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Old 10-26-2007, 09:54 AM   #1
dailo74
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Default Need fuel-efficient DD for killer commute

So I'm on a first name basis with the local gas attendent. He's a nice guy but I don't wanna see him every other day. Need a fuel-miser of a car for a 110 mile (round trip) commute (Leesburg to Landover). Half of the commute is stop and go traffic, the other half on 495, which can be stop and go sometimes also

I know I can find a job closer but company treats me really nice and pay is decent so I'll be sticking around.

So what.....a Prius? Honda Hybrid? Other Hybrids? Moped? NOT!

Thanks everyone! Happy Friday.
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Old 10-26-2007, 09:56 AM   #2
ProDarwin
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Bike < or = 600cc.

How much are you looking to spend on the car?
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:00 AM   #3
dailo74
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Geez good question...totally forgot bout that part. I guess around $20-$25K, new or used.
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:03 AM   #4
ProDarwin
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VW TDI

Seriously... that commute has got to be complete hell.
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:03 AM   #5
Hokie-wrx wagon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ProDarwin View Post
Bike < or = 600cc.

How much are you looking to spend on the car?
True... I got 60+ mpg on my GS500F. Only getting ~30 mpg on my SV650S though. Still better than the ~20 mpg I get from the wrx.

'99 - '02 corollas get decent milage and are very reliable.
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:06 AM   #6
dailo74
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Originally Posted by ProDarwin View Post
VW TDI

Seriously... that commute has got to be complete hell.
You're telling me ProDarwin.....yesterday took me 2 1/2 hours to get to work. I guess some of us forgot what rain was after a long drought and forgot how to drive
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:06 AM   #7
rage557
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why dont you take the bus?
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:09 AM   #8
ProDarwin
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My YZF600 gets 50. And its a hell of a lot faster than a corolla Or STi for that matter.

What other concerns do you have for this car?

Does it need to carry/haul anything?
Automatic/manual?
Does it need to be "fun"?
Acceleration a concern?
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:10 AM   #9
dailo74
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why dont you take the bus?
There's simply no viable public transportation by where I live. They're bringing subway to Dulles the last I check but that's still years away, if they ever get it here. But when and if they do, I'd jump on that like you wouldn't believe.
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:15 AM   #10
dailo74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ProDarwin View Post
My YZF600 gets 50. And its a hell of a lot faster than a corolla Or STi for that matter.

What other concerns do you have for this car?

Does it need to carry/haul anything?
Automatic/manual?
Does it need to be "fun"?
Acceleration a concern?
Nope. My only criteria is great gas mileage and just need to haul my ass from home to work and back. Got my STI for the weekend to play with. Motorcycle is out of the question.
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:33 AM   #11
DrSeuss
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Pick up an old Geo Metro!
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:35 AM   #12
isaiah58
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I am biased, because I sell Subaru and Toyota. The Prius is a very good vehicle, you can get buy with a nice Corolla though. If you plan to keeo the car 10 years, the extra you spend on the Prius will more than pay for itself in gas mileage. You wold average close to 46 MPG with the Prius based on your commute. Not sure what you would average with a Corolla. If you want a mixture of better gas mileage plus AWD, the Impreza is your best bet.
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:36 AM   #13
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tdi or older civic HF trim
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:41 AM   #14
WRXtranceformed
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+ juan on the TDI.... Jetta or Golf. They usually average higher gas mileage than hybrids and are usually cheaper. My friend has had a Jetta TDI for years. It has a nice interior, nice sound system, and I think he said he averages like 55mpg. Plus, you can chip it and get sick power!!!!
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:42 AM   #15
dailo74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by isaiah58 View Post
I am biased, because I sell Subaru and Toyota. The Prius is a very good vehicle, you can get buy with a nice Corolla though. If you plan to keeo the car 10 years, the extra you spend on the Prius will more than pay for itself in gas mileage. You wold average close to 46 MPG with the Prius based on your commute. Not sure what you would average with a Corolla. If you want a mixture of better gas mileage plus AWD, the Impreza is your best bet.

