What's the best car for my new job?

[BackTracker]

So I started a new job running an Auto Auction. I live about an hour and a half away and sometimes have to commute up to 150 miles in a day to different sites (long story behind this one) Alot of that travel time is spent sitting in god awful bumper to bumper traffic. SO gas mileage and not to mention insurance costs, have to be kept in check. Additionally I Need to be able to carry at least one child seat, and generally I have a co-worker that I haul around. So, this means I need some modicum of comfort and space as well. As for carrying things around, I have 4 tool boxes that I carry around with me, they are small but they get heavy. Very rarely I may have to transport an engine. That said I suppose I could rent something when the engine carrying part comes around. SO does anyone have any thoughts on what a good vehicle might be?

Thanks!

 

[metal1313]

hell any small car should fit the bill. i've been driving a focus to and from school daily for the last few months. its only 60 miles round trip but getting home can take 3 hours. i've had plenty of junk in the trunk before, including several bags of cement. i dont like the car, its actually my mothers, but it does the job well

 

[Displaced Hokie]

I saw this new Ford vehicle at the car show that looked really cool to me. Sounds like it would do everything you want and would be durable...http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

 

[Sammy7]

Toyota Matrix?

 

[Red Green]

I would recommend a GM with the 3800 motor. If you get a Lesaber or Bonneville they have enough interior space and can haul a fair amount in the trunk.

 

[Racer_X]

A Jetta TDI wagon will give you good mileage, comfort and plenty of space.

 

[bry@n]

A Jetta TDI wagon will give you good mileage, comfort and plenty of space.

Was thinking that very same thing. Even the beetle has some room to it but get the tdi.

 

[rikmeister]

there is a golf tdi this year and i would look at a mini cooper wagon and pray they bring the mini D to the states it gets over 70mpg

 

[tenorplayer23]

Yes, actually, the 3800 series in GM "full size" cars was very economical for the size of the car. If you are looking at used cars, perhaps a 2005 Chevrolet Impala (or similar.......) it would get you 33MPG on the highway (really)....and low 20's in town. Their replacements (3.5 or 3.9L V6's in today's Impalas) actually are less fuel efficient. I know, I had both....the 3.8L was around a hundred yrs. it seems, but they got it, with OD to produce great mileage. GM's direct injection 3.6L, V6 platforms are nice, but if mileage is imperative, then see their 4 cyl. choices below.

Not exactly sure how you blend the occasional "engine transport" with a "car". If you handle the engine w/a trailer or truck, then there are a wide variety of cars that will get you good MPH. The Jetta TDI is a good suggestion for mileage, not sure I want VW reliability....not so good, statistically.

Ford Focus, while a little mundane, fits well and is economical. Fusion Hybrid?? Very good (& nice) car w/great mileage. Or perhaps a Focus w/4cyl. IC engine? It's the new Motor Trend Car of the Year.

GM products with Ecotec 4-cyl.'s get 30+MPG highway (Malibu, new Equinox SUV, etc.). Malibu is a reasonably sized car.

Of course, there are always the super small vehicles, the Honda Fit, Toyota Matrix, etc.. Not sure how comfortable they are for lots of driving w/two people & what ever you carry.

One other car that is quite good and perhaps better last year than this 2009, is the Mazda3. Comes in several forms......big inside for a little car, lots of good reviews about how well it handles. Comes with two engine choices.....but, mileage apparently is better in other cars in the segment. For small, that might be my go to car, if new or slightly used is an option. You can buy an automatic or manual, depending.

Just a few suggestions..........................

See ya.

I would recommend a GM with the 3800 motor. If you get a Lesaber or Bonneville they have enough interior space and can haul a fair amount in the trunk.

 

[moparhunter]

3800 series Gm mid size lots of power and very strong reliable, good on gas cars, P.s I general don't like anything Gm.

 

[BackTracker]

Toyota Matrix?

My mother has a vibe. Same car prettier hat. I would rather walk. I hate that car with an absolute passion.

I am a wagon lover, I currently have a legacy gt wagon and love it. However I cant be screwing it up for work.

I actually looked at the Jetta tdi wagon but diesel here is prohibitively expensive it's well over 5 bucks a gallon, that and I have never seen a vw that lasted worth a damn.

The 3800 v6 had completely skipped my mind! That was a workhorse if there ever was one. My first car had that engine in it and it just would not die....and I tried hard to kill it.

I like the new fusion but i wouldn't want to screw up a car that nice.

