Sorry- one more car advice thread....

Hey all,

It is time for me to make a purchase due to a job change. I will be commuting from Reno to Sacramento weekly (2 times per week- 150 miles each way), and they from Sacramento to San Jose several times per month (about 120 miles and 3 hours each way). I have been thinking of my criteria and have come to the below conclusions. I also have a Dodge Cummins for tow/snow conditions as needed- and it gets around 20 mpg so it does not totally kill me- but it's not much fun in San Jose traffic.

1. I believe I would prefer an automatic. I know it kills me, but for those of you familiar with CA traffic- it can take the fun out of the third pedal quickly. I could live with a manual- but it would have to be an easy to live with version.

2. Highway comfort is important- so nothing that is going to kill me from a noise or comfort level.

3. I am cool with RWD, FWD, or AWD- but AWD has an inherent advantage due to he unpredictable nature of the drive over the sierra in the winter. I can always take the Dodge if I know weather is coming, but I don't always know. Snow tires are fine, but when I am in Sac/San Jose in the winter, it will be too warm for them.

4. Reasonable MPG is helpful. I get reimbursed for most of the driving at 50 cents, so I will probably make a little money.

5. I don't need to spend a lot, but I can. I have a couple of higher end rides on the list, but if they are more expensive, I want things near the bottom of the depreciation curve.

Here are some of my random considerations;

996 Porsche 911

E36 M3 Convertible (automatic- for sale locally)

P71/Marauder

TDI (anything but a beetle)- only problem- they want my left nut for one. Clapped out wagons with 150k are fetching 10k

A beautiful 1985 Mercedes 500 SEL (I think the MPG will kill this, but I feel like a dictator every time I look at it!) I guess dictators don't care about MPG.

Subaru (I think the seats are too awful for long highway- thoughts?)

I know those cars are all over the map- thoughts and advice welcome!

Holy berkeleying E36 M3! Is moving not an option?

Will a hybrid allow you into carpool lanes? If so, Prius. If not... Prius.

Chevy Cruze . Not exciting, but comfy and great on gas.

ProDarwin wrote: Holy berkeleying E36 M3! Is moving not an option? Will a hybrid allow you into carpool lanes? If so, Prius. If not... Prius.

Ha- I love the Tahoe area, and I hate most everything about the peoples republic of California. It would cost me about 10% in taxes to make the move, and my other half is in the Tahoe area- plus a starter home in Silicon Valley is about 600k.

I don't really mind the current arrangement, I usually spend my Wednesdays in San Jose or peninsula and drive back to my place in Sacramento, then work in Sac on Thursday and drive home Thursday night and come back to Sac on Monday night- so it is not bad.

I boycott Prius' and I think they lost the carpool exemption a few years back, so there is not advantage anymore (unless you consider looking like a dork an advantage)

Mazda3 (2006 or later only, to get the updated automatic transmission, 2.3 litre engine required).

I've not had any problem with my Subaru seats. I have a 2004 Forester XT. I wouldn't take them off of the list, but I'm not sure how you fit into them, either. A Legacy might have better seats than an Impreza, but that is just speculation.

A non wagon tdi should be doable for $7500 to purchase it and bring the maintenance up to date. VW automatics are pretty bad, so you would want a manual. They will easily go 400k or more, so don't consider one with 150k to have high mileage.

WARNING I AM ABOUT TO PUSH THE HYBRID ANGLE!

How about a Lexus GS450h? 0-60 in 5.2..

How about a Lexus CT200h F-Sport?

How about a CR-Z?

Kia Optima Hybrid?

If you are too uppity for a Prius, consider one of those!

Desert 2009 wrote: I boycott Prius' and I think they lost the carpool exemption a few years back, so there is not advantage anymore (unless you consider looking like a dork an advantage)

Or 50mpg...

Saw a CT200H pulled over yesterday. I still REALLY like those cars. Such a cool interior.

Wow. Really liking what a little drop and a set of wheels did for that.

I love my '03 TDI for long hwy trips. Especially those I do for work and get paid for. $0.565/mile far exceeds the $0.12/mile I currently spend to keep it running. Personally, I find it to be a very comfortable hwy cruiser and has a very light clutch action which makes stop & go traffic tolerable, but YMMV.

Chevy Volt.

Infiniti G20/35 sedan. I LOVE MINE (G20). I pull down about 27 mpg mixed, and could probably pull almost 30 on a long highway trip. The 20 has a 2 liter 4 banger. The 35 has a 3.5 liter V6

G20:
PROS

• 4 cyl, gas saver (not quite a sipper, but a saver)
• LOW on the depreciation curve - like, sub $5k for nice models with LSD and heated leather seats
• standard with a decent stereo, parts are pretty cheap, consumables are pretty cheap
• Auto trans is just. plain. bulletproof. period.
• Decent aftermarket support for the SR20DE engine found in all G20s if youre looking to wake it up a bit

CONS

• The whole model line is aging - these were last produced in 2002
• Not a particularly big sedan, but bigger than a compact (think, Altima/Accord, but not Maxima/Camry)
• Overall suspension design is a bit odd if youre looking for real performance (more than simple "make it ride nice and firm" and you run into $$ real fast due to design limits)
• low-ish sales volume makes the search for very clean examples take a little longer, but theyre out there

Then theres the G35 - the successor to the G20. The engine boasts a bunch more power, and the overall design is a bit further refined - really feels like a continuation of the design of the G20, but having worked a lot of the bugs out. Im not as familiar with the 35, but I do know they are a bit higher up the dep. curve, but can be easier to find. The only big issue I know of is that the engine can drink oil once mileage gets higher, and early (I think) examples can eat brake pads fast. Other than that, I REALLY WANT A 1st GEN G35 COUPE!!!! AWD is a fairly common option, and they seem to be really robust vehicles.

