Perfect commuting car

[SVT666]

Describe your commute to work and the type of driving it requires and then give what you feel is the perfect car for that commute.  The car must be currently available on the new car market.

[SVT666]

Right now my commute is on hilly and twisty backroads with virtually no traffic.  My SVT Focus is pretty ideally suited for the task.  It handles great and gets pretty decent mileage.  However my Focus isn't currently available on the new car market.  I would pick a Cooper S as the perfect car for my commute.

[ifcar]

Varies from stop-and-go highway and suburban traffic to highway cruise. I'd go with the Nissan Versa if buying new and strictly for that commute: pleasant, economical, and inexpensive.

[ChrisV]

Describe your commute to work and the type of driving it requires and then give what you feel is the perfect car for that commute.  The car must be currently available on the new car market.

I have about 7 miles each way, on surface streets that never exceed 35 mph posted limits. A small electric car or Smart would be perfect.

Which is why I do it in a 740iL.

[Cookie Monster]

I shall pick a Trek Soho S.
Inexpensive, single speed and low maintenance.

[omicron]

One left-turn out of my street, then a right-turn at the end, and straight down. Ten minutes, straight roads and suburban traffic lights; nothing remotely challenging, nor high-speed.

Given that the tramline runs all but parallel to that route, or several buses stop within one minute of my front door and that of work, those are the best commuter vehicles for me.

[SVT666]

I have about 7 miles each way, on surface streets that never exceed 35 mph posted limits. A small electric car or Smart would be perfect.

Which is why I do it in a 740iL.

Sounds like a Hybrid would never leave electric mode on your commute.

[280Z Turbo]

My commute is driving to school every week on long straight Michigan highways. Sometimes it snows, the roads are rough, and I'm poor so I need good gas mileage. I like small cars with good handling. My back seat goes unused 99% of the time. I almost never bring much stuff with me, so I only need a small trunk. I picked:

2008 MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop Sport

I definately don't want a ragtop, and since the Miata doesn't offer a coupe version, this is as close I can get. It comes with cruise control, 16" wheels, cloth, 5 speed manual, 166 hp DOHC engine, leather wrapped steering wheel, etc.

I don't want a 6 speed, leather, or 17" wheels, so this trim level would be perfect for me. The only option I got was the 6 disc changer.

The total MSRP is $25,535.

[NomisR]

Stop and go traffic with stupid people randomly stop or brake for no reason other than they're on the cell phone and causiing traffic.  Perfect commuter car for me would be a tank so I can run over all the mother fuckers!

[Raza]

Well, since I don't work right now, I'll use my old commute.

52 miles each way, about 50 of it highway.  So, my ideal car is probably some horrid little Kapanese box that returns 35mpg. 

But then again, those two miles off the highway are at times wonderful, and the only thing keeping me from going insane due to stop and go traffic.  So I wouldn't want to give up that fun to save four dollars a week in gas.  And I need a little bit of power to scoot in and out when the traffic finally does clear up.

I'm a huge convertible guy, so having one for the daily commute would be great. 

So I need something fuel efficient, comfortable, and fun, that seats four and has a folding roof, but is also usable over all four seasons. 

Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.






Just kidding.

Well, I think I can give up on the convertible part, since I have a sports car in the garage for the odd Fridays, so that surely opens up the prospects. 

Either the Honda Civic Si coupe, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS (turbo), or Volkswagen GTI 3 door.

[Vinsanity]

I thought about this as well.

My old commute consisted of 20 miles one-way of Pacific Coast Highway, with light-moderate traffic. The S2000 was perfect for the job

But now my commute is 75-80% stop-and-go That said, here would be the objective priorities:

roomy/comfortable
reliable
fuel efficient
nice entertainment system
good acceleration for onramps/passing
good brakes for when traffic comes to a sudden stop

sounds like Trep's hybrid Camry would be the machine for the job, but I want nothing to do with that car

I'll pocket my money and take a Sentra instead (hey, I like the SL interior with the orange leather seats)

Although it doesn't really meet the "fuel efficient" criterion (nor probably the acceleration one either), I'd enjoy my commute more in a Honda Element with the SC trim. Maybe a Scion xB if I wanted to save on fuel, or a Mini Cooper with the mocha brown interior if I wanted something a little fancier.

[ifcar]

So, my ideal car is probably some horrid little Kapanese box that returns 35mpg.

The ideal car is never the car you don't like.

[Cookie Monster]

My commute is driving to school every week on long straight Michigan highways. Sometimes it snows, the roads are rough, and I'm poor so I need good gas mileage. I like small cars with good handling. My back seat goes unused 99% of the time. I almost never bring much stuff with me, so I only need a small trunk. I picked:

2008 MX-5 Power Retractable Hardtop Sport

I definately don't want a ragtop, and since the Miata doesn't offer a coupe version, this is as close I can get. It comes with cruise control, 16" wheels, cloth, 5 speed manual, 166 hp DOHC engine, leather wrapped steering wheel, etc.

