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Need recommendations for a luxury car that gets decent mpg

I'd like to get opinions on a luxury high MPG commuter car for a woman that needs to commute 100 miles one way every day. Aesthetics are, unfortunately, a factor so something like a good beater accord wouldn't work due to comfort/road noise, etc.. budget is no higher than 25k. Thoughts?
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Howard
An older Lexus, perhaps?
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking...or an Acura TSX.
Click to expand...

TSX means premium fuel. And even though it uses a 4 cylinder, it's not much better than most v6s in the class.
 
for 25k get a new malibu hybrid. I'm at a chrysler dealership now, but I've heard a LOT of good things from many contacts within the industry. A used 525 or lexus would be ok, but they wouldn't last as long, they'd cost more to maintain, and the gas mileage wouldn't even be close.

Before you do anything, however, I would make a list of your top 3-4 cars. Go test drive them back to back and you'll probably have your answer.
 
do any cars that are usually considered luxury cars get better than ~30 mpg highway?

anything wrong with a loaded I4 accord?
 
Originally posted by: Chunkee
2003 maxima
Click to expand...

I have one. Mileage is pretty bad actually at 19 city/25 freeway (at best).

BTW-I'm just relaying this question for someone else (out of the goodness of my heart). :heart:😛 This isn't for me personally.
 
my 2005 acura tl gets ~30-35 mpg (rated 33) on the highway

never bothered to calculate my city driving mpg, i drive about 4 blocks twice a day so i end up filling up about once every 3 weeks

got it last year for under $21k
 
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Will stretch your budget a bit but since its brand new with full warranty it should have a lower cost to operate over anything used.


 
Originally posted by: Strk
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Howard
An older Lexus, perhaps?
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking...or an Acura TSX.
Click to expand...

TSX means premium fuel. And even though it uses a 4 cylinder, it's not much better than most v6s in the class.
Click to expand...

TSX isn't really luxury, it's an accord...
 
Originally posted by: Chunkee
2003 maxima
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Will stretch your budget a bit but since its brand new with full warranty it should have a lower cost to operate over anything used.
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
for 25k get a new malibu hybrid. I'm at a chrysler dealership now, but I've heard a LOT of good things from many contacts within the industry. A used 525 or lexus would be ok, but they wouldn't last as long, they'd cost more to maintain, and the gas mileage wouldn't even be close.

Before you do anything, however, I would make a list of your top 3-4 cars. Go test drive them back to back and you'll probably have your answer.
Click to expand...



How is any of the above considered luxury?

My parents have an ES330 that gets around 30? on the highway
 
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: Chunkee
2003 maxima
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Will stretch your budget a bit but since its brand new with full warranty it should have a lower cost to operate over anything used.
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
for 25k get a new malibu hybrid. I'm at a chrysler dealership now, but I've heard a LOT of good things from many contacts within the industry. A used 525 or lexus would be ok, but they wouldn't last as long, they'd cost more to maintain, and the gas mileage wouldn't even be close.

Before you do anything, however, I would make a list of your top 3-4 cars. Go test drive them back to back and you'll probably have your answer.
Click to expand...



How is any of the above considered luxury?

My parents have an ES330 that gets around 30? on the highway
Click to expand...

well, you have to decide what you're going to get for 25k. A brand new malibu, fusion, etc is probably just as luxurious as a 3-4 year old lexus or bmw and, as mentioned, will have better warranty. Of course, the fusion will be closer to 35k for a while, and more like 40k if the OP wants it to be "luxurious".
 
Originally posted by: bryanW1995
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: Chunkee
2003 maxima
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Will stretch your budget a bit but since its brand new with full warranty it should have a lower cost to operate over anything used.
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
for 25k get a new malibu hybrid. I'm at a chrysler dealership now, but I've heard a LOT of good things from many contacts within the industry. A used 525 or lexus would be ok, but they wouldn't last as long, they'd cost more to maintain, and the gas mileage wouldn't even be close.

Before you do anything, however, I would make a list of your top 3-4 cars. Go test drive them back to back and you'll probably have your answer.
Click to expand...



