What econo shitbox commuter car?

[Labcabin]

[Danno]

Looking at trading a long commute in a company truck for a slightly less long commute in my own vehicle for better long term career prospects. Driving our second car, a Toyota Tacoma wouldn't be cost effective, so looking at trading it in or getting a third car.

Good points.

100 mile commute per day roughly. Currently commute in a company Tacoma, seats suck. Would possibly end up moving closer but spouse work situation may not allow it. Could be 1.5-2k/yr difference in gas to drive a Prius. Would need to dig deeper on the insurance angle. Truck just sits now.

In my current position, I get a company truck, with fuel paid as well. No cost to me. New position would mean driving my own rig, so would like to reduce cost since it's coming out of my pocket. Current commute varies from 1 hour to 2 hour one way depending on jobsite and traffic. New gig is in an office with fixed commute distance, less traffic, better career prospects etc..

This isn't clear. You have a Tacoma AND you've been driving a different company Tacoma??? Or is it the same Tacoma and you'll be losing access to it so absolutely need something new to drive? I'm assuming the former based on the "truck just sits now" statement, but the double Tacoma reference is confusing.

[54-46]

VW eGolf

[mecc69]

This isn't clear. You have a Tacoma AND you've been driving a different company Tacoma??? Or is it the same Tacoma and you'll be losing access to it so absolutely need something new to drive? I'm assuming the former based on the "truck just sits now" statement, but the double Tacoma reference is confusing.

I own a paid off 2006 Tacoma with 100k on it. It sits 90% of the time.

My company owns and pays to operate a 2015 Tacoma for me to commute in. Call it a job benefit like health insurance, 401k, etc. I don't get to use this Tacoma for anything other than work related activities, otherwise I would have ditched the other truck awhile back.

The new job would not provide a vehicle, so I am looking at how much it is going to cost me to take a new job with a new company.

[Tri-Ungulate]

Listen to GiBo and me and go drive a Mazda 3.

Thirded on the Mazda 3. Really good mileage, basic amenities but comfortable, doesn't suck to drive, not super expensive, insurance reasonable. Manual gearbox is really smooth if you like that kinda thing.

[Ottime]

Here's my take on the third car thing. I need a truck for camping, the yaks, hauling shit etc... But a new truck is what, 50K? I was driving my Tundra, getting shitty mileage and wearing the thing out. So for about the difference in my gas bill, I make the Mazda payment and save the truck. I know it's still costing me a little more money with insurance and maintenance, but now I have a good road trip and commuter car AND still have a truck.

I kept my ‘95 Tacoma when my son was born and bought a car I could drive him around in. I put more miles on my truck each year than I do on either the Subaru or commuter car. Totally worth it.

My wife has a Mazda3 and swears by it. She went for the sedan because it has much smaller blond spots and the trunk is bigger than the 5 door hatch. And I still have my truck to throw shit in.

[bobz]

Macho motorheads love to shit on the Prius, but they're great cars, (that is, if you want a car and not a snow&dirt wagon or something to tow a bass boat or something for a family of six, or whatever). Our Prius-V (basically a Prius, but with the interior layout of an older Forester) has 75K on it, and it's been nothing but a completely reliable and trouble-free, easy-driving and reasonably comfortable car. It goes without saying that the fuel economy is amazing (added bonus of the hybrid system is that you'll almost never need to maintain the brakes; most braking is handled electrically).

In terms of road performance, it's not going to blow your socks off or anything, but it does okay on curves, and you can cruise along at 80 or so. And really, in a country where at least half the personal vehicles are trucks are SUVs, no one gets to say that a Prius's handling is unacceptable. The newest gen Prius hatch is supposedly better at handling and acceleration than the older stuff, too.

[uglymoney]

Macho motorheads love to shit on the Prius, but they're great cars, (that is, if you want a car and not a snow&dirt wagon or something to tow a bass boat or something for a family of six, or whatever). Our Prius-V (basically a Prius, but with the interior layout of an older Forester) has 75K on it, and it's been nothing but a completely reliable and trouble-free, easy-driving and reasonably comfortable car. It goes without saying that the fuel economy is amazing (added bonus of the hybrid system is that you'll almost never need to maintain the brakes; most braking is handled electrically).

In terms of road performance, it's not going to blow your socks off or anything, but it does okay on curves, and you can cruise along at 80 or so. And really, in a country where at least half the personal vehicles are trucks are SUVs, no one gets to say that a Prius's handling is unacceptable. The newest gen Prius hatch is supposedly better at handling and acceleration than the older stuff, too.

+1 Prius V ftw. Amazing little reliable shitbox with tons of room in it and a huge roof for a box. We've 120+ on a 2012 with zero issues.

[JayPowHound]

Just keep those Prius away from the snow!! My wife used to drive one and father in law still does. Not sure why (and maybe its fixable?) but both of them just completely cut power as soon as the wheels start to spin. Feathering or rocking the car out of a slippery spot is just impossible.

If you have other options for the snow they are fine I suppose.. just depends if you want driving to be fun, or only practical.

I prefer fun, and would likely go test the mazda asap after reading this thread.

