Need a car for freeway driving (79 mph, 100 mi/day)

[Zap]

Passat TDI is the first one that came to mind.

That's what came to my mind as well. I would get a base TDI with manual transmission. :awe: With great highway MPG as well as range (because of bigger tank), plus being a bigger vehicle, I would imagine it a very competent long distance highway cruiser.

 

[Zenmervolt]

All the tests can be manipulated... For example some cars turn off the battery charging (alternator) in certain driving circumstances, helping the MPG for the EPA test but not real world driving. Also I've read some reports that some hybrids are run on fully charged batteries and use more of the battery if it detects it's operating on the EPA fuel economy test cycle.

That's not "manipulating the test." That's optimizing for the test. Different thing entirely. Yes, optimizing just for the test tends to mean that real-world numbers don't always match the test, but the fundamental problem in play is that the test conditions don't match real-world conditions. If the test accurately represented the way people drive, then optimizing for the test would be ideal.

"Manipulating the test" would be using ECU programs that aren't part of production programming or building special engines for the EPA cars with different tolerances or using super-thin oil for the EPA test but specifying thicker oil in the production vehicles.

50MPG isn't necessarily BS, depends on who is driving. I've gotten an average of 70mpg out of an '09 Prius, however that required hypermiling and what you'd call (grandma style acceleration). What year Camry Hybrid do your friends drive?

A variety of XV40 and XV50 models. All report mid to high 30s for the average mpg in normal use around Seattle.

ZV

 

[chucky2]

Except diesels real mpg isn't what they put up on the EPA tests (unless you drive them hard, in which case, you'd drive a gas or hybrid hard and get far less mpg than EPA with them), they are lower on EPA testing and higher in Reality driving. The HPFP on VW diesels though is a massive concern. It's enough to make me not even consider them, however someone less risk adverse than I may rule that concern unwarranted, in which case, Passat TDI would be best option here.

 

[GoSharks]

FYI, 42mpg in a diesel is really the equivalent about 37mpg in a gasoline vehicle since a gallon of diesel has more energy in it than gasoline.

Why does this matter? It doesn't.

Diesel costs more than gasoline as well, by a not so insignificant amount.

Around here, diesel is roughly the same price as premium. Currently $4.03 for diesel and $4.05 for premium at the station I usually fill up at.

 

[skyking]

diesel is about a 10% bump over regular unleaded. This was the case after the mandated ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) came out. Prior to that, it was often less than regular.
The increased price is largely due to the higher refinement costs to get the sulfur levels down.

 

[soccerballtux]

old used prius with shot batteries?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

When I had my 2010 Jetta TDI I could easily pull 40ish MPG at 75 mph.

 

[tortillasoup]

That's what came to my mind as well. I would get a base TDI with manual transmission. :awe: With great highway MPG as well as range (because of bigger tank), plus being a bigger vehicle, I would imagine it a very competent long distance highway cruiser.

Camry is a great highway cruiser. VW makes unreliable eurotrash, much like the other euro automakers, hate them all, not because they're euro but they're a bad value. Their vehicles feel like they're Apple products, when they break you're not suppose to repair them but replace them.

That's not "manipulating the test." That's optimizing for the test. Different thing entirely. Yes, optimizing just for the test tends to mean that real-world numbers don't always match the test, but the fundamental problem in play is that the test conditions don't match real-world conditions. If the test accurately represented the way people drive, then optimizing for the test would be ideal.

"Manipulating the test" would be using ECU programs that aren't part of production programming or building special engines for the EPA cars with different tolerances or using super-thin oil for the EPA test but specifying thicker oil in the production vehicles.

Fine, but Hyundai DID manipulate or flat out lied on their tests since these automakers are testing the vehicles themselves and reporting their results. Ford will be found guilty of the same "lying", I promise.

A variety of XV40 and XV50 models. All report mid to high 30s for the average mpg in normal use around Seattle.

