drcookie

Folks,
I have just changed my job and won't be able to commute with my wifey since my working hours are now different. I am looking for a second commute car but I am currently undecided on which car I want to get. We still love out TL-S won't get rid of it anytime soon.

Here are my top 3 choices:

1) 2002 Mini Cooper S (with low mileage)
2) 2003-2006 Honda Civic SI
3) 2003-2005 WRX Wagon.

Our budget is around $17,000.

We really like Mini Cooper S. They are small, "cute" and fun to drive.

Challenge: The price for used ones are outragous. The only way we could settle with a Cooper S within our budget is year 2002 with less options.

The previous model of Honda Civic SI is my second choice since the car is small and look better as well. I don't really like the new Civic since in my opinion, they are UGLY !!!
Challenge: Finding a used one with bone stock configuration is really hard.

I also like WRX Wagon since they are AWD and Turbo.
Challenge: I have not done a lot of research but based on what I have found, there are a lot of rattling issues. Finding a used one with bone stock would be a challenge as well. Also, the mpg is not really good compare of the top two cars.

What should I do?

I would really appreciate it if you could throw in some thoughts and comments. :gheywave:

Thanks in advance.

LuvMyTSX

From what I've seen, Minis aren't that reliable....IMO unreliable isn't a good commuter car. Plus an '02 is already 5 years old.

What about a regular Civic, not Si?

jz-97-c7

why not a corolla?? fits well inside your budget:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...QQcmdZViewItem

xtremenr6

all three have their ups and downs IMO

-the mini S is very fun to drive, quick, and can easily move through traffic... But its TINY, i'm 6'2" and there is only so much leg room a car like that can produce.

-the civic SI is also small and sporty but with a TLs sitting in the driveway I think you'll only be dissapointed...

-never driven it as a waggon, but the WRX is a nice car, would give you alot more room, and its a AWD turbo, but like you said, the gas isn't the greatest.

I don't think I just said anything that you didnt already know, but if i had to choose i'd go for the WRX. Mostly because I wouldnt be caught dead owning a mini, and those SI's just don't do it for me anymore. Plus being all wheel drive waggon its more useful in a number of situations.

ZtotallynakedZ

I fell in love with Mini's the day i saw one going perpendicular through stopped traffic to get to a clear lane.

MikeCLS6

My suggestion would be an 03+ Accord V6
there are comfy, use regular gas, and get descent gas mileage

baboya96

What year is your TL-S? 02-03 or 07? If it's 02-03 whynot just get another one? With your price range you should be able to find one with decent mileage on it.

baboya96

If it's 07... then I would certainly recommend latest Accord. Given you are pleased with Acura, sticking with same manufacturer doesn't seem to be a bad option.

RWalker2

I'd stay away from the Mini. Although they are getting more reliable now, 2002 was a terrible year. My step-dad had one and it spent half of its life in the shop.

Out of your choices I'd take the WRX, though its not the best on gas and probably not the most comfortable commuter car ever.

Will Y.

What sort of commute will you have-- lengthy, high speed or low speed, lots of traffic???
The Mini is probably the noisiest of your choices at constant freeway speeds. Civic will get decent gas mileage and will likely be the least troublesome of the three, while the WRX will have more room. Go for the Civic-- likely the best compromise.

drcookie

Thanks all the the insights. Really appreciate that.

I have a 2002 TL-S, not the fancy 2007 TL-S . We currently have a TL-S and a Nissan Armada (for weekend and vacation) and since my wife and I can longer commute together, she is driving the big SUV until we found another commute car.
I still love my TL-S even though it has gone throgh 3 trannies. The drive is still solid and the power is still enough for me. Eventhough we love Acura, we don't want another TL in our garage. TSX is a little to pricey as well for us.

I also have a second though about the Mini Cooper. I can't seem to justify for paying so much for a 5-year car and use it for commuting. Also, not sure about the maintainence on the car. If the Mini costs as much as BMW to maintain, I think I need to take it out from my book.

My wife is looking at Matrix XRS (6 speed). It appears that Toyato is discontinuing Matrix and this year is last year. I am not sure if this is a good choice to go for it.

WRX wagon seems to be a good choice even though it does not give great milleage. It has plenty of room and I like the Turbo and AWD configuration.

Argh !!!! Decision decision decision !!!

LuvMyTSX

You can get a used TSX around 20k, maybe cheaper if you really look hard and possibly go private party. That would be comfy and it's pretty decent on gas, too. I have an '04 that's been trouble-free so far. I bought it used with 16k on it in May 2005 for $23.5k (CPO).

baboya96

My parents bought their 2002 TL-P brand new and fell in love with it. Tranny is still going strong at 80k. Seeing how awesome their car was, I went out and bought 2003 CL-S with 5AT and also fell in love with it. It is ALSO going strong at 54k. Since it's for your wife, may be pursue looking at 03 CL-S. With its ridiculous depreciation value, you can get one with low mileage for 15k. Doesn't seem like you're asking for bigger, more room, better gas mileage ...etc on your second commuter.

Ashburner

Go for something reliable!

I want a Mazda3 but the gas mileage may be the kicker.

F23A4

....or if possible, locate the rare XRS model.

drcookie

I heard there are some tranny issues on XRS for Toyota and I was informed Toyota stopped producing the XRS model. Can someone provide more info?

Mokos23

Scion Tc used

drcookie

Too many in my hood with the big fat exhaust... especially the youngsters.

Mokos23

ok well how about the other 2 scions then? Xb and Xa?

Lister00169

I say go with the Si for a few reasons:

1.) The reliability beats the other two cars hands down
2.) You don't need AWD since you are living in the Bay Area (strike against WRX)
3.) You do need excellent gas mileage

If you can't find a bone stock Si, just buy a nicely equipped EX. You can find many used ones out there. It's a commuter car, so Si designation should not be a major factor. A Civic is a Civic

GreenMonster

Civic or Mazda3...

dailycommuta

Get a 04 Accord V6.

Excellent ride+decent gas mileage AND impressive stock performance. It's roomey too and you can't never go wrong with a EXV6 Accord!!

Edr0e

let me guess

cooper = what the wifey wants
wrx = what you want
civic = both of you would consider


how about a GTI or something? Just for kicks because there are so many legacy fanboys....


How about a used Subaru Legacy???

Python2121

Another vote for a used 4 cyl accord

youngTL

My mom has a Mini Cooper S. It's a reliability nightmare. Also rough suspension. Bad choice for a commuter car.

The Honda Civic SI is high-strung. Fun to drive, but not in traffic. Also a poor choice for a commuter car.

I would go for a 2004ish 4-cyl Accord EX-L, or that same year of Camry 4cyl XLE if you can find one for that price.

yunginTL

vw Jetta TDI

drcookie

Good job! You guess it right !!!
Wifey