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icaneat50eggs
icaneat50eggs Dork
3/1/17 9:38 p.m.

Tonight I totaled my dd, a chevy sonic.

Thankfully no ones was hurt.

I drive 140 mikes round trip to work so mpg is critical

What I've realized is I'd like a little more metal around me since my last two wrecks I had physics against me. Miata vs f150 and sonic vs Buick SUV.

My commute is the flattest boringest stretch of road in America, so I don't care if it handles. I was thinking how my grandparents 70s caddys floated down the road on clouds. Is there anything like that today?
I also need to keep myself alive so the modern safety features especially blind spot or lane detection. My sonic had the latter and it really helped me navigate with one eye.

Price 25k or so.

Does this thing exist?

Run_Away
Run_Away GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
3/1/17 9:43 p.m.

What does Vigo drive, the big Lexus hybrid? GS? That fits the bill.

Along the same lines (less mass, more mpg) I think the CT200h would be a great commuter personally.

The0retical
The0retical Dork
3/1/17 9:44 p.m.

Jesus glad you're okay, again. That last one was pretty bad from my recollection.

A CTS should depreciate to that point pretty quick.

Current generation Mazda 6s.

With your luck a used Volvo V60 might be a good choice too.

pointofdeparture
pointofdeparture GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
3/1/17 9:45 p.m.

You want a modern Volvo. 37MPG freeway, fantastic seats and bumps on the road may as well not exist with the non-sport suspension options.

icaneat50eggs
icaneat50eggs Dork
3/1/17 9:47 p.m.

Unfortunately the sonic did not come with the "you can't see the light because your driving into the sun, but it's red!" Detection system

icaneat50eggs
icaneat50eggs Dork
3/1/17 10:00 p.m.

I know my request is very grm, but for fun driving I have a shifter kart and a private kart track.

G_Body_Man
G_Body_Man SuperDork
3/1/17 10:12 p.m.

How much is a used Lexus LS600hL near you?

The ultimate "budget" hybrid luxobarge.

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
3/1/17 10:20 p.m.

My FIL has a loaded up Hyundai Sonata(?) hybrid. It isn't a Lexus but it is very comfy. Great seats. Easily knocks back 40 MPG.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
3/2/17 7:37 a.m.

Nicest/newest used Mazda 6 Grand Touring you can find. BOSE stereo, great comfy seats, 40-41 mpg on the highway, plenty of room for 4 adults and a massive trunk.

Advan046
Advan046 SuperDork
3/2/17 10:10 a.m.
z31maniac wrote: Nicest/newest used Mazda 6 Grand Touring you can find. BOSE stereo, great comfy seats, 40-41 mpg on the highway, plenty of room for 4 adults and a massive trunk.

^YES

The only other non hybrid option would be the new Cruze Diesel when it drops.

For the sounds of your commute at Chevy Volt may be perfect if you can charge it at work.

conesare2seconds
conesare2seconds HalfDork
3/2/17 10:38 a.m.

Thinking hybrid Lexus LS here, too.

CobraSpdRH
CobraSpdRH Reader
3/2/17 10:57 a.m.
z31maniac wrote: Nicest/newest used Mazda 6 Grand Touring you can find. BOSE stereo, great comfy seats, 40-41 mpg on the highway, plenty of room for 4 adults and a massive trunk.

I like this idea. I believe the Hyundai EDIT: Genesis not Equus can be a smoking used-car deal (with CPO warranty) so that might be something else to consider?

The_Jed
The_Jed PowerDork
3/2/17 11:00 a.m.

How about an '03 - up Town Car? I know, not new but they are tanks. The total cost of ownership is ridiculously low on these.

More metal around you - Check

Comfy cruiser - Very Check

Fuel efficient? - kinda sorta check. You could hit 25 mpg easily with the cruise set at 65.

