[Sandye90m3]

I've heard about problem in the Mini from previous generation, maybe they fixed them now?

But as far as I know, I think VW is really playing there cards right on the cars that they are making now. As long as they improve there reliability with the new ones then they should be good. And the gas mileage that they provide for the consumer is phenomenal (TDI)

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

I've heard about problem in the Mini from previous generation, maybe they fixed them now?

But as far as I know, I think VW is really playing there cards right on the cars that they are making now. As long as they improve there reliability with the new ones then they should be good. And the gas mileage that they provide for the consumer is phenomenal (TDI)

You say reliability? RELIABILITY?

MOST RELIABLE CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED... 36K problem free miles and counting. I know this for a fact. I will always have a jetta in my stable for monotonous duties. cannot beat it for the money.

[hl0m4n]

did some further research and found some interesting stuff:

elantra:
-due for a facelift this fall
-new addition of a di 2.0l 4 banger
-redesign 2015
-for a commuter car and longevity, i prefer the simplicity of na>turbo

jetta:
-current 2.5l 5 banger to be replaced to a di 1.8l turbo 4 banger sometime this fall
-electric power steering
-na>turbo as mentioned above

mini:
-redesign to go on sale early-mid 2013
-moving to fwd
-i like the new headlight, tails, & design overall but the fwd is a major downfall

[shivaswrath]

this is such a pro-BMW site...lol, Mini is dominating!

[3point0]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

did some further research and found some interesting stuff:

mini:
-redesign to go on sale early-mid 2013
-moving to fwd
-i like the new headlight, tails, & design overall but the fwd is a major downfall

isn't the mini fwd already?

[jeffc31337]

In this price range GTI or Mazdaspeed 3 IMO.

[BMW269]

I'd say Dodge Dart. It is basically an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sedan.

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

did some further research and found some interesting stuff:

elantra:
-due for a facelift this fall
-new addition of a di 2.0l 4 banger
-redesign 2015
-for a commuter car and longevity, i prefer the simplicity of na>turbo

jetta:
-current 2.5l 5 banger to be replaced to a di 1.8l turbo 4 banger sometime this fall
-electric power steering
-na>turbo as mentioned above

mini:
-redesign to go on sale early-mid 2013
-moving to fwd
-i like the new headlight, tails, & design overall but the fwd is a major downfall

All minis, with the exception of the all-4 countryman, are fwd


I own a non s mini and its the most fun I have ever had in a slow fwd car

[freshwhite335]

CPO GTI

[MSport28]

Why is the Ford Focus not on the list?

[SyruSur]

get a 2000 or earlier civic... if you want to commute, commute but do it in a piece of shit that gets really good mileage

[py0413]

Will the mileage you go over the lease agreement cost you more than the depreciation of a new or even a used car?

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

im in the market for a new commuter car. all cars below are in same price w/ options i want ~$25k. what are your thoughts and would you get something different?

Hyundai Elantra:
-great standard features including heated rear seats
-warranty & reliability
-nav is nicer compared to rest
-due for a refresh/new model soon ?

Honda Civic:
-brand new design
-still looks "cheaper" to hyundai

Subaru Impreza:
-awd w/ comparable gas mileage
-not a fan of cvt
-don't really need awd as i have another car for heavy snow days

VW Jetta:
-german
-most hp/tq out of list

MINI Cooper Hardtop:
-german
-only car on list requiring premium gas but w/ comparable mileage
- ~$3k more expensive than rest

Why no Focus St on the list? If its too boy racer for you just get it in Black or White it tones it down a ton.

[secretsquirrel]

What are your requirements?
Do you have kids? If so, how many? How big are they?
How far to you drive in a day/month/year?
Whats your budget? Is the TDI Jetta in your budget? Does it fit your need for performance?
I'm guessing you value economy more than performance in a commuter car, but would like something fun. Is this is a good assumption?

[chumley]

Originally Posted by secretsquirrel

What are your requirements?
Do you have kids? If so, how many? How big are they?
How far to you drive in a day/month/year?
Whats your budget? Is the TDI Jetta in your budget? Does it fit your need for performance?
I'm guessing you value economy more than performance in a commuter car, but would like something fun. Is this is a good assumption?

Good questions but you're assuming there's logic that's deeper than just wanting to buy another car. The advice so far suggests that the OP, who's currently leasing a $40k car and is concerned with mileage should go out and buy a $30k car to commute in.......(and enjoy all the depreciation, insurance, tags, etc that goes with it).

[nicknaz]

OP, you should just keep using your 328 and buy more miles at lease end for 20% discount. BMW FS will probably forgive some of the overage as well if you are getting into another BMW at lease end.

You mileage needs to be incredibly high to make the fully loaded cost of a 2nd car worth while relative to continuing to use your 328

[hl0m4n]

^secret: no kids, budget is as posted in 1st post, and i looked at the tdi but is just too expensive for one with navi. and you right i want more in economy but still fun to drive.

at the current rate, by lease end i will be in deep for $3k at discounted .1 per mile. instead of spending 3k on miles i would rather put it on a car and have a commuter.

my next car is an m3 and i don't want to use it as a daily. so in the end, i do want a commuter car and it will save me a lot of money in gas alone.

[135Pats]

Civic IMO, assuming the purpose of this car is essentially one of utility, where "getting there" is what matters above all else. All of these cars, Mini S aside, are A to B econo sedans; so personally I wouldn't really be weighing performance or dynamic characteristics unless one car was a complete outlier. For this type of car i want to buy it and never have to worry about something serious/expensive breaking for thousands and thousands of miles, nothing does that like a Honda Civic. Actually you could extend that to the entire Honda line, I don't enjoy their cars particularly, but it's remarkable how reliable they are. Back in the day I owned a Honda Accord I4, it held up to around 95K miles with only basic care, and had a grand total of ZERO issues outside of wear items like plugs and oil. Quite literally I don't think I ever saw the CEL in that car. I wouldn't trust a VW to do that, no way no how.

[SYZ]

Ford Focus should be seriously considered.

[Stohlen]

Originally Posted by EmPower

You say reliability? RELIABILITY?

MOST RELIABLE CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED... 36K problem free miles and counting. I know this for a fact. I will always have a jetta in my stable for monotonous duties. cannot beat it for the money.

36K miles isn't very long. Most cars should be problem free after that long... And who cares about how reliable the car is during the warranty period. Its after the warranty is up thats important, because thats when you have to start paying for it.