Starting vehicle hunt commuter

A

andrew_j

Joined
Jun 4, 2005
Messages
3,423
Location
Cow Hampshire
Hi

Have till May 2025 to find a commuter vehicle that is 48 miles in 50 minutes each way. I do this commute every other week so 1000 miles/month.

Currently in daughters 13 Acura ILX a freshman in college(car not allowed first year).

Budget(in hand) is wide $10k-$20k. I rented Turo recently Corolla and did not like it. Not scared of upper mileage(100k)/used if longevity in picture. EV is fine (L2 charging free at work) but out of budget likely.

Only requirements are leather or leatherette and heated seats. Much easier to clean and interior stays looking decent.
 
I was thinking Prius as well. A few guys here have Honda Accords as commuters.

My 09 Camry was my choice when I was commuting, but it only got 25-27 mpg, though it was really good on the interstate, getting low 30’s. I would go with a smaller car.
 
Corolla gets old, I get that. Not sure if a Prius is going to be a step up in NVH though. MPG, sure, but not sure about comfort. Can you Turo a Prius so as to rule it in/out?

How much of the commute is stop and go?
 
actually with the current tax rebates, you should be able to find a used Bolt in that price range....just make sure it's one the battery recall has been done on...
https://www.autotempest.com/results?make=chevrolet&model=bolt&zip=03064&radius=300
- that Search is within 300 mi of Zip 03064 ( just googled a random New Hampshire Zip Code.)

a few months back, my brother traded in his '17 Escape on a 2020 Bolt. 20k mi, battery already replaced under the recall.*
dealer had it listed for about $19k, with the $7500 instant rebate, and his trade in, he only spent ~$3k out of Pocket...
deals are out there if you look for them.

*(some will need a software update to use Tesla chargers... and GM is threatening to void your Battery warranty if you use a NACS adapter other than theirs, which they're charging $250 for)
 
Last edited:
Hybrid.
I'd recommend an Accord as I've been very happy with mine and it is a step up in room and comfort over something like a Prius.
You really want a base model on 17" wheels since this maximizes fuel economy.
Drive it like you stole it and you'll still average mid forties mpg.
Drive carefully, as I do, and in the warmer months you'll average over fifty mpg.
 
I see many mention a Prius & I don't know much about Honda Prius's but do they even come with leather seats? 😄
An Accord or Camry competitor would be my first look & that would be a Ford Fusion.
 
My wife does this type of commute 5 days a week in her RAV4. 48 isn't a huge enough commute fire me to go Priys. I'd prefer comfort over slightly better mileage.
 
What are you looking for? Do you want the absolute cheapest and/or most reliable way of getting A to B or do you have other “wants”?

I’d be trading some fuel economy for comfort myself. If I went to that type of commute I’d be looking at something like a 300. Super comfy, the Pentastar is reliable outside the oil filter housing (115k strong on mine however), and if you drive like a sane human being the v6 models will return 30’ish mpg. Or mid to high 20’s if you’re FLYING down an interstate… allegedly. I’m not saying go get 300, just something like that.
 
For that distance, I’d look at a used Tesla. They depreciate pretty badly, but once that’s done you can drive it a while if it’s only a 100mi/day commuter… battery degradation won’t be a huge deal if you can charge at work and home. Maybe not $20k, but I do think I’ve seen some in the $22-25k with fairly low miles.
 
earlyre said:
actually with the current tax rebates, you should be able to find a used Bolt in that price range....just make sure it's one the battery recall has been done on...
https://www.autotempest.com/results?make=chevrolet&model=bolt&zip=03064&radius=300
- that Search is within 300 mi of Zip 03064 ( just googled a random New Hampshire Zip Code.)

a few months back, my brother traded in his '17 Escape on a 2020 Bolt. 20k mi, battery already replaced under the recall.*
dealer had it listed for about $19k, with the $7500 instant rebate, and his trade in, he only spent ~$3k out of Pocket...
deals are out there if you look for them.