My PreRunner-esque '99 Crown Vic with 144,000+ miles just hit a combined average of 24.6 mpg for the last tank. I usually average around 23 mpg. I have a 56 mile round trip commute across either gently sweeping two lane blacktop with a few hills or very hilly back roads with several 90 degree bends.

Two out of three ain't bad, right?

chaparral
chaparral GRM+ Memberand Dork
3/2/17 11:09 a.m.

Ask Yavuz about the Lexus CT200h.

icaneat50eggs
icaneat50eggs Dork
3/2/17 11:14 a.m.

I work for an oil refinery so they are kind of anti charging stations at work

APEowner
APEowner GRM+ Memberand Reader
3/2/17 11:55 a.m.

Mazda 6 and a good quality pair of sunglasses.

slantvaliant
slantvaliant UltraDork
3/2/17 11:57 a.m.

We just bought a 2016 Chrysler 300, and I'm enjoying it. The V6 delivered 30+ MPG on a 250-mile trip, with a good ride in a nice cabin. The wife is happy, and so am I.

Devilsolsi
Devilsolsi Reader
3/2/17 12:03 p.m.

BMW 328d or 335d

With the miles you are driving, your best options are hybrid or diesel. Nothing else will come close. BMW and Benz still sell diesels, though they are hard to find. I think Benz only does in E class and some of the SUVs. BMW does in the 3 and 5 series along with some SUVs.

KyAllroad
KyAllroad UberDork
3/2/17 12:26 p.m.

Dude! I'm glad you're ok but you can stop crashing now, that E36 M3 hurts. With your luck I'm leaning toward safety over MPGs. Seems like a Volvo or Saab are where you want to be the next time you decide to "share space" with another car.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
3/2/17 12:43 p.m.
Devilsolsi wrote: BMW 328d or 335d With the miles you are driving, your best options are hybrid or diesel. Nothing else will come close. BMW and Benz still sell diesels, though they are hard to find. I think Benz only does in E class and some of the SUVs. BMW does in the 3 and 5 series along with some SUVs.

335d gets worse highway mileage than the Mazda 6 I mentioned. While also coming with diesel/BMW maintenance costs and pricier fuel. How is this better?

Rusted_Busted_Spit
Rusted_Busted_Spit GRM+ Memberand UberDork
3/2/17 12:45 p.m.
Aspen
Aspen Reader
3/2/17 12:49 p.m.

Lexus hybrid is the way to go. GS or ES for a bigger car. CT200h is good, but not big so you trade higher mileage for a smaller car. I would definitely at least try out a GS450h if I were you. All of the Lexii are NOT plug ins. Diesel BMW would also work if you can find one in your budget.

Aspen
Aspen Reader
3/2/17 12:57 p.m.
z31maniac wrote:
Devilsolsi wrote: BMW 328d or 335d With the miles you are driving, your best options are hybrid or diesel. Nothing else will come close. BMW and Benz still sell diesels, though they are hard to find. I think Benz only does in E class and some of the SUVs. BMW does in the 3 and 5 series along with some SUVs.
335d gets worse highway mileage than the Mazda 6 I mentioned. While also coming with diesel/BMW maintenance costs and pricier fuel. How is this better?

I looked up the 2015 data and the BMW has the advantage on mileage by 0.6l/100km. The relative price of diesel vs. regular gas may offset this advantage depending on the local cost.

DuctTape&Bondo
DuctTape&Bondo Dork
3/2/17 2:11 p.m.

LS430 is a very nice place to be. LS400 before that. LS460s are in your price range (at least here) with money left over. MPG not so great but left over money should cover that nicely.

fidelity101
fidelity101 SuperDork
3/2/17 2:26 p.m.

I vote for the modern mazda6 as well, I was pleasantly surprise getting high 30's going 80mph for a trip up north one weekend. If I was babying it - 40-42 would be achievable, I had the grand touring fully loaded with gizmos too, I bet the base or mid trims are lighter and even more fuel efficient.

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