Let's talk soulless commuter cars with zero motorsports aspirations

Past State:

I was a track day enthusiast and really liked fun street cars.  I had an 8 minute commute to work, and my ND Miata RF was fine for the short drive and also really fun for track, autocross, mountain runs, etc.  Along the way I also acquired an F-250 crew cab for truck stuff and to support my racing aspirations.  The combination of two wildly impractical yet opposite vehicles mostly met my needs.

Current State:

My commute to work is now 30 minutes each way of soul-sucking Atlanta traffic.  I also own a Radical SR1 that lives on a trailer, and no street car can really compare with it for fun car stuff.  It's wicked fast, cheap to run, easy to service, etc.  The F-250 needs to stay around to support the race car, but I don't want to daily drive it.  It's miserable to park around the city and gets 14mpg on a good day.  So I feel like my ownership of the Miata has run its course.  The manual trans is a PITA for city driving, it's a little too noisy for work phone calls, it doesn't have enough seating or cargo capacity for family stuff.

So What Next?

I thought about replacing the Miata with another "cool" car, but I just don't know that "cool" is a priority.  I want something comfortable, quiet, spacious, and fuel efficient.  I want all the new techy stuff; wireless CarPlay, heated and cooled seats, etc.  Should comfortably seat 4 adults but still be easy to manage in the city.  I don't want to own an EV just yet; I rent Teslas often and I like them, but I think a gas or gas/electric hybrid car will better meet my needs right now.  I've done enough service on German cars to know that I'd rather not.  Ironically, I don't want something too fast or fun because I want to feel OK about handing the keys to my knucklehead teenagers without feeling like I'm giving them a loaded gun.  I prefer something new, and lets figure my budget is in the $35-50k range.

My coworker just got a new Accord Hybrid in Touring trim, and it seems pretty awesome.  Checks all my boxes and gets 45mpg mixed driving.  I'm inclined to go this way, but what else should I be considering?

TL;DR: anyone want to buy a really clean ND2 Miata RF Club with all the right upgrades?

I hear the second gen Niro are quite the ride. high mpg, every doo-dad and comfort item to make you not hate your commute. Loaded to the gills on the top trim package barely breaks $35k. 

Yaris. I rented one and it was so bad that I turned it in at the next town. I lasted an hour. Probably great mileage though.

RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) said:

I'd get the cheapest EV (new or used, depending on your income limits you can figure out how to milk the incentives as much as you can) you can find if you have a house. Minimal maintenance, perfect for stop and go traffic, full "tank" every morning, possibly cheaper to run. Think Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, etc.

Here's my dilemma with EV's.  I've driven Tesla Model 3's often and I like them, but I find the proprietary nav/user interface to be somewhat infuriating.  I really want CarPlay.  There are other cool EV's, but I take multi-state road trips pretty often and I don't want to deal with all the crazy charging network stuff.

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) said:

I'd get the cheapest EV (new or used, depending on your income limits you can figure out how to milk the incentives as much as you can) you can find if you have a house. Minimal maintenance, perfect for stop and go traffic, full "tank" every morning, possibly cheaper to run. Think Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, etc.

Here's my dilemma with EV's.  I've driven Tesla Model 3's often and I like them, but I find the proprietary nav/user interface to be somewhat infuriating.  I really want CarPlay.  There are other cool EV's, but I take multi-state road trips pretty often and I don't want to deal with all the crazy charging network stuff.

Oh you caught me. I deleted my post because I read you didn't want EVs (I skimmed the post too quickly!). I'd recommend a used hybrid Avalon or ES. I think those should fall in the budget, get great MPG and be super comfortable.

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) said:

I'd get the cheapest EV (new or used, depending on your income limits you can figure out how to milk the incentives as much as you can) you can find if you have a house. Minimal maintenance, perfect for stop and go traffic, full "tank" every morning, possibly cheaper to run. Think Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, etc.

Here's my dilemma with EV's.  I've driven Tesla Model 3's often and I like them, but I find the proprietary nav/user interface to be somewhat infuriating.  I really want CarPlay.  There are other cool EV's, but I take multi-state road trips pretty often and I don't want to deal with all the crazy charging network stuff.

All hyundais and kias now come with carplay/aa standard. Also there's a plug in version for about $40k decked out. 

