YACT - What used car would you buy for DC commute

[Triumph]

If you're going to use either 66 or 95 to commute into town, I would seriously consider a motorcycle if I were you. Motorcycles are a commitment, and they're not as practical as a car, but seriously one would be worth it if you had to deal with either of those commutes daily.

edit: i guess not. gaithersburg to tysons doesn't buy you much, there's no HOV on the beltway. you're screwed!

 

[Budmantom]

Sentra

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Triumph
edit: i guess not. gaithersburg to tysons doesn't buy you much, there's no HOV on the beltway. you're screwed!

not only that, but the HOV on 270 is useless... half the time I'm outpacing them!

 

[JImmyK]

only one clear choice Corolla, dependable, surprisingly nimble, and funt ot drive all with 35+ MPG

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: darqice
Job is in Tyson's corner so no metro access. And I now live north of Gaithersburg.

Tyson's corner has a metro stop I think. If not just drive to the nearest one. Only a sadist voluntarily chooses to drive in DC rush hour

Guess it's not finished yet

It's still in the dream stage. The OP will probably be a great grandfather before it is ever reality.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Grand Marquis is only stinkin' mid-size IMO. At least try it, you might like it!

LMAO...you and Crowne Vics and Grand Marquis...it's like they are the only car in the world as far as you are concerned...

 

[Ornery]

Look numbnuts, what other choices are there in a full framed, RWD, V8 platform, besides trucks & SUVs? Yeah, STFU until you can come up with something. In the mean time, if the OP does actually buy a "mid-size" machine of any kind, the fuel usage will be damn close, and the cost to purchase & maintain will be the same or more. Got a better bang for the buck solution?

 

[CraigRT]

4th generation maxima.. maybe 98/99 (if you like some fun to drive factor) - not as good on gas, 6cyl.
or a same year range accord/camry (if you don't care as much about fun to drive factor) - better on gas, 4cyl.

 

[Triumph]

Who needs a full frame, full size, RWD V8 to sit in traffic? 23 mpg vs 17 mpg on a 20 mile one way commute works out to an extra ~400 bucks a year. Throwing money down the drain.

If anything we need less giant vehicles on the road. They certainly aren't helping the traffic problem.

 

[mitaiwan82]

Originally posted by: darqice
Found a single-owner (older) '99 Acura TL with 110k for $7900. Sounds like a steal to me... Comments/concerns?

I'd say go find another car...many owners of Honda Accords with V6s of the same era have problems with their automatic transmission. I have a '99 Accord V6 coupe with almost 90k miles, and the tranny's held up, but it can be slightly jerky sometimes. I would go for a 4 cylinder Accord the same age or newer.

 

[Ornery]

...23 mpg vs 17 mpg on a 20 mile one way commute works out to an extra ~400 bucks a year...

What two vehicles? Why does the OP want "mid-size". Obviously, he wants a little more than the econobox you have in mind, or he wouldn't have made that stipulation. The OP will soon be faced with a several hundred dollar timing belt replacement on most used econoboxes. Not to mention expensive FWD components. The local DC cops & taxis use the more rugged platform for a reason. The little extra fuel used is compensated for by durability and cheap, easy, infrequent repairs. Any car that gets substantially better fuel economy is probably not "mid-size" anyway.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: darqice
Boring I know, but...

I just got a new job and I've got maybe up to $8k in cash available to pickup a comfortable, reliable, reasonably priced used mid-sized sedan for a 40 minute DC commute. I've been sharing a car for the last 2 years (which is one of the reasons I have the cash available to spend!)

Looking for the best bang for the buck in this category and price range. $4- $8k. I'm trying to be frugal and financially responsible. I don't really feel the need to throw away money by financing a more expensive or new car.

I'm thinking 96-02 Toyota Camry, Honday Accord, Nissan Maxima, etc. Leaning toward a slightly older well-cared for single owner car with more features, vs a newer car with less creature comforts.

Make sense? Other models to consider?

TY!

Get a 4cyl Accord or Camry, or a nice Corolla, Civic, Sentra, or Protege. As nice as the Maxima is, it can be costlier to repair and the V6 is thirstier and requires high octane fuel.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Grand Marquis is only stinkin' mid-size IMO. At least try it, you might like it!

Too big to park anywhere, pretty bad gas milage and you need to be receiving social security to be able to own one...

Oh yeah the seats are horrible, you might as well sit & drive on a two flat futon cushions. Really unsupportive and you sink in...i guess thats so you wouldn't wanna break a hip or something

 

[Inappropriate4AT]

I vote motorcycle, decent gas mileage + advantage of the HOV lane, unless that's changed recently.

 

[darqice]

Update, well my heart got the better of my head. Gonna buy an immaculate, single mid-western owner, '95 nissan maxima, loaded, *only* 77k miles, needs nothing. Manual trans is a plus for me too. Leather, etc. so nice. $5500

 

[CChaos]

Sounds like a nice find! Enjoy.