Commuter recommendations (compromise between safety and efficiency?)

[sirhc]

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd save my official first post introduction until I've purchased a car. I'm on the hunt for a daily driver, my 02' F350 isn't the most efficient way to get one person to work and back. My commute is about 20 miles each way, mostly 55mph rural mountain roads. I've increased my fuel economy in my truck about 20% by playing with the hypermiling tips I've picked up on this website... I ordered an ultra gauge and am looking forward to playing with that.

As much as I'd love a metro that gets 60mpg, I really want something that offers a significant level of crash protection. I don't want to turn this into a big vs. small car argument, but you can't get around physics. So, where do I find the perfect balance between efficiency (that 60mpg metro) and safety (my wife’s huge land cruiser)?

I'd like to spend between $2500 and $5000, and I'd really like to buy an American car. I'm drawn to the SOHC 5spd 01'-02' Saturn SLs with optional side airbags. They're efficient, but I feel that they may be a bit small in a crash. It’s hard to find a larger car with a manual transmission, which poses its own challenges with regards to maximizing FE. I've heard of people getting respectable mileage out the 3.8L Buicks... thoughts?

Any recommendations? Thanks!

[MetroMPG]

Your commute sounds pretty good for smashing the EPA's highway MPG rating of just about any car:

- It's long enough that you enjoy a fully warmed up drivetrain for a significant portion
- It's rural (suggests that you may be able to "drive as you wish" without affecting other drivers)
- The speeds are sensible
- It's hilly (ideal for pulse and glide)

I'll let others make the vehicle recommendations though.

Hopefully others won't jump on you (hint, others!) for not wanting to drive a small vehicle, and for calling a Land Cruiser safe . It's always a touchy subject!

[MetroMPG]

PS - you'll definitely get more out of a manual transmission vehicle - if possible you want to be able to load up the engine at relatively low RPM without downshifting on those climbs (if you intend to coast down the other side).

[user removed]

Just sold my 99 Maxima to a gent who put 90k on his 3 year old Toyota Tundra. He used about 6000 gallons of fuel in the Tundra in 3 years commuting to work and back. In the Maxima he will get close to 30 MPG highway since he will be doing 55-65 for 50 miles each way.

They make stick shift Maximas.

regards
Mech

[IsaacCarlson]

I had a 3800 in an olds 88 and was able to get 30 mpg without trying and even managed to get 42 mpg once or twice. That was a thrill. The body rusted out and the engine cradle started falling out so I am now in the process of putting the 3800 into my wife's old car, a sunfire. The 3800 is a great engine with a lot of potential. I rank it right up next to the ford 300. It will run forever with very little maintenance and gets good mileage while producing loads of power.

[Ryland]

Most car crashes are single vehicle crashes and many trucks and SUV's that are in single vehicle crashes are roll overs, so safety doesn't always mean being able to kill the other person before they kill you, it can mean driving a vehicle that is easier to avoid crashing.

[MetroMPG]

Regardless of the various positions on safety, I think we should agree that we're probably not going to change the original poster's mind on the matter and stick to talking about vehicle recommendations that fit his specs.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by sirhc

I don't want to turn this into a big vs. small car argument, but you can't get around physics.

No, you can't get around physics, but you can certainly manage not to understand physics :-)

[Ecky]

I'd recommend one of the European diesel sedans, if you can find one. Volvo, VW, etc. I know you said you'd prefer an American car, but since it's used, you're not supporting American industry either way.

[johnunit]

I think the Saturn sounds like a reasonable choice.