Suggest best car for frequent long trips

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: 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



Chevy Impala w/ 3.5L V6. Low 20's all city MPG, high 20's mixed, and I have personally seen 32-34 MPG( high was 36 )all highway. Very comfy and roomy. Affordable too if you don't go hog wild.

If I was going to buy a car the Impala would be it hands down. I borrow my Sister's for any trip I take because it is so comfortable and gets such great MPG.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: bigmike


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.


Your wife might like a late model Interceptor with the push bars and dark windows...Since it as has bucket seats she can make a console in the middle...Everyone will get out of her way...The best part is she won't have to worry about lunatics and people around her will be driving more careful and signaling when they change lanes.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Quote:
There are different rear ends that can be in a Crown Vic. My Grand Marquis has the 2.73 and the lowest MPG I've ever seen on a long trip was about 24. This was with 4 people, an overloaded trunk and some very bad weather.


I've taken numerous long trips in my previous Crown Vic and in my current '95 Grand Marquis, and I routinely would get 25-26 mpg on the highway, even with four people and all their luggage. In fact, I really can't detect much difference in mpg between nearly empty and carrying a big load, which I think is one advantage of having the V8. It's just loafing on the highway and if you're in a place you can do it cruising at 95 mph is no problem.

However, I will say that driving "fun" is not in the equation, at least for me in a CV. I'd probably still recommend looking at the current generation of the Fusion/Malibu/Accord/Camry/Sonata for plenty of comfort, even better gas mileage, ease of repair on the road, decent handling, longevity, etc.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: 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.


You really ought to skip prognosticating like this unless you really know what you're talking about. Yes, it's true that hybrids really shine to the max in stop-and-go driving. What you don't understand is that they still provide a substantial advantage on the highway too (though again, not as great as with stop-and-go). In the Toyota-Lex hybrids, the PSD (power split device) transmission is very well adapted to simultaneously combining the output of the gas and electric engines/motors. I'm routinely in the high 30s on my present 130 mile per day commute, most of which is on the rolling hills of I-10, in a hybrid Camry that weighs more than a V-6 Camry, and I am typically hovering around 78-80 mph.

I doubt that you'll find many folks tooling around in a 3700 lb sedan (actually almost 200# more than a V-6) getting mileage like that).

This notion that hybrids offer no advantage on the highway is just pure myth.

Beyond that, I'd add that my TCH has THE most comfortable seats that I've ever sat in in a car. Much better than the Prius. My back soreness went away shortly after buying the TCH and selling the Prius to my son. It's a near perfect car for long commutes in which fuel economy AND comfort are at a premium.

 

[rslifkin]

The reason for most hybrids doing well on the highway actually isn't because they're hybrids. It's because the engines are smaller, and typically tweaked for efficiency. The reason this is only found in hybrids is because without electric assist, the cars would be unacceptably slow to accelerate, particularly when merging.

Keep in mind, some older Civics, Geo Metros, and other vehicles with very small engines do almost as well as a hybrid on the highway.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I bough the Yaris for almost 1/2 the cost of a new prius. How long does it take to win back that extra 9 grand in cost for a couple mpg highway difference? Never? So Yes, hybrid offer NO bottom line advantage as a highway commuter. I get 37 - 41 highway in the Yaris - but thats at 75-90 MPH.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
I'm going to say Fusion. Non-hybrid with the 2.5L I-4.

I'm also going to mention another car that noone has mentioned yet- a new Malibu with the 2.4L. Both are great cars.
I mentioned it a few time's Nick. Malibu walks all over the camry. Still like the marquis I had as a rental - and its NOT boring. It NOT sloppy steering. BMW can keep their junk mac strut front suspension. Fords got U+L A-arms. I also hear ( on youtube accleration videos like mpg o matic, the accord 4 cyl has a nice racey engine at the top of the rev band.

 

[Nick R]

I test drove a Vic a month or two ago (I posted about it I believe) and the steering was a little loose. Granted it was selling for $2k and had 160k miles or something on it, but still. It also felt like I had a battleship on the front. It was huge! Felt even bigger than the expedition. Too big, for me. Malibu is really, really nice though.

 

[Pesca]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
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 ...


Since you bring the german dynamics in the equation, I would suggest the OP to check one underdog, the Suzuki Kizashi:
Developped on the Nurburgring track too and in the OP price range.

Quite stylish from the outside, a little more normal styling for the inside, and great dynamics.
From what I read on the reviews, some complained about the low HP numbers (but which journalists don't complain about that?), and would like a turbo version of it, but that is about it.
Return mid 30s MPG on highway, and you should be quite exclusive on the road with this nice car (price starts in the low 20s).

 

[Thermo1223]

I'm sorry but I can't understand for the life of me how anyone would consider Crown-vic/Lincoln as the best choice.

Mid 20's is not good fuel economy nor is having a body-on-frame dinosaur the safest thing either. They do not handle well at all to average driver.

If you wanted the best fuel economy period it will be a diesel but consider how others feel about comfort it may not be the best choice there.

Personally as much as I rather drive a diesel overall it would a hybrid like the Fusion. The system has been tested already in numerous models and it's ability to remain consistent when not at highway speeds leads to better overall fuel economy. I mean what happens when the highway stops due to a accident? The V8's will keep slurping fuel and going nowhere. The hybrid can regain and use the energy only as needed.

1st choice:
Fusion Hybrid

2nd choice:
Jetta Sportwagen TDI

3rd choice:
Any midsize FWD car w/ 4cyl engine that satisfies other criteria.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Thermo1223
I'm sorry but I can't understand for the life of me how anyone would consider Crown-vic/Lincoln as the best choice.

