What is your other car????

Been thinking about getting rid of my 2011 Tundra. Its a good truck, but I'm tired of 14mpg now that my commute got a bit longer. Also its making some sort of clunk/squeak in the front end when you hit bumps under 20mph, I really don't want to spend the $$$ to fix it. Also tired of people asking to help them move crap/borrow the truck(hell no you ain't borrowing it), only time I'm cool with it was the 5 or 6 times pre-pandemic when we towed my buddy's boat to the lake cause he thought his damn 2006 Colorado could handle it and fried the tranny lol.

Been thinking that I still want a nice, big, comfortable, cushy riding sedan. Something with a big trunk and back seat, yet it gets at least 25mpg in mixed driving. Budget is $15,000. I know Toyota Avalon is an obvious answer, but man they got ugly after 2005 or so. I'd love a minty fresh low mile old person's 2000-2004, mom bought one new in 2000 and it was an amazing car, but finding a nice one would be tough. The Lexus ES, I like the 2013+ but I don't know if they've dropped off enough in price for me to consider. If I'm getting one older than a 2013 might as well buy an Avalon, its bigger and just as ugly

Really thinking a 2012+ Chrysler 300 with the 3.6 "Pentastar" V6 is the way to go. I've heard nothing but good things as far as long term reliability from that powertrain, the 5.7 V8 "Hemi" models have issues with the cylinder deactivation causing major wear on the cam and other expensive issues, plus I'm looking for better gas mileage.

There is also the option of buying an old 2000's low mile $5-10k Ford Crown Vic/Lincoln Town Car/Mercury Grandmas Keys. Those things are kind of pigs on gas though, but the price difference does make up for it. They do have good reputation of staying out of the shop though, comfortable, huge trunk, they drive/steer/handle pretty damn nice for a big car as well.

 

I understand big gas bills suck, but think about the total cost. Whatever repair you have to make to the front end likely won't cost $15k. And how long will it take you to earn back that $15k with a new car that gets 25mpg? If you drive 15k miles per year and assume $2.50/gal, you truck gas bill is about $2,700 per year. At 25mpg, you're spending $1,500...that's $1,200 in savings. Tiny compared to the the $15k outlay to get the car.

Just my opinion, but unless you're driving a ton of miles you're not going to save any money and you're going to buy a used car with unknown quality. Furthermore, if you are doing big miles anything that doesn't say Honda or Toyota is going to cost you more in the long run.

 

2014 Audi Q5 TDI
Get around 30 mpg combined. 35+ on road trips.
We LOVE that car.

 

No way I would trade Toyota for Ford or Chrysler!

 

It's not a "nice, big, comfortable, cushy riding sedan", but I also have a 2019 Rav4 hybrid, I average 45 mpg, it's been great so far.

 

Can get good deals on older Lexus ES 300 or rx350 (2013-2017 range).

Es300 is essentially a Camry but with all of the bells and whistles not found on any but the top truck trim levels. $12-15k can get you a car that will run forever with 50-60k on the clock.

If you need awd the RX is a solid choice. Look to pay about $8-12k more (unless you’re ok w/ previous body style - pre2016), for the feature and sitting a little higher off the road. It’s a belled and whistled highlander (w/o the ridiculous 3rd row seat, and $50k price tag for maxed out trim level).



this will be my move once my kids start driving. except I’ll be keeping my tundra for truck things.

 

I had a 2012 Lexus RX350 that was my “comfort vehicle”. It had the infamous timing cover oil leak but otherwise ran great. Smooth on the road with AWD. I sold it it for an Audi convertible.

 

That sound up front is probably just old suspension— new shocks, bushings... fix it! Most of those other options you considering aren’t gonna be great on gas or maintenance.

 

My other car is a Toaster.

But you did ask.

 

Look at the Venzas also, stationwagon of the Camry line. Wife has one. I drove it to Washington a while back. We have the V6 so mileage is not as great. She's averaging 18 around town. I got 24 or so on the Washington trip.

 

MY other car is a 1997 Toyota T-100, 4WD, pickemup truck.

My wife drives a 2019 Highlander (with the V6) (love the car, hate the 8 speed tranny so I drive it in S mode all the time).

 

I'm happy with my wife's 2013 Corolla on highway trips or running errands around town but it probably isn't big enough for you.

 

My 2005 Corolla XRS is fun to drive and gets good gas mileage. The Corvette is fun on the track.

 

I daily drive my Tundra because it gets better gas mileage than my other car.

 

My other car is another HOG ........lol

 

My other car is a civic. I get 33 mpg and paid $5k. Pre-pandemic, my commute was 110 miles round trip. Had the vehicle for about a year now and won’t break even for another 2 years with how frequent I’m commuting.

 

When I first started driving it, I was wishing my wife had bought the XRS instead of the S. However, I've come to appreciate the fuel economy of the base Corolla and I've heard the engine and transmission in the XRS might be slightly less reliable (relatively so, since it's still a Toyota).

 

Are you saying you won’t have a truck at all?

I did that once. If you consider yourself a truck guy, don’t sell it.

 

Been shopping for a car for my teen daughter and came across this

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...List=MERC&searchRadius=50&clickType=spotlight

 

I drove one of these daily for a loooong time. I loved it. If you get the LX (non police interceptor) they have great freeway gearing. I'd own one of those again in a heartbeat.

 

Currently have a a 14 Cummins 3500 (handshaker edition), a 07 sequoia, and a 06 double cab..... yup I don’t get s**t for fuel mileage

 

2008 Honda Accord 108k I drive it while the wife drives the Tundra. I do the mods.

 

Toyota stable

 

This little sucker gets me over 30 mpg in the city, offsets the Tundras thirst quite nicely.

 

v6 SE camry's are very solid and have 268 well delivered hp. smooth power across rpm range and 20/29 mpg. even our 2011 still looks great and fairly modern. SE comes with stiffer McPherson suspension and handles well.

I can give feedback on a plugin prius 45+ mpg and an awd sienna 16+ mpg if wanted but figured not what you were thinking. the rc f is a v8 and not a gas saver. about same mpg as tundra the way i drive it.

 

I have a 32 mile one way commute for work. I don't want to drive the Tundra, so I daily a 2012 Nissan Rogue (long story). Roomy as heck, gets 28mpg on the regular, never been an issue in 88k miles.

I also play around in my '99 10th Anniversary Edition Miata, which is currently getting a suspension refresh as time allows.

 

Tacoma

 

whatever your decision, now is a good time to sell a used truck. High demand.
My commuter is a 2018 Camry and it's really nice and get 35 mpg average

 

Don't have a car but 2 Tundras. 06 & 17

 

Whats ledt of my focus:

Had a 1.0L ecoboost and was getting over 40 mpgs
Now I'm rocking my wife's car and she is driving the Tundra to work......