What is your "commuter car"? (Need suggestions)
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 259
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From: CA
What is your "commuter car"? (Need suggestions)
Hi folks. Just wondering if everyone drives their LS430 as their "daily driver". I currently do but would like to get a commuter car since gas price is kicking my b*tt! $70 every 3 days! 
Yup, I'm in sales so I do a lot of city driving from client to client.
Anyway, just wanted to see what eveyone drove as their commuter car and if you can give suggestions on what's ideal to get. Here are my criteria:
1) Must get over 28mpg
2) Cost range from $2,000-$25,000 (new or used ok)
3) Must have some "potential" for aftermarket parts (minor mods only i.e. suspension, exhaust, intake). Must satisfy my urge to "not keep things stock".
4) "Proper" for someone of my age (32+) and somewhat "professional" in appearance.
Just some cars that came to mind are:
1) '96+ Civic sedan (with some JDM Ferio parts)
2) '92+ Civic sedan (with some JDM Ferio parts)
3) Scion Xb
4) Mini Cooper S
5) Mazda Protege 5
Let's hear your suggestions...
Yup, I'm in sales so I do a lot of city driving from client to client.
Anyway, just wanted to see what eveyone drove as their commuter car and if you can give suggestions on what's ideal to get. Here are my criteria:
1) Must get over 28mpg
2) Cost range from $2,000-$25,000 (new or used ok)
3) Must have some "potential" for aftermarket parts (minor mods only i.e. suspension, exhaust, intake). Must satisfy my urge to "not keep things stock".
4) "Proper" for someone of my age (32+) and somewhat "professional" in appearance.
Just some cars that came to mind are:
1) '96+ Civic sedan (with some JDM Ferio parts)
2) '92+ Civic sedan (with some JDM Ferio parts)
3) Scion Xb
4) Mini Cooper S
5) Mazda Protege 5
Let's hear your suggestions...
Last edited by Johnjohn13; Jul 15, 2006 at 08:08 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 534
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From: New York
Im lucky to live in NYC and have the subway as my commuter 'car'.
But if I were you, and given the list that you just gave, my first choice would be a Mini Cooper S...
I think its a very good handling car, very tight and go-kart like suspension, something which we owners of japanese cars always wishing for.
So, of course it is a 180' turn from the big LS to the small mini, but Im sure you can have lots of fun in it ...
And as for the aftermarket, you can always get a supercharger or get a complete John Cooper Works package that adds a couple more hp ...
But if I were you, and given the list that you just gave, my first choice would be a Mini Cooper S...
I think its a very good handling car, very tight and go-kart like suspension, something which we owners of japanese cars always wishing for.
So, of course it is a 180' turn from the big LS to the small mini, but Im sure you can have lots of fun in it ...
And as for the aftermarket, you can always get a supercharger or get a complete John Cooper Works package that adds a couple more hp ...
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Florida
if ur just commuting, from ur suggestiongs i would probably go with the mini cooper. But the Lexus ES gets around 22/30, the camry 4 cyl. is even better at around 26/34. have u thought about a Mazda 3? Those get pretty good mileage too. My commuter car right now if my LS430 though...
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 202
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From: alabama
Toyota 4-Runner
I have a SC 430(summer use only)
LS 430 during the winter or if I will be carrying more than 2 people and my daily driver is Toyota 4-Runner. The 4-Runner is not the most economical but it is very reliable and comfortable with plenty of room should it be necessary to carry outsize items. Very practicable for me.
Ron
LS 430 during the winter or if I will be carrying more than 2 people and my daily driver is Toyota 4-Runner. The 4-Runner is not the most economical but it is very reliable and comfortable with plenty of room should it be necessary to carry outsize items. Very practicable for me.
Ron
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 63
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From: Virginia
i would personally go with a 4cylinder accord/camry
maybe something german if you plan on getting rid of it after warranty (audi 1.8t, jetta, gti, german deisel)....but accord/camry if you plan on keeping it a while.....
this is a work car...so smooth ride/interior comfort would rank high as a deciding factor (seat comfort, ice cold a/c, sound system, softer dampening)
maybe something german if you plan on getting rid of it after warranty (audi 1.8t, jetta, gti, german deisel)....but accord/camry if you plan on keeping it a while.....
this is a work car...so smooth ride/interior comfort would rank high as a deciding factor (seat comfort, ice cold a/c, sound system, softer dampening)
In that price range, you can get a brand new Mazda3. 
The basic mods you mention are available and the mpg range is mid 20s to low 30s. If you can spend a little more, you can get a new Mazdaspeed3. mpg is 20-28 for a 250hp turbo car. I have not looked into the Mazdaspeed3 so I don't know what the market is like (availability, markups, ...)
The basic mods you mention are available and the mpg range is mid 20s to low 30s. If you can spend a little more, you can get a new Mazdaspeed3. mpg is 20-28 for a 250hp turbo car. I have not looked into the Mazdaspeed3 so I don't know what the market is like (availability, markups, ...)
