Suggest best car for frequent long trips

[Trav]

Sonata .
Good build quality
Low price
Good fuel economy
Looks great.
Great Paint rivals MB e class.
Reliable engine and drive train.
One of the best warranties in the business.
Under 30k loaded! And it doesn't look like a police department refugee with fancy trim.

The other contender maybe the new Buick Regal and Chevrolet Cruz
German Opel based designs, built in U.S.
Proven design reliability record in Europe
Reliable engine and drive train.
Good overall quality
Good fuel economy.
Decent warranty.

IMHO with Toyota you pay a lot for the name,QC may not be what it once was..
Fords, I just don't like the grocery getter style of their cars except maybe the new Fiesta, nice trucks though. No real QC issues I have heard of from garages.
Crown Vic and Mercury clone are dated old school body on frame cars, their time has past and IMO rightfully so. Good cars no doubt but more efficient offerings have replaced them.
VW is a great car, unfortunately the dealer service in the U.S. apparently leaves a lot to be desired.
Honda quality seems to have been slipping, as they age some models seem to be problematic, mostly transmission and steering rack/pump issues.
Prius To quote Top Gear..
“A cheap car made cheap”. Nothing good to say about it, really. I personally have no opinion on it other than its as ugly and gimmicky as a kids toy.
Chrysler products. Who knows if they will even be in business in 12 months?
History of poor build quality and cheap interiors. People report problems getting parts.

My personal choice after all is said and done is the Sonata, just a lot of good bang for the buck.

 

[meep]

either ford hybrid.

my ex and I had an escape hybrid. Regular 37-40 mpg in mixed driving with a/c on. 31-2 mpg hwy at 70, 75.

if they are using similar driveline in the fusion, it would be a no-brainer.

the escape was, for what it was, a darn fine vehicle. (I just wasn't as hot on the body style).

M

 

[Y_K]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Get 'em before they are gone!


Fleet sales only.

Another aspect: grand touring tires from Toyo (or any other Co of his/her choice) will really make a difference for a frequent long hauler. Which leads us to extra expense on top of new car sticker. I just got a two-tone 2004 LTC Ultimate with complete one-owner history, 37k on the clock, every option from the book for $14k. Put new bad black rims and Toyo Tourevo from Les Schwab and re-christened it into Doenitz. I already have one with 'Nimitz' on the plates. Easy on oil engine, excellent tranny and differential. But I am an old geezer, and I do this for both fun and living.

 

[Loobed]

A Volkswagen TDI Wagon. Under 30K used. I do not know the price of a new one.

I think they get about 40 MPG on the highway. Spacious and comfortable. I do not know about reliability or cost of maintenance.

http://tdi.vw.com/

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/08/vw-diesels-doing-well-versus-hybrids.html

Quote:
the 2.0 TDI turbo diesel with its signature direct injection ("pumpe deuse") technology. This is one of the cleanest yet gutsiest engines you can buy. It gets an honest 30mpg in the city and at least 40mpg on the highway.

http://cars.about.com/od/2001/fr/05_passatwagTDI.htm



edit: I just reread your post and noticed the VW was one of your choices

 

[Y_K]

Yes, it is very efficient. The only problem is that all the money saved on fuel will have to transfered into repairs. Unless the owner is not planning to keep the car for a long time.
Tricky on oil, break-in protocol is extremely important, etc.
There are great/knowledgeable TDI communities on the Net

 

[panthermike]

Between your two choices; I'd say the Fusion Hybrid.

 

[sciphi]

Buick LeSabre or Park Avenue. 30 mpg highway, the 3800 V6 will never die after the LIM gaskets get replaced, and there's loads of room. The higher trim levels are surprisingly sporty for being large cars.

I'd look at a Jetta TDI. The high pressure fuel pump failures and lack of data on the emission system concern me, though.

The Fit is a great drivers car for long distances. It'll get 40+ mpg, is easy to drive, and has very comfortable front seats. Excellent visibility to the sides and back. There's engine noise that's par for the course with any little 4-banger around $16k or so. This car will swallow loads of stuff, then comes up with room for more. And, it's a hoot on twisty back roads.

