come with a $3400 tax rebate.  New is going to cost you around $22,000 plus tax and license after the rebate.  About $380 a month for 5 years. Plus tax & lic.  Used will be about the same except paid off a bit sooner.  4 years?   I don't know if the new battery will have the 100,000 mile warranty.  
     Gasoline for an average 22 mpg car  will cost you about $3300 @$3.50 gallon. X 80 miles / day times 5 days a week  52 weeks a year.  Obviously the motorcycle will reduce that somewhat  but how much depends on the motorcycle itself.  Some get worse than 22 mpg.  

  Electricity depends on your rate. But based on my rate that is $560 a year for electricity. Saving you about $2900 a year.  $241 a month.  Plus the cost of oil changes.  Between the fuel savings & oil change savings  a new Bolt will actually cost you about $140 a month. 
 

   The big thing an EV is the quick acceleration.  It has a 270 mile range.  And can charge overnight to provide you with a full"tank" every morning.  
     It's also got a very good reputation for reliability and durability. 

In reply to John Welsh :

Yea daughters car these days... not opposed but thinking there may be other options. 

In reply to donalson :

Gas engine 4 cyl cars after about 2011 can yield 30-40 mpg.  

Hybrids after 2004 yield about 35-50 mpg

EVs can give similar financial yield per mile if you are okay with the up front financial outlay of the higher priced vehicle.  The returns become exceptional if you car charge for free at work.  

For gas to gas comparison the website https://www.fueleconomy.gov/ can be good for gauging what to expect for cost/saving between deferent vehicles.  You can also personalize the sites mpg calculations to factor in things like more than average miles per year or higher/lower gas prices.  In my opinion, the site is less effective for comparing Gas to EV's

Honda Accord or Acura equal. Be comfortable.  Maybe even stick.  
 

I'm going to be slightly contrarian, though normally I'd agree with Prius as the top pick.  Am I right in assuming some of the days you'll be skipping the motorcycle will be rainy days?  With all the pickups/SUVs running around Houston, I'd want something that sits at least a bit higher, so your windshield is out of at least some of the water spray from everyone else.  I know my Mazda5 is noticeably easier to see out of in bad weather than the cars in my driveway, even only sitting a bit taller.

 So, best CR-V or RAV4 you can find in your budget would be my suggestion.

Whatever low mileage, 10 year old 4 cylinder car with a manufacturer who will support it for parts, and doesn't have a reputation for an expensive part exploding.

You are going to burn value out of any newer car in a heartbeat.

Mazda6, nice cars but not too dollar. 

Try to stick with something nice enough to  not sound like your in a wind tunnel, and won't wear you out on the drive to work. 

I wouldn't recommend a Grand Cherokee with a Hemi, even though it is what I've been using for a 100 mile round trip commute, since the fuel economy is painful at 15mpg.

The pluses are the lack of wind noise, decent ride on the highway, and the Hemi lets it merge easily and lopes along at a lower rpm so it's not tiring. 

So I'd recommend something with low wind noise and good sound deadening, and not screaming on the highway. 
 

But not a Hemi in  full time 4wd jeep. 

John Welsh said:

In reply to donalson :

Gas engine 4 cyl cars after about 2011 can yield 30-40 mpg.  

Hybrids after 2004 yield about 35-50 mpg

EVs can give similar financial yield per mile if you are okay with the up front financial outlay of the higher priced vehicle.  The returns become exceptional if you car charge for free at work.  

For gas to gas comparison the website https://www.fueleconomy.gov/ can be good for gauging what to expect for cost/saving between deferent vehicles.  You can also personalize the sites mpg calculations to factor in things like more than average miles per year or higher/lower gas prices.  In my opinion, the site is less effective for comparing Gas to EV's

I did the math EV vs Gas and buying a new Chevy Bolt  cost about $150 a month payment and fuel.  Compared to the cost of buying gasoline at 22 mpg. @$3.50/gallon. 
      The Gas gets cheaper as its fuel mileage  gets better than 22 mpg. 
     Plus cheaper the more a motorcycle is used ( assuming the motorcycle gets over 22 mpg)  but how much the traffic slows changes the regen rate. 
  Same thing with Hybrids. What is the range of the battery before the engine kicks in for charging reasons.  How heavy is the traffic during that period. 
    Just test drive one.  You might not like how quiet they are. Or how fast they accelerate. 
     My neighbors with electrics love them but that doesn't mean you will. Maybe going to a gas station is part of your morning ritual?  Or you like their coffee?  You like flirting with the cashier while your oil is being changed?  Whatever.  
     
     
    

Mom's had a 2nd Gen Mazda 3 for over a decade now. Averages in the mid 30s on regular fuel. It's been a great appliance for her. Volvoclearinghouse has a 3rd Gen Mazda 3 and I think also has positive feeligns. So far Zero maintenance in 13 years and 150k for mom's car.

Ford Fusion built within the last 10 years.  Will get over 30 mpg, and is a midsize, so it won't be a complete penalty box.  

Also like the suggestion of the Mazda3 for a slightly sportier option. 

Used Lexus gets my vote.  Comfy, quiet and they just run and run.  Buy used and drive it without worrying about depreciation.   I have an old GS and it does just that.   

In reply to Puddy46 :

Fusions are routinely ignored but are nicely done cars.  They have great room, quiet cabin and the fuel economy is decent without the "import tax" of buying a Honda or Toyota.  I never understand why they are so overlooked. 

In reply to Loweguy5 :

Count me in as another Fusion advocate. My sister had a 1st gen Fusion for years, but I only recently drove it on a couple hour highway trip. The 4 cylinder was fairly responsive, seats were comfortable with a natural driving position, and the car had less highway road noise than a couple of W212 E350s I've spent a few hours driving. I like the look of the 2010 refresh Fusion the best, and I think that car can be found in 3.0 V6 with awd form if you feel so inclined.

In reply to dannyp84 :

Even though its way outside the original requirements posted, the Fusion Sport from 2017 to 2019 is a very intriguing unit.  AWD with the 2.7L ecoboost making 325hp/380ft-lbs.  Very much a sleeper.