Looking for a new(used) Commuter Car

[Tech819]

Originally Posted By: Cressida
Why are you not using the Vibe as your commuter car?


The wife will be using the vibe from now on

 

[Tech819]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Toyota Corolla with 5 speed trans would be my choice.



Maybe. It's a little more fun in a otherwise vanilla car. It's worth looking into.

 

[fdcg27]

None of these.
Here, I'd recommend something cheap, durable and reliable, since fuel here is now so cheap and will stay that way for some years.
Fuel is still rather costly in Canada.
I'd look for something more economical than the cars you've listed.
I can tell you from personal experience that a FWD car on dedicated winter tires does very well in the snow, although maybe not quite as well as the Subies we've had.
The Subies also feature full-time reduced fuel economy to go along with the full-time AWD.
I'd personally avoid the Saturn and the VW, but that's just my opinion.

 

[skyactiv]

I'd stay away from anything with a V6.
Google cars with the best corrosion protection and the Golf ranks as the best non luxury car while Japanese made Mazda's pretty much suck. Despite what others think about VW, the German made Rabbit/Golf 2.5 with a stick can be a very long lived car. What you should do is drive all four and get what you like driving the best.
The Toyota Camry V6 is overrated. If it had a four cylinder with a stick, yeah, it could last until rust sends it to the junkyard.

 

[RooflessVW]

The Rabbit, hands down. Change the transmission fluid and filter when you get it and you'll have one of the best and most reliable cars VW has ever made.

 

[Dave Hess]

5 speed Camry, maybe Civic coupe or RSX...?

 

[Nick1994]

What's your E250 used for? I don't see why it can't do it, 28 miles a day is nothing.

 

[VetteElite]

I drive an Aura with the 3.5. It's a great engine (with surprisingly good fuel economy) and a great car. Literally just a rebadged, better looking Malibu. I have over 100,000 miles on it and it runs fine. No timing belt, it's a pushrod engine.

I don't believe it was available for the 2007 model year, but if its the 3.6 V6 instead of the 3.5, stay away. That would be one of the early GM 3.6 that has the timing chain problems if the oil isn't changed at appropriate intervals.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: Tech819
Originally Posted By: Cressida
Why are you not using the Vibe as your commuter car?


The wife will be using the vibe from now on


Why not another Vibe/Matrix or corolla?

 

[Rolla07]

Id also vote Corolla..but im biased..lol. Of those Camry 1st, subaru 2nd but id check to see if headgasket has issues..pretty sure the 2.5 had concerns and you will want to check the engine for sludge on the v6 Camry but not sure why people think the 6 is somehow less reliable than the 4...

 

[Tech819]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
What's your E250 used for? I don't see why it can't do it, 28 miles a day is nothing.



E250 is on it's way out. I no longer have a use for a bare bones work van

 

[cheech279]

I would favor the Legacy, especially if AWD is important too you. But whatever you choose, all four are at about that interval for timing belt/tensioner/water pump. Be sure to consider that if it applies. I've owned a Scirocco and two Jettas---VW's in general are more costly to maintain. Could the Camry be a sludgemeister? With the Saturn, could future parts availability be a problem?

 

[Tech819]

Originally Posted By: expat
Originally Posted By: Tech819
Originally Posted By: Cressida
Why are you not using the Vibe as your commuter car?


The wife will be using the vibe from now on


Why not another Vibe/Matrix or corolla?


I've looked into the vibe/Matrix but I would Prefer a little variety.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
I'd stay away from anything with a V6.
Google cars with the best corrosion protection and the Golf ranks as the best non luxury car while Japanese made Mazda's pretty much suck. Despite what others think about VW, the German made Rabbit/Golf 2.5 with a stick can be a very long lived car. What you should do is drive all four and get what you like driving the best.
The Toyota Camry V6 is overrated. If it had a four cylinder with a stick, yeah, it could last until rust sends it to the junkyard.


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