[dArNeLLi]

Currently, I drive 50 miles each way to work and home, and I'm driving an xB (roughly 29miles/gal). I usually keep the e92 for the friday drives, but after a trackday at thunderhill (willows, ca), I'm inclined to sell the box and look for an e36 coupe or sedan (non M).

What do you think? are E36's reliable as a commuter? I was browsin through the 5k-8k range on craigslist and found that most of the cars have about 100K miles on em.

Or, what is the best commuter car to even have (aside from prius since that seems to be king commuter) in the used 5k-10k range? A miata would be a nice little toy to have but it can really hold much (a basketball and a pump at most!).

Thanks for the input, also if you can explain why you commute with the particular car that you have. Thanks.

[ChaneRZ]

best commuter car should be civic haha. i commute 25 miles to work. total of 50 in 1 day. i use my s/c prelude getting 25 mpg.

[stooken]

driving the e92 right now and averaging 21mpg. 40 miles total each day.

[holson]

You can pick up a very nice Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic for 5-10k.

I would get a used Tercel - a very humble transportation

[lyndon_h]

I'd get a civic or a fit. At least it'd be pretty fun to drive.

[Bobby_Light]

The old Geo Metro is the hottest commuter car right now. The metro is making a big comeback due to rising gas prices. It gets hybrid-type gas mileage without the price tag.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayof.../20/geo.metro/
http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/stori....30808504.html

[Chowbow]

Get a Geo Prizm. It's literally the same thing as a Toyota Corolla but with Geo badges. The brand makes the resale crap but it's a good old Corolla underneath.

In terms of E36s, the 325/328s are good cars with good motors that can last a LONG time. The cooling system needs to be redone, a few suspension parts also need to be replaced after about 70k miles, but all said and done it's a damn solid car. The automatic trannies don't last that long though, it's the manuals that really go the high miles. You can probably source auto trannies for those cars all day long though. EDGE Motorworks in Dublin is also the E36 expert around here and they can get just about any decent condition E36 back in tip top shape.

[dArNeLLi]

ah nice, so maybe if i get the e36 i'll run it by edge first before buying?

i got the scion, and our work builds corollas, the geo is a good car, but also cant double as a fun little track car

[spacedogg]

325i. Getting 30.5mpg-ish or so on 95% highway driving. Probably would get 32+ mpg with light 16" or 17" rims and tires and a decent aftermarket intake. But whatev...

[hun77777]

geo metro, prius, and hybrid civic are awesome. but geo metro is too cheap quality for my taste and prius and hybrid civic are rip-off for the price.

my personal pic would be those little hyundai accent and elantra, which are great commuters as well, especially with 100k miles warranty, you really don't have to worry much about it...

i currently drive e92 as commuter. also have dodge ram which mostly sits in garage, yamaha r6 for sunny day or when i feel like it. my wifey drives LEXUS IS250 AWD.

[Chowbow]

Originally Posted by dArNeLLi

ah nice, so maybe if i get the e36 i'll run it by edge first before buying?

i got the scion, and our work builds corollas, the geo is a good car, but also cant double as a fun little track car

Yeah, definitely run it by EDGE first, they'll know all the little problems if the car has them. If you want a little track car on the side too then just get the E36, nothing would really come close IMO. Miata maybe, if you like those cars and can stomach the image.

I personally wouldn't commute in a Geo Metro or similar crap-box. 1 crash and you're pretty much good as dead. I'll take the hit in mileage for a larger and safer car.

[number335]

Currently alternating between my 335 and my Integra. I plan on selling the integra and getting an 09 Civic SI. I still want some fun factor with my commuter along with fuel efficiency and the SI seems to fit that.

[omg516]

I commute with an rsx-s and it gets pretty good gas mileage. The highest I've gotten on a road trip was almost 35mpg. It's also dead reliable and has great resale value, but it's somewhat expensive to insure.

[Hawkeye]

I commute in either my Z4 or on a motorcycle. I love both of them and they both get good gas mileage.

[flyinb501]

GTI.

[TMNT]

I commute with my 04 330ci zhp because its the only car I have.

I don't commute on my motorcycle because D.C. drivers don't pay attention

[epbrown]

I commute in my Z4M right now, but I'm less than 5 miles from work so no big. What's best depends on what you're looking for in your commute. I'd want decent handling, comfort, and mileage, so I'd likely go with a 325i or 325Ci. I had a 325i until I got the Z4MC and liked it, and I'm thinking of getting another as my beater, to keep my M nice.

[ADHD]

I got 38mpg in my 08 e92 328 last tank!!!

[Solonng]

a clk 320 convertible..

[dArNeLLi]

looking for an e36 as a commuter now, all the other choices are nice but fun and comfortability are kind of on the higher end of my character list since my scion is not fun nor comfortable

[Sneeze]

I commute with my 07 civic sometimes with my beater corolla.
Anyone commute with a bike?

[mmm def]

Honda Fit Sport, great commuter.

Waiting for my 08 Mini cooper S too..