Both will be comfy on long drives. Both can be fun if you wanna be a weekend warrior. Neither make a particularly attractive option for boy racers, so both typically can be found unmolested in most cases.

thats my 2 cents...that or like mentioned previously, Cruze (I would go Eco package -turbo 6 speed) is probably going to be my next car purchase (wanting something with a warranty once SWMBO Terrain warranty expires).

Aren't S60's/V70's knowns for having some of the best seats in the universe? Perhaps the R variant for more giggles.

Since mileage isn't a huge concern with the reimbursement, I wouldn't worry so much about mpg's as much as comfort with that much extended wheel time.

xflowgolf wrote: Since mileage isn't a huge concern with the reimbursement, I wouldn't worry so much about mpg's as much as comfort with that much extended wheel time.

See I read reimbursement as - worry about mileage as much as possible, because any reimbursement not spent on putting gas in your tank/repairing your car is tax-free money in your bank account.

ProDarwin wrote:

xflowgolf wrote: Since mileage isn't a huge concern with the reimbursement, I wouldn't worry so much about mpg's as much as comfort with that much extended wheel time.

See I read reimbursement as - worry about mileage as much as possible, because any reimbursement not spent on putting gas in your tank/repairing your car is tax-free money in your bank account.

I'm in this camp too. If I had to buy an automatic something and good mileage put money in my pocket, I'd be checking out a Volt. Fill with electricity and get paid for gas? Sign me up.

There is only one vehicle that would do it all for me:

Retrofit an old school Ford truck front end to it and it would replace every single vehicle in my fleet. Until then I'll just have to make do with seven vehicles.

ProDarwin wrote: See I read reimbursement as - worry about mileage as much as possible, because any reimbursement not spent on putting gas in your tank/repairing your car is tax-free money in your bank account.

mazdeuce wrote: I'm in this camp too. If I had to buy an automatic something and good mileage put money in my pocket, I'd be checking out a Volt. Fill with electricity and get paid for gas? Sign me up.

While I certainly understand this line of thinking, it also has to be considered that travel time is effectively "part of this job" since he's being paid for it.

Do you forego a nice office chair at work and use a folding chair instead because it's "effectively money in your pocket"?

I'm not suggesting a 3/4 ton big block just cuz it's close to paying for the gas, I'm just saying there's no reason to subject yourself to a tin can buzz box for hours and hours on end, when you could be in comfort with some power under foot, and still "making a profit" with a reasonable selection.

For gas mileage

For awesome cruising ability.

ProDarwin wrote:

Desert 2009 wrote: I boycott Prius' and I think they lost the carpool exemption a few years back, so there is not advantage anymore (unless you consider looking like a dork an advantage)

Or 50mpg...

I get the hybrid thing- and I rented a Sonata and returned 45 mpg on a trip- but I can get 50+ with a TDI and not feel like a wiener.

I know it is probably a polarizing topic, but I am not going hybrid unless is has more than 500 HP. Just a personal thing.

Oh, and some other great options here, but remember, trying to hit the bottom of the depreciation curve with higher dollar cars.

Nobody thinks a 996 carrera 4 would fit the bill?

Oh- forgot to mention- I have considered a LS 400 also, there are lots in the 150-200k mile range for 3-5 k

And that M3 vert? 1998- automatic (blasphemy) but its 4.5k because it is an auto. And that means it has not been pounded on.

Desert 2009 wrote: TDI (anything but a beetle)- only problem- they want my left nut for one. Clapped out wagons with 150k are fetching 10k A beautiful 1985 Mercedes 500 SEL (I think the MPG will kill this, but I feel like a dictator every time I look at it!) I guess dictators don't care about MPG.

SDL?

there's no reason to subject yourself to a tin can buzz box for hours and hours on end

Sure, but i dont think anyone ever suggested any tin can buzz boxes, which is unusual for a GRM thread.

I get the hybrid thing- and I rented a Sonata and returned 45 mpg on a trip- but I can get 50+ with a TDI and not feel like a wiener. I know it is probably a polarizing topic, but I am not going hybrid unless is has more than 500 HP. Just a personal thing.

Well, i was trying to stick to things that would have some panache or driving enjoyment, but if being a hybrid even if it does 0-60 in 5.2 is going to make you feel like a wiener, sure, go for the Porsche! Maybe it will make you feel like some more positive phallic term, like a BIG HARD THROBBING wiener.

That m3 seems really cheap, but it doesnt sound like you are concerned about saving money so im not sure that's much of a selling point.

As far as the Lexus LS and your 500hp preferences.. The hybrid LS is faster. Just sayin.

TBH, living in the same area (even though I don't usually have to travel over to Cali, but I work at the lake), the answer most likely says "Subaru" on the back.

I get very reasonable fuel mileage out of my Evo X MR, but I'm not sure I'd want to bounce around the Bay Area in one. The Ralliart is probably better at that, but we found the seats to be awful.

I did look at a 996 as well before we bought the Evo, but finding a decent C4 or C4S (preferably the latter) is going to cost you a fair amount of money, and they're not exactly superb on fuel either.