 

[adam728]

Ar you looking for a new car, or something a few years old? There's a big difference in the suggestions you'll get whether you are looking to spend $10K or $30K.

Yes, actually, the 3800 series in GM "full size" cars was very economical for the size of the car. If you are looking at used cars, perhaps a 2005 Chevrolet Impala (or similar.......) it would get you 33MPG on the highway (really)....and low 20's in town. Their replacements (3.5 or 3.9L V6's in today's Impalas) actually are less fuel efficient. I know, I had both.........

GM products with Ecotec 4-cyl.'s get 30+MPG highway (Malibu, new Equinox SUV, etc.). Malibu is a reasonably sized car.

You still can get good mileage with the GM 3.5L. I put around 80,000 miles on a 2005 Malibu with that engine, and it got good mileage, had good power (in my opinion), and was relieable (company car, got nothing but oil changes and had about 130K on it when I returned it). I logged mileage from time to time, and over about 20,000 miles worth averaged 31.35 mpg. At times I topped 35 mpg on freeway driving.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

How about a Civic Hybrid. It has plenty of room for a car seat. Has a nice size trunk. Very economical as well. Won't haul an engine though.

 

[ironroad 9c1]

How about a Civic Hybrid. It has plenty of room for a car seat. Has a nice size trunk. Very economical as well. Won't haul an engine though.

Buy a good Slightly used AMERICAN automobile extracab s10's are nice , good seats, good drivetrain and parts are cheap. and you can haul an engine .

 

[jmack]

Honda FIT ftw.

Low price, high gas mileage = lowest cost of ownership. Add plenty of room for transport and you're set. You would not believe how much you can fit into a FIT with the back seats down. It's comparable to the size of the bed of a compact pickup (like a ranger)

 

[pseudorealityx]

Buy a good Slightly used AMERICAN automobile extracab s10's are nice , good seats, good drivetrain and parts are cheap. and you can haul an engine .

Once it's used, buying American vs. a foreign company ain't doing much for the economy. The Honda or whatever has already been built, and you buying a used second hand one isn't forcing Honda to make more cars.

Also, old S10's drive like poo. They also get truck gas mileage...

 

[ice_burg]

Once it's used, buying American vs. a foreign company ain't doing much for the economy. The Honda or whatever has already been built, and you buying a used second hand one isn't forcing Honda to make more cars.

Also, old S10's drive like poo. They also get truck gas mileage...

I agree with you.

Don't get me wrong. I love America and have owned 4 Fords (3 trucks and 1 car) and Two Chevrolets (2 trucks) and now own a Honda Civic that I use for my commute to work. Hondas are made in the US but not all profit goes to the US. I get that, but for years I was die hard American only until ridiculously inefficient vehicles and high gas prices forced me to re-think the budget. When gas was $3 and $4 a gallon, I saved enough money in fuel costs alone to pay for the gas I used and the payment on the Civic.

 

[brownbagg]

hrh panel by chevolet

 

[MotoDave]

I saw this new Ford vehicle at the car show that looked really cool to me. Sounds like it would do everything you want and would be durable...http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

I was just thinking the Transit Connect would be perfect for this application, especially if they allowed us to get it with a small diesel!

 

[pseudorealityx]

I agree with you.

Don't get me wrong. I love America and have owned 4 Fords (3 trucks and 1 car) and Two Chevrolets (2 trucks) and now own a Honda Civic that I use for my commute to work. Hondas are made in the US but not all profit goes to the US. I get that, but for years I was die hard American only until ridiculously inefficient vehicles and high gas prices forced me to re-think the budget. When gas was $3 and $4 a gallon, I saved enough money in fuel costs alone to pay for the gas I used and the payment on the Civic.

America has some great vehicles.

But people need to understand that the used car market has nothing to do with the big 3 making more cars. Sure, the used part suppliers will stay in business possibly, but it does nothing to promote new car purchases.

Buying a used car is recycling in a way. It doesn't require any factory to produce another car.

 

[bgott]

You are going to work at an auto auction? See if they will let you have a dealer plate. That way you can buy a car, drive it a few weeks and blow it out and get another one.

 

[Falcon67]

I vote 3 door Ranger pickup. Extend cab, small, mileage good on the 4 cyl and 3.0 V6, back seat holds the small toolboxes, 3rd door makes it easy (PITA without it). We have a 2006 2 door extend cab, I like it - comfy to drive and I'm 6' 1", 210. We have the 4.0 - tows 5000 lbs easy and runs like a scalded cat. Mileage about 22 with that big motor. It gets about the same towing (11 MPG) with 5000 lbs on the back as the F150 Super Crew gets with 6000 lbs and the 5.4L motor.

