Best Used Commuter Car?

[AdmiralYoda]

I have a 90 mile round trip commute to work, about 30k per year. My 2021 GMC Canyon gets good gas mileage for a truck but I'm racking up the miles faster than I would like. I'm considering getting an older car for commuting. Not a beater, just an older car known to be very reliable with some life left to give.

Looking for something that is reliable and known to have stood the test of time. I'm thinking a 2001/2002-ish or newer Toyota Corolla/Camry or Honda Civic/Accord.

Any years to avoid? Any engines known to be sludge monsters? Bad transmission years? Other known issues/gremlins to look out for? Best years for engines/transmissions?

I'm very comfortable doing my own work so I expect to catch up on a lot of maintenance for a potentially 20+ year old vehicle. I'm more concerned about the engines/transmissions. I'm a domestic guy so I don't know a whole lot about the imports. Thanks!

 

[BHopkins]

I have heard the Avalon recommended for commuting. It is one of the Toyota models that is reliable. It gets decent fuel economy. Cost of ownership is fairly low. But most important for long commutes like yours, it is very comfortable.

I have never understood those that will buy a tin box car, like a Sentra or Rio, for a commuter car, just because they are looking for something super cheap to drive. But then they complain about the miserable seats, and noisy car, or harsh ride.

 

[GR_CoB]

This thing right here. Super comfy and efficient enough. 28MPG on the 2hr drive home after purchase. I like it so much I'm about to to buy another one just like it.

 

[KrisZ]

It’s going to be very hard finding a vehicle this old that’s not a beater IMO. Plus these older cars are a lot louder and less refined, they will be more tiring on such a long commute.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

@GR_CoB is that the 2004 Avalon in your sig?

 

[cptbarkey]

I would avoid that vintage v6 accord, glass transmissions.

Frankly I would increase your range to an 06-11 Camry for comfort, or K24 Accord for its legendary status.

 

[SiRDOHC]

I would steer clear of 2001-2005 Civic Sedans and Coupes, they were a loser mainly due to bad head gaskets. The hatchback is a gem.... if you could find one. 2006-2009 you have to watch for cylinder head issues and how they have been repaired. Otherwise they are pretty good if not effected.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Corolla, Camry, Echo/Yaris, Matrix/Vibe, XA, Fit, Civic, 4-cylinder Accord or Camry

The most important thing is to get the one that's not rusty, and then rustproof it so it stays that way.

 

[Pew]

I have never understood those that will buy a tin box car, like a Sentra or Rio, for a commuter car, just because they are looking for something super cheap to drive. But then they complain about the miserable seats, and noisy car, or harsh ride.

Agreed, 90 miles round trip get something with a long wheel base. Short wheel base cars are miserable on highways. +1 on anything midsize and larger. -1 on anything smaller. Finding a decent, serviceable camry of that vintage may prove pretty hard.

 

[dishdude]

I would not want to daily an old Civic or Corolla on a commute that long. Something comfy like an old Buick 3800 is what I'd look for....or just enjoy the Canyon. Vehicles are meant to be driven.

 

[GR_CoB]

@GR_CoB is that the 2004 Avalon in your sig?

Yup.

 

[IndyIan]

Fusions with simple 4 cyl mazda engines seem to go and go? Reasonable comfort and fuel economy. Not the simplest to work on but I seem to figure it out.
Old Jetta's are surprisingly comfortable, some have a fully adjustable centre arm rest! which I don't think any toyota or honda ever had? A 2.slow or 2.5 are pretty reliable, or some years of the TDI before they got too complex? The automatics for these are dirt cheap at the wreckers so I guess there isn't much demand for them? You do have figure out which years had mouse bait wiring or other weird stuff like door interiors that disintegrate?

 

[GR_CoB]

I would steer clear of 2001-2005 Civic Sedans and Coupes, they were a loser mainly due to bad head gaskets.

Had two 2001 Civic coupes. Both ate their automatic transmissions, thankfully many months after I sold them. But both killed transmissions before 150k miles.

 

[Passport1]

2005 Buick LeSabre with the 3.8 V6. Legendary reliability, comfortable and decent gas mileage.

Edmunds

 

[ecotourist]

Has no-one thought of an EV? They're an ideal commuting vehicle.

A used Tesla Model 3 would even be cheap. And a 90 mile round trip with daily home charging would be easy.

 

[Rmay635703]

Has no-one thought of an EV? They're an ideal commuting vehicle.

A used Tesla Model 3 would even be cheap. And a 90 mile round trip with daily home charging would be easy.

If you can make it work, (he may do extra driving and not have another vehicle to use)
but insurance, title and registration should be thoroughly investigated to understand the true cost of ownership.

Also depends on if the op prioritizes comfort and towing over ever other metric . Some people will spend 10x more to commute in a truck for reasons.

I don’t care about comfort so I drive a 2000 Insight beater with a heater

 

[wemay]

Crown Vic
Avalon
Accord
Impala

 

[tcp71]

If you can make it work, (he may do extra driving and not have another vehicle to use)
but insurance, title and registration should be thoroughly investigated to understand the true cost of ownership.

Also depends on if the op prioritizes comfort and towing over ever other metric . Some people will spend 10x more to commute in a truck for reasons.

I don’t care about comfort so I drive a 2000 Insight beater with a heater

He mentions owning a Canyon that is racking up the miles, which he will keep. I'm not a cheerleader for EVs but in this case, for commuting, it would actually be one of the better choices.

 

[IndyIan]

Has no-one thought of an EV? They're an ideal commuting vehicle.

A used Tesla Model 3 would even be cheap. And a 90 mile round trip with daily home charging would be easy.

Still 20-25k more than a 2000's simple car though? If he's got super cheap electricity it may start to pencil out, if the battery holds out? I assume a model 3 with 300+k miles isn't going to have a lot of resale value even with a functioning battery?
One of the off brand EV's gets pretty cheap, but they may not make it 120 miles in the cold with an old battery?
I think a Volt isn't a bad option, with cheap electricity you can save some on gas and they are very aerodynamic. I kind of want one but the zero cargo space kills it. They are 5-8K more than the beater option.

 

[Cujet]

As mentioned above, the EV seems to be darn near ideal for that commute, no oil changes, and no real battery stress and super quiet. I used to drive a great many miles per year, and came to one conclusion. Engine noise/4cyl/6cyl from less refined products was bothersome to me over a 19 hour drive. Especially when compared to the wonderfully smooth V8 in my truck. But when it comes to a truly pleasant commuter, it really is hard to beat an EV.