New to Eco world and would like recommendations
 

Hello all!

My name is Dale I am a firefighter paramedic inspector in southwest ohio. I just started a new job that is 120 mile round trip 5x a day. Looking for recommendations on great vehicle. I am looking for a "work" car my priorities are 1. reliability 2. mpg 40+ 3. working a/c, 4. oh and a budget of $2500 tops.

Do not care on transmission choice, number of doors etc. Will probably upgrade the stereo and speakers to make the trip more enjoyable. I have started looking at Toyota Echo and Yaris both have a 1.5 non interference motor with a timing chain and seemed to be capable of 350k mile+ drivetrain life, runs on 87. Any personal experience with that platform or another you strongly recommend? TDIs are expensive for my price range and use more expensive diesel fuel.

Thanks for having me!

It sounds like you are on the right track.
You were able to find some echos and yaris for $2500?

My recommendation is no volkswags unless they are air cooled.

You might get in to a 1st gen Honda Insight for your budget, and if you're driving 600 miles a day, it might be worth it. I don't know if they come with A/C, though.

While the Geo Metro is cheap to own and in fuel, I'd probably not want to drive 120 miles of presumably highway with it's 3-cylinder and poor crash rating.

The Echo/Yaris sounds like a good choice to me. Big enough engine and solid enough vehicle for all that driving.

I've seen 2nd gen Prius' within your budget, if you need a larger, more comfortable vehicle. They can last forever.

Probably out of your budget, but there's also the Honda Fit to consider. And maybe the Mitsubishi Mirage. Again, price will be the issue.

Or you can find a 92+ Civic with the lean burn engine, if you can find a low-mileage one any more.

If you drive that much, i'd recommend a diesel.

I had an Echo. Fantastically reliable and great mpg, but ac took a horrendous toll on FE. Echos get a plus for space versatility, nice ride, and a timing chain which basically never fails. Minuses are that it's very susceptible to wind buffeting and if you carry more than about ~150lbs besides yourself, the suspension, brakes, and power get iffy. But it's a top choice where FE and ultimate reliability are concerned. Might look and see if there's any 03-08 Corollas at that price range as well.

You might look at 96-00 Civics, although with those miles, you'll be racking up timing belt changes like crazy. Everything else will basically always just work though. It's a better driver in many ways, and comparable FE to the Echo, but not as space efficient. I got my '97 DX coupe a month and a half ago in nice shape for $2100.

If you do the round trip 5 times a day, then fuel cost very quickly makes the car price negligeable.

600 miles a day is 3k miles a week and 150k miles a year.

If you assume your car is second hand, you will probably wear it out in a year. That makes your "car" cost roughly 200$ a month.

Sorry I typed in correctly 5 round trips a week, 600 miles a week. I get in a rush sometimes lol.

Is is still 30k miles a year.

So your car costs 40-50 usd a month to own. You will be spending more than that for fuel. So a more fuel efficient car like a diesel (depends on your local fuel prices) could be cheaper in the long run.

On a recent thread it was mentioned that leasing a Leaf and plugging it to the grid as a power stabilizer would cost you 50 usd a month. Might be interesting to investigate.

Update. I purchased a 99 Corolla CE auto. Unfortunately no overdrive but the car had 112k, very clean and well maintained. Mpgs really seem to go down when in excess 70 mph. Worst mileage was 32.5 with ac blowing 80 mph, best 36 mpg no ac average 70 mph. Very pleased with the car should be a nice reliable daily for years to come.

I have a 96 civic, but my brother had a Corolla like yours, he loved it. For basic transportation you can't beat them, they are pretty roomy, comfy, reliable, cheap to insure, parts are almost free, and they get good gas mileage. You could say they "car" very well :thumbup: That being said, I still want a CR-Z...:D