I don't want a 6 speed, leather, or 17" wheels, so this trim level would be perfect for me. The only option I got was the 6 disc changer.

The total MSRP is $25,535.

Why not just get a base MX-5 and put a hardtop on it? You'd save about $4k doing that.

[SVT666]

Why not just get a base MX-5 and put a hardtop on it? You'd save about $4k doing that.

Personally, I think it looks odd with the optional hardtop.  Besides, if you want to go topless, you have to find another person to help take it off and then put it on the floor of your garage.

[Cookie Monster]

Personally, I think it looks odd with the optional hardtop.  Besides, if you want to go topless, you have to find another person to help take it off and then put it on the floor of your garage.

Well IMO it looks so much better with the hardtop.

[Raza]

Personally, I think it looks odd with the optional hardtop.  Besides, if you want to go topless, you have to find another person to help take it off and then put it on the floor of your garage.

I think the PRHT looks odd too.  I'd just get a standard convertible, save some weight, save some money, and I'd realize that fully lined soft tops aren't like convertible tops from 50 years ago.

[280Z Turbo]

I think the PRHT looks odd too.  I'd just get a standard convertible, save some weight, save some money, and I'd realize that fully lined soft tops aren't like convertible tops from 50 years ago.

You need a hardtop at the track and the manual says you can go through an automatic car wash with them.

I want a hardtop. I don't care if it's power or not. I don't think I would have the top off very much at all.

[ChrisV]

I think the PRHT looks odd too.  I'd just get a standard convertible, save some weight, save some money, and I'd realize that fully lined soft tops aren't like convertible tops from 50 years ago.

I'd have to agree, but then again, I'd never spend a bunch of money on a new car to save a couple dollars at the pump. You spend new car money to buy a car you want, not to save any money on anything.

[Cookie Monster]

You need a hardtop at the track and the manual says you can go through an automatic car wash with them.

I want a hardtop. I don't care if it's power or not. I don't think I would have the top off very much at all.

I'd feel too conspicuous with the top off, so I'd always keep the hardtop on.

[Byteme]

Our Mazdas 3i touring 5 speed.

Commute is 50 miles round trip.  About 50% stop and go and 50% HOV lane/freeway.  The car is responsive, handles well and gets about 32-33 MPG out of every tankfull.  We also use the car for most of our daily needs and that is almost all stop ad go city driving so that mileage is pretty good.  

[280Z Turbo]

I'd feel too conspicuous with the top off, so I'd always keep the hardtop on.

Me too. I don't even like the feel of wind in my hair as I have a sensitive scalp.

[Raza]

You need a hardtop at the track and the manual says you can go through an automatic car wash with them.

I want a hardtop. I don't care if it's power or not. I don't think I would have the top off very much at all.

Why do you need a hardtop at a track?  NC MX-5s have rollbars.

[Raza]

I'd feel too conspicuous with the top off, so I'd always keep the hardtop on.

Spoken like someone who has never really been in a convertible. 

Just don't pick your nose and no one will care.

[Byteme]

I'd feel too conspicuous with the top off, so I'd always keep the hardtop on.

Kind of defeats the purpose of buying a roadster doesn't it?

[ChrisV]

man, I feel sory for you girls that can't put the top down on a convertible.   

You miss out on some of the best warm weather drives, especially in the evening on a twisty back road. I've had soooo many convertibles, and can't wait to get my Comet done.

[Cookie Monster]

Me too. I don't even like the feel of wind in my hair as I have a sensitive scalp.

I imagine it'd be fun because of all that visibility but I don't like the thought of everyone seeing me. It's odd IMO.
Plus if I want some wind I'll open the windows. That's all I need.

[Cookie Monster]

Kind of defeats the purpose of buying a roadster doesn't it?

I don't want a Miata because it's a convertible... If they made a Miata Coupe, I'd definitely buy one of those.

[280Z Turbo]

man, I feel sory for you girls that can't put the top down on a convertible.  

You miss out on some of the best warm weather drives, especially in the evening on a twisty back road. I've had soooo many convertibles, and can't wait to get my Comet done.

I've driven a convertible before and I just don't care for it.

[Raza]

man, I feel sory for you girls that can't put the top down on a convertible.   

You miss out on some of the best warm weather drives, especially in the evening on a twisty back road. I've had soooo many convertibles, and can't wait to get my Comet done.

Sometimes people just don't get it...

[Cookie Monster]

I've driven a convertible before and I just don't care for it.

I hate it when the sun keeps shining on me. And I'd rather have a roof over my head. It makes me feel more secure.