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Posted: 5/7/2022 7:37:50 PM EDT
I have been making a regular drive of about 600 miles lately, and renting cars because my gas guzzlers would cost a fortune. Thinking about getting something more suitable. What’s a used inexpensive standard size sedan with good efficiency and comfortable for long hours behind the wheel?
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Camry. Accord. Civic. Etc. none of which are inexpensive anymore. Good luck in the used car search.
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Something like a Buick LeSabre would have been reliable but gas prices make those less than ideal these days.
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The Toyota Corolla is the #1 sold car in the world.
Cost and fuel efficient, made by the #1 Mfr, plenty of parts,etc Step up to a Camry, if you need more room |
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Since you've done the math to figure out it's cheaper to do it with a rental than your existing vehicle, you should do the math on how long it would take to break even if you buy a used but reliable car.
I bet it's a looooooooooooong time. |
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Quoted: Since you've done the math to figure out it's cheaper to do it with a rental than your existing vehicle, you should do the math on how long it would take to break even if you buy a used but reliable car. I bet it's a looooooooooooong time. View Quote A month long rental of an Altima was almost 3k, from Budget. What's your definition of a long time? Not to mention, an owned vehicle will have value, when you're done. A used car, none. |
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Quoted: A month long rental of an Altima was almost 3k, from Budget. What's your definition of a long time? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Since you've done the math to figure out it's cheaper to do it with a rental than your existing vehicle, you should do the math on how long it would take to break even if you buy a used but reliable car. I bet it's a looooooooooooong time. A month long rental of an Altima was almost 3k, from Budget. What's your definition of a long time? If he needs it only 3 days out of the month, how many times does he need to rent it to break even on owning the damn thing? |
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My latest company car is a Ford Fusion.
Pleasantly surprised - good highway cruiser and comfortable. It's actually more comfortable than my Taurus was. At least for me. A friend's daughter just got rid of one that was still going at 205k. All used car prices are stupid right now, but those things are a dime a dozen. |
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Quoted: A month long rental of an Altima was almost 3k, from Budget. What's your definition of a long time? Not to mention, an owned vehicle will have value, when you're done. A used car, none. View Quote You might be able to buy a 2000 Altima for $3k, and it won't be reliable. We rarely rent a car when we travel anymore, you can uber 20 times a day and never hit $700 or whatever a Turo costs. Unless you're selling a current car and replacing it with the new one, the math will never work out. |
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Quoted:You might be able to buy a 2000 Altima for $3k, and it won't be reliable. View Quote No, but if you a more reliable one, for say $12k, and sell it for ~$10k, you "saved" (probably broke even over a rental) vs a monthly rental. We'd need more info of OP's usage to give better estimates. How often do you need, factor wear and tear, insurance, who's claiming write off and how, etc. |
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Could years ago I bought a 99 Nissan Sentra for $500. Put a tune up and tires into it. It got 34MPG and was very reliable.
Sold it with 325k miles on the clock for $1000. I'd say it did the job for me. |
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I’d get one of those little transits or a small suv that laid flat in the back and just crash in there too.
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I have a Nissan Altima that is decently comfy. Gets 36 mpg on the highway and has ac and a radio. I like it. Would of got another Accord or a Camry but they were 5-10K more when I got the Altima used.
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Quoted: Could years ago I bought a 99 Nissan Sentra for $500. Put a tune up and tires into it. It got 34MPG and was very reliable. Sold it with 325k miles on the clock for $1000. I'd say it did the job for me. View Quote Beat the ever living hell out of an 01 Sentra back in the day past 150k miles and it never flinched |
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how often are you doing 600 miles? even weekly im betting the break even is at least a year and thats assuming the freakishly high used car market doesn't implode by the time you sell.
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Not sure what "inexpensive" is these days, but for a sweet highway cruiser (only), kinda hard to beat something just like this, IMO:
https://www.carmax.com/car/22051650 |
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Quoted: I have been making a regular drive of about 600 miles lately, and renting cars because my gas guzzlers would cost a fortune. Thinking about getting something more suitable. What’s a used inexpensive standard size sedan with good efficiency and comfortable for long hours behind the wheel? View Quote Something like this op: 2000 Corolla |
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Mazda 5. Small van, seats 6. 4 banger will knock out almost 40mpg at 85 mph
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Quoted: Since you've done the math to figure out it's cheaper to do it with a rental than your existing vehicle, you should do the math on how long it would take to break even if you buy a used but reliable car. I bet it's a looooooooooooong time. View Quote i always rent for work and never for me so i don't look at the rental costs. |
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Hyundai Ioniq. You will get 50+ mpg on the highway and it is better looking than the Prius.
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I have a 2015 1.0L, 5 speed ford fiesta that is a blast to drive. 40mpg. Have driven it on a 5k mile road trip, sleeping in the passenger seat.
Attached File |
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I put a lot of miles on a 16 civic touring and was happy with the vehicle
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VW TDI.
I’ve got a 2013 Sportwagon with 15k miles I just listed for sale…if you don’t mind a trip to come pick it up. |
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Seriously, find a mid '80's Ford Flex, non-eco boost. Roomy, heavy, good road car.
I bought a granny driven 2011 EB Limited for 3k 2 years ago that has been an incredibly reliable vehicle. Maintenance costs have doubled my investment, but it needs nothing now & is still worth more than my investment. |
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Quoted: Grandma Keith 20mpg tank with room for all your bitches https://s.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/640x400/quality/80/https://s.aolcdn.com/commerce/autodata/images/90MEGED1.jpg View Quote Grandma Keith. Love it. I have put close to a million miles on vics and a few marquis. Now I have a company van but my wife drives a town car that looks alot like that picture. |
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Quoted: Grandma Keith 20mpg tank with room for all your bitches https://s.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/640x400/quality/80/https://s.aolcdn.com/commerce/autodata/images/90MEGED1.jpg View Quote I had a chance at an almost new Marauder, but it got sold out from under me |
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Quoted: The Toyota Corolla is the #1 sold car in the world. Cost and fuel efficient, made by the #1 Mfr, plenty of parts,etc Step up to a Camry, if you need more room View Quote I came here to post this I have a 2020 Corolla Hybrid and a 2021 Corolla Hybrid If you are doing highway then just get the regular Corolla If you want a little nicer then the Camry |
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We haven't discussed if it will just be You, or if anyone else is along for the ride.
I'm a big fan of the Honda Accord as it is "fun" to drive as a is possible with a sedan, and it has HUGE Back Seat & Trunk Space Honda Reliable & Great Fuel Economy and very low insurance rates due to it's safety features. BIGGER_HAMMER |
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Lots of good suggestions thanks.
Looking to get at least 35mpg. I’ve rented Altima and Camrys; I think I liked the Altima better. |
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I friggin love my gf’s Accord. So much better on long road trips than my vehicles
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Quoted: Corolla was a great car. Unsure of recent years but would not hesitate to pop on one. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: The Toyota Corolla is the #1 sold car in the world. Cost and fuel efficient, made by the #1 Mfr, plenty of parts,etc Step up to a Camry, if you need more room Corolla was a great car. Unsure of recent years but would not hesitate to pop on one. I came to suggest a Corolla. I leased a 21 hatchback last year for my business delivery. 35mpg on 87 $200/mo payment. It’s like a free car compared to driving my 14mpg on 92 pig everywhere. |
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Oldsmobile 98 Regency Coupe is what you seek for a reliable road trip car. You'll have trouble staying awake in that big baby!
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Low mile Lincoln Mark 8. Almost 30 on the highway. Power plant is basically a detuned cobra motor. Very comfortable.
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I'd buy a Chrysler 300 if I was driving that distance regularly, but you said reliable...
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I'd get a Lamborghini Huracan, it's no Bugatti Chiron but it'll get you to your destination.
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