Suggest best car for frequent long trips

[LoneRanger]

Rule number 1, must be fuel efficient.
Rule number 2, must be comfortable and stylish
Rule number 4, automatic transmission or CVT
Rule number 3, sticker below $30,000

Two candidates so far:

- Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel
- Ford Fusion Hybrid

 

[Johnny]

Describe fuel efficient.

 

[SuperEd73]

I'd say 2011 Hyndai Sonata. 35MPG highway.

EAB

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Late model Town Car,Grand Marquis or Crown Victoria...I get 26 MPG on the road with the A/C on...Doing road trips you should be able to put 300K miles on any of those cars...I drive up to NYC from Miami a few time year and always get good MPG's...They are very low maintenance cars...I doubt you want a small car for long trips.

 

[Kaboomba]

2003-2008 Merc Grand Marquis

The cost to acquire is so low, it's like getting 50mpg for 15 years without having to give up precious metal (size and weight for safety and ride).

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: Kaboomba
2003-2008 Merc Grand Marquis

The cost to acquire is so low, it's like getting 50mpg for 15 years without having to give up precious metal (size and weight for safety and ride).


Agreed - the lower initail cost offsets the slightly higher fuel consumption.

 

[VNTS]

Challenger RT

Full size, trunk, sporty and with Hemi and Auto will see 26 Mpg highway. Can carry 5 adults comfortably, rides great.

Have priced some in area with rebate at 29K. These are 6sp Stick with super Trak pack. The autos are 900$ less and deliver on paper 1mpg better on highway. MSRP was 34 but can get deals on em. I may wait until 2011 and see what they change.



Took long ride in brothers 3 weeks ago, got 26.7 mpg on 220 mile trip on highway. Number of thumbs up on the ride was priceless

 

[gathermewool]

I love the TDI, but tend to shy away from VW if I want to keep something long-term.

The Honda Fit is nice and pretty fun to drive, but you'll sacrifice size and quietness for fuel efficiency. It does have some pretty neat rear seat configurations for storage flexibility, though.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I'm not sure if you consider the Prius stylish (that's very subjective), but if so, that'll get you the best fuel economy.

Otherwise, Sonata or Fusion Hybrid would be my guesses. Maybe Camry Hybrid also...

 

[eljefino]

I had a Grand Marq for a little while, the bench seat was not my thing. Different for everyone, but if your back hurts from the seat, car A may not suit you while B does.

Also found the steering a little light on my 97. Wonder if the rack & pinion that came out in 02-ish made the road feel any better. I get a subtle tension if I don't feel confident in the steering that hurts long term road trip comfort- Kind of like driving on possibly lower traction frozen mountain passes. Yes the front end was tight on my car.

Try a V6 Mustang out.

 

[bepperb]

I'd skip the hybrid and get the I4 Fusion, or really any other 4cyl midsize sedan.

The Jetta would be too small for me. Hybrid doesn't make sense for mostly highway, will depreciate fast with high mileage and you'll never make up the cost difference without a lot of city driving.

FWIW, Milwaukee to Minneapolis my Accord gets 35~36mpg all freeway. I'm sure this isn't unique to the Accord, just pointing out how fuel efficient a modern regular family sedan can be.

 

[tdpark]

+1 on the accord- my mom has an 08 and she gets 35-36 on regular pump gas. And for a sedan still pretty sporty.

 

[jim302]

Skip the hybrid for long highway trips. You'll be running on the gas engine most of the time in that situation. It will cost you more in the long run.

Newer midsize sedans such as the Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, etc would be a good choice for cost and fuel economy. 4 cylinder would be preferred for economy... the new ones have plenty of power.

If you want something bigger with a little more comfort, I'd go with a Grand Marquis as suggested. The gas mileage isn't too bad on the highway, and the low cost of getting one of these used offsets the additional fuel costs.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Doing a lot of driving all over the country I'd stick with something that would be easy to find a dealer if you need service while on the road, which would probably rule out the Jetta. Also, there are some areas where diesel is not as easy to find. Accord and Camry leap to my mind, with the Taurus, Sonata, and Malibu in contention.

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: tdpark
+1 on the accord- my mom has an 08 and she gets 35-36 on regular pump gas. And for a sedan still pretty sporty.


That's pretty amazing. We've never gone over 30MPG on any of our long trips.

 

[mcrn]

I agree with the Crown Vic. I think it would be more comfortable, safe, easy to find parts if it was needed, anybody can work on it, good MPG considering the size and power you will be getting, and they can be found for a good price as mentioned which will offset some of the MPG's. Plus I am not sure about this but I would think insurance cost would be lower. Plus a lot of people still think of them as police cars and out on the highway that is kind of nice when they just get out of your way. thats if you are the type that travels in the fast lane.

 

[bigmike]

My vote is with Kaboomba and Crownvic.. A grand marquis can be had for pretty cheap and it's a good ride.

Only reason I don't have one is because, when presented to my wife as an idea for our next car, all she did was look at me like I was crazy. I guess "stylish" is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Y_K]

Total cost of ownership for a Panther is hard to beat. Insurance is close to zero.
But the OP demands "stylish" and and he has rules numbered in Ordnung. And he lists VW Piglet which tells me he is trying to pick a car for a lady. Of the two listed by him Fusion would be my choice.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Crown Vic or Marquis De Sade- hands down. These have been refined to a fare-the-well and are one of the best cars on the road for under 25K. Drives better than a Buick LeSabre (though much less backseat room. Get 'em before they are gone! I would assume Fusion Hybrid will do nothing for you on the highway, other than cost an arm and a leg up front and weigh a lot more. VW + anything resembling quaity is non-existant. I did some sensor development for BO$CH and the quality bar at that company is set pretty low, IMO.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

LR - I just thought and forgot the #1 choice( for something newish): the new Buick Regal (Opel) RWD turbo 4 made in Germany. I would look at this if I was in the 25K +/- market. Giving you a second option since you had "stylish" on the list.