WTB: Best long a$$ commute car

I like bouncing things off the hive, so I don't have a "I coulda had a V8" moment down the road. I've got ideas, but throw others at me so I'm not overlooking the obvious...or not so obvious. Here's what I'm working with.

My new job is a 45 mile each way commute, mostly highway. I don't see it smart to buy a new car and beat it to a pulp. Plus, I'd like to not have a car payment. Budget is going to be right around $6000. Criteria as follows:
Built this millenium - I've done the old beater thing, would like something at least relatively newer.

Hatch/wagon strongly prefered, but not 100% required. I'll look at sedans. No SUVs.

Fuel mileage. Long commute = lots of gas used, so the higher efficiency, the better.

Ability to carry 5 if needed prefered, not required. I have a minivan, but I'd like to have a second car that can haul my family if needed.

Keep in mind how far I'm going to be driving. So while I do agree a well maintained high mile car is a good deal, I'd prefer to start with something that doesn't have a crazy number of miles already.

I'm thinking Kia Rondo, Vibe/Matrix, Rio (if I go sedan), maybe Yaris or some Scion box. Other ideas?

This is not the typical grass roots suggestion but I'd look at full size gm products with the 3.8. I do 130 miles a day in a 2000 lesabre. I get 30 mpg and it's silky smooth. My commute is also flat and straight

icaneat50eggs wrote: This is not the typical grass roots suggestion but I'd look at full size gm products with the 3.8. I do 130 miles a day in a 2000 lesabre. I get 30 mpg and it's silky smooth. My commute is also flat and straight

What he said. Plus when it does break you can fix it with duct tape and zipties and not care.

The best LS400 you can find.

http://www.yourqualitycar.com/2006_Chevrolet_HHR_Lilburn_GA_228993587.veh

http://www.premierridesautosales.com/2007_Ford_Focus_228145036.veh

http://www.paniaguaautos.com/2005-Ford-Focus-SE-Dalton-Georgia-30721-30721/3760150

http://www.paniaguaautos.com/2005-Ford-Focus-SE-Dalton-Georgia-30721-30721/4337385

http://www.edvoyleskiachamblee.com/used/Ford/2003-Ford-Focus-b4b4d4970a0a0002559936e63e109f15.htm

I had to throw a Mazda 5 in the ring (they are capable of 30 mpg): http://www.dougjustus.com/2006-Mazda-Mazda5-Sport-Airport-Motor-MileAlcoa-Tennessee-37777/4983302

http://www.knoxvilleroadrunner.com/2003-Pontiac-Vibe-GT-6-speed-Knoxville-Tennessee-37923/4937624

I was about to email you back, but I'll just answer here.

Early Honda Insight. It is strictly a commuter appliance, and is damn good at it.

2004+ Prius. Once again, strictly a commuting appliance, but with more room than the insight. Will get 45-50mpg. Comfortable place to spend boring highway time, can fit 5, has a hatchback, and they have proven to be extremely reliable.

How about another 9-5 wagon?

You've wanted Mazda3 for years, we regularly get 28-31 mpg in Chrissy's even with me driving. Fits all the other options but is more fun to drive.

Kia rondo gets surprisingly poor fuel economy, which I know is a huge point for you. Mazda5 is better all around, but won't get quite the mileage of the 3 because of aero.

Early xBs are super reliable and get great mileage, but are a bit gutless. Matrix/vibe are ok, but not outstanding in any way.

Sonic wrote: I was about to email you back, but I'll just answer here.

No worries, I knew you'd respond. Figured you were probably busy at work.

I've thought Prius, but finding one in my price range that doesn't already have 150K+ miles will be tough. Like the 1G Insight, looked at them hard before, but am trying if possible to stay with a 5 seater. Yes, very fond of the 3, gotta see what's in my price range.

Mazda 3

Bmw v12

Miata with cut springs and an aluminum racing seat with no padding

Jetta TDI wagon?