 

[Blackend]

Most of the auction places I know put their people in 03-07 Dodge Caravans. Little to no maintance to do, good gas mileage, plenty of room, and they run forever. Plus, base models (SXT) can be had really cheaply. My father-in-law works for an auto auction in PA and they have a fleet of them they send their chasers out in

 

[ironroad 9c1]

I don't give a rats *** what is screwed togeather here in the states. If its not American owned, you're wasting money used or not. gm new cars and trucks get better mileage than any import nowadays anyway, so that argument is old

 

[Venumb]

Ford Escape

Roomy (for it's size). Fuel economy is decent. Choice of 2 or 4WD, gas or hybrid.

 

[ddawg16]

Last week when I was here in Texas I had a Malibu....great little car...
This week it's the Kia....a POS compared to the Malibu...

My wife has a new Honda Minivan....the tranmission has already been replaced and it had less than 23K miles...and the gas mileage *****.....about 13 around town and 21 on the fwy....it's our first Honda so maybe I'm being a bit too critical....I just always thought the imports were supposed to be better....

My brother has the BMW M5....seems like it is in the shop every other month...

We have our eye on the Fusion as the successor to the Honda....

 

[Donn]

You run the auto auction, buy low and if you don't like it sell high at the auction!

 

[ephotrod]

I know I'm going to get flamed or maybe even booted. I feel a Honda accord with a 2.3 in it will do all that your asking (please note it has no balls), but it is a very reliable simply designed motor and car.
Josh

 

[1320stang]

You run the auto auction, buy low and if you don't like it sell high at the auction!

I had the same thought

I'm getting about 19 mpg in mixed traffic in my 2wd '03 Ford Sport Trac, and it has 4.10's in the rear

 

[tcianci]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quoted from Blackend..."Most of the auction places I know put their people in 03-07 Dodge Caravans. Little to no maintance to do, good gas mileage, plenty of room, and they run forever. Plus, base models (SXT) can be had really cheaply. My father-in-law works for an auto auction in PA and they have a fleet of them they send their chasers
out in "

Check any statistics compiled by anyone and you will find that the Chrysler minivans are the most un-reliable cheap S---Boxes ever built. I am an auto hobbiest, have been for almost 50 years, I have worked on everything out there and have never, ever have been brought in more failures than those trucks. I can change a transaxle with a blindfold by now....disintegrated window regulators, broken seat frames, leaks, haunted electronics and plenty of transmission and bottom end problems.

Out this way, cars that go to the auction go by lots...they lump the good stuff with the bad so that everything moves. The reason that the auctions use them as runners is that they get them for nothing (slightly more than they're worth) and can't sell them to anyone because in most states even the "sand lot" dealers have to warranty them to a degree. Guys avoid them like the plague. They are just bad news all around.

If you think you can make do with a sedan, you can't beat any GM with the 3800 V6, Bullet proof and inexpensive to run. And the 30+ mpg claims are true. I'm sure as an employee of the auction, you should have access to plenty of cars.

 

[61scout80]

I have a 2003 jetta TDI. averages 48 mpg, trunk fits bricks, transmissions, sod, trees and more stuff that i probably shouldn't have stuffed in a sedan. Adults get cramped in the back seat, but it can be done. I like the car, don't buy one with an auto.

Buy a good Slightly used AMERICAN automobile extracab s10's are nice , good seats, good drivetrain and parts are cheap. and you can haul an engine .

2 things.

the bear is hilarious. it's not often i actually laugh out loud at a message board..

Second, my last ford was build in hermisillo mexico, hecho en Estados Unidos, si?

my last chevy was built in canada. My coworker thinks his S10 was made in canada. what aboot American made, Eh?

when American car makers put a diesel in light trucks or cars I'll consider it. until then I'm stuck buying foreign cars to get reliability, fuel efficiency and comfort.

I don't give a rats *** what is screwed togeather here in the states. If its not American owned, you're wasting money used or not. gm new cars and trucks get better mileage than any import nowadays anyway, so that argument is old

I think i would rather buy a car assembled in the states, keeping a plant of hundreds of people employed. I don't prefer to buy an american based car company keeping hundreds of foreigners and a CEO paid....

