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Those of you with commuter vehicles....what do you drive?

Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:18 am
Posted by frequent flyer
USA
Member since Jul 2021
2981 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:18 am
Specifically those of you that get mileage reimbursement and aren't required to drive a pickup or SUV. What do you use for your commuter/mileage beater?

Looking at 2023 model sedans that get 35+ mpg on the highway....and I'm surprised at the prices. There doesn't seem to be any really good deals now. You used to be able to get a rental-grade Sonata or Sebring for $20K or less.

Even a Corolla, Malibu, Altima, or Civic are $25K minimum. And most will have a CVT that will have to be replaced/overhauled at around 100,000 miles. Only the Jetta, Impreza, and Mazda3 can still be had with a manual at all. Ford doesn't even play in this arena anymore, and Dodge's new Hornet cost as much as a base line Challenger.
This post was edited on 3/8/23 at 11:20 am
Posted by buffbraz
Member since Nov 2005
5673 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:21 am to
Base model Hyundai Sonata.
Posted by Higgysmalls
Ft Lauderdale
Member since Jun 2016
6406 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:22 am to
I drive a Colorado. It has 240k miles on it. Only have had to change alternator and water pump. I needed something that can pull a boat also
Posted by keakar
Member since Jan 2017
29995 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:22 am to
quote:

Looking at 2023 model sedans that get 35+ mpg on the highway....and I'm surprised at the prices. There doesn't seem to be any really good deals now. You used to be able to get a rental-grade Sonata or Sebring for $20K or less.


just buy used one, you can get a 2016 camry with 60k-100k miles for a $10k average cost and it will go 500k miles in most cases if you change the oil regularly.
Posted by ibldprplgld
Member since Feb 2008
24976 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:22 am to
Really the only CVTs you need to be cautious of are Nissan/Jatco.

Honda makes their own in house and those are not a reliability problem. Not sure about Toyota, but also not a reliability issue. Mazda doesn’t use CVTs that I’m aware of.

If your need is commuting, I’d look no further than Accord, Camry, Civic, Corolla, and Mazda 3.
Posted by dewster
Chicago
Member since Aug 2006
25341 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:28 am to
If you are putting 600+ miles a week on the car, I would skip the compacts like the Corolla or the Civic and go mid sized.

Some of my colleagues do this and they end up with an Altima, Malibu, or Sonata. They maintain them well and keep them until they hit 150,000 miles and sell them.
Posted by DevilDagNS
Member since Dec 2017
2667 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:29 am to
Commuter is a 2022 Honda Accord Sport 2.0T. I previously had a 2019 Sport 2.0T that I put about 50K miles on. Has a pretty big milage range. Gets about 25 in the city but I can push 37 on the interstate. Its pretty fast and the 2.0 comes with a 10 speed auto. Lesser models like the 1.5T and the hybrid get better milage BUT come with CVTs. F that.

So its a good al around package. There are other models that get a little better milage, but most are smaller/slower/uglier. These are priced good too. The accord is roomy on the inside and fairly comfortable. I upgraded the audio b/c the factory speakers are shite. Pretty good looking car too. Recommend.

The 2023 is supposed to be a redesign but I have yet to see one.
Posted by JAXTiger16
TBD
Member since Apr 2013
2218 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:32 am to
2012 Jetta TDI. Highly recommend, 45 mpg
Posted by Stexas
SWLA
Member since May 2013
6000 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:33 am to
I have owned 3 Camrys that made it more than 250k miles and currently own 3 with the oldest one being driven by my youngest daughter It’s a 2014 with 84k on it. I usually take the oldest one out of the bunch and make it mine to squeeze more out of it until it’s time to buy another one for my wife but I’m still driving my 2017 tundra with 160k on it for now. Next year I’ll probably take over the 2014 when she leaves for LSU. The two newest Camrys are getting 40mpg compared to the 2014 getting around 28-30.
Posted by bikerack
NH
Member since Sep 2011
2126 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:34 am to
Been driving a 2012 Elantra since 2011. Still getting 36 mpg.
Posted by mdomingue
Lafayette, LA
Member since Nov 2010
30168 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:41 am to
quote:

Really the only CVTs you need to be cautious of are Nissan/Jatco.



Yep

quote:

Honda makes their own in house


I think Honda has been all CVT for a few decades, I think they are generally known as reliable cars in all phases except motor mounts on their V6s.

quote:

If your need is commuting, I’d look no further than Accord, Camry, Civic, Corolla,


Yep, I find myself partial to the Camry these days but hard to go wrong with any of those. I am much less familiar with the modern Mazda, older Mazda's were a pretty good bang for the buck back in the day.
Posted by kjp811
Denver, CO
Member since Apr 2017
850 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:42 am to
2012 Suzuki Equator RMZ-4
Posted by TigerOnTheRoad
South Louisiana
Member since Aug 2007
281 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:43 am to
22 Elantra
Posted by Tusksup
Sheridan, AR
Member since Feb 2023
1520 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:43 am to
I bought a clean civic coupe recently. Its old but clean and everything works like it was new, and has a manual transmission. I drive the shite out of it when I don't need my truck.
Posted by Metariemobtiger
Mobile
Member since Aug 2019
417 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 11:49 am to
03 civic . 38mpg and easy to repair .
Posted by ibldprplgld
Member since Feb 2008
24976 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 12:01 pm to
quote:

I think Honda has been all CVT for a few decades, I think they are generally known as reliable cars in all phases except motor mounts on their V6s.


Not all CVT. The outgoing Accord 2.0T had a 10 speed AT available, but no more with the 2023 model year that just came out. They dropped the 2.0T and the 10 speed for 1.5T with CVT and 1.5T hybrid with eCVT. (Not sure why Honda did that — plenty people griping online about it).

Civic, and CRV, HRV have been CVT for a while, I believe.

But yes, Honda CVT is a much safer bet than Nissan/Jatco CVT.
Posted by ThuperThumpin
Member since Dec 2013
7304 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 12:30 pm to
Mazda 3 is nice little car. The handling is sportier and more fun to drive than the Corolla or Civic. The interior on the new ones are really nice.
Posted by Tusksup
Sheridan, AR
Member since Feb 2023
1520 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 1:12 pm to
Mine is an 02 and hovers around 32mpg combined city/highway. The trunk is loaded down with tools too. I treat it like a small pickup.
Posted by Chemcorp158
Sadly not the Rocky Mountains
Member since Oct 2017
203 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 1:14 pm to
VW Jetta with manual transmission. 32+ mpg and fun to drive when not in bumper to bumper traffic.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
38741 posts
Posted on 3/8/23 at 1:17 pm to
Jeep gladiator
Company pays my gas and I take the mileage deduction on my taxes
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