Thanks. That is some great advice. A Toyota Echo. I will look into that as it fits all of my criteria (like you mentioned).
Any particular year to buy or avoid?
Looking for a commuter car that is fuel efficient, reliable, and low priced.
- Thread starter Bill7
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Any particular year to buy or avoid?
I don’t know if I could do an Echo… I’ve been trying to ramp up my exercise and working on flexibility, but I’m finding my Corolla to be just too small for me. Not in the sense that I can’t make it work, just that… I didn’t think a door an inch or so shorter would be a big deal, coming from a Camry. But darned if I don’t feel like I’m scrunching up to get in and out. I’m not tall so I’m guessing my flexibility is for naught.
Maybe a car just a bit off the ground would be better for me?
Anyhow. 150 mile round trip, 75 miles on what kind of roads? My Corolla is plagued with tire noise. I can live with it, but it’s not exactly anything I look forward to. Stepping down in car size… I think I’m getting to the point where I‘d rather not. Is this all highway, or is there significant city driving?
Maybe a car just a bit off the ground would be better for me?
Anyhow. 150 mile round trip, 75 miles on what kind of roads? My Corolla is plagued with tire noise. I can live with it, but it’s not exactly anything I look forward to. Stepping down in car size… I think I’m getting to the point where I‘d rather not. Is this all highway, or is there significant city driving?
That's a good idea. At this point, I'm just looking for the path to take (design phase so to speak). Then will move on to implementation phase (will post cars if I find some good candidates).
2nd gen Prius, 04-09. Preemptively replace the catalytic converter with a cheapie before some meth-head does it for you. And save the old one.
You can check battery health with an android app and $10 ELM327 interface, and your driving won't be stressful on the battery anyway.
You can check battery health with an android app and $10 ELM327 interface, and your driving won't be stressful on the battery anyway.
Not sure on the years, never owned one. @kschachn has a 2000 Toyota ECHO with 313K miles, so maybe he could chime in on specifics of that model.
More candidates: Scion xA is a Toyota Yaris with a 1.5L (same as Echo), and Scion xD is a smaller Toyota Matrix with the Corolla 1.8L.
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BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
order some sound deadening from amazon. both of our vehicles are 100% coated minus the roof and it makes a world of a difference. when you shut the door it sounds like an armored car.
You laugh… but a LS1/6MT will lumber along on the highway all day getting 30mpg with no stress. I do get that it would have the “flashy”/sports car appeal which could draw unwanted attention.
Beyond that, it is reliable, could be cheap and seemed to fit the other boxes.
I would all day trust an LS1 over a 4 cyl Camry or Accord and I’ve owned both. Beyond maybe 90s Toyota or Honda.
But I get where OP is looking and it isn’t in their wheelhouse absolutely get it.
Thought of that, afraid to find out how many things I might break in the process.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
be real gentle with all the clips and get some of those plastic pry tools. i also order some of the thicker foam stuff to put inbetween anything that clips together. it makes it all hard to clip together but takes up all the gaps and reduced the rattling to a minimum in all the old plastics.
I am sort of looking for the same thing - for different reasons.
You didn't give your opinion on what is cheap, and what is good MPG? However I did see some 8th gen Accords for good prices in nice condition. You might need to deal with the VTC actuator, which doesn't look too hard, or too expensive to have someone else do it.
You didn't give your opinion on what is cheap, and what is good MPG? However I did see some 8th gen Accords for good prices in nice condition. You might need to deal with the VTC actuator, which doesn't look too hard, or too expensive to have someone else do it.
Any of the cars the OP suggested are good. I have a 2012 Civic that has been very dependable for a DD.
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Toyota Yaris. Was at my parents last night for new years met one of their friends. Has an 09 Yaris says his most costly maintenance item was a transmission fluid change and tires. Has 260 on the clock says the car is bulletproof
I was looking into a 2010 Honda Insight - it's a discontinued model and a Honda version of the Toyota Prius.
The Honda Insight is an overly simplified version of the Toyota Prius, but it's "discontinued status" seems to provide some really temptingly low prices on Craigslist. The Prius is outstanding, but wasn't seeing any in my price range (unless it's super old which might have issues with batteries).
I see OP's reasons, but I will also share some of mine.
- A first gen Prius is just too aged and will likely end up being a moneypit, that's barely as efficient as some non-hybrid models mentioned.
- A second gen Prius is still relevant and has good aftermarket support for batteries. Chances are, soon after purchase it will need batteries. Thankfully plenty of refurbished options, but just something to be aware of and have a couple thousand dollars ready for that. DIY friendly.
-A third gen Prius is in that spot where the batteries are getting close to replacement age, but additional head gasket issues make the previous gen Prius more desirable, as far as return on investment.
- Anything after that is likely higher than budget, given the prices and age of cars mentioned in the original post.
Pontiac Vibe. Corrolla/Matrix twin but much cheaper. Extreamly reliable, cheap parts, anyone can work on it and great gas mileage. no one would steal it
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Very true, although I should spring for a manual or Alldata or TIS or the like, that way I'd be less likely.
But I suspect I'll hand this car to my daughter and be like the OP, find something 20 years old for my daily. It didn't end well when I gave my 24 year old daily to my daughter to drive...
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Are there any of those left? I haven't seen one in years.
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I highly recommended the Honda Fit ( except anyone who has to deal with lots of snow ).
Lots of room, very fuel efficient and reliable.
Lots of room, very fuel efficient and reliable.
