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You have 100+ mile daily commute. What car would YOU prefer?
Due to circumstances described here, Turn the page......new chapter
I may be looking to more than double my commute. Either way I end up going it will be rural U.S highways with little traffic on uneventful roads. In other words just covering distance. S class is out of the question due to operating expenses and although I want the new style Mustang I think the stiff ride would get old. So, even though I still love a spirited drive now and then, comfort and good gas mileage are more important. What would YOU guys like to have for this? |
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Re: You have 100+ mile daily commute. What car would YOU prefer?
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As far as being practical, my Jetta gets close to 50 MPG so that would be the most economical. My 300D is more comfortable, that's the car I'd like to drive 100 miles a day in.
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83 M-B 300D- daily driver 83 240D gray market 2002 VW Jetta TDI- beater |
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I'm assuming you are not looking for a chick magnet?
Personally, I would get a good used Honda Accord. Ya'll found your 300k sq ft in the Macon area? We'll have to get together for lunch on occasion.
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Jim |
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I do have a 100 mile per day commute. This had alot to do with my purchasing a Toyota Prius when I elected to dispose of the POS VUE. Since two other cars had to go to offset some of the negative equity on the Saturn, my commuter car went with it. I've been averaging mid to upper 40's on my commute (hilly drive). I also don't have that nasty rubber band turning the camshaft like on the Jetta TDI. I also must admit that it is VERY nice to hear and (sometimes) feel that engine shut off when it's not needed. Drivnig down the road while consuming not one single drop of gas is neat - as is lurking around parking lots in total silence.
Seriously though, Toyota has developed a stellar reputation with this car, and that peace of mind is very nice when you're piling miles on at this rate. While I hated the circumstances that triggered this purchase, I've not regretted it one bit - even though it meant getting rid of two cars that I had a bit of an attachment to. If you elect to look at the Toyota, look for a low mileage used one. Waiting lists have the entire 2004 model year allotment for the Prius presold. |
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Paul, funny you should mention GM sedan. I have one and although it gets 29 MPG on the road and has the GT suspension, I don't really like the ride.
Steve, I can probably go $30 grand but would rather not. Jim, I can't believe you didn't say 123 diesel!! |
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I didn't think you were a diesel person. If you are then by all means find the absolute best 300D '83-85 that you can.
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Jim |
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Diesel Power, I understand the Prius is not the best freeway cruiser. It's more of a pizza delivery car, if you can take that without offense. On the open road you'll have the ICE engaged all the time and get the lower 50mpg highway rating instead of the 60mpg city rating. Not that 50mpg on the open road isn't outstanding.
Cap'n, is it 100 miles of freeway cruising or 100 miles of city crawling? Level or hilly? Do you like big cars or small cars? Passengers? Cargo? Environmental concern as in an MB means 8 quarts of oil tossed with each change vs 4-5 quarts for mortal cars? Bolstered seat or a La-z-boy? Sixto 95 S420 87 300SDL |
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Re: You have 100+ mile daily commute. What car would YOU prefer?
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Since I will be alone most of the time I don't need a big car. I know I'm gonna regret this, but what about mid nineties "Sls" and "CLKs"? How do they ride. |
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A large prestige coupe would be very nice and can be had for little used (CL? XK8?), but most are probably too expensive to run.
Not to be rude , but I can't imagine a more dreary way to spend an already pretty dreary 100-mile trip than in a Honda Accord. Other Japanese stuff would be off unless it was sporty (Supra probably does a good GT impression). I, particularly if I was in America with cheapish gas and plenty of space, would go for a large-ish saloon. Audi A6 is nice (I'm biased) - '80s Mercedes quality that the W210 E-class doesn't have, and best in Quattro where the handling & stability is excellent, but cruises great too. Diesel power is nice enough on the motorway - do you get the 2.5TDi? For long journeys on the 'freeway' at speed, I would find a Jetta too small - how about a Passat? Same underpinnings as the A6, great TDi economy, but more utility & less "nice". good luck Rusty Wildcard - a '97 or so Jaguar XJ6?
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190E's: 2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver 2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg |
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Re: Re: You have 100+ mile daily commute. What car would YOU prefer?
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Cap'n, see if you can find a Starmarked 2000+ CLK430, or one with a factory extended warranty from a private party. You'd have warranty coverage and a fun ride. Expect to get 24-25mpg at highway speeds. Around 20-21 around town. |
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Re: Re: Re: You have 100+ mile daily commute. What car would YOU prefer?
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Re: Re: Re: Re: You have 100+ mile daily commute. What car would YOU prefer?
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I'm not looking down on the VW, and have actually lost count on the number of times I went back to VW to look at them. The Prius has slightly more room in the back - just enough to make sitting 6 ft. tall people in the back bearable. It also has a timing chain for the gasoline engine instead of the rubber belt. I had it on a road trip to Denver already, and it pulled Raton pass at every bit of the posted limit without so much as a hint of effort. The battery level DID drop down to the 1/4 capacity mark. This was however, quickly remedied on the downhill side with the regeneration system in the car. The gasoline engine does indeed shut down on the highway on downhill stretches, and when slowing down for lower speeds. The systems design shows how well they work in one interesting way. I had the cars first oil change done at 7500 miles. The oil still looked VERY clean. It will be interesting to see how the Mobil 1 does now that I have this in the engine. |
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