Commuter suggestions

[buffalobo]

With the change of jobs recently I no longer need to carry full load out of tools. My Durango has served me well, but is on it's last leg and is a gas hog.

I would like to pursue used small SUV or Crossover but know little to nothing about them. The little bit of research I have done points to 4 cylinder, maybe even hybrid if can catch one at good price. I am a little surprised at some of the 6 cylinder fuel economy ratings, thought they would be better.

My commute averages 65 miles each way, 75% highway and 25% city. Fuel economy is first priorty with reliability close second.

Looking for opinions from those who own one and mechanics who work on them.

[gnihcraes]

girlfriends 2020 jeep cherokee, 4 cylinder, turbo, has gotten up to 28mpg on the highway. very zippy, fairly roomy. reliable so far. 60k miles. not sure of prices though. used market is $$



4

[def90]

I would get a regular small car. I rented a Kia when I was in Atlanta for work a few weeks back. Drove that thing from the airport up to the northeast suburb of Duluth (35-40 minute drive), drove around Duluth a few days and then back to the airport and it took less than 2 gallons to top of the tank before I returned it.

[Erni]

2016 or later Hyundai with 1.6 turbo and stick. My Veloster gets 34 doing 75. Today going from Longmont to FoCo I got 40 but went much slower due to speed limits.
If new the fwd Maverick is said to get 44mpg.

[fitz19d]

That's the hybrid maverick and good luck getting one. Dealers have them marked up 10k. I ordered one direct in January still Waiting

[Great-Kazoo]

How much interior space you need?

[buffalobo]

How much interior space you need?Enough for one pack out stack(Rigid/Dewalt/Milwaukee) and couple milk crates but ideally ability to fold down rear seats and haul 120lb GSD if needed.

After breakdown last summer neighbor hauled myself and packout easily in his 04 Rav4 but would have been tough for large dog.

Recently rented a new Kia Soul for a 1200 mile weekend road trip and was pleased with performance, fuel economy and space(still kinda tight). Just not going to spend even close to new.

[ruthabagah]

Go check a jeep renegade. Fun to drive, easy to park, decent interior space, and at least on the trailhawk edition, surprisingly good for moderate off road.

[Ramsker]

Maybe check out 2010 - 2012 Ford Escapes? We have 3 of them (wife and two kids). 6 cyl engines so plenty of power. Good clearance and AWD for the snow. Lots of space for people and stuff relative to overall vehicle size. Dependable, etc.

If looking for something newer . . . we rented a Ford EcoSport last fall when we took a trip to NY. Nice little commuter to zip around in. Probably wouldn't be great in the mountains or anything, but it was great around town and on the highways. I've heard the new Escapes are nice, too.

[eddiememphis]

I was a mechanic on all makes for years and was in the wholesale parts business after that.

Reliability- Toyota and Honda, hands down the most reliable. I was surprised at the amount of high mileage Subarus around that only needed maintenance.

An older Subaru Outback or Crosstrek may fit your needs. 25-30 mpg, AWD, safe and reliable. Larger than they look- you can jam a lot of crap in them. And one of the few vehicles you can buy with a manual transmission, if that is a factor.

[Bailey Guns]

^^ Just sold my wife's 2017 Crosstrek. Never any maintenance aside from the usual oil changes and such over 108k miles. She drove it back and forth from her place to mine and averaged 30+ mpg on the highway, almost as much otherwise. I can vouch that it holds a substantial amount of stuff. We just didn't need it any longer and my car is newer with 1/4 of the miles.

[buffalobo]

Maybe check out 2010 - 2012 Ford Escapes? We have 3 of them (wife and two kids). 6 cyl engines so plenty of power. Good clearance and AWD for the snow. Lots of space for people and stuff relative to overall vehicle size. Dependable, etc.

If looking for something newer . . . we rented a Ford EcoSport last fall when we took a trip to NY. Nice little commuter to zip around in. Probably wouldn't be great in the mountains or anything, but it was great around town and on the highways. I've heard the new Escapes are nice, too.Thanks, 4 cyl Escapes in those years are currently top of list.

[buffalobo]

I was a mechanic on all makes for years and was in the wholesale parts business after that.

Reliability- Toyota and Honda, hands down the most reliable. I was surprised at the amount of high mileage Subarus around that only needed maintenance.

An older Subaru Outback or Crosstrek may fit your needs. 25-30 mpg, AWD, safe and reliable. Larger than they look- you can jam a lot of crap in them. And one of the few vehicles you can buy with a manual transmission, if that is a factor.
^^ Just sold my wife's 2017 Crosstrek. Never any maintenance aside from the usual oil changes and such over 108k miles. She drove it back and forth from her place to mine and averaged 30+ mpg on the highway, almost as much otherwise. I can vouch that it holds a substantial amount of stuff. We just didn't need it any longer and my car is newer with 1/4 of the miles.My first car was a '74 Subaru DL, abused beyond belief and kept running. Kinda partial to Subaru just always needed truck or large SUV.

Outback too small for princess and the prices. Will check out Crosstrek since I am not familiar with it.

[buffalobo]

2016 or later Hyundai with 1.6 turbo and stick. My Veloster gets 34 doing 75. Today going from Longmont to FoCo I got 40 but went much slower due to speed limits.
If new the fwd Maverick is said to get 44mpg.Thanks, middle daughter is Hyundai loyalist but hers is some sporty little thing. Will check out Veloster.