[Vt-Freeheel]

I lol'ed

[Sirshredalot]

Just keep those Prius away from the snow!! My wife used to drive one and father in law still does. Not sure why (and maybe its fixable?) but both of them just completely cut power as soon as the wheels start to spin. Feathering or rocking the car out of a slippery spot is just impossible.

If you have other options for the snow they are fine I suppose.. just depends if you want driving to be fun, or only practical.

I prefer fun, and would likely go test the mazda asap after reading this thread.

Gotta love modern cars. The traction control can be pretty heavy-handed.

The downside to some of the hybrids mentioned is that they are most efficient in city driving. Highway, they may not be much better than the likes of the Fit, Fiesta, or Mazda 3.

[that dude who did that thing]

Fiesta ST. Under $20k. Good mileage. will cruise at 75 getting 30+mpg all day long, but will also let you fight your way to the front of an onramp against much more expensive cars.

[uglymoney]

Gotta love modern cars. The traction control can be pretty heavy-handed.

The downside to some of the hybrids mentioned is that they are most efficient in city driving. Highway, they may not be much better than the likes of the Fit, Fiesta, or Mazda 3.

Ever own a hybrid? Shrug. This argument sounds good but reality is the hybrid kicks ass on mileage.

It is true your overall mileage on a hybrid might only be a mile to the gallon or so above the best highway mileage you get can possibly achieve with a non hybrid under perfect circumstances because even when you drive on a highway you have to start and stop.

We average way over 40 lifetime on our Prius.

Also I think in 2014 or 2015 they put a traction control disable on the Prius V. And somewhere around 2010 they made it more aggressive. With snows our 12 Prius has never slowed down.

My dad has a 2008 Sienna and the tc is terrible.

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[gravitylover]

If it's just a commuter and you want to enjoy it and have a great road trip car that's silly good fun get a BRZ/FRS. I've got nearly 100k on mine now and it's been pretty much bulletproof. A little bit of regular maintenance here and there, drive it hard and enjoy the hell out of it and get 28-34mpg at reasonable speeds (90 or less). I've gotten up to 34 on long road trips keeping it under 80 but with some spirited twisty road stretches mixed in. It's just zippy enough to dart through traffic and will outhandle damn near anything out there at the price. Get some dedicated winter rubber and you'll be amazed at what a really well balanced rwd fun machine is capable of. You can find 13's and 14's now for $15-17k in great shape with 50-75k on the clock.

I truly dislike fwd and don't think I'll ever buy another one unless it's the only car left in the world so would choose this over anything else mentioned anywhere in this thread and not just because I own one.

[BCMtnHound]

We've got the perfect shitbox econo commuter - Hyundai Elantra wagon. Dirt cheap to buy new, more interior space than the Tucson, 2.0 gets realistic ~32mpg, 15" rims with summer and winters are cheap, and the front wheel drive is impressive in fresh snow. Highway noise is loud and the interior finish reminds me of the fords at work. Damn thing will probably never die. Like the old Datsun 210s.

Shame for you they discontinued the wagon. But really can't beat the Koreans for cheap efficient shitbox commuters.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Prius V transmission is unacceptable at speeds above 75. Constantly changing "gears" even though it has none. Drives me nuts when I drive my stepmom's.

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[The Tortoise]

Fiesta ST is a great choice. Go carts for the road.

BRZ would be great if it works for you. The back seats are useless.

If you drive mostly highway miles and can find a reasonably priced Golf TDI, that's a good route too. They come with a 162k mile warranty on all the emissions stuff, the turbo and the HPFP.

[iceman]

Sorry, I'm not taking car advice from a Tortoise.

[JayPowHound]

My dad has a 2008 Sienna and the tc is terrible.

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FWIW we have a 2015 Sienna LE AWD and its a beast in the snow

[AK47bp]

Get the 4Runner

[bagtagley]

To be financially viable you need dirt cheap and reliable. You need a tiny used shitbox that depreciates impressively, which means domestic. Get a Chevy Spark. Korean made, decent car. Bet you could find a newish, lowish mileage one for under $4K, maybe half that. Put 100K+ miles on it then jump it over stuff until it dies.

[uglymoney]

Get the 4Runner

If it wasn't for the fuel consumption thing maybe... it is a pretty good complement to a V and a good back up to an old Subaru. Finally broke down and put snow tires on ours so we could go full beast mode when it snows. The tranny is way more annoying above 75 than the V though. Just got home from a tour with it. 3 inch thick foam sleeping pad ftw.



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[uglymoney]

FWIW we have a 2015 Sienna LE AWD and its a beast in the snow

Yeah I want one sort of. We borrowed my Dad's (2wd with xice3's) two weekends ago and had a whole race team worth of gear in that thing. Just piled it in and went.

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[The Tortoise]

That last photo reminds me that I want an AWD Element with the manual.

[Mazderati]

FYI, 2017 is the last year for the Prius V. I've been trying to get the better half interested but she's not biting. It's everything you need and nothing you want. Which is actually great for a daily driver. It's one of the only cars I've ridden in where the front seats can be all the way back and my knees don't end up jammed into the seat backs. Also great headroom in the back seat.

The first generation Fits are cool cars with deceptively spacious interiors. Thew new Fits are almost as expensive as an Accord.