Is a bike totally out of the question? I commute on my bike (72 mile round trip) and average 44mpg with 175hp. When the weather is horrible, like heavy rain, snow, and ice I drive something else otherwise I'm on my bike. My current bike is new, but the last one was pretty nice and just a tick over 5k.

edit: nevermind....just went back to the requirements...I think the ability to carry 5 nixes it....at least in this country

I quite like the Matrix/Vibe idea - they're not bad to drive, maybe a little nervous at highway speeds but they're more fun than a Prius. They get great mileage - 34mpg or so highway epa rating. They're decent size and very practical. And available with a stick.

I won't bore you by saying more than this: your commute is too long. :-)

TDI wagon. German road manners are just so nice, they gulp up the miles and you arrive feeling fine.

Yes I know.....it's a VAG product so just ignore the CEL.

Move. That's too much of your life to spend behind the wheel.

Focus or Mazda 3 for hatch. I quite like my 2005 4 cyl Accord, granted it has 111k miles but it lists for under $6k. I can get 30ish on highway slogs but mostly mid 20s for mixed driving. Seats 2 adults and 3 kids (12,10,6) comfortably.

45 minute commute isn't that bad. My wife used to have a 30 minute and currently has a 20 minute.

'06 Elantra GT Hatch. Find the one with the least miles on it in a manual. Do minor maintenance and enjoy. Comfortable, quiet and dependable car, gets you mid 30's in emm pee gees and is very cheap to maintain.

Scion xA are getting into your range, maybe even an xB. They're good commuters.

Tom_Spangler wrote: Jetta TDI wagon?

+1

Although if I'm being perfectly honest it'll depend a bit on your budget. After so many years of driving my TDI and it's 50 mpg, during the time I've had it off the road for service (dragging into month #7), I've become used to the fuel mileage of my Caravan back-up car and the fact is it's about $100/mo. So when I do get the TDI back on the road, I'm not sure I'll keep it and may consider something more fun/interesting to drive, fuel mileage be damned...

Im doing 30-ish miles one way( 98% highway ) and Ive been happy w/ my 2001 accord. Bored, but happy. My volvo 850 ate miles better, but a cant recommend it as its older and kinda finiky. I had a period where I was doing about 5k miles/month in the volvo, but I dont ever remember feeling "road tired" just from sitting in the car for so long. So, my vote is for a newer accord in your budget.

+1 for the best LS400 you can find for the money. The bimmer fanboi in me says best e39 with a manual you can find.

My mom had a grand prix gtp for a while, it was fine on smooth freeway, but if the road surface wasn't great it was pretty miserable because it didn't have enough suspension travel to deal with the condition of California freeways. Tdi would work, although a golf or Jetta wagon for under $6k isn't likely to happen. I recently bought a tdi Jetta and I already kinda wish I hadn't, although there is nothing particularly bad about it.

Saturn Astra? XR's could be had in 5 doors with a stick, and you can find 08's with decent mileage for pretty good prices. The 1.8 EcoTec leaves a little to be desired, but the suspension is well sorted and inside is a pretty nice place to be (could be had with leather, panoramic moonroof, etc.).

Citroën SM.

If not, then I recommend a B-Body/Panther.

Not the GRM approach...

Depending on how much you value your free time and if a payment would fit into the budget, you may want to look at new. Something Korean and budget friendly would give a long warranty with a good balance of cost and features.

Speaking from experience (I used to do 65 miles each way), the last thing you want to do after spend that much time in the car each week, is spend your free time working on your commuting appliance. The family wants to see you, you want to do fun things, and fixing a car on the weekend so you can get to work Monday is not fun.

Yes, there is the depreciation hit, but as long as you maintain it you should have it long enough to offset that with several years of only changing the oil and filters.

KyAllroad wrote: TDI wagon. German road manners are just so nice, they gulp up the miles and you arrive feeling fine. Yes I know.....it's a VAG product so just ignore the CEL. Move. That's too much of your life to spend behind the wheel.

Yeah, definitely no VAG products, I don't want to spend half my time on the side of the road waiting for a tow.

I am moving...this is now going to be my commute after we move. The benefits for my family are far too big to pass up.