build the ultimate commuter car?

Having survived the latest rounds of job cuts, which were deep and scary, im thinking i would like to have a bit more comfort for my daily commute, which averages over ten hours a week. ive been driving a 98 civic four door, good car, and certainly gets the job done cheaply averaging about 32 mpg even with ac and my heavy foot, but by no means a luxury cruiser. I could spice it up a bit, and thats what ill probably end up doing (better stereo, better tires, ect..low budget (less than $1k, easy stuff though. id rather spend my time on my project cars, but i do spend allot of time in the seat, and i often work on the way (phone calls, conference calls, ect.. )

your mission? build the ultimate commuter car, here are the requirements:

1. must be a sub $10,000 car, including any modifications less than four years old (for loan purposes) or average sale value sub $3000 if older than 4 years.
2. Must achieve at least 32mpg highway, preferably on "regular" gas, with the a/c on and speeds averaging 75 mph.
3. must be rock solid reliable, and have a mechanical life of at least 200,000 miles.
4. comfortable, and quiet on the inside, hatchback is a plus.

I didnt say it would be easy, but it might be fun.. start e-building..

I don't know how safe it would be, but sometimes I think about building a smart type car around a big Laz-y-boy recliner. I would sit up to drive, and lay back in traffic or on my break at work.

2000 or so Geo Metro XFi or similar high MPG car.

Spend the rest on getting nice seats.

Install a bit more sound deadening material.

As much as I like the idea of having a nice luxury sedan for the daily grind, most of those get less than 25 MPG. I'd have to save that for the weekends when there is more than one person in the car.

Easy. . . 2005 LC2 Accent 5spd. CAI, Muffler, Eibach springs. 38mpg at anything less than 80mph, chassis will last 250k miles without breaking a sweat and terrible resale makes them great buys,

Nicest Celica hatchback you can afford. They fulfill all requirements you have, the earlier years may be a little noisier than you're looking for, but they respond REALLY well to dynamat.

ANY Camry. ANY Accord. etc.... might want to exlude v6s...

Might be able to find used Scion tC within your parameters. They're great cars.

There are to many to choose from.

I'm just glad I get 30mpg highway from my relatively inexpensive 740iL. that way I can have my luxury, power, room, style AND drive it, too.

Ford Escort EXP. They're dirt cheap, get AMAZING mileage, and are still kind of sporty/fun. I had an early one (with the awesome scooped headlight buckets) that I got for free. A good tune up and new tires later it was knocking down 40+ MPG. Lightweight + good aero + small motor + overdrive 5-speed = great mileage.

any golf or jetta diesel.

My 2003 TDI wagon was spec'd to be the ultimate commuter when I bought it. I spend about 12 hours a week commuting about 500 miles (50 each way). For me, a few things are must haves: comfortable (preferably leather) seats with heaters; a good stereo; cruise control; a/c; good mileage (average of about 46 mpg to date). It handles well enough for daily-driver duties and is excellent in the snow (tires help). I spent $21K for it new and it's worth around $8K or so now with 185K miles. In that time, I've done little to it other than maintenance. The general lack of power annoys me at times, but the care has simply been so rock-reliable that I cannot justify selling or trading it for something else.

2006 Jetta diesel

CRX SiF.

That's a 2nd Generation CRX Si with the transmission out of an HF. The gearbox will allow you 2000 RPM and 50ish MPG on at 70.

(end thread)

I would buy a Ford Focus Wagon, and hop it up with SVT rims, suspension, engine mods, seats, etc.

This is a 5-door hatch which would also work:

Couldnt find a wagon, but you get the idea:

^ That phantom Focus WRC Wagon thing is SWEET!

Said it before. I'll say it again:

WHERE THE berkeley ARE ALL THE 3 CYLINDER TURBO-DIESELS!?

Everyone else in the berkeleying world seems to get them but us. 70-80 MPG hatchbacks? YES berkeleying PLEASE!

IMO:

PLUS

= Awesome.

It's on my list of things to do.

Honestly, I'd stick with the 98 Civic. It already meets most of your requirements, and a few trips to the Acura/Honda parts bin would take care of the rest.

But if I were building the ultimate commuter for ME, I think I'd take the 01-ish Civic HX engine and put it in a CRX (assuming I could find a nice one), probably coupled with the HF tranny.

Add some really comfy seats, maybe a little extra sound deadening and a decent stereo, and it should get north of 45mpg in good comfort and rock-solid reliability.

PS: My 91 Integra is soooooo close to hitting 300k (jinx.) I can haul stuff in it. It's comfy enough for me, and averages 33MPG (with CONSERVATIVE driving.) I'm guessing it's nowhere near as comfortable as a 98 civic though.

Your requirements sound just like my old CRX Si.

Tim Baxter wrote: Honestly, I'd stick with the 98 Civic. It already meets most of your requirements, and a few trips to the Acura/Honda parts bin would take care of the rest. But if I were building the ultimate commuter for ME, I think I'd take the 01-ish Civic HX engine and put it in a CRX (assuming I could find a nice one), probably coupled with the HF tranny. Add some really comfy seats, maybe a little extra sound deadening and a decent stereo, and it should get north of 45mpg in good comfort and rock-solid reliability.

Or just put an EG chassis CX tranny on the existing car. He'll get over 40mpg on that, with minimal investment because nobody WANTS those transmissions.

poopshovel wrote: Said it before. I'll say it again: WHERE THE berkeley ARE ALL THE 3 CYLINDER TURBO-DIESELS!? Everyone else in the berkeleying world seems to get them but us. 70-80 MPG hatchbacks? YES berkeleying PLEASE! IMO: PLUS = Awesome. It's on my list of things to do.

Uhhhh, I have a 3 cylinder (now a turbo) Yanmar diesel. The weight is about 330 lbs., and it has a standard SAE bell pattern on it. I think it is a 38 hp, but with the turbo and the pump turned up and the bigger injectors??? You'd have to figure out the motor mounts, acc. brackets, and clutch. Transplant?

-Les

Stick w/ the 98 Civic or get a 99-00 Civic HX.

I'm surprised that people on here automatically think itty-bitty motors is where the gas mileage is at. That's like saying the only way to make power is with a really big engine - I think most of us know that's not true.

My Dad's 01 Camaro SS 6-speed met almost all of those requirements in bone stock form. Close enough, anyway, that I'd far rather spend a few extra bucks on fillup to drive that than an 84 CRX. And even if the SS blows the budget, the non-SS Z-28 has the same guts for way less.

I'd love to drop an LS1 and it's M6 into a Pinto with a 2.79 gear and let the low end tow the thing around. Same guts as the Camaro with almost 1000 fewer pounds.

$8k for a 2003 tdi? If you ever want to sell it drive it to california, you could probably get close to double that much here. Just an engine/tranny/wiring harness is $7k at a salvage yard.

I used to do 12 to 15 hours week in my 318ti... averaging about 30 to 32 mpg the whole time.

Last year when I bought my Cobalt, you could buy 2007, 4dr 5spd cars with <20k for <$10,000. Not a dream car any any stretch, but almost new, reliable, and very competent.

im curious about the 318ti... i remember test driving one those when they first came out, and liked it.. reliable???

very informative ideas and suggestions... keep em coming!