ZV

Well my only rebuttal to that is that seattle is colder than here in California and likely my friend has more freeway driving involved and doesn't drive really fast. Your friends getting close to the EPA numbers only speaks about their driving habits more than the ability of the car. If your friends were driving a CMAX or a Fusion hybrid, they wouldn't be getting 47/47/47, or even 40/40/40, but more like low to mid 30s, worse than Prius V or Camry Hybrid.

Why does this matter? It doesn't.


Around here, diesel is roughly the same price as premium. Currently $4.03 for diesel and $4.05 for premium at the station I usually fill up at.

Because if I'm trying to "save money" or be "green" how is a vehicle that pollutes like that of a lower MPG vehicle, fuel costs/consumption the same as a lower MPG vehicle and has low reliability NOT matter? It's deceptive. It makes the Diesel look like a more efficient vehicle than it really is. The funny thing about the Jetta Diesel is that nerds like you make the car out to be like the ultimate fuel economy/driver's car due to being a manual transmission but when CR put the Jetta Diesel and the Prius through the Slalom, the Prius lost by only 1MPH, like 59 vs. 60MPH, it was totally pathetic considering the Prius has a twist beam rear suspension.

old used prius with shot batteries?

Good luck with that, lol.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Camry is a great highway cruiser. VW makes unreliable eurotrash, much like the other euro automakers, hate them all, not because they're euro but they're a bad value. Their vehicles feel like they're Apple products, when they break you're not suppose to repair them but replace them.



Fine, but Hyundai DID manipulate or flat out lied on their tests since these automakers are testing the vehicles themselves and reporting their results. Ford will be found guilty of the same "lying", I promise.



Well my only rebuttal to that is that seattle is colder than here in California and likely my friend has more freeway driving involved and doesn't drive really fast. Your friends getting close to the EPA numbers only speaks about their driving habits more than the ability of the car. If your friends were driving a CMAX or a Fusion hybrid, they wouldn't be getting 47/47/47, or even 40/40/40, but more like low to mid 30s, worse than Prius V or Camry Hybrid.


Because if I'm trying to "save money" or be "green" how is a vehicle that pollutes like that of a lower MPG vehicle, fuel costs/consumption the same as a lower MPG vehicle and has low reliability NOT matter? It's deceptive. It makes the Diesel look like a more efficient vehicle than it really is. The funny thing about the Jetta Diesel is that nerds like you make the car out to be like the ultimate fuel economy/driver's car due to being a manual transmission but when CR put the Jetta Diesel and the Prius through the Slalom, the Prius lost by only 1MPH, like 59 vs. 60MPH, it was totally pathetic considering the Prius has a twist beam rear suspension.


Good luck with that, lol.

LOIUSSSSSSSS is back

 

[OCGuy]

@ 100 miles per day I would look at a used Toyota, Honda, etc.

I wouldn't take the depreciation hit, nor would I want to run through the warranty that fast by racking up relatively less-stressful highway miles.

Save the brand-new cars for lower mileage situations.

 

[tortillasoup]

@ 100 miles per day I would look at a used Toyota, Honda, etc.

I wouldn't take the depreciation hit, nor would I want to run through the warranty that fast by racking up relatively less-stressful highway miles.

Save the brand-new cars for lower mileage situations.

I agree.

 

[LTC8K6]

diesel is about a 10% bump over regular unleaded. This was the case after the mandated ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) came out. Prior to that, it was often less than regular.
The increased price is largely due to the higher refinement costs to get the sulfur levels down.

Diesel hasn't been less than regular in a very long time in my area of NC. It's been much more expensive most of the time.

Currently at a nearby station, regular gas is 3.33 and diesel is 3.85, and that's a closer range than it's been before. That's about 16%.

 

[GoSharks]

Because if I'm trying to "save money" or be "green" how is a vehicle that pollutes like that of a lower MPG vehicle, fuel costs/consumption the same as a lower MPG vehicle and has low reliability NOT matter? It's deceptive. It makes the Diesel look like a more efficient vehicle than it really is.

