[Poll] Which car should my mom get for commuting.

[beyonddc]

She'll be using it for commute back and fourth to work. Total commute per day will be around 40 miles.

I am leaning toward on the Matrix right now, just because it has a 4WD system so that she can get better handling when there's a snow storm.

Also, the Matrix is kind of roomy, you can pull down the back seat, it'll be a good compact size car for grocery shopping.

 

[mitmot]

get the civic hybrid to save on gas

 

[Gibson486]

sounds like a good idea....

living in Boston, i elected to get a small car because, 1) I like them small, and 2) easier to park in tight spaces and no one in Boston knows how to park infront of a meter correctly.

What sucks is the cargo issue. I had no idea the Matrix has fold down seats...maybe i should look at one.

 

[CaptnKirk]

There's only one vehicle for that environment

 

[scorpmatt]

For gas mileage I'd go with the 85 to mid 90s Honda Civic CRX hf. 50 mpg non-hybrid.

Those little hondas handle very vell in the snow. Have no probs with my 82 accord hatch in the snow unless I am trying to make it do something crazy

 

[beyonddc]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
There's only one vehicle for that environment

LOL... H1?

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
There's only one vehicle for that environment

Sure, but they ride rough, handle bad, and well, it looks a little small

 

[Mermaidman]

I voted for Matrix, but has she considered the Mazda3 5-door?

 

[beyonddc]

Originally posted by: scorpmatt
For gas mileage I'd go with the 85 to mid 90s Honda Civic CRX hf. 50 mpg non-hybrid.

Those little hondas handle very vell in the snow. Have no probs with my 82 accord hatch in the snow unless I am trying to make it do something crazy

Well, she's looking for a new car w/ warranty.

 

[laurenlex]

Skip the 4 wheel drive. You don't need it. Front wheel drive works just fine in snow and ice. It will get worse mileage.

 

[PHiuR]

Bus #11

 

[beyonddc]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
I voted for Matrix, but has she considered the Mazda3 5-door?

It's the same as Mazda 3s 4-doors, just that it will be a little bigger.
I guess that can be an option too, so you can vote for Mazda 3 if you're thinking of Mz3 hatchback.

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: beyonddc

Originally posted by: scorpmatt
For gas mileage I'd go with the 85 to mid 90s Honda Civic CRX hf. 50 mpg non-hybrid.

Those little hondas handle very vell in the snow. Have no probs with my 82 accord hatch in the snow unless I am trying to make it do something crazy

Well, she's looking for a new car w/ warranty.

oh. well, then I guess, um, i dunno. civic hybrid

 

[Kelemvor]

I'd say whichever gets the best gas mileage and is known for having the least amount of problems. If it's just for communiting, no need for a ton of fancy features and such.

 

[jaedaliu]

4wd

and it's on a corolla base with corolla engine (i think) so it'll be pretty gas efficient. any of the cars can handle grocery duties.... even with $300 groceries, i can fit it all in the trunk of my girly's civic. And if it's the holiday party, the back seat will fit food fine too.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: beyonddc

Originally posted by: scorpmatt
For gas mileage I'd go with the 85 to mid 90s Honda Civic CRX hf. 50 mpg non-hybrid.

Those little hondas handle very vell in the snow. Have no probs with my 82 accord hatch in the snow unless I am trying to make it do something crazy

Well, she's looking for a new car w/ warranty.

*sigh*

 

[LeiZaK]

I always vote for Mazda 3 in these things

 

[beyonddc]

Just a side note, I own a Mazda 3s 4-doors. So mazda 3 is the last on my list. I don't really want to get the same car.

 

[CaptnKirk]

The important thing is the Machine Gunner's roost !

 

[bigrash]

Civic

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Pontiac Vibe

 

[xrax]

Corolla-S or Matrix.

 

[dwcal]

Originally posted by: laurenlex
Skip the 4 wheel drive. You don't need it. Front wheel drive works just fine in snow and ice. It will get worse mileage.

They're all solid choices, but I'd skip the 4wd too. The Matrix with the base engine is already a little underpowered. They weight of the 4wd slows it down even more. Fwd with traction control and good snow tires is still better than 4wd with all season tires. I don't know how well your mom keeps up with car maintenance, but the Toyotas have been the most indestructible cars I've known.

 

[beyonddc]

Originally posted by: dwcal

Originally posted by: laurenlex
Skip the 4 wheel drive. You don't need it. Front wheel drive works just fine in snow and ice. It will get worse mileage.

They're all solid choices, but I'd skip the 4wd too. The Matrix with the base engine is already a little underpowered. They weight of the 4wd slows it down even more. Fwd with traction control and good snow tires is still better than 4wd with all season tires. I don't know how well your mom keeps up with car maintenance, but the Toyotas have been the most indestructible cars I've known.

I don't think we'll get snow tires for it. We'll just use 4 season tires.

As for horse power, even though 4wd slows down a bit, but I don't think my mom is an agressive driver either (even though I know women can be very aggressive and unsafe!). eh!

 

[Czar]

corollas... last forever