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

[04DarkShadowGT]

i thought SVT completly died?

and 04DarkShadowGT, thats the same motor thats in my focus i think, the 2.3 duratec. that thing has balls. its a mazda built motor.

Same block, but the Mazda version in the 3 and 6 have variable valve timing giving it a slight hp bump to 160.

Its definatly not fast, but it has plenty of pep in traffic. Its a midsize car that still only weight just 3091lbs. It handles very well for a base model. It definatly has some zoom zoom.

The Fusion is the other car I considered, the Fusion was more expensive at the time and the Mazda is more sporty imo. Both share the same 2.3L motor, both are based on the same chassis, both are similar suspension wise. But imo the Mazda is tuned a little sportier.

Couple pics

 

[MEandmyKB]

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.

I found a new '05 SRT4 for under 19k - 29MPG, most that I've seen are High 13's stock, 150+ MPH top speed...

As for the long commute, I drive about 70 miles a day and don't have any complaints with the car.

 

[bdcardinal]

i would get a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S for a grocery getter haha. but thats cause i could find it necessary to ahve a 520hp AWD TT v8 for a grocer getter just like all the soccer moms here.