Commuter suggestions

[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. .

[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.

, 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. .

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