Exciting Long Distance Commuter Advice :)

Add me to the camp who thinks you should buy a second car for commute duty and keep the much loved RX8 for fun duty.
The second car can be somewhat fun but with an emphasis placed on reliability and dependability.
Speaking of reliability, one of the easiest ways to assure that you make it to work every day is to have a back up plan or in this case a back up car. It is wonderfully convenient when you arrive at car trouble that you do not have to worry how you will get to work tomorrow (second car.) You are also then not rushed or forced into either a hastily done job of getting it back on the road or worse, forced into premium , rush job, rates to get the car fixed at a shop.

In my research on this question I learned there are minor but good reasons to skip 2014 and look at 2015s with improved interior bits (IIRC). I have seen private party cars on Portland and Seattle CL with 20-30k on the clock for $15k. Reasonable dealers are generally at $18k or so and ther cars seem to have more like 10k - 15K on the clock (lease returns?). I've only seen a couple manual 1.0 ecoboost cars at 6$ and 8K$ private party. Thew FiST site and some other sources pretty consistently have users getting mid 30s hwy driving a flow of traffic (NOT hypermiling).

yupididit wrote: How much are Fiesta ST going for used?

alexseiji wrote: My only requirement is that I can fit my bike inside of it, even if If I have to take off both wheels which what I do with the RX8. Preferably an RWD but Im totally open to different configurations and type of vehicle regardless of doors. Ive looked at RSX's but it is hard to find them with lower miles. I really enjoy the idea of a BRZ however the price is still a bit high for my budget of around 15K or under. I would LOVE a Miata but unfortunately there isn't enough room for me, otherwise it would be perfect!

At least in my area FR-S are found under $15k...

FRS for 15k or less...

In reply to Vigo: Ive definitely considered them however it seems that the level of component failure is rather high. It wouldn't be such an issue if I had a garage to fix things

Is the RX8 engine not considered a 'component' failure?

G37s coupe

I went with the nicest E36 BMW 3 series I could find, which I used for a long commute for quite a while and only replaced it when I needed something with more rear seat room. But it seems your experience with that option was considerably worse.

I have the exact same commute as you...between 55 and 60 miles depending on the route I take.

First, I tried a Prius. Ugh...no thanks. Fantastic at what it's mission is, but I'd gladly give up a few mpg for a driving experience that's more exciting than watching paint dry while the grass grows.

Then, I went with a Focus ST. Super fun car, I really enjoyed driving it. There were a few things I really didn't care for, and I just decided not to beat the snot out of an expensive car (kind of regretting that decision).

I now have a 2013 Hyundai Elantra coupe with 6spd manual. Got it for $8700 with only 58k miles on it. Price was great, has a manual trans, equipped with heated seats, XM radio, etc... I'm averaging 34-38mpg depending on weather and traffic. Pretty damn good. Very comfy place to spend 90 minutes. No turbos, no direct injection, no HPFP, etc... reliable as gravity. Not a fun car by any means, but not as boring as the Prius. For high mileage commuting, I'm finding it to be perfect. I had considered BMW or G37, but didn't want to live with the higher maintenance costs and fuel costs on a car that I'm going to put 35k miles per year on. If I only drive 10k per year, it wouldn't be a big deal, but at the miles we drive, it matter. Now I'm searching for a toy, such as a Miata.

Vigo wrote:

In reply to Vigo: Ive definitely considered them however it seems that the level of component failure is rather high. It wouldn't be such an issue if I had a garage to fix things

Is the RX8 engine not considered a 'component' failure?

On a rotary the engine is considered a maintenance item

2003-2005 Toyota Celica GT (36mpg)or if you want to buy premium fuel and get less mileage get a GT-S (32pmg).

While I love the Skyactiv Mazda3 that is my wife's car, the seats are super uncomfortable on long trips for me for some reason so I wouldn't recommend it for that reason. But your butt might see it differently.

I drive 70 miles round trip a day and do it in a 13 Mazda CX-5 2wd w/the 6 speed manual. I know its an suv but very comfortable on the highway and tons of room. Handles pretty good for what it is. 30-34 mpg as well. If that doesn't work for you, I think a newer Mazda 6 would be a nice place to spend all those miles to work in.