[def90]

My first car was a '74 Subaru DL, abused beyond belief and kept running. Kinda partial to Subaru just always needed truck or large SUV.

Outback too small for princess and the prices. Will check out Crosstrek since I am not familiar with it.

Subaru Forester has .ore room in the back.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Subaru Forester has .ore room in the back.

My nephew went with a 2014 Forester in preference over a Crosstrek due to both the cargo room and the improved visibility. He's had it now for just under a year in Montana with no complaints that I'm aware of.

[SideShow Bob]

I picked up a 2007 Chevy Cobalt for just under $5K three years ago with under 35K on the odo, because I joined the commuter crowd.
Have been running it approx. 67 miles a day plus side trips and weekend grocery runs, only expenses are regular oil changes, air filters and gasoline, oh and a new set of 4 tires due to trashing two on road debris.
I am still getting 34 ish to 35 MPG if I keep it under 70 MPH and don?t drive like an ?A? hole. And most importantly the AC still blows cold.
It isn?t any beauty queen, but it has the factory premium stereo. [rockon][rockon].

[BushMasterBoy]

I have an 2005 Chevy Colorado P/U extended cab. Rear wheel drive. Gasoline 2.8 liter four cylinder. Get almost 30MPG on the freeway. Automatic transmission. Had two breakdowns. One ignition coil failed by the house, $35 fix. Variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid failed, $370 at the dealer to replace $35 part. Was 50 miles from the house. Modifications are transmission oil cooler, deeper cooling transmission pan, and air bags on rear for towing and heavy loads.I added a tow hitch. Topper over bed. I love this lil truck. 141k miles. Towed a Chevy inboard speedboat from Florida. Has great handling. Same truck as GMC Canyon and Isuzu I-280...

I have 5 trucks. All GM's. This one is the most fun to drive and easiest to park.


https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/colorado/2005/review/

[buffalobo]

Subaru Forester has .ore room in the back.
My nephew went with a 2014 Forester in preference over a Crosstrek due to both the cargo room and the improved visibility. He's had it now for just under a year in Montana with no complaints that I'm aware of.[emoji106], check out Forester.

[buffalobo]

I picked up a 2007 Chevy Cobalt for just under $5K three years ago with under 35K on the odo, because I joined the commuter crowd.
Have been running it approx. 67 miles a day plus side trips and weekend grocery runs, only expenses are regular oil changes, air filters and gasoline, oh and a new set of 4 tires due to trashing two on road debris.
I am still getting 34 ish to 35 MPG if I keep it under 70 MPH and don?t drive like an ?A? hole. And most importantly the AC still blows cold.
It isn?t any beauty queen, but it has the factory premium stereo. [rockon][rockon].Need more cargo space and under 70mph on I76 during morning commute will get you run over.

[buffalobo]

I have an 2005 Chevy Colorado P/U extended cab. Rear wheel drive. Gasoline 2.8 liter four cylinder. Get almost 30MPG on the freeway. Automatic transmission. Had two breakdowns. One ignition coil failed by the house, $35 fix. Variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid failed, $370 at the dealer to replace $35 part. Was 50 miles from the house. Modifications are transmission oil cooler, deeper cooling transmission pan, and air bags on rear for towing and heavy loads.I added a tow hitch. Topper over bed. I love this lil truck. 141k miles. Towed a Chevy inboard speedboat from Florida. Has great handling. Same truck as GMC Canyon and Isuzu I-280...

I have 5 trucks. All GM's. This one is the most fun to drive and easiest to park.


https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/colorado/2005/review/Really like the Colorado but need better fuel economy.

[SideShow Bob]

Need more cargo space and under 70mph on I76 during morning commute will get you run over.

The Two door version has a big trunk for a small car, at least a ?Two body? if you fold the legs right. More if you fold the back seats down.
Fuel economy drops to around 31 - 32 at 75 to 80.

[Erni]

Not close to anything you were thinking about but I had a 07 Yaris Toy. 34mpg and I drove it like I stole it. From new to its demise at 135k due to an accident it had very few issues. I warped the brakes at 30k but drove them till 90k but they were still good. Should have changed earlier but it worked. Oil changes and tires only. New plugs at 100k made the engine more peppy. Also changed the steel rims for lighter alloys which made it faster to accelerate.

But if you want to ferry a Sheppy compacts might be too small.

I also looked at a Chevy Sonic, and it is a blast but even smaller. The Chevy Spark, well it?s cheap and good MPG but I just did not hate myself enough to buy one - the acceleration was glacial.
I know these suggestions are not exactly what you asked for. But these were the results of my own commuter search about 2 years ago. I like the hatch backs as they offer better utility for me.

[eddiememphis]

Best commuter car I had was an '87 Corolla FX-16.

Two door hatchback. 1.6l fuel injected with variable valve timing. 7800 rpm redline, 115 angry horsepower.

I had no idea what it was when I got it. Turns out it was a sleeper hot rod by taking a 4a-ge engine from the GTS and MR2 and stuffing it in a plain white wrapper.

The little engine is still sought after by Toyota nerds. About 5000 rpm, the valve timing changed and it felt like a turbo kicked in.

Small and light, it was like driving a go kart. Rowing through the five speed was fun with a light clutch and short throw shifter.

I put around 100k miles on it. Sold it about 7 years ago with 240k to a kid that was very excited to find one.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Camping/i-kM99Fpk/0/c73127ad/M/DSC01175-M.jpg

[buffalobo]

Thanks all, I think I got what I needed.