Accord Hybrid seems like a great idea.  Also something like an Avalon hybrid or the Lexus ES equivalent.  Comfy, quiet, reliable, good economy.   For traffic get something with stop and go and lane centering auto cruise control, we have it in our Mercedes E400 and it is spectacular in traffic.  The Mercedes is lovely and ours has been trouble free but it is easier to recommend a Toyota than anything German. 

I always liked the Fits.  They seem a bit sporty or potentially sporty.  Just as a pure appliance though, my wife's Gen II RAV4 has been really good to us.  Massive room, good mileage, adequate power, reliable as gravity.  

Mustang Mach E? CarPlay, Tesla network coming in a few months, and heavily discounted these days. Fantastic driving dynamics, too. 

Tom Suddard said:

Mustang Mach E? CarPlay, Tesla network coming in a few months, and heavily discounted these days. Fantastic driving dynamics, too. 

Tell me more about this Tom.  When does the access to the Tesla network go live?  Are there any restrictions, or would I basically have the same access that the Tesla cars do?

In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :

The Accord Hybrid is probably a great choice.  Sedans: get 'em while you still can!  

However... 
Less on lux (though there is a more loaded model) but would your "use case" benefit for the utility of a Ford Maverick Hybrid-truck?  40-ish mpg. 

Big in size but would your "use case" benefit from the utility of a Toyota Sienna Hybrid Minivan returning 36 mpg?

I drove my FC RX-7 through parts of Atlanta once and next time I go through there I'd want side impact airbags based on the behavior of some of the drivers I encountered. I think I saw 3 different multi car collisions in an 8-9 mile stretch of road. Your said you'd prefer new, but not German, so your options for sedans are pretty limited at that point. I'd probably go V6 Camry, or if you'd accept something a few years old check out the now discontinued Lincoln Continental. The Chrysler 300 is in your price range as well, and highway mpg is actually pretty impressive with those. I got 31 mpg with a Hemi powered 300 rental last year on a 6 hr drive through WV and VA.

How much does the radical + trailer/gear weigh?

(mostly curious because something like a Maverick Lariat might be the Swiss Army knife that is comfortable, good fuel economy and able to tow something but not much occasionally). Lose the ND and the truck.. 

Man, I know this feeling. 

I'm commuting 40 miles each way into Boston 4 days a week. Although my Forte GT is fine, my next car is going to be something much more comfortable, quiet, and have an automatic trans. An appliance has never been more appealing than right now. The problem I'm having is thwarting that voice in the back of my head to get one of "the last of the V8's" like a Charger or Challenger R/T. Probably going to end up in a used Avalon or Camry TRD, Accord Sport Hybrid, or even a new Prius when it's time. 

Others have said the new Accord Hybrid is The Way, but I still feel like they lost a step with the new generation over the last. But that hybrid drivetrain is getting great efficiency, and I'm sure it's a great car for this type of thing. 

I ended up with a Toyota RAV4 Adventure as a commuting appliance - comfortable enough, decent space for the family and stuff, and the Adventure package came with heated and cooled seats and a heated steering wheel. A little soul-numbing to drive, but it will get 30 MPG on the highway..

OHSCrifle said:

How much does the radical + trailer/gear weigh?

(mostly curious because something like a Maverick Lariat might be the Swiss Army knife that is comfortable, good fuel economy and able to tow something but not much occasionally). Lose the ND and the truck.. 

This is an interesting question.  The 8x20 trailer is around 3200lb empty, the car weighs around 1000lb, and figure another 500-800 lb of tools, wheels and stuff. So call it 5000lb loaded. There are a number of SUV's and small trucks that could handle it in theory, but it's a big enclosed trailer and a shorter wheelbase vehicle would not tow nearly as well. I also hate dealing with weight distribution hitches. I have considered a smaller trailer but the price is pretty high for the cool low-profile aluminum ones. The F-250 is paid for, and the best tool for that job. 

John Welsh said:

In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :

The Accord Hybrid is probably a great choice.  Sedans: get 'em while you still can!  

However... 
Less on lux (though there is a more loaded model) but would your "use case" benefit for the utility of a Ford Maverick Hybrid-truck?  40-ish mpg. 

Big in size but would your "use case" benefit from the utility of a Toyota Sienna Hybrid Minivan returning 36 mpg?