 

[babzog]

So I started a new job running an Auto Auction. I live about an hour and a half away and sometimes have to commute up to 150 miles in a day to different sites (long story behind this one) Alot of that travel time is spent sitting in god awful bumper to bumper traffic. SO gas mileage and not to mention insurance costs, have to be kept in check. Additionally I Need to be able to carry at least one child seat, and generally I have a co-worker that I haul around. So, this means I need some modicum of comfort and space as well. As for carrying things around, I have 4 tool boxes that I carry around with me, they are small but they get heavy. Very rarely I may have to transport an engine. That said I suppose I could rent something when the engine carrying part comes around. SO does anyone have any thoughts on what a good vehicle might be?

Thanks!

Minivan. Toyota Sienna is very comfortable on long trips, has a terrific cargo capacity, can pull if required, is powerful and handles well, great gas mileage (not like a Civic, but pretty good nonetheless).

For stop-go traffic, don't get a standard xmission... PITA!!

 

[Todd.Brock]

A used Aveo will get you around with decent mileage, you may not respect yourself in the morning, but heh.... Look for an older Toyota Corolla too. Those last forever.
It really depends on if you want to spend 30k for a car to put 150 miles/day on or just a reliable a to b sort of ride. I never really thought good gas mileage and GM 3800 in the same sentance, but there are 50 million of them on the road. The supercharged versions might even be "fun"

 

[krooser]

You're working at an AUTO AUCTION..... they sell cars there. Wait awhile until you get to know the joint and you'll meet a good dealer who'll sell you a car at wholesale cost.

If you have to have newer stuff I'd buy 4cyl extended cab pick-up... personally I like the Dodge D100/D150 with a slant six engine... my '84 has gotten 19+ MPG on the highway with plenty of room to haul stuff.

I used to drive those roller skates but I can barely wedge my *** in one these days... I value comfort over economy these days.

 

[sasquach]

**** you live in Hawaii buy a motorcycle .

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

I will never understand why a simple qestion ALWAYS turns into a discussion about American v. imported cars or aything for that matter.

To the original poster: You have a clearly identified set of requirements. I am sure you have a budget to keep. I am also sure you are looking for something that looks good to you and does not break down.

I suggest you go to a couple of car lots and try a few. Asking people here just invites fruitless American v. imported debates.

 

[NRChopshop]

Saturn Wagon

 

[Brad1234]

Honda Element. 2 wheel drive for fuel economy.

 

[rickairmedic]

I am amazed I am only the second one to say this but I have done some digging for a new ( service / sales ) vehicle and I keep neding up at the Chevrolet HHR which is sad since I am a ford man . They get 22 city and 32 highway ( same as the Scion lunchbox ) and they look good doing it . Should you buy a new one you can get it in a wagon ( all windows ) a panel van ( no side windows ) and theres one between them that has windows in all the doors but the rear quarter windows are paneled in . I am wondering which island you are on . I lived on Oahu for 5 years and could get anywhere in an hour or less and drive around the whole thing in under 2 hours .


Rick

 

[BackTracker]

I don't have a dealers license, therefore I cannot just buy and sell, in this state you can only buy and sell 2 cars a year without it being a crime. Narrow minded bureaucrats anyone? Furthermore, my auction runs every week, giving me a very limited time to work with any car on the lot. Besides, have you looked at the cost of insurance that allows you to just drive whatever car is on your lot off whenever you like...MY GOD!

As far as price range goes, if it's new, I can get a low interest rate and afford it. If it's only a couple of years old, I wont get any kind of deal on financing or extended terms so i might as well by new. I prefer to buy something older. I have no problems putting some work into the car. I'm currently using a subaru legacy gt wagon. It's got a 250hp turbocharged 2.5liter 4 banger in it wiht the sport suspension. It's just fine for family duties, but when it's loaded up with tools and a couple guys it lacks the torque in the lower rev range to get moving. Furthermore, the rear suspension just doesn't seem up to the task, speed bumps bottom it out. and it's just not built for long drives, the sport suspension will rattle your teethe out on the longer drives.

Something cushier with some low end torque plz! I don't mind wagons, I'm trying to stay away from minivans as they have terrible gas mileage and seem to for whatever reason have ****** problems? maybe it's all the added weight attached to the fwd car drive train, i dunno. I have a plethora of dealer that come and go and I know most of them will be more than willing to sell me what I want for just over cost (i run the auction so I know what their cost is) I just need to figure out the best vehicle for the job.