Best Used Commuter Car?

[ecotourist]

There are Tesla Model 3s out there less than $20K. not sure how an early 2000s beater can be 20-25K less than that.

My Tesla Model 3 has been virtually flawless. They're going cheap because of Tesla's CEO and the general distaste for how EVs have been pushed. All that aside, for a commute of less than 100 miles a used Tesla Model 3 would be hard to beat. Charge up in your garage or driveway, and top up at work if possible.

After 4 years I'm finally going to have to pay for a service: to lubricate the brake calipers and change out the brake fluid. Sounds like about $300. I suppose I could do it myself but I'm going to let the Tesla techs do it.

I bought a new 2021 Model 3 SR+. If I were going to do it again I might buy a well used Model S and just pay for any repairs. The Model S is not as reliable as Model 3 but reports are that at 250,000 miles they're "just like new" but either need or will soon need a battery. Seems their batteries last 200,000+ miles (probably something like 250,000 miles). After early degradation Tesla batteries degrade very slowly and you could/should check on the status of the battery before buying. There are occasional early battery failures but those batteries will have been replaced under warranty.

PS We needed an actual repair on our Model 3 the other day, which is just out of warranty. The outer trim piece on the driver's seat had come loose. Tesla fixed it for free.

A Bolt with a new battery would also be a consideration but aside from the current distaste for Teslas in general, I'd still go with a Tesla. Access to the Supercharger Network alone is worth quite a lot.

 

[lovcom]

2010-2015 Prius (and Prius V) with 1.8L has the highest rate of head gasket failures. 2009+ Corolla, Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, and Scion xD of that era are also known for head gasket failures on same 1.8L, but Prius holds the crown for highest rate of failure still.
The Prius C with the 1.5L is good though. Basically a Yaris hybrid. Econobox, but my friend had one return 77MPG on long trip.

You are spreading misinformation about the head gaskets of those models. Link sites that show this to be true, if you can find them.

I had a Prius C. They are a great car, for the money, but they provide the LOWEST MPG of any Prius model, even the larger models. 77MPG is just bogus.

We've had 6 Prius models of various years and models, so we know when misinformation is being passed off.

 

[lovcom]

I might have a 100 mile round trip commute in a few years. My plan was to go find the cheapest new Corolla in the color we like. Only 100 percent requirement is cruise. Next step drive it to eternity.. probably retirement. 10 years that’ll be 260k. No sense to mess with used.

You've provided the best plan here yet! ^^

 

[KrisZ]

You are spreading misinformation about the head gaskets of those models. Link sites that show this to be true, if you can find them.

I had a Prius C. They are a great car, for the money, but they provide the LOWEST MPG of any Prius model, even the larger models. 77MPG is just bogus.

We've had 6 Prius models of various years and models, so we know when misinformation is being passed off.

The gen3s with the 1.8 do suffer from head gasket failures, but it normally happens around 200k miles or more.

Just because you owned something, doesn’t mean you know everything there is to know about it.

 

[GR_CoB]

You are spreading misinformation about the head gaskets of those models. Link sites that show this to be true, if you can find them.

I had a Prius C. They are a great car, for the money, but they provide the LOWEST MPG of any Prius model, even the larger models. 77MPG is just bogus.

We've had 6 Prius models of various years and models, so we know when misinformation is being passed off.

Oh buddy, I literally know a guy who's currently driving a 1.8L Prius with a blown head gasket. It still drives, just sounds a little funny and puffs sometimes, but been that way for last 50k miles, has over 200k miles total.

The gen3s with the 1.8 do suffer from head gasket failures, but it normally happens around 200k miles or more.

Just because you owned something, doesn’t mean you know everything there is to know about it.

Yup, I concur.

@lovcom and before another reply maybe look into experience of other owners of the same Prius. Or Lexus CT200h... Or 1.8L Corolla/Matrix and Pontiac Vibe owners... lots to unpack there. Great engines, but head gaskets are a well known issue. You're an adult (im assuming) and can get your own links with a basic Google search.

 

[brages]

My friend's 2010 Prius HG failed at around 150k. Mine's still good past 250k. I replaced the water pump a couple of years ago, maybe that will help.

Ironically, the HG failed on my Accord Hybrid at 179k.

 

[lovcom]

Oh buddy, I literally know a guy who's currently driving a 1.8L Prius with a blown head gasket. It still drives, just sounds a little funny and puffs sometimes, but been that way for last 50k miles, has over 200k miles total.

Yup, I concur.

@lovcom and before another reply maybe look into experience of other owners of the same Prius. Or Lexus CT200h... Or 1.8L Corolla/Matrix and Pontiac Vibe owners... lots to unpack there. Great engines, but head gaskets are a well known issue. You're an adult (im assuming) and can get your own links with a basic Google search.

I've spent a lot of time in Prius forums (decades), and blown head gaskets may happen, but it's not a thing. These cars are not known for blown head gaskets, even if it has happened here and there.

 

[KrisZ]

I've spent a lot of time in Prius forums (decades), and blown head gaskets may happen, but it's not a thing. These cars are not known for blown head gaskets, even if it has happened here and there.

Yeah, and this is an oil forum and we have many people that do not understand XwXX oil designation. It's a very solid argument on your part.

About the head gasket, there are pages and pages there on the head gasket problem lol. You did some very selective reading.
Which you're doing here too.

 

[vwmaniaman]

I would be checking out Mazda 3's or simple VW Golf. If anything breaks they are simple to repair and won't kill you at the pump.

 

[Legs4Arms]

For anyone living in the PNW area, please buy this. It'll outlive all of us. The best effort Honda has made since the Golden Era. I would get it but I'm already low on storage space. This thing is better than anything made today and has been fastidiously maintained. Pretty much a new 21yr old car.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-honda-accord-4/

 

[JoeDirt41]

I have a ‘97 Accord as my commuter car that I absolutely love although it probably wouldn’t be my first recommendation.

-03-07 Accord with the K24s were quite good.

-02-06 Camrys were great, although the 2AZ-FE is a known oil burner, although it was more of an issue with the later ones and I’m very curious if Valvoline Restore and Protect could solve or reduce it significantly. I would avoid the V6s for mainly for maintenance purposes.

-97-08 GM W Body Platform Cars w/3800 (Regal, Impala, Grand Prix, Monte Carlo) parts are plentiful, cheap, and interchange with lots of models, 3800 engines are stupid simple and reliable (change the coolant elbows though). Rust is usually the main issue.