 

[Stu_Rock]

This one:
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Buick LeSabre or Park Avenue. 30 mpg highway, the 3800 V6 will never die after the LIM gaskets get replaced, and there's loads of room. The higher trim levels are surprisingly sporty for being large cars.


For long trips, I have found that it's really nice to have adjustable lumbar support. It's an adjustment I don't touch most days of the year, but tweaking it occasionally during long drives really prevents back pain.

 

[IndyIan]

What's wrong with your Beetle TDI? Bad seat? Bad image?

Instead of losing ~$20k turning a new car into high mileage beater, why not drive your current beater and spend $10k on something fun?

 

[Kaboomba]

2002-2004 LeSabre or Park Ave is an excellent choice, I agree.

My '94 Park Ave got 30mpg on a 1000mi trip at 78mph once, while maintaining 65F on a 100F August day. A friend who was riding with us said, "we're doing 78??! This feels like 35mph in my Honda!" Yes, good on long trips!

I can't recommend anybody try to buy a '94, though, due to rarity of really good ones.

 

[Malo83]

Malibu LTZ,3.6 VVT,6spd. have made 4 trips to Tucson Az, in my 08 and it was a great ride,quiet,smooth and fast, the trip is 1200 miles round trip and I averaged a best of 32 mpg,like Kaboomba with the cruise set at 80 in the desert you don't notice the speed,but your flying

 

[VK56VD]

4 Cylinder Toyota Camry 6-speed automatic or if you want to play it more risky, a TDI Jetta or Golf do very well on the highway.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

If you don't mind going the used car route, I would recommend a used 2002-2004 Toyota Avalon. Our '02 is an absolute pleasure to drive on the highway, very smooth and quiet. In regard to fuel economy, our Avalon attained 31.4 MPG on a trip to Houston! Not bad for a roomy car with a V-6.

 

[440Magnum]

Dodge Charger 5.7L or Challenger (you might have to settle for the 3.5 v6 instead of the 5.7 Hemi to get under your target price in the Challenger, but I've driven a 3.5 Challenger and its no pig).

There's no other car with a better combination of price, power, fuel efficiency (if you can restrain your right foot), ride, handling, and REAR WHEEL DRIVE!!!

 

[meangreen01]

I've always thought an Avalon would be a comfy yet quick land yacht if I ever had to mega-commute. The newer ones with 260+ HP. 2004 and up.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Spartuss
4 Cylinder Toyota Camry 6-speed automatic o...
Thats a very poor driving car. The Chevy Malibu slaughters it! I know I've spent a lot of time at my toyota dealer and they give me a low miles '10 upper level Camry w sport package. At its best it's not too good. Had a '10 Malibu rental in FL for a week - MUCH better car. I even liked the motor better. Only prob 4 me was the low roofline and mail-slot side lights.
Still I urge you check out the new Regal turbo4. Its made in Germany ( for low electronic parts quality and supposed to handle and ride like nothing under 30K. Suspension bred on the Nurburgring ...
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1004_2011_buick_regal_us_spec_drive/photo_01.html

 

[The Critic]

New or used?

 

[kkreit01]

In that price cap, I'd only buy NEW. Out of your choices, Fusion (hands down). You could add Taurus to the list. Drive several of the mainstream players, and pick which one you like best. Are your long trips rural/remote areas? If so, remember not every small town has a Honda or Toyota dealer if something were to happen on the road.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: Spartuss
4 Cylinder Toyota Camry 6-speed automatic o...
Thats a very poor driving car. The Chevy Malibu slaughters it!


I agree, I spent some time behind the wheel of an '08 Camry with the 4 cylinder and I found it to be pathetic. Somehow they managed to make the ride less smooth and quiet than my Dad's '07 Fusion V6 and yet still managed to make it handle like a 1980s Buick. The Camry is far from being one of the best sedans around.

Fusions and the new Malibus kill those things, despite what the automotive media might have you believe.

 

[unixguru]

Camry and Accord Hybrids come to mind, but neither of them are stylish. Prius might be a good candidate, but again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.