OP mentioned nothing about being green. However, he did mention as his #1 requirement that the vehicle be "Good miles per dollar."

MPG and $/gallon is all you need to satisfy "Good miles per dollar," and throwing in energy content has no bearing to that discussion.

The funny thing about the Jetta Diesel is that nerds like you make the car out to be like the ultimate fuel economy/driver's car due to being a manual transmission but when CR put the Jetta Diesel and the Prius through the Slalom, the Prius lost by only 1MPH, like 59 vs. 60MPH, it was totally pathetic considering the Prius has a twist beam rear suspension.

I make one post in this thread without mentioning any car in particular and I'm a Jetta diesel nerd? What does slalom testing have to do with freeway cruising? OP didn't mention handling at all. :hmm:

 

[kitatech]

OP mentioned nothing about being green. However, he did mention as his #1 requirement that the vehicle be "Good miles per dollar."

all you need to satisfy "Good miles per dollar,"

Which is why I suggested a USED car 3-6 years old (with mid-50k miles or so)...one that gets mid-30s MPG...MILES PER DOLLAR'S worst use of money is buying a new car...IMHO....that would save $10k out the door for a nice mid-size $25k highway cruiser...(vs a $15-17k compact that gets good MGP but may not be as great a car for daily highway driving)

 

[LTC8K6]

CR was comparing the Jetta Hybrid to the Prius, not the Jetta TDI, iirc.

 

[Anubis]

The 2013 Cruze diesel is EPA rated at 46 MPG:

http://www.chevrolet.com/cruze-compact-car.html

why cant they offer that in a manual :twisted:

 

[skyking]

Diesel hasn't been less than regular in a very long time in my area of NC. It's been much more expensive most of the time.

Currently at a nearby station, regular gas is 3.33 and diesel is 3.85, and that's a closer range than it's been before. That's about 16%.

Out west it averages 10%. As far as the timing, ULSD fuels were everywhere by 2006, and I first started buying diesel in the 70's 😀

 

[LTC8K6]

why cant they offer that in a manual :twisted:

It already costs too much over the gas version.

I suspect building a few manuals for the people that want them is cost prohibitive.

That seems the be the main reason manuals are disappearing. Fewer and fewer people order them, so the cost of having the option goes up and up.

 

[soccerballtux]

The 2013 Cruze diesel is EPA rated at 46 MPG:

http://www.chevrolet.com/cruze-compact-car.html

Although VW is supposed to match those numbers next year with their new 4-cylinder diesel. One reviewer got 56 MPG highway on his return trip:

http://gm-volt.com/2013/07/17/cruze-diesel-beats-epa-rating-with-54-mpg/

2013? 46mpg? no. Chevy probably inflating/lying/super feathering the throttle to get their rating, like Hyundai.
http://www.fuelly.com/car/chevrolet/cruze

At least Toyota doesn't lie.

 

[JeepinEd]

From personal experience:

I commute 70 miles each way, when I'm not working from home. I live in the high desert, and travel from an altitude of approx 3500' down to sea level. My average speed, while not stuck in the 405/101 traffic is 75mph.

I currently drive a Gen II Prius with about 210K miles on the odometer. My summer time average fuel consumption is 49.2 MPG. This is over several thousand miles. The average drops to 47.9 MPG during winter. While I've learned a few tricks to better my MPG, I don't hyper mile and the climate control is always on and set to 75F. As stated above, I average 75 MPH and often do 80. Note: I ride solo, and my average goes down by 1 to 2 MPG, when I have multiple passengers.

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to drive a Camry Hybrid for two weeks (approx 1200 miles). My average fuel consumption was 35.5 MPG. This is while doing the exact same commute and driving the same way I normally do.

Maintenance on the Prius has been very low. I also made sure to get cloth seats, due to the summer weather in my neck of the woods. The cloth has held up extremely well and I have no issues with them feeling hot or cold.

This is my 2nd Prius, after a Gen I. I'm not sure what I'll get for my next commuter, but the Volt is looking pretty good.

Hope this helps.

