Long commuting vehicles, ideas, feedback.

[iJohnHenry]

You gotta admit the Small Block V8 sounds awesome....

Yes, I had my day too. Mine was a 4-bbl 383 cu in a Dodge HT. A nice car, but not small.

Ever heard of autocross?

OK, now I get your mind-set.

I do all that too now, but with only 182 hp.

KIA handles very well, and the tires are nice and sticky.

60 kmh exits are just a "suggestion".

But I don't go faster than traffic around me, sometimes actually slower. Depends if I'm pressed for time, but I usually avoid that with prior planning.

 

[steve2112]

Yes, I had my day too. Mine was a 4-bbl 383 cu in a Dodge HT. A nice car, but not small.

OK, now I get your mind-set.

I do all that too now, but with only 182 hp.

KIA handles very well, and the tires are nice and sticky.

60 kmh exits are just a "suggestion".

But I don't go faster than traffic around me, sometimes actually slower. Depends if I'm pressed for time, but I usually avoid that with prior planning.

I don't autocross anymore (other hobbies and such took over), but you bet I do some of the same stuff. Empty exit ramp? That sign is yellow, which means it's just a suggestion! Empty curvy rural road? Yeah, I may exceed that speed limit a bit. (sometimes I love living in a rural state) The big thing is that I know my and my car's limits and I don't play Dukes of Hazzard with other traffic on the road.

 

[wordoflife]

don't know exactly what you want, but it looks like a redesign to me. yeah, the front of the car is fairly similar. the back looks different, but the real features of the redesign are all on the inside.

The eco assist gauges on the dashboard, econ mode, the i-Mid display with USB iPod integration, bluetooth hands free & audio link, and redesigned controls on the steering wheel are just some of the features.

<snip>

i love the two tiered dash design. it looks awkward at first, but it's great when you are actually driving.. lets you easily see how fast you are going without having to stare down between the wheel.

I like the old design better ...

 

[kellen]

I like the commentary. To add my two cents I like driving and my choice would be a two door manual BMW or similar. However I feel I am forced into a boring vehicle due to gas concerns. Looking for the best of both. Perhaps I should look at a mini, never driven one, just seen one and seems cartoonish.

 

[quagmire]

I like the commentary. To add my two cents I like driving and my choice would be a two door manual BMW or similar. However I feel I am forced into a plebeian vehicle due to gas concerns. Looking for the best of both. Perhaps I should look at a mini, never driven one, just seen one and seems cartoonish.

335d? Though that's probably out of your price range. haha

 

[Tomorrow]

OP, with that long of a commute, comfort is critical, perhaps more so than fuel economy.

My commute is typically 55 miles each way. My vehicle is in the shop getting hail damage repaired, and in the meantime I'm driving a rental - it gets somewhat better gas mileage (~23 mpg vs. my vehicle's 18 mpg), but being smaller it's not nearly as comfortable. After nearly 1 1/2 hours in the thing, my legs and back are very stiff and it takes me a bit to get loosened back up. I don't have that problem with my own vehicle.

 

[ucfgrad93]

However I feel I am forced into a plebeian vehicle due to gas concerns.

Nice.

 

[kellen]

Nice.

?? Unsure the meaning behind this. More behind my thinking was I really wanted a A5 or newer 3 series, maybe an M3. But with a 150 mile commute it makes no sense. Feel like I have to give up the car I want due to the commute and drive something people who don't like cars drive, people who just want a car that gets them from point A to B. Guess I don't mean of the common people, more of the common type of car seen on the street.

 

[neiltc13]

I like the commentary. To add my two cents I like driving and my choice would be a two door manual BMW or similar. However I feel I am forced into a boring vehicle due to gas concerns. Looking for the best of both. Perhaps I should look at a mini, never driven one, just seen one and seems cartoonish.

USA will never get anywhere if this mentality that small and efficient vehicles are "boring" continues. Here's a few that might change your mind:

Smart Roadster Brabus
0.7T, 101bhp, 0-60 - 9.9s, 53.3mpg combined

Smart ForFour Brabus
1.5T, 177bhp, 0-60 - 6.8s, 41.5mpg combined

Volkswagen Polo GTI
1.4T, 177bhp, 0-60 - 6.9s, 47.9mpg combined

Daihatsu Copen
1.3, 86bhp, 0-60 - 9.5s, 47mpg combined

Alfa Romeo Mito MultiAir
1.4, 167bhp, 0-60 - 7.5s, 47.8mpg combined

Still bored?

I find all of these cars infinitely more interesting than the (frankly ridiculous) looking hatchbacks that have been stretched into saloons that are posted earlier in this thread.

