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You should also look at the Nissan Versa. Though small, I hear it feels huge from the driver's seat. It's also about the right price if you decide to buy new or nearly new.
Yeah, moving isn't an option at this time. I shouldn't complain, because my commute is jam-packed with people making the same drive, but it *does* suck.
Don't tell me - Savannah River Site, right?
If so, for people who don't know this place, it has some of the best paying jobs for many miles around, and 50 miles to work is about what most people have to do. The site itself is big, you can't live that close (would you want to live close to SRS?!)
Something to think about would be a 5 to 8 year old (roughly) Town Car, or Buick. They are less thirsty than you might think, plenty of room, enough power to get out of their own way but not enough to encourage hooliganism.
Just to suggest, a pontiac g6 or a Saturn aura. You can still get one with a warranty(5 year, 100k). They sell for cheap because people are scared of them since the makes no longer exist.
They are both built on the same platform as the new malibu. I have seen 2007 and 2008 for as cheap as $10-12k and less the 50k miles.
Thanks for the suggestions, folks. All the car lots were actually closed Monday (odd), so I plan to do some looking around this Saturday but think I pretty much have it narrowed down. In talking with several people and doing some research I decided, when looking at the current used car market, that I'd be better off making some sacrifices (comfort, cabin space, etc) and buying new (compact hatchback) so that I'd at least have a fresh new warranty to cover/prevent any major frustrations over the next couple of years. I'll still check out some other models this weekend, but currently have my sights set on a left over 2011 Kia Forte 5-door.
I hate to send my money overseas, but I don't think I can get the price/payment low enough on the Focus hatch that I liked.
I would get a new 2011 Elantra for ~$15k. You'll be able to justify the new car when it's getting 38-40MPG on your commute.
Chevy Cruze Eco if you want domestic.
But JFC.....move! Two hours+ commuting a day to and from work is insane. That's 480hours a year in your car just for work, or 20 days...almost a month!
I'd vote Ford Focus. It has many of the same bells and toys at the Escape. Sync and all. It is a 35MPG car and the ones I have sat in are plenty roomy. I stand 6 foot all. They are a reliable car that looks pretty sharp IMO.
So I started looking at hatches (I've always been a wagon/hatchback lover, so if I'm going to go compact, then I'd prefer a hatch).
I just got rid of my '09 Accord for an '07 Ford, I mean... Mazda 3 hatchback to save some money and I love it. I got the manual tranny and I can drive so that I feel like I'm going fast while not actually speeding (much). I might feel bad if I had to fit three or four other adults in there with me on a regular basis, but I don't. And there's sufficient room in back for being a compact. There's quite a bit of storage with the rear seats down, too.
I'll still check out some other models this weekend, but currently have my sights set on a left over 2011 Kia Forte 5-door.
Just make sure you take it on the highway for 10-15 minutes. I've had those small Kias and Hyundai's as rentals and they get really tiring on the highway. Take a look at the Focus and Corolla sized cars, I think they are much better highway cruisers.
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