What Grocery Getter would you buy for a long daily commute...?

[GDawg]

Now I'm thinking I want to change my car to a weekend car. What car would you buy brand new for a daily 150 mile (round trip) commute? No more than $30K, preferably around $20 to $25K. I'm looking at an Audi A4 2.0 but they are expensive. What else would be a nice auto, four door coupe for Colorado winters and mountain driving?

I have plans for my pony and 150 mile a day commute just doesn't seem the right thing to do to her.

 

[BrutalStang]

they can get pricey with options, but a mazda 6 V6. FWD is always fine in the snow, and they still have some sport and comfort to them.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

WRX STi

 

[BrutalStang]

oh, McTeague wants to race, ok then, MazdaSPEED 6. oh wait a minute, STI is still faster.........

 

[Dope 97GT]

mitsubishi evo or suburu wrx sti they are great in the snow AWD get like 25 mpg turbod...can be modded and are very reliable and right around 25k new.

 

[tomustang]

Volvo S60 2.5T Auto

 

[DBMSTNG]

both the STi and the EVO are just expensive performance versions of cheap cars. altho fun to drive, i wouldn't pick either as a daily driver. for example the EVO's suspension is much too harsh for a daily driver imo. i'd go with a V6 Mazda 6 or V6 Fusion/Milan/Zephyr or if going import, a Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT which has a detuned STi engine.

 

[GDawg]

Looked at the Subarus. STI is in the $30s. I'm not looking to have to race on my daily commute like I do now but I want to be able to hold a solid 85mph on the steep inclines I deal with daily. I get these fools that can't keep up with me on the hills in my mustang but speed down the hills afterwards. I don't want to be one of them. I want comfort... economy... quality... but a little power. Whatever I go with should have lots of options and still be around $25K no more than $30K. I hate car payments. My two fords are paid off and I like to keep my debt down. The WRX looks nice starting at 25k.

Mazda... That Mazda6 looks nice. I'm looking for warm and cozy in this one.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

How about the Ford 500?

 

[GDawg]

How about the Ford 500?

It's ugly. It's what my dad would drive if he still didn't have his Mark VIII (I love his Mark VIII but it's too big and old) and his Towncar. I like the Mazda so far for the price.

 

[01Steeda]

I have test driven a few mazda 6's and I must say they are very nice cars. Very suitable for daily driver duty.

 

[BrutalStang]

i've driven the mazda 6 a few times, great car. i almost had one instead of my 03 GT. i never tested out the auto version, though im sure its fine.
the ford fusion is the same underneath i think, but still looks very bland, the mazda just feels more upclass.
also never tested out the 4cyl version, but if its got the same 2.3 thats in our focus, im sure it has some decent "git" too.

oh, and side note, i call the Ford "500" the Ford "200". that thing weighs like 4000 pounds if i recall corectly. my explorer weighs that much. 200 ponies shouldnt be in there.

 

[BennyBlown2v]

Volvo S60 2.5T Auto

:Word: My dad has an S80 T6 and it's a great car; except that the S80's are much less reliable than S60 series

 

[DTNODYA]

Nissan Maxima. Seriously! New one, old one ... doesn't matter (well not too old now), they all drive smooth, get pretty good gas mileage and look good IMO.

 

[exindust]

g35 sedan version?

 

[04GT]

I like the Mercury Milan better than the Fusion. The styling is better.

Not to highjack, but why do all Mercury car names start with "M" except the Grand Marquis?

If you gotta get an import, I'd get a Civic SI.

 

[fluffyrunnells]

i would buy a 04 mustang gt....comp orange. but then again, thats what i did buy..??? DUH

 

[Dope 97GT]

Nissan Maxima. Seriously! New one, old one ... doesn't matter (well not too old now), they all drive smooth, get pretty good gas mileage and look good IMO.

forgot about those 6 speed and fast very nice inside and out I would look into that.

 

[CRZYHRSGT]

Not to highjack, but why do all Mercury car names start with "M" except the Grand Marquis?

Why do all Ford SUVs start with "E" (Escape, Explorer, Epedition, Excursion)?

If you like the A4 Quattros look into a CPO car (Certified Pre-Owned). Audi is very picky on what they certify (even the tires have to be O.E., i.e. not cheap-os). You also get a warranty that's as good or better than a lot of new car warranties. The A4 is a very comfortable, agressive car and the Quattro is sweet in the winter (I've tried to get a few stuck with no luck). My .02....

 

[DropTopPony]

One of my favorite cars i've ever driven is the Dodge Magnum. It comes in AWD. V6 is 250 hp and gets 25mpg. Hemi also gets around the same mpg. Its huge inside and comes nicely equipped. The V6 model is @ 25K and the hemi is @30k. Nice comfortable ride and room to grow.