*(some will need a software update to use Tesla chargers... and GM is threatening to void your Battery warranty if you use a NACS adapter other than theirs, which they're charging $250 for)
Click to expand...
This.
 
fdcg27 said:
Hybrid.
I'd recommend an Accord as I've been very happy with mine and it is a step up in room and comfort over something like a Prius.
You really want a base model on 17" wheels since this maximizes fuel economy.
Drive it like you stole it and you'll still average mid forties mpg.
Drive carefully, as I do, and in the warmer months you'll average over fifty mpg.
Click to expand...
I was very surprised how tight the front legroom was getting in and out of a rental Honda Accord Hybrid last year. Think it was a 2022, IIRC. I did like the way it drove, took it on some windy roads in the mountains east of San Diego and it was a very competent handler, felt even a little sporty.

Then again, I am very tall, so consider that as well. The late model Camry is definitely more roomy for a tall person.
 
JHZR2 said:
For that distance, I’d look at a used Tesla. They depreciate pretty badly, but once that’s done you can drive it a while if it’s only a 100mi/day commuter… battery degradation won’t be a huge deal if you can charge at work and home. Maybe not $20k, but I do think I’ve seen some in the $22-25k with fairly low miles.
Click to expand...
I have seen this as well when used EV shopping, but, I won't consider an M3 as I am tall and it's not comfortable for me.

The MY is more roomy, but you won't find one for less than $20K even with the tax rebate applied.
 
I have a '17 Accord LX which has cloth (I prefer for comfort) but higher trims have leather. 2.4L 4cyl, 6MT, great for trips IMO. Gets upper 30's to 40mpg, about 550 miles/tank regular fuel. Ride is good, pretty quiet IMO depending on tires (don't get GY WeatherReady). The higher trims will also probably be CVT but if you keep fluids changed should serve you well.

Between space, overall good comfort, MPG my son also prefers to take my car on road trips. HID swap is easy with the projectors, LED highs, fogs can be added.

I'm thinking something like a Mazda CX-5, newest you can afford. Sister has a RAV4 Hybrid she is very happy with for MPG and trips. 1k/month is average mileage. Not something that will break the bank IMO. 25mpg vs 40mpg = 15 gallons/month X your price, for me would be $40/month currently. The work chargers are free but how much for home setup and charge costs, when not commuting? How easy to use the chargers? My work has a limited # of chargers, also free, but juggling cars and getting access for all the EV users is another story.

I would get something you like and find comfortable and consider reliable. I'm not an EV fan but if it works for you. I've driven way to many places that range anxiety would always be in my head. I've been stuck on the snowed in roads for many hours, even an overnight. I don't go below 1/2 tank in winter and always have some spare clothes/blanket and some survival stuff. I can camp out without worry of freezing and read a book (paper version). 5 minutes at gas station, good for days. Battery only, I'll pass. I read many articles with EV users complaining how fast the tires are wearing due to the instant torque and weight, factor that in also.

Something which may have an impact unless you compensate accordingly. Winter commute in Cow Hampshire. LED headlights SUCK when it's cold/snowy. That goes for pretty much all brands/models. The really white reflects a lot and no heat to melt. Which one would you want on your dark commute if an issue?

Pilot - factory LED headlights and fog lights. 30 minute drive in wet snow.
Pilot LED Snow.webp


Accord with HID lows- 30-45 minute drive in wet snow. I also added some Hella DE fogs (with yellow HID's) after this picture that melt snow also.
Accord snow hid1.webp
 
Brons2 said:
I was very surprised how tight the front legroom was getting in and out of a rental Honda Accord Hybrid last year. Think it was a 2022, IIRC. I did like the way it drove, took it on some windy roads in the mountains east of San Diego and it was a very competent handler, felt even a little sporty.

Then again, I am very tall, so consider that as well. The late model Camry is definitely more roomy for a tall person.
Click to expand...
I had a loaner '22 Accord and I found room by my knee very tight. The center tunnel/plastic was too wide. I then had a '24 Hybrid Accord that was much better and close to my '17.

'17 Accord
accord knee 2.webp


'22 Accord - I also had surgery on that knee so the plastic pushed right in that spot. I would not get an '18-22 Accord because of the wide trim.
accord knee.webp
 
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