re: Nice commuter car options

I went from a Z71 4x4 to a VW Jetta. I'm pretty comfortable with myself and don't let my car define me. But I just can't sink to the level of a Mini Cooper or Prius. I'm all for a hybrid. But I've had a Prius as a rental and it was miserable to drive.

Someone mentioned a lease. If they are willing to allow me 20k miles a year, I'm for it. But that's not happening.



Right now my order of looking is

-Lexus ES300h- hybrid (used w/ <20k miles can be had in the mid to low 30's)

-Infiniti G37/Q50 (new or slightly used)

-Camry Hybrid (new and well equipped)

-Honda Accord (new and well equipped)

-Honda Accord (used, and just pay cash)

I've driven a Prius. Definitely not a fan of the looks. And did not care for the car overall. My VW wasn't luxury by any means. But it was pleasant to drive for the most part. I've been able to directly compare the two and the Prius just didn't hold a candle to my current car.

The V is the bigger version of the Prius. But I'd look hard at that Avalon I posted if I were you. The Lexus ES shares the same platform.

What about a Buick Regal with eAssist. It's very mild Hybrid technology with a small ~15hp? electric motor in place of an alternator. Upper 20's combined (27-28ish) and low 30's on the interstate is normal out of those. Designed by Opel out of Germany and also sold under the Opel and Vauxhall badges. Wouldn't be my first pick of cars in that segment but it is the one that delivers the best fuel economy. I beleive the larger LaCrosse can be had with the same tubro 4 with eAssist if you need more room..

the Accord Touring is nicer than any Camry, imo. certainly much more fun to drive.

for what you're looking for, i'd say go with whichever you prefer driving out of the lexus and the infiniti.

I'm taking a break from VW companies .

They are making it more than right, but this is still slightly annoying. I was going to drive this car for a few more years and get an Audi TDI until the whole scandal thing.

I got a few cars from this that I'll look at. Never really considered the Avalon. And in a hybrid, it does get great mileage. But at the nicer levels, it's roughly the same as a base Lexus. I'll have to test drive both. Camry and Accord hybrid are actually in a pretty sweet price point. But I'd have to get in them and really like what I see. They're more than I'm willing to spend on something that I don't really like, but they certainly fit well within my budget and meet my needs.

In regards to driving "too nice a vehicle" in sales. I deal with lead engineers in O&G. Products I'm working with are on the order of millions. I don't think a 40-50k car scares anyone off. They have a pretty good idea what I make as many of them used to have my job. Plus, any car I get is about the average price of a pickup truck, so it'd be dumb to be concerned that someone is driving a "nice" car.

If you want to save a few bucks look at the new Civics. The interior, especially the back seat was extremely roomy for a small car. And its a Honda so you should be able to get years of maintenance free performance.

Accord
Maxima
Altima

Would all seem to be just fine for you

I have a Hyundai Sonata, 2015 i'm trying to sell. Has 17k miles on it. Great milage, doesn't have leather seating though. Who needs a car for the little girl?

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GMC Canyon / Chevy Colorado w/duramax diesel

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This is in the back of my mind as well. But if I recall, the price for one with leather interior is pushing that 40k mark. And the mileage isn't as competitive as the cars. I don't know if I want a 40k mid sized truck either. Hadn't been in the new Colorado's but the older one's, although nice enough for what they were, didn't wow me as far as the interior. Plus it's a new platform, so there are bound to be bugs in that Duramax.