Driving 500 miles a week-what car?

[DonP]

If I take a job in Cleveland, I'll be driving 250 miles up there and 250 miles back once a week. I have three kids, and while we have a Tahoe for local hops around town, I'd like this new car to seat 5 comfortably as well if we go on any long trips where we need gas-economy.

Any suggestions on a good gas milage car, good warrenty / reliable?

My ex-boss / new-boss got rid of his 150K mile Camery and got an Altima. He doesn't have kids, however.

My current "grunt" car is a 1997 Saturn, 186K miles, eats oil at the rate of 1qt/1000miles. BUT, it runs great and gets 38MPG. Its seats 5 at the moment (kids are 11, 9 and 6), but the damn kids keep growing LOL! My 9 year old daughter hates the Saturn because she gets squashed between her brothers on most trips.

My backup car is my 1990 Trans Am GTA. Low milage, runs like new, but gets 1/2 of the Saturn's gas milage, and only seats 4. And I don't want to slam it with miles - just save it for a back-up if something happens to my main car. I put 1000 miles a year on it on average.

Open to suggestions and experiences.

Thanks

[Crusher]

I have a similar commute, have a 2001 Honda Accord. No complaints at all, roomy, good on gas, RELIABLE. Can't go wrong with a Honda or Toyota

[MichaelLitvak]

yep Honda Accord is very nice. I think Honda's are a bit more comfortable than Toyotas (comparing the civic and the corrola)

[jgcable]

Nissan Sentra
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry or Prius
Ford Escape Hybrid
Mitsubishi Lancer
Ford Focus
There are a ton of 5 passenger cars. For 500 miles a week you really need to focus on mpg and sacrifice a little on luxury and room.

[dg]

Hard to beat a Honda. My brother-in-law finally just retired his at just under 400K miles. His daily commute was a little over 100 miles. Never did anything but routine scheduled maintenance on it. Another brand that holds up well is Mazda. My best friend got over 300K trouble-free miles out of his old 626. I used to be a huge Toyota fan, but their newer stuff doesn't impress me as much. I'd love to be able to recommend an American car, but except for diesel trucks nothing comes to mind.

[Thor Von Clemson]

I get a lot of customers saying they really like the Hyundai Sonata (I work for a rental car company). I send a lot of people who have to go on long trips out in those cars and they say great things about the mileage, comfort, and ride. They have good warranty's and are priced reasonably well.

Otherwise, if you want to stick with American cars go with a Chevy Malibu. The new ones are exquisite! The mileage is great and it is a safe vehicle that is very comfortable to ride in. They don't look half bad either. It is not as big as some of the cars mentioned, but it is worth looking into IMO.

[Drsracing]

find a used 1996 Impala SS

[Jason1212]

VW Passat, I have an older one that gets great mileage and it is very roomy.

[pro-fusion]

If you're doing a lot of highway miles, consider a hybrid--they get fantastic mileage on the road, from what I've heard. The Toyota Prius would fit your bill, and I believe that Honda makes a hybrid version of the Accord.

[fett]

Either a car that goes 250 mph or one that gets 250 mpg.

[RacerX]

find a used 1996 Impala SS

or a Buick Roadmaster, heh

Don, you make good money, why not travel in luxury? 1995-2000 Lexus LS400.

[Deneb]

Honda Accord or Civic.

[SeventhSon]

is your job covering car expenses?

[RacerX]

Yes

[SeventhSon]

Well 500 miles/wk = 26000 mi/year, and at that rate, a Prius makes sense. But if your company is paying for actual expenses, I'd go for some of the other recommendations. If the company pays $0.35/mi (or whatever the standard rate is these days), then a Prius still makes sense, no? It's a 5 seater. Just thinking out loud.