Recommendations for an economical commuter car

christineka

New member

• Jan 27, 2009

• #1

Dh's car barely passed inspection due to the windsheild fluid dispenser. (I didn't know that was part of inspection.) The car is so old and a discontinued model that no parts are available for it any more. The fluid comes out just enough to pass.

So, we need to look at buying a different car for next year. I'd like to get a feel for what our financial goal for this coming year will be. (This past year we were saving for our sienna and very soon we'll have all the funds for it.)

So, not really sure what to check out. Once upon a time we had a honda civic and loved it. I've heard toyotas are good. (Not sure what the most economical model is.) Dh drives about 50 miles one way to work, so a fuel efficient vehicle is necessary.

 

BW1426

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2009

• #2

I know you've mentioned it a few times, but what are these inspections you have to pass

Are you looking to buy newish or something from early 2000s?

I don't think you could go wrong with a Civic. A Ford Focus, Chevy Cobalt, Ford Escort/Mercury Tracer, Chevy Metro and Kia Rio would all be good commuter vehicles some larger than others and some cheaper than others.

If you want something that you can do 3 across in I'd look at the Focus, Civic, Cobalt, Escort or Tracer.

 

M

momto2boysinOnt

Member

• Jan 27, 2009

• #3

Not sure if you're looking new or used, but if you want something new - the Honda Fit is a great little car. Corolla and Civics are also standbys in terms of economy and reliability.

 

Namegirl

Senior Community Member

• Jan 27, 2009

• #4

Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Subaru WRX.

 

Pixels

New member

• Jan 27, 2009

• #5

I don't remember what kids/seats you have. But the Fit is not the friendliest to install seats in, especially if one of you is taller/longer legs. I can just barely get a BabyTrend seat behind my brother (driver), and only if the handle is all the way down (not in the middle position). I can't get a Radian RFing at all in there, unless I put it behind the passenger's seat, and then the passenger's seat is unusable. Even two Radians cannot fit side-by-side FFing driver's and center seat. FFing Radian driver's next to BabyTrend seat with the base doesn't work either (didn't try without the base).

This is an 07/08 design Fit. I know it was redesigned for 09.

 

christineka

New member

• Jan 27, 2009

• #6

I have 6 kids. It would be a bonus if I could get 3 car seats in the car. 2 would be okay. I just like the option of driving the car if I don't have to take everyone with me.

Depending on prices, we'd probably be looking at something made between 2004 and 2007.

Oh, and not sure what the states are that require inspections, but ours does. We don't have to pass the smog test, but there is some inspection where they make sure your vehicle is fit for the road. New Hampshire's state inspection was pretty rigorous. Of course, if you know the places that don't do thorough inspections you can get your dumpy car passed. I'd rather not, though.

We had a 1988 Honda wagon that in no way would pass inspection (in NH), so we ended up with a 1997 Honda Civic. That car went away when expecting number 3, though. It has been a long time since we've been in the market for a car. The last 3 were from the family and either free or cheap.

 

mamaofthree

New member

• Feb 2, 2009

• #7

My dh drives a 2001 2 door Civic and gets about 34 mpg freeway miles. He said sometimes he gets even better. HTH!

Kimberly

 

M

msduckland

New member

• Feb 4, 2009

• #8

Wow my state only checks the lights and horn and says you pass

 

J

jewlsvern

New member

• Feb 6, 2009

• #9

What about a used Mazda 3. They have a good price used and you should be able to get 3 across in one with the right seats. Gas mileage is pretty good also.

 

bobandjess99

Senior Community Member

• Feb 6, 2009

• #10

There are no inspections here....but dh's metro gets 38 mpg, in town. i dont recommend it though, unless you only care about mileage...

 

emandbri

Well-known member

• Feb 7, 2009

• #11

I can fit 3 in the back if our 2000 camry and it has 3 shoulder belts which is also nice. It doesn't have latch though. It only gets about 23 miles a gallon though but my husband only drives 12 miles to work not 50.

Best of luck!

 

Pixels

New member

• Feb 7, 2009

• #12

Updating my previous comments about the Fit. If you aren't worried about getting more than 2 carseats in the car, and both are FFing, it's a fine car. Even RFing isn't horrible. Like I said before, infant seat is doable (I think brother has his seat 1 click forward from all the way back). Convertable RFing is doable, if it has a short shell (ComfortSport short).

And three across is possible in at least one configuration. I got BabyTrend, FFing RN, BT in there. If I had a Marathon or two to play with, I'd try puzzling the RN and MA and getting various combinations of FFing and RFing seats that way. So three-across with the right seats might be doable.

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Feb 7, 2009

• #13

My dh's Golf gets 38-40 mpg - it's a diesel. And I can fit 3-across, with the right carseats. It's also got great safety ratings.

 

Patriot201

Car-Seat.org Ambassador

• Feb 7, 2009

• #14

I am a "foreign car kind of gal," so my recommendations will all be foreign.

Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Toyota Yaris
Toyota Matrix
Mazda 3

 

Thanksgiving_Twins_Mom

New member

• Feb 8, 2009

• #15

BW1426 said:

I don't think you could go wrong with a Civic. A Ford Focus, Chevy Cobalt, Ford Escort/Mercury Tracer, Chevy Metro and Kia Rio would all be good commuter vehicles some larger than others and some cheaper than others.

If you want something that you can do 3 across in I'd look at the Focus, Civic, Cobalt, Escort or Tracer.

Click to expand...

We love our '97 Civic. DH has a Focus as his company car that's probably at least four years younger than our Civic and feels that our old Civic handles much better and gets better mileage than his Focus.

What seats are your kids in? I can fit 2 Parkways and an RSTV in the back of my Civic - not sure if the newer ones are any wider.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Feb 8, 2009

• #16

I would look at a Camry or a Civic.