 

[Zodiark1593]

its a 50 mile commute that takes, 40min, is 100% highway and there is zero traffic. its relaxing and cathartic, i get to rock out to music and drink my coffee in the morning, and on the way home i just rock out and zone out

time wise is really isnt that bad. some people i work with live 20 miles from work and it still takes them 30 min because of traffic. I have friends who live 15 miles form the places they work and it takes them an hour to get there. hell the last time i was in Westchester PA it took me nearly 40 min to go 6 miles between 5-6 PM. F THAT CRAP

I live in the boonies by choice.

Agreed with the relaxing part, the car ride gives me a little time to fully wake up. Though, once I have to drive through the city for a couple more miles, then that relaxing drives has potential to become a rage-fest. 😡

 

[LTC8K6]

2013? 46mpg? no. Chevy probably inflating/lying/super feathering the throttle to get their rating, like Hyundai.
http://www.fuelly.com/car/chevrolet/cruze

At least Toyota doesn't lie.

No 2014 Cruze diesel at your link though.

 

[soccerballtux]

No 2014 Cruze diesel at your link though.

oh, weird, totally missed he said diesel.

I could see that then.

 

[rdp6]

I wonder if the OP is still participating in this thread, but here goes:

I drive 46 miles each way: .25 miles north, ~45 miles east, .25 miles north to work, and the opposite to home. OH St Rt 511 to US224 to I-76/US224/US277 to the Akron Airdock exit, for those who are interested in the details. Avg speed (summer) is 60 mph, including the few stops along the way.

I have been making this commute since 2008, and for the 3 years prior roughly the same commute. Why I choose to continue this awful waste of time is another story, but I would like to offer my experience regarding vehicle choice for this application.

I have a 2007 VW Passat 2.0T / 6M bought new in March 2007 with fairly limited extras: moonroof, heated seats, 6 CD / mp3 / sat radio, etc. in that year's "2.0T", or package 2 option. Once a week I feed it 93 octane gas. Every 5K miles I rotate the tires (learned this the hard way: tires get noisy early if not rotated often - 10K interval is too long for this car). Every 10K I change the oil, about $50 diy.

While there has been 2 major issues with the car, both have been handled to my complete satisfaction by VW. The first was video corruption on the multifunction display LCD under exceptional heat (circumstances were extraordinary); VW replaced the entire cluster at no charge. The second is the well-known BPY engine cam follower failure. This went at ~105K miles (complete failure); VW replaced the cam follower, intake camshaft, and high pressure fuel pump as these are directly connected by the cam follower, again, to my complete satisfaction (free).

Ganley Westside VW in N. Olmsted OH has always been good to me for service, e.g. loaner cars, even for weeks while the HPFP was on back order, no shenanigans with bogus diagnosis, although at 90K miles I decided to man up and start doing my own service (unless free & completely beyond my current ability, e.g. cam follower, intake camshaft, HPFP). Timing belt job at 100K took a *long* time, but I saved a mint. I changed my brakes (rotors & pads all around) at ~125K. I wonder if I will have to change them again.

The car is engaging enough to keep me interested in driving, very stable at high speed, has a phenomenal turn radius, good seats, decent audio system, and now has just shy of 135K miles and still drives like new.

I did add the $40 ECS Tuning transmission dogbone mount insert. This is good for me as I rarely fail to enjoy a brisk (the briskest possible for this car, anyway) acceleration to highway speed: 65, then 70, then 80 for the three phases of my commute. What I am trying to say is that the car has never been grannied. Brakes are very good, too, btw.

Fuel economy is reliably 33 mpg during the summer, 31 mpg in the winter. Pretty much always BP 93 octane.

I prefer Michelin MX4+ Primacy tires (16", OEM size). I have had Continental and Cooper tires. Those were fine, but the Michelins are worth the few extra bucks.

tl; dr: if you have a long highway commute, consider a car built for the autobahn. It's worth the extra cost to not be miserable in your car for ~2 hours every day. Performance and safety features are good, too.