Mid 20's is not good fuel economy nor is having a body-on-frame dinosaur the safest thing either. They do not handle well at all to average driver.


Personally, I chuckle that a few shun the Camry, just flat burn it at the stake, and turn around and recommend a Panther! Panthers are nice cars; my family has owned one, and I drive them occasionally. But they're not dynamic at all, and chassis refinement is nowhere close to even the worst of the modern FWD sedans.

We have a new Fusion Hybrid at work, and it's a very recommendable car.

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
I test drove a Vic a month or two ago (I posted about it I believe) and the steering was a little loose. Granted it was selling for $2k and had 160k miles or something on it, but still.


Probably had worn-out parts. Mine took a new pitman arm, new lower control arms + balljoints, and a driver's side inner and outer tie rod ends. All of that tightened the steering up considerably. Of course, it had 265K on it at that time.

 

[fdcg27]

You could do a whole lot worse than a new Accord.
We have had a Honda or two for the past thirty years plus, and they've all been good cars to travel in.
Reliable, frugal, usually good seats, and the later cars are quiet and ride well on any pavement, almost like a good German car, firm and well damped.
Even the fours have plenty of power at higher speeds.

 

[Tahoe4Life]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I test drove a Vic a month or two ago (I posted about it I believe) and the steering was a little loose. Granted it was selling for $2k and had 160k miles or something on it, but still.


Probably had worn-out parts. Mine took a new pitman arm, new lower control arms + balljoints, and a driver's side inner and outer tie rod ends. All of that tightened the steering up considerably. Of course, it had 265K on it at that time.


My son recently did that front end work on his 00 P71. It tightened up the steering considerably also...The car has 300K miles on it.

 

[Tahoe4Life]

Originally Posted By: Thermo1223
I'm sorry but I can't understand for the life of me how anyone would consider Crown-vic/Lincoln as the best choice.

Mid 20's is not good fuel economy nor is having a body-on-frame dinosaur the safest thing either. They do not handle well at all to average driver.

1st choice:
Fusion Hybrid

2nd choice:
Jetta Sportwagen TDI

3rd choice:
Any midsize FWD car w/ 4cyl engine that satisfies other criteria.


Who in their right mind would want a drive a mid-size FWD car with a 4cyl for long road trips. The tractor trailers will blow you off the road. Trying to get up hills in places like in West Virginia and Kentucky would make you a big time safety hazard. I see them everyday struggling to get up steep hills as I whip around them.

I think mid 20's is decent mileage for highway runs considering you can get those cars [Town Cars CV] dirt cheap and will last a very long time with basic maintenance.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Malibu walks all over the camry.

I do not like the current Malibu. I will admit that the current model is better than it's 04-08 predecessor with the Aura's interior and light years better than the N-chassis predecessor. The electric power steering in the 4 cylinder models feels too lightly weighted artificial and numb. The 2.4 does not feel like it has 169 hp.
Quote:
Fords got U+L A-arms.

The Fusion/Mazda6/Milan/MKZ has a short and long arm front suspension too.

 

[Thermo1223]

Originally Posted By: FORD4LIFE


Who in their right mind would want a drive a mid-size FWD car with a 4cyl for long road trips. The tractor trailers will blow you off the road. Trying to get up hills in places like in West Virginia and Kentucky would make you a big time safety hazard. I see them everyday struggling to get up steep hills as I whip around them.

I think mid 20's is decent mileage for highway runs considering you can get those cars [Town Cars CV] dirt cheap and will last a very long time with basic maintenance.



No you don't see them struggling to make it up the hill, just stop saying that really.

2011 Hyundai Sonata makes 200HP even and a '03 Crown 220HP, '07 224HP.

Since HP & weight is all that matters on the highway I find it very hard to believe that a car weighing 1000 lbs less and 10% less HP cannot cope with a hill.

What is actual disappointing is after all those years they couldn't at least get the Modular V8 past 250HP without killing fuel economy.

BTW I have taken numerous long trips in a car with V6 which nets 28-30MPG highway with 4 adults that was midsized and much safer in an accident than an antique cop car.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Thermo1223
Originally Posted By: FORD4LIFE


Who in their right mind would want a drive a mid-size FWD car with a 4cyl for long road trips. ...



No you don't see them struggling to make it up the hill, just stop saying that really.

2011 Hyundai Sonata makes 200HP even and a '03 Crown 220HP, '07 224HP.

Since HP & weight is all that matters on the highway I find it very hard to believe that a car weighing 1000 lbs less and 10% less HP cannot cope with a hill.

.
Hp does not matter to maintain speed on the highway. You are talking 60-80 MPH and at those speeds (2000-2500rpm) a 2+ litre 4 cyl is making about 60-70HP wide open and under 30HP at part throttle. It is "torque at rpm" that keeps a car going steady state on the open road and you are not spinning 6000 rpm!
I will say a 3400 lb car is not "blown all over the road". The Vic is only a few hundred pounds more. The GMQ LS (w/ dual exhaust, leather, handling package) I rented 2 year ago drove great. Tight, responsive and comfortable. LoneRanger's spouse will ne're go for that grandpa kinda car - guaranteed, but the result of decades of refinement are obvious to me. I am no big Mazda fan (due to reliability issues Ive had) but I must say the Mazda 6 interior PHOTOS look very driver centric (though ive never sat in one).
As another crazy choice, an off lease 5 series Beemer would be a nice highway car I imagine. But Again reliability and out of warranty repair cost scare me.

 

[Nick R]

As far as hils go i also beleive that a midsize with a 4 would be fine. It would be in a lower gear though. My focus going up Steeper hils on the highway will sit about 3500rpm up them.

 

[Scienceman]

Crown Vic/towncar/Marquies