Best Car For Traveling Sales Rep (rental, fuel, brakes, AWD)

[micrguy]

I'm starting to put together a short list of cars to start looking at in the next six months or so. My job requires a lot of stop and go driving while I am out making sales calls and I am pretty rough on my cars. I have had really good luck with my 1999 Nissan Maxima and before that I had a Mazda 626, so I am looking for anything else that will hold up.

Here are my requirements: Used, 4 door sedan, V6, import and preferably under $10,000.

I can usually get 3-4 years out of my cars, so I never buy new and try not to spend too much money. Would like to get a nice short list together so if I see a good deal out there I can snag it right away.

[SPNARD1]

Lexus ES300, Camry, Accord, VW Passat

[bhcompy]

you may want to look at a malibu. there are a lot of them around(rental units) and they seem to last long enough to meet your standards while having a v6 option.

though id honestly get another maxima if i was in your shoes

[golfgod]

I retired a few years ago from your gig, I wasn't real happy with my last unit, 03 Maxima, good gas mileage but the TRUNK OPENING was small relative to the trunk itself.

I'd look at the Camry, Accord or (maybe a ) Subaru, although the boxer engine doesn't seem to do well on gas it's a pretty bulletproof engine.

golfgod

[StealthRabbit]

VW Diesel; manual tranny
Jetta, Golf, or Passat
these are all pretty safe, serviceable, and comfortable.

Keep the fuel filters clean, and timing belts fresh every 80,000 and you will go a few hundred thousand miles

[sunsprit]

If you're happy with the current style and models of the cars you're driving and they meet your needs for economy, performance, durability, and service ... why switch?

I used MB diesels for my rep business, and was very satisfied. Good fuel economy, an impressive car to take a client out to a business meal, comfortable for me to drive, and adequate performance with good handling, brakes, and safety. Never had a problem keeping a car nice for at least 500K miles, although I did all the maintenance work and major repairs myself.

But current VW diesels will get better fuel economy, and run better due to power/weight ratio better than the MB. If you're comfortable with the VW car, the handling and brakes, and safety features are excellent.

If a diesel car won't work for your needs, then I think you're doing OK with what you're driving now. If you need AWD for your driving conditions, then I'm a fan of Subaru station wagons ... adequate performance, reasonably all-day comfortable, good interior space, and superb bad weather/road handling; fuel economy close to 30 mpg.

[Stripes17]

My favorite company car (territory manager job) was a 2002 Ford Windstar minivan. It had a V6, loaded, tinted windows for privacy, and turned out to be quite reliable. In fact, I was heavily PO'd when they replaced it with a Ford Escape.