 

[iJohnHenry]

Image
Alfa Romeo Mito MultiAir
1.4, 167bhp, 0-60 - 7.5s, 47.8mpg combined

Awwww, this one is cute, well worth the premium on high-test gas.

 

[ucfgrad93]

?? Unsure the meaning behind this. More behind my thinking was I really wanted a A5 or newer 3 series, maybe an M3. But with a 150 mile commute it makes no sense. Feel like I have to give up the car I want due to the commute and drive something people who don't like cars drive, people who just want a car that gets them from point A to B. Guess I don't mean of the common people, more of the common type of car seen on the street.

The meaning is it sounds like you think you are too good to drive a Civic or other high mileage car when you describe it as "plebeian."

If you want those other cars, then perhaps you should move closer to work.

 

[kellen]

The meaning is it sounds like you are too good to drive a Civic or other high mileage car when you describe it as "plebeian."

If you want those other cars, then perhaps you should move closer to work.

I explained I meant more common cars, those drive by people who don't care about vehicles. I drive a jeep Cherokee, 4k at best.


Neil. I agree with what you are saying and like the polo (our golf I think). I just dont find that many small efficient cars here that interesting. The mini and golf are the two that come to mind. But I started this thread to get more ideas , in case I was overlooking something.

 

[iJohnHenry]

But I started this thread to get more ideas , in case I was overlooking something.

Yes, you keep changing the goal-posts.

First it was just a gas-sipping commuter, and now it has become something more.

I think you have to re-work the definition of what you want vs. what you need.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I explained I meant more common cars, those drive by people who don't care about vehicles. I drive a jeep Cherokee, 4k at best.

I know you did, I'm just explaining my response to your post since you said you were unsure of why I made the reply I did.

 

[Roller]

OP, with that long of a commute, comfort is critical, perhaps more so than fuel economy.

My commute is typically 55 miles each way. My vehicle is in the shop getting hail damage repaired, and in the meantime I'm driving a rental - it gets somewhat better gas mileage (~23 mpg vs. my vehicle's 18 mpg), but being smaller it's not nearly as comfortable. After nearly 1 1/2 hours in the thing, my legs and back are very stiff and it takes me a bit to get loosened back up. I don't have that problem with my own vehicle.

Agree that comfort comes into play with a long commute. What car do you normally drive?

 

[yg17]

I explained I meant more common cars, those drive by people who don't care about vehicles. I drive a jeep Cherokee, 4k at best.


Neil. I agree with what you are saying and like the polo (our golf I think). I just dont find that many small efficient cars here that interesting. The mini and golf are the two that come to mind. But I started this thread to get more ideas , in case I was overlooking something.

Our Golf and Europe's Golf are the same car. The Polo isn't sold in the states unfortunately.

 

[Tomorrow]

Agree that comfort comes into play with a long commute. What car do you normally drive?

This beauty.

 

[LaOrange]

Hi All
You Can never judge a book by it cover. I have 4. vehicles in my household
1. V6 and 3.V8s Guess which one gets the best fuel milage ? NOT the V6 see below.
There is much more to think of when considering operation coasts.
The big things
Purchase price and Depression
Repair and maintenance
Fuel
One again it is not always what you might think. My brother bought a New Honda Accord V6 auto.
When he sold it with about 85K miles it lost about 65% Depression When it would go in to the shop it never got out cheep. He replaced it with a 2 year old E 320 Benz no repair coast yet he has put about 80-K miles so far maintenance about the same as the Honda Both cars did not do great on gas in town
Ok on the hwy.

1996 GMC Jimmy 4.3 V6 200 Hp apx. auto overdrive 2wd
12 to 14 city 16 to 19 Hwy

1972 Chevy Corvette 5.7 V8 325 Hp apx. 3 speed auto
12 to 15 city 16 to 19 Hwy

2004 GMC Yukon 5.3 V8 FLEX Fuel Motor 300Hp auto overdrive 2WD
Pure Gas 12 to 14 city 17 to 21 hwy
E10 10.5 to 13 city 16 to 19 hwy
E85 9. to 11 city 14 to 17 hwy

2005 Chevy Corvette 6.0 V8 415 HP apx. 6 speed manuel 2wd
Pure gas 16 to 19 city 27 to 34 Hwy
E10 15 to 17 city 24 to 33 Hwy

A few things to think about. Hybrid cars get their best fuel milage IN TOWN not on the High Way
they have to cary the extra electric drive train Pulse you have all the eltrictronics to worry about

Diesels Coast a little more up front but well maintained will last much longer pulse Diesel fuel has 35%
more BTU of energy it so they get MUCH BETTER FUEL MILAGE. New Diesels are very quiet and clean burning
A good place to learn about the VW Diesels is http://www.tdiclub.com/

Good luck look at the big picture
Michael