The anti-GRM DD what car thread

My commute has gotten longer and the road has got rougher. I can't take two hours a day being beat to death in my MINI Cooper S. I tried it, I'm sorry, it just isn't going to work.

I've resigned myself to appliance-hood. I need something with the following characteristics:

1) Reasonable ride quality. 2) Dead-nuts reliability. I'll be putting 80-90 miles a day on this thing and it can't spend any time in the shop. 3) Has to be a car. No minivans, no SUVs, no trucks, no crossovers. I still have a little self-respect. 4) Reasonably economical. Doesn't have to get 40 mpg, but mid-20's would be fine. 5) Small(er) car, though not tiny-- Honda Accord size or thereabouts. 6) My inner-GRM would still like something somewhat sporty, but not at the expense of a harsh ride. 7) Used, low mileage, late model car (see reliability above). Looking to spend $15k to $23k. I'm more concerned with mileage and maintenance than age.

Possible candidates that I can think of:

Honda Accord Honda Civic (may be too small to pass the ride test) Nissan 350Z (may not meet the ride quality test?) Ford Taurus (a little big?) Cadillac CTS Infiniti G35 Lexus I250

Thoughts?

New Mazda 3 SkyActiv, get it with a Bose, reasonably comfy, and approaches 50mph on the hwy, IIRC.

Prius.

I own one. I like it a lot. Roomy. Dead nuts reliable (100k+ on ours without fault), and economical (50+ mpg without trying).

Also rides pretty well and, with decent tires, can be entertaining.

CR-Zs used seem to be in the 17k to 20k range. That'll give you room for the supercharger kit for it....

The thread we had on one a little while ago actually warmed me up to them.

Mazda 3 does tick those boxes. I just did a down and back to Rochester (You've seen my ms3 before) and even with the coilovers, on stock wheels and tires, it was more than comfortable enough. I got into the 30's mpg wise too, and that was at nearly 80mph or better the whole way. Granted this is all an ms3, but my stock, non modified mz3 was easily as comfortable, if not moreso. I know what you mean about the Cooper S- I've got one of those as well. And while I don't find it to be a big deal to do long runs in that car, the ms3 IS more comfortable.

350Z isn't going to ride any better than a Mini.

Mazda 6?

That's all I've got.

Toyota Yaris.

BMW E39 530i BMW E46 330i

For highway bombing, don't get the sport package.

Jeep CJ 5

I'm putting that sort of mileage on an E36 328, buying the cleanest one I could find to start with, and it's managed to deliver all of the items on your check boxes at 1/3 the price. I can understand having some qualms about its reliability - I've had to change a couple wheel bearings, but the only real scare was a broken radiator. For a car that I've been putting nearly 100 miles a day on, it's held up pretty well and seldom had to be off the road.

Other choices if the idea of a 15 year old car fitting these requirements makes you question my sanity - Mazda Protege, if it's not too small. Ford Fusion or Mazda 6 if you need a bit larger.

I'd lean toward a $10-15K Jetta TDI, but the Prius is the more economical option for long daily commutes. Buy smart and either one will have minimal depreciation if/when your circumstances change and you're ready to move on to something more inspiring.

Camry. Mine was the most comfortable car I've been in.

Since I own one, I will throw out the Subaru Legacy as a suggestion. My wife commutes 100 miles a day in it and it can crack 30mpg on the highway.

Used 4cyl fusion? Would a focus be too small?

Sky_Render wrote: Toyota Yaris.

+1 for this. Was gonna say Mazda2 but you don't want something that small.

Kia/Hyundai. Reliable, cheap, economical and (most models) softly sprung for good cruising on the highway.

MadScientistMatt wrote: I'm putting that sort of mileage on an E36 328, buying the cleanest one I could find to start with, and it's managed to deliver all of the items on your check boxes at 1/3 the price. I can understand having some qualms about its reliability - I've had to change a couple wheel bearings, but the only real scare was a broken radiator. For a car that I've been putting nearly 100 miles a day on, it's held up pretty well and seldom had to be off the road.

Second the E36 suggestion. I went through all the same mental exercises when looking for a commuter car, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to rack up miles on an "expensive" car. I bought the cleanest, best maintained E36 318 I could find and it has been dead nuts reliable, just an all around great car. No car payments, 30+ mpg, and a car that I like driving, life is good

$15-23k? Buy a new Elantra GT. Roomy, comfy, reliable, NEW, 40mpg, rides good and isn't dead to drive.

Miata! Someone had to say it.

Seriously though Dart.

Mazda3 -- mmm, maybe, would have to be a pretty good improvement in ride from the MINI.

Prius -- I've already made too many "Pious" and "smug" jokes. It would be a foot-eater.

CRZ - Smaller than I think I want, what's the ride like?

Mazda6 -- Good candidate! Is the 4 cylinder really lame and the 6 a requirement? Lot of these seem to be coming off rental fleets...

350Z -- I'd really like it to work, but if the ride isn't any better, then meh.

Yaris -- Drove a sedan version. Couldn't get out of its own way.

BMW's -- No thank you, too many land mines.

Camry-- Deep in appliance-ville, but a good candidate nonetheless

Some other good ones suggested. What about an Acura TL? I see one available locally-- an '05 with 30k for ~$20k.

My 2000 Insight has been pretty kickass for my commute. Put a good stereo in it and drive to work and back to the tune of 55-65mpg.

Decently fun to drive for what it is, reminds me a lot of the CRX.

350Z is probably the worst ride on the planet.

Mazda3 is probably the sportiest you want, but a 6 would be better. You really want the 1st gen though, the current one is not as good.

New Elantra GT sounds like a good match.

I vote Acura TSX or TL. They both get good mileage on the highway. My sister averaged about 30-31mpg on her commute through suburban/country roads. Second suggestion that comes to mind is MS3. Third is Ford Fusion. Don't need premium with it.

I test drove a CR-Z and it rides well. I would say it's comfortable, but not quite at the level of the others I suggested.

I bet you could eek 26-28 MPG out of a 6 speed GTO or a G8 if you were light on the loud pedal, and they are a hoot to drive.

E46 328 sedan, perhaps?