What kind of used car would you buy for $20k'ish if you had a 100 mile (50 each way) interstate commute.

Winter weather included. Safety, power, awd (?), comfort and keep in mind gas prices are going up.

I'd drop $4k on a truly clean 94 Miata and toss the other $16k in the bank

Fun to drive, 30 mpg easy, good in the winter (with good snow tires) as long as you're not trying to run over foot deep drifts, reliable as hell.

Personally, I find the seat/seating position more comfortable in my Miata's than any other car I've driven.

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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife

Can you fit into a WRX? Subaru Legacy GT or Spec-B? RAV-4 V6?

Miata is an interesting idea. How are they at 75 mph?

The convert idea is appealing., esp. since it is a really nice commute in the summer. This is more my style of a convert (but not when gas will be $4 gal)

No on the RAV. Wife has a CRV, that's enough.

WRX is a thought. Buddy of mine who's well over 6' tall (also a former WRX owner) just bought an '07 Impreza sedan and likes it a lot.

Anyhow, I have a decent chance of getting a better job at my employer's other location, but it's a helluva' commute. That's the main thing holding me back from applying for the job.

Oddly enough, E320 CDI

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I've gone cross country multiple times in a Miata, doing as much as 105 across west Texas.

Daily commute has varied from down the stairs and past the cats up to 165 miles round trip 5x per week. Every commute (except the down the stairs one) includes (included) lots and lots of 75 mph plus time.

As long as the alignment is right and the tires are good, they're rock solid at speed.

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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife

Too small a car for that much commuter time would be punishing, wouldn't it.

If you are open to Hyundai, look at the new 2011 Elantra. All versions are rated at 40 mpg highway. Seems like most people are getting mid to high 30s, but a lot depends on how fast you drive. A manual trans is available on the lower trim level if that is what you want.

Plus you get ful warranty and roadside assistance for 6 years , 100,000 miles.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

A WRX will suck you dry at the pump. I definitely second a Miata, those cars are just plain fun (will probably be my next car as well). If Mileage is the only concern, look for a well cared for MKIV Jetta TDI. We've seen 55mpg with our TDI, regularly around 50 highway.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Chevy Impala.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I don't care that much about mpg. 25 on hwy is good enough.

There's a Volvo 960 fs near me, but is a little high. I can't pull the trigger on anything until I know for sure about the job. I'll have to drive a Miata in the meantime...

Oh right I forgot about the Jettas (My parents and uncle both own one )

Going to 2nd the motion for the Jetta. Just make sure it still has some warranty left.

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Why not buy another Benz wagon? The 4 matics are great in the winter. I drive mine almost 100 miles a day right now. My E320 has been great so far.

Although if I were spending close to 20k I would probably buy a TDI wagon (either 2005 Passat (~11-15k) or newer Jetta).

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

S600?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Here's another vote for the Miata. Back in the day, I had a long commute that I did in an MGB. Having a fun car makes the commute seem shorter. That was especially true in my case since I lived in SW Virginia, which is sports car heaven with all of its twisty roads.