Need a little vehicle help

H.O. Driver

H.O. Driver

Forum Member
So I start my new assignment this week and will now be commuting 110 miles a day. I need to find a vehicle that is going to get over 30mpg and be some what fun to drive as well as handle the snow. I want to spend less than 10k so I can payoff quickly since I will be racking up the miles fast.

What should I start looking at? I have looked at at some w-body cars and they must be gold plated now for they are listing them for. Just looking at other options.

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If you step it up to 13 or 14k, you could get a '14 Fiesta ST. I have a '16 and it's one of the most fun cars I've owned. It's peppy, handles like a dream, and cheap to insure. I get 30mpg and I hardly ever see a freeway on work days. It met all of my requirements; fuel economy, manual trans, fun to drive. I test drove a Focus ST when car shopping, and while it is a little faster, it handles like a bathtub in comparison, plus it gets ~5mpg less. It also has more front cabin space than the Focus. I'm 6' tall and my knees kept hitting the dash and the plastic between the shifter and climate control in the Focus, I'm far less cramped in the Fiesta.

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My manual trans Dart got 33+ mpg driving from Westland to Rochester Hills with no freeway driving. Maybe not fun enough, but I sure liked the mileage.

Dennis
 
I am looking at the lower price to pay off quickly, with the miles I will be racking up the value is going to tank on it. I planned on gap insurance anyways but I know I can't pay of 13-14k in under 3 years like I want.

I am under 6ft tall so size isn't an issue but I do have 3 kids and two are in booster seats, so have a mid sized sedan would be more ideal. The other issue I am having is that I am going to have to drive 300 miles one way to get me what I am looking for.

I will go check out the Fiesta to get a comparison baseline. I might have to up the budget then.

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H.O. Driver said:
I am looking at the lower price to pay off quickly, with the miles I will be racking up the value is going to tank on it. I planned on gap insurance anyways but I know I can't pay of 13-14k in under 3 years like I want.

I am under 6ft tall so size isn't an issue but I do have 3 kids and two are in booster seats, so have a mid sized sedan would be more ideal. The other issue I am having is that I am going to have to drive 300 miles one way to get me what I am looking for.

I will go check out the Fiesta to get a comparison baseline. I might have to up the budget then.

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For 10k you are in used car territory and it will most likely be something with 30-50k miles. For $14k you are in brand new car range with 0 miles. So even if you save money right off the bat with the cheaper car, it will most likely not last as long.

You can shop for an low mileage used car that fits your criteria but you might be looking for a while.
 
H.O. Driver said:
I am looking at the lower price to pay off quickly, with the miles I will be racking up the value is going to tank on it. I planned on gap insurance anyways but I know I can't pay of 13-14k in under 3 years like I want.

I am under 6ft tall so size isn't an issue but I do have 3 kids and two are in booster seats, so have a mid sized sedan would be more ideal. The other issue I am having is that I am going to have to drive 300 miles one way to get me what I am looking for.

I will go check out the Fiesta to get a comparison baseline. I might have to up the budget then.

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The rear seats of the Fiesta should be fine with kids. When I was test driving, I left the driver seat in my typical position (leaned back) and got in the back seat to check it out. Myself being the height I am, I don't think I could handle it for more than an hour drive, but your average kid shouldn't have any trouble.
 
mustangmike6996 said:
For 10k you are in used car territory and it will most likely be something with 30-50k miles. For $14k you are in brand new car range with 0 miles. So even if you save money right off the bat with the cheaper car, it will most likely not last as long.

You can shop for an low mileage used car that fits your criteria but you might be looking for a while.
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Gotcha, I was thinking the 14k would have been a used Fiesta not new. Do they do well in the snow? I am guessing it will need snow tires or is it awd like the focus?

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H.O. Driver said:
Gotcha, I was thinking the 14k would have been a used Fiesta not new. Do they do well in the snow? I am guessing it will need snow tires or is it and like the focus?

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I grabbed a set of 15" steelies and Michelin X-Ices from Tire Rack for $660 shipped mounted and balanced. Belle and Discount wanted $200 more for the same setup after tax, but that did include TPMS sensors whereas mine from Tire Rack didn't. The stock tires are Bridgestone Potenza RE050A, which don't grip well below 40 degrees and will spin like a bitch even with a dusting of snow on the ground. Rain performance of the factory tire is satisfactory, no issues there. It handles great in the snow with the new tires, feels more like a FWD rally car that way.
 
Tin said:
I grabbed a set of 15" steelies and Michelin X-Ices from Tire Rack for $660 shipped mounted and balanced. Belle and Discount wanted $200 more for the same setup after tax, but that did include TPMS sensors whereas mine from Tire Rack didn't. The stock tires are Bridgestone Potenza RE050A, which don't grip well below 40 degrees and will spin like a bitch even with a dusting of snow on the ground. Rain performance of the factory tire is satisfactory, no issues there. It handles great in the snow with the new tires, feels more like a FWD rally car that way.
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My buddy did the same thing on his fiesta. I couldn't believe it when he said he got steel wheels from tire rack for 23 dollars each. Said the winter tires were a night & day difference from what was on it.
 
I was hoping for some excitement while driving just for the fact of me not getting bored since my commuting times will be early in the morning most days. I know I can't get everything I want in my budget but I guess I am just going to have to test drive some things and see what bores me that least lol

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Rented a fiesta...it wasnt too bad. Some seperate snow wheels is the true sign of an enthusiest. haha maybe even a handful of carbide studs in the glove box for a really icy day. :) oh and a tune for an extra 50hp?
 
Some of these aren’t exactly what you’re looking for,
but look to be good candidates:

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5949812314.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5937437024.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5950439928.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5941085464.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5929561052.html

One thing I always check now is the “crash test rating”
It effects your auto insurance & more importantly the
safety of you & your children.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings
 
AutoRoc said:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/ctd/59488.html


25mpg and more room for family. Runs 13's stock?. 12's tuned?
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Dead link, but I like the sounds of it. The hard part is getting through the snow since I will have to fight that often. We have gotten over 2ft of snow this week up here and are supposed to see another 8" tomorrow.

Snow tires are a must unless awd up here. even if I found a good awd car I would still get some snow tires.

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4Gas$ said:
Some of these aren’t exactly what you’re looking for,
but look to be good candidates:

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5949812314.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5937437024.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5950439928.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5941085464.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/5929561052.html

One thing I always check now is the “crash test rating”
It effects your auto insurance & more importantly the
safety of you & your children.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings
Click to expand...
Not some bad options, however the crash testing is not a deal breaker, I don't have my kids with me often but it has to be an option. However the worse the weather is the more I need to be getting to work on time.

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