The commuter challenge.... impossible?

[jaxyaks]

The problem with the "typical" commuters (Camrys, Accords, etc) in the used market is, they all get used and seem to have 100K plus on them already. I'm not wanting to push the quarter million Mike threshold if I can avoid it.
Plenty of low mileage BMWs, Benz, etc. But that "unscheduled maintenance" part ...
Hence the dilemma.

I did a auto trader search for Camry's with under 45K on them, filtered for lowest to highest price and the first page of them was around 20K Including a 2023 with 25K for 20,999. the Corollas should yield more. (not sure what area you are searching this was 50 miles of Marietta). If you raise the budget about 5K you could get a new Corolla OTD. The base price on them is around 22K. You should still meet your depreciation and maintenance requirement with that as well.

With your commute thats about 14,500 a year, you should get 10 years or so to get to 150K.

 

[alexs2006]

I would find a gently used Accord Sport.

 

[basstracker89]

We bought a new Toyota in 2000 for $20K. The car today may be worth $3K. It has been a great car. It now has @ 360K on it

 

[GeauxLSU]

I'm guessing that you could get in a used Subaru Legacy in the 20k range. The new base price is $25,000 on the Legacy. Another option would be a Mazda 3, slightly used. The Mazda 3 hatchbacks are very good looking cars and fairly sporty and practical.

Mazda 3 hatchback is one of the only ones new, I'd consider. (Haven't found any used here that warrant not getting new).
Trying to avoid turbos and CVT really limits the choices.

 

[GeauxLSU]

I did a auto trader search for Camry's with under 45K on them, filtered for lowest to highest price and the first page of them was around 20K Including a 2023 with 25K for 20,999. the Corollas should yield more. (not sure what area you are searching this was 50 miles of Marietta). If you raise the budget about 5K you could get a new Corolla OTD. The base price on them is around 22K. You should still meet your depreciation and maintenance requirement with that as well.

With your commute thats about 14,500 a year, you should get 10 years or so to get to 150K.

It'll get a bit more than just commuting miles. I'm assuming 17.5- 20k year.
I really REALLY hate I was asleep at the wheel for the last of the V6 Camrys.
As far as a new Corolla, the CVT and generally wimpiness of it kill me. I drive pretty conservatively. But when I want/need to go, I want to go.

 

[GeauxLSU]

Just read Hertz is having a fire sale on all their Teslas. Some have pretty low miles and the batteries have a warranty for 100K miles

No EVs and definitely no fleet vehicles. Matter of fact, if it's not a one owner it's probably out of contention.

OK, so what you need is comfort and reliability. My Wife and I spent a lot of time commuting in our vehicles. So my thought was to be comfortable while doing so. So she drove a Crown Vic then a Mercury Marquise. I drove and still drive a full size truck. At the end of my career I was driving a Mercedes diesel. All very comfortable vehicles. All capable of lasting many years and miles. But I'll tell you, you need a backup vehicle for when your daily driver breaks down. Especially a Euro car. A Toyota would be hard to beat, but it's hard to beat a real full size vehicle. In your price range, I think you're looking for something older. At that point, you buy the right vehicle, you'll be looking at a vehicle beginning to increase in value as time goes on. You buy American, and parts will be more available as well

There are Benz and BMWs that may meet the criteria. But that UNscheduled maintenance....

 

[basstracker89]

Mazda 3 hatchback is one of the only ones new, I'd consider. (Have found any used here that warrant not getting new).
Trying to avoid turbos and CVT really limits the choices.

Get you a full size V8 car or truck and drive it, drive it, drive it. I don't think you'd ever regret it. Always plenty of room, power and comfort. The only omission to this is a diesel or maybe hybrid. Hybrid, get a Japanese car, batteries seem to last much longer. I've known the Prius to go 400k without replacing them. Just as an example

 

[basstracker89]

It'll get a bit more than just commuting miles. I'm assuming 17.5- 20k year.
I really REALLY hate I was asleep at the wheel for the last of the V6 Camrys.
As far as a new Corolla, the CVT and generally wimpiness of it kill me. I drive pretty conservatively. But when I want/need to go, I want to go.

My wife loves her V6 Camry

 

[basstracker89]

No EVs and definitely no fleet vehicles. Matter of fact, if it's not a one owner it's probably out of contention.

There are Benz and BMWs that may meet the criteria. But that UNscheduled maintenance....

You are very right. I've been dealing with it for a few years now. But I love driving it, crazy I know. Lexus is the best luxury car. At least for reliability and longevity. You can't beat them. I've known near a million miles on one

 

[kelleyga36]

Corolla can't be beat. Get one a couple years old, and you can get a 6 speed manual.