I already have an STI so no Impreza. But 46 mpg with the Prius sounds great. I'll look into the Corollas too...someone mentioned the '99 - '02 are reliable?
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:43 AM   #16
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along with a chip you can do injector tips on the tdi, you'll need to do a VR6 clutch swap if you do though

you'll still see 49 mpg +- 2 mpg and have about 300lb ft of torque
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:49 AM   #17
isaiah58
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With the compacts I would really want to focus on safety. The 2009 Corolla will be out in Feb or March, will come standard with the latest ABS and side/curtain airbags, probably VSC/Trac as well. The older cars are reliable, but do not have the latest technology for safety or engine design. The current engines and tranny's are more efficient.

Are your plans long or short term? If short term, a older beater would work as you do not lose much when you go for a newer car down the road. If long term, go for something safer.
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Old 10-26-2007, 10:52 AM   #18
sti robot
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TDI.

We've got one. I wish it wasn't made by VW. It gets about 41 mpg and i do about a 90-100 mile commute daily. It just went in for the 40k service. So far under warranty the trunk latch, driver airbag, and trunk alarm sensor have all crapped out and been replaced. (I'm not sure if German or English cars have worse electrical gremlins now.)

The TDI has much more pick up and go than a prius, and its not stupid overpriced. Plus people won't innately want to pass you in a bug/jetta/golf like they seem to in a prius.

The TDI is easy as heck to work on. I mean everything is pretty easy to get to. There is also a very good community support structure. TDIclub.com is cool and we have two of the best TDI mechanics in the area (they are freelance mechanics though, so finding them and actually getting work done can be difficult).

Diesel is fairly easy to find and it's relatively cheap, usually +/- 6 cents of regular unleaded.

A TDI doesn't stink or smoke like a diesel truck. It will however take longer to get warm air blowing out of the heater in the winter. Around here you don't really need an engine heater as it never gets cold enough for cold start problems in this area.

You can only get a used one at this time. The gov't came up with new regulations regarding nox emissions and the newest one you'll be able to buy is an 06 model. I think 09 models will be the next year they offer them (out in late 08).
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Old 10-26-2007, 11:06 AM   #19
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get an old 3cyl justy
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Old 10-26-2007, 11:22 AM   #20
dailo74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by isaiah58 View Post
With the compacts I would really want to focus on safety. The 2009 Corolla will be out in Feb or March, will come standard with the latest ABS and side/curtain airbags, probably VSC/Trac as well. The older cars are reliable, but do not have the latest technology for safety or engine design. The current engines and tranny's are more efficient.

Are your plans long or short term? If short term, a older beater would work as you do not lose much when you go for a newer car down the road. If long term, go for something safer.
Most likely short term (4-5 yrs). Checking out carmax website now and see what's available.
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Old 10-26-2007, 11:27 AM   #21
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My father-in-law has an '02 corolla for his commute around the beltway every morning. He gets incredible gas mileage and it's just a little corolla so he doesn't really care about door dings and if it gets dirty and whatnot.
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Old 10-26-2007, 11:28 AM   #22
mav1c
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Yeah. The obvious choices are a Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, or VW TDI. If all you care about is mileage, I think the TDI will win. If you care about the environment too, the hybrids are better. Personally I'd rather have a Civic Hybrid than a Prius.
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Old 10-26-2007, 11:38 AM   #23
Butt Dyno
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Just wait a couple more months and get one of these:
http://www.smartusa.com/smart-car-faq.aspx
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Old 10-26-2007, 11:46 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ButtDyno View Post
Just wait a couple more months and get one of these:
http://www.smartusa.com/smart-car-faq.aspx
i'd buy one of those if i had an eco-friendly death wish
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Old 10-26-2007, 11:53 AM   #25
dailo74
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Quote:
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i'd buy one of those if i had an eco-friendly death wish
I would have white knuckles while the soccer moms in their Odysseys zoom by me . Cute but I'd be too scare to be on 495 w/ one of those.
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