WTB: Great commuter, can stretch the budget-Page 2: $2012 Classifieds forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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July 17, 2010 9:05 a.m. paul Reader

Maybe a EP3 (2002-2005) civic si?
I travel 40,000 miles a year in the tri-state area and love mine.

Great/supportive seats, small hatchback but has +100" wheelbase, quiet/very solid feel, very safe, low maintenance (timing chain, k-series engine etc), 30+mpg, prices for them are low these days...
July 17, 2010 9:23 a.m. minimac SuperDork

Unless the Matrix/Vibe is an AWD model, it will be absolute junk in winter driving conditions, regardless of tires.
July 17, 2010 9:56 a.m. SVreX SuperDork

See my comment in the other thread.

I haven't seen snow in 20 years.
July 17, 2010 10:04 a.m. SVreX SuperDork

At the moment, I'm going to steer away from Hondas.

I've had several- good cars.

I think I failed to mention earlier- I'm at a stage (a little older) where the lower seating position of a sports car layout (Honda, Miata, Prius, etc) just doesn't work from a long range comfort perspective.

When I take my foot off the pedal in my Miata, my knees are elevated 8-10" above my hips. Long range, this is rough on circulation, and very painful. Additionally, the tight foot area under the dash doesn't allow for too many options to rearrange leg position.

More upright seating a plus (MINI, Cube, Xb, Matrix, etc).
July 17, 2010 11:40 a.m. Travis_K Dork

You have to throw a lot of money at a TDI to keep up with maintenance on a high mileage one that someone has just kept driving. $7500 would be a good amount to budget for the cheapest TDI you could get (purchase price+any work it needs), if you are doing the work yourself. Not that you would have to spend all of that, but you should be prepared to.
July 17, 2010 12:56 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Edit: My Vibe/Matrix seat comments were for the first body style. I think they were updated in '08 or '09 and I have no experience with those years.
July 17, 2010 1:16 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

I thought that might be the case.

They weren't stellar, but they really weren't bad. They had a bit more adjustability than you described. I don't think there was lumbar, but there was rear/ recline angle, raising and lowering the seat bottom, and adjusting the seat bottom height.
July 18, 2010 7:06 p.m. 924guy Dork

find an 84 Lincoln mk VII D!!!

oh looky, found one:

http://carsforsale.classifieds1000.com/make/Lincoln/Mark_VII

Year: 1984, 100310 miles Condition: 7 Asking Price: $ 5500
July 18, 2010 9:11 p.m. MrBenjamonkey Reader

Have you considered a Kia Forte? Brand new, they handle well and you can option them way up for cheap.

This is the two door version.