How is any of the above considered luxury?

My parents have an ES330 that gets around 30? on the highway
Click to expand...

well, you have to decide what you're going to get for 25k. A brand new malibu, fusion, etc is probably just as luxurious as a 3-4 year old lexus or bmw and, as mentioned, will have better warranty. Of course, the fusion will be closer to 35k for a while, and more like 40k if the OP wants it to be "luxurious".
Click to expand...

Having driven multiple fusions and sat in the new malibu, there's still no way either one of those will be as luxurious as a 3 year old lexus / bmw / benz. Case point, just compare the leather used in baseline fords (even lincoln is meh) to lexus. Same thing for 03+ benz dash boards versus anything from ford.

You simply can't build the cars to a budget price point with lux-class materials and all the little electronics (power fold mirrors, heater steering wheel, auto sensing wipers etc. etc.). There's a huge difference - even my 2000 A6 has better interior than my parents MKX.

 
True, but you are comparing used cars with mileage to new ones. Having a new car with a full warranty is a luxury on its own merit compared to driving a used car. Plus a lot of features that are introduced on luxury cars trickle down to mainstream cars in a few years, or they become technologically dated in case of navigation systems. And also a lot of the luxury features like before mentioned power fold mirrors, heated steering wheel, auto sensing vipers, etc, become "unnecessary sh!t that can break and cost $$$ to fix" when you drive a luxury car out of its warranty period. So it's not all black and white.

New car, a loaded Accord 4 cylinder would be a good, though somewhat bland choice.
On the used side, I think your best bet is a used Lexus IS250. It's a great car for a woman, IMO, because it's reasonably compact, so it's easy to drive, has good ride, and it has optional rear camera for parallel parking.
My friend has one and she loves it.
 
Originally posted by: bryanW1995
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: Chunkee
2003 maxima
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Will stretch your budget a bit but since its brand new with full warranty it should have a lower cost to operate over anything used.
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
for 25k get a new malibu hybrid. I'm at a chrysler dealership now, but I've heard a LOT of good things from many contacts within the industry. A used 525 or lexus would be ok, but they wouldn't last as long, they'd cost more to maintain, and the gas mileage wouldn't even be close.

Before you do anything, however, I would make a list of your top 3-4 cars. Go test drive them back to back and you'll probably have your answer.
Click to expand...



How is any of the above considered luxury?

My parents have an ES330 that gets around 30? on the highway
Click to expand...

well, you have to decide what you're going to get for 25k. A brand new malibu, fusion, etc is probably just as luxurious as a 3-4 year old lexus or bmw and, as mentioned, will have better warranty. Of course, the fusion will be closer to 35k for a while, and more like 40k if the OP wants it to be "luxurious".
Click to expand...


$40K for a Fusion - Are you smoking sumin?

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid loaded with moonroof, navigation, heated leather seats, 17" wheels, parking sensors.

MSRP $31,940






 
I'd say that fuel economy is pretty much out of consideration given the long commute. You'll be making some major tradeoffs just to take the job. 100 miles each way means 1K per week. I'd say that comfort/ does the car provide a stimulating driving experience takes over. Next: How often do you have to refuel? Can you find something that might allow 8 or 9 days commute between refueling? Also look at service intervals. Personal time will be at such a premium that you don't want to spend a saturday every month with the car being serviced.

Top Gear season 12 ep. 4 had a fuel economy race, I think that the XJ-6 diesel made it close to 1000 miiles on a single tank. I'd guess that would meet comfort needs, too. Is it sold here? Can you find one used?

As for me, for $25K or less with that commute I'd be looking for a well-appointed Mk IV TDI Jetta. I have no idea what that would cost. My commute is about half of the OP's, and I find my 07 Passat 2.0T quite livable. Coming up on 46K, mileage has dropped to 30mpg indicated, as my average speed (trip computer) climbs toward 65 mph. This of course is possible by generous stints at 80. I feed it 93 octane and don't care about the expense. I do wonder if getting the APR 93 stage 1 program will help.

I think I'm gonna check my tire pressure today...
 
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