Considering these used cars as commuter

[bamorris2]

I commute from California to Phoenix a few times a month for work, and I’m looking for something that will be comfortable and reliable, and not break the bank. Here are a few options available locally that I am considering. I would appreciate thoughts regarding them for my purpose. All 3 are around $18k, give or take. The prices are high, but that’s the market. I am not overly concerned about it.

2022 Kia Forte LXS. 30k miles

2019 Ford Fusion SE. 19k miles

2014 Toyota Camry LE. 45k miles

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The Camry is the best out of the three.

You might also like the Cruze diesel hatchback. Perhaps the diesel would be good for long highway usage. If you don't like diesel, consider a Honda Insight or Clarity PHEV.

 

[fdcg27]

Camry first, Fusion second and Forte never.
If the Fusion can be had for significantly fewer dollars than the Camry, as is probably the case, it would be my first pick.
Pretty solid, decent highway driver and decent fuel economy.
The Forte is too much of a penalty box for this kind of use.

 

[gman2304]

Camry…

 

[Elkins45]

Doesn’t the Ford have the cursed DCT Powershift transmission? Those are legendary for their awfulness. EDIT: that was the Fiesta and Focus, not the Fusion.

My vote would still be the Camry.

 

[Allaneddie]

Forget the KIA even if thousands less.

I'm not crazy about Fords, but have read that a 2019 Fusion might be a very good choice. Reflexively, most people will say "Camry".

The 2012-2014 Fusions are the ones with the notorious transmission failures. The 2019 is thought to be a safe bet.

 

[Tdbo]

My vote would be either the Toyota or the Ford, with the caveats of price, condition, and mileage factored in the equation.
The Kia? Never.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Doesn’t the Ford have the cursed DCT Powershift transmission? Those are legendary for their awfulness. EDIT: that was the Fiesta and Focus, not the Fusion.

My vote would still be the Camry.

Ditto If the Fusion is 1.5. If it's 2.0, I might go with it first.

 

[eljefino]

Need info on respective powertrains. Rust not an issue. 45k in 10 years is slightly suspicious-- old lady miles. I give the Fusion a slight nod over the Camry.

 

[walterjay]

I'd suggest Camry.

 

[Maddog3355]

Camry out of them choices.

 

[fantastic]

1. Camry
2. Fusion
3. Kia

 

[Encinoman]

Beware the 2012-2014 Camry had an issue with torque converter shutter. A TSB was released to perform a software update, but if that wasn't done, It may be an issue.

 

[Trav]

Camry

 

[KJSmith]

What engine in the Fusion?
I would avoid the ecoboost.

The 2.5 is a Mazda design and will last as long as you keep oil in it.

 

[390pcode]

FYI: 2019 & 2020 Fusions with 2.0L had flexplate crack issues/recall.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10218899-0001.pdf

 

[IveBeenRued]

What engine in the Fusion?
I would avoid the ecoboost.

The 2.5 is a Mazda design and will last as long as you keep oil in it.

You have to change the fuel injectors to keep those motors running past 80-100K. The Motorcraft ones are junk and frequently leak down into the cylinders and occasionally hydrolock the engines. Ask me how I know (I’ve had two of these motors). The Bosch aftermarket fuel injectors are solid and don’t break like the motorcraft ones.

 

[atikovi]

Why are you shopping such low mileage cars for a commuter appliance? And the gas mileage on those are ok, but not as good as a hybrid. For example, my 2020 Corolla Hybrid gets 60 mpg, so if you get reimbursed for gas by the mile, you would make out like a bandit.

 

[Creekside]

Camry, Fusion and Kia in that order. Kia as a last resort. The Camry will probably be the most reliable long term. I'm a huge Fusion fan because as a fire fighter we recently extricated someone out of one that ended up walking away once we could get him out. That car was a total mess but it became a "cocoon" as it was designed to and protected the driver extremely well. We're talking off a corner at a high rate of speed, sheared the steel road signs off flush with the ground, rolled down an embankment and ended up wedged between trees on its side. It even knocked several smaller trees over on the way in.

When I start looking for a newer car it'll be on top of the list.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

I commute from California to Phoenix a few times a month for work, and I’m looking for something that will be comfortable and reliable, and not break the bank. Here are a few options available locally that I am considering. I would appreciate thoughts regarding them for my purpose. All 3 are around $18k, give or take. The prices are high, but that’s the market. I am not overly concerned about it.

2022 Kia Forte LXS. 30k miles

2019 Ford Fusion SE. 19k miles

2014 Toyota Camry LE. 45k miles

Camry