The F-250 isn't going anywhere so I'd rather have a sedan with a trunk than another truck. I owned a Sienna for a long time and loved it, but I really don't want to daily a van anymore. 

Tony Sestito said:

The problem I'm having is thwarting that voice in the back of my head to get one of "the last of the V8's" like a Charger or Challenger R/T.

I've lusted after CT4V or CT5V Blackwings since they came out.  The truth is if I really wanted one I could pull it off. Then I would just wonder why I had so much $ tied up in a car that gets 12mpg to go 12 mph in city traffic. The juice ain't worth the squeeze my brother. 

In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :

You now have complete comprehension of why I am so enamoured with single seat races cars.

The secondary effect beyond not caring about tracking production cars is you suddenly become willing to drive mundane cars to work. People wonder why I drive an Outback if I am such a car guy. 

So my pick would be either the Accord or a Camry. I rented a Camry while visiting my sister in Washington State and it actually didn't suck to drive. It handled decent on curvy mountain roads and was quiet inside as well as being comfortable.

I know you said new, but something like a gently used Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ hybrid would be pretty comfortable, efficient, and offer the features you're looking for. They were made until 2020, so not too old. And they use the same type of eCVT hybrid design that Toyota does, which have proven to be incredibly efficient and reliable. Honda's hybrid system track record isn't as established.

And if used is an option, then a second generation Chevy Volt might be a decent option too. PHEV with 53 miles of EV range. Seats 5 (assuming the back seat passengers are average size or smaller).

I daily an echo because it gets 40mpg.

Tom1200 said:

In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :

You now have complete comprehension of why I am so enamoured with single seat races cars.

The secondary effect beyond not caring about tracking production cars is you suddenly become willing to drive mundane cars to work. People wonder why I drive an Outback if I am such a car guy. 

So my pick would be either the Accord or a Camry. I rented a Camry while visiting my sister in Washington State and it actually didn't suck to drive. It handled decent on curvy mountain roads and was quiet inside as well as being comfortable.

My buddy let me take his 997 GT3 around the track recently. Nice car, but it felt boring and somewhat slow compared to the Radical.  Even though it is capable of similar lap times, I didn't use anywhere near its true potential for fear of crashing it or racking up a couple thousand dollars of consumables. Any real-world usage of such a car would be even less satisfying. And a few years ago I owned a 981 Cayman S, which had been a dream car for me. I sold it in less than 2 years, it just stressed me out dealing with such a nice car for daily use and I felt bad messing it up on the track. I decided I don't need to own something like that anymore. 

The Radical even has a small passenger seat if I decide I want to terrify my friends with track ride-alongs!

I was thinking you could consoldiate/combine vehicles and just get rid of the F250 and replace it with a Honda Ridgeline. Practical, everyday comfort and can tow 5000 lbs!

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

Tom Suddard said:

Mustang Mach E? CarPlay, Tesla network coming in a few months, and heavily discounted these days. Fantastic driving dynamics, too. 

Tell me more about this Tom.  When does the access to the Tesla network go live?  Are there any restrictions, or would I basically have the same access that the Tesla cars do?

They can currently access some chargers that have been upgraded with a "Magic Dock." Ford has promised to flip the switch for all modern tesla superchargers "early this year," as well as to mail adapters out to everybody. There are also third-party DC fast charging adapters currently being sold. The Ford adapter leaked on their parts website a few days ago before being taken down, and Jim Farley has posted photos of its testing, so the buzz in the Ford EV community is access is coming very soon. 

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2023/05/25/ford-ev-customers-to-gain-access-to-12-000-tesla-superchargers--.html

And FWIW, back when I was commuting 45 minutes each way, my car of choice was big diesel Mercedes at the bottom of their depreciation curve. I agree with everybody saying a fun car isn't the answer here--there's something magical about a quiet, comfortable living room on wheels to spend your long commute in.

I know you said you prefer new and no Germans, but your budget buys a lot of car if you shop for a lightly used E-class Mercedes, too.

Accord Hybrid is a fantastic choice. When my wife was commuting an hour each way, she bought a Honda Clarity. Basically an uglier Accord Hybrid with a J1772 plug on the side and way cheaper, it's been a fantastic car for the past five years.