Looking For- Gas sipping Commuter car

Lots of good deals in grand forks mike.... if you want me to grab you some auto traders, text me.

 

The new GMs and others are all rusting like crazy, mostly the boxes. My 05 Tundra has nothing, just saying.

You bought the wrong year as yes they did have some years with rust issues. At least Toyota stands behind their product when the frames rust out, they were buying the trucks back or replacing the frames. How about GM and the Colorado with a new frame that was denied warranty because they were 100 lbs over tow capacity. All I've done on my truck is oil changes and brakes and just recently some front end parts. It also needs a rear axle seal which I already have, not bad for a 14 year old truck.

 

Regardless of make/model, anything used that was shipped or originated in high salt areas will accelerate rust like crazy. Those of you that have been to either coast and have seen the vehicle rust damage will know what i mean. Local Car lots buy vehicles at auctions (Ontario/BC usually), most vehicles bought come from afar, many from the high air/road salt regions.

All brands will have exceptions for rust/reliability. But the lemon-aid, consumer reports, and those types of reads are your best bet for picking a good car. Toyotas and Hondas compacts such as the corolla or civic/accord are usually at the top of the heap for best buys.

There are exceptions for wicked good domestic cars/motors - the 3.6/3.8 (?) buick V6 is a prime example - motor taken off the market as it was too efficient... Buddy had one and claimed well over 30mpg, closer to 40. True or not, i dont know, but many that have had those engines say similar stories. My big ass 400hp diesel (duramax 6.8) averages 9-10l/100km hwy, to me that is an anomaly.

 

I was surprised, but I'm hearing more about the Buick V6. Just so happens my Lundmania partner might sell me his.

@Cam , I'll take you up on that, thanks for the kind offer bud!

 

Mike, if you can get a good condition Buick / Pontiac with the 3800 series motor go for it. They’re bullet proof, and surprisingly good on fuel for their size.

I drove a really high mileage Pontiac Bonneville for awhile during my university days. I couldn’t kill that car no matter how much I neglected it.

 

I think @The Champ has had a couple of those buicks and they have been really good for him. I don't think you could go wrong with one. Much more comfortable than most gas sippers too.

 

It’s worth a look, you might find a great deal. I’ll pick some up tonight.

 

My old man and brother both had 97/98 Grand Prix with the 3800 SeriesII and they were great.

that 4cyl shut down is hell on the engine... takes out the cam and lifters (google AFM Failures). I've had mine shut off with a tuner for a couple years and its honestly just as good on fuel on the highway as it was before.

Had a buddy who lives in Tyndall and works downtown that bought a diesel Jetta so he could stop driving the truck... by the time it was all said and done, the $3000 grand he figured he'd save turned into $300 (this is the same figure he's calculated over the last 4 years) - so not sure if that's really worth it in the end.

 

I have to re-crunch the numbers at go from all angles. Either way, I'm cranking up the miles on my old truck really steady. 2000 kliks a month isn't an exaggeration.

 

Im going to be going from 2 vehicles to 1 shortly but I'd like to get more than 3500 for my 2012 Focus when it's time.

The V8 dodge is a big pig on gas but I find it's much better at 90 k. I just tow at 90 now unless I'm in single lane 100's then I'll maintain the speed limit. Difference for me is I can get home with a 1/4 tank vs empty by deacons.

 

Mike! I'm in the exact same boat. I put 25-30k/year on my 15' Sierra. Putting in $60-80/week in fuel ($250-350/mth). I'm living in Oakbank and commuting to and from the city. I thought about getting a 4-banger for running to and from work and baseball, grocery shopping, etc. However if you figure that my fuel bill would be cut in half (at best), it would leave me with about $150-200 surplus/month. Minus a ~$100/mnth to MPI to put an 04' Corolla on the road, would mean a extra $50-100/month in my pocket. I figure for that price and the extra maintenance of 3rd vehicle on the driveway, I'll keep racking up the miles on my pick-up and trade it in 5-6 years.

 

Yeah, that's one conclusion i came to as well. With a low maintenance 4-banger you might get ahead more...but the wild card is if the 4-banger starts shitting it's ass too.

 

Don’t buy anything ecotec lol

 

Even if it’s a wash as far as overall savings, having that redundancy of a spare vehicle is very often worth it. Where I live I can’t taxi, bus, or Uber it anywhere. I’m screwed without a vehicle. Repairs become a real biyatch with only one vehicle.

 

Same without a boat. She has to go in for repairs and I'm back to getting a hitch until she's sea worthy again. Wife is still not convinced that I need a second boat.

Seriously though, we have two vehicles (both SUVs) and one is over 300K and second is shy of 250K. Both will need to upgraded in the next while and always weighting the options. Also, live out of the city and need that second vehicle for commuting and just in case. Been stuck several times last winter and needed the extra vehicle to yank me out. Can't do that with a 4-banger.

 

Sorry don't buy it. Must not have winter tires on those SUV's or you have to live miles in the bush.
I live in the country and in 40 years commuting to Winnipeg over 40km each direction only once I needed a tow out of a snowdrift when I was stuck in a drift in the road. That was before I discovered snow tires and haven't been stuck even once. I've driving in hundreds of storms, ice, snowdrifts and nasty winter conditions. Buy CAA for a year and hell of a lot cheaper than two SUV's. Everyone I speak with that gets stuck never has winter tires. Always the case from my experience. Own one 4x4 and a good efficient commuter car with winter tires and the money you save on fuel will pay for the winter tires, CAA and beer on the weekend.

 

Snow tires = best money you can spend in MB. I’ll never go without again.

 

Steve you don't need a 3rd vehicle if you dump the SUV and have a 4 cylinder commuter. You have only two drivers in the family. Still only 2 MPI bills and a Civic/Corrolla is going to save cash every week over an Equinox plus it won't be in for repairs as often as an older GM. I had a family member with an SUV and commuted to Health Sciences to work. His fuel was really adding up so bought a 4cylinder commuter. His fuel savings were significant enough to keep SUV on pleasure to tow the boat and still overall still save money. The more distance you drive the more you save in fuel. A short commute might not be worth it but those racking up the km's will realize savings.

 

See if I can cover a few points.

Had the pleasure of using a Denali last weekend. Went into 4cyl all the time.

For Spoon the mpg difference between 8cyl and 4cyl is small. Maybe 1-2 mpg. If you’re seeing worse fuel mileage in one mode or the other it’s probably more to do with a heavy foot, both braking and accelerating.

@Mike B. I’m in your boat. I commute 64 km one way to the office. That doesn’t include all the driving around the city. I’m good for 150-175km every day. I considered a smaller vehicle until I had to drive in the winter. Honestly my highway route is bad, yours is insane. I ended up in a Ram Ecodiesel, my 09 Sierra could do 550km on 96L. My Ram is getting 950km on 96 litres. I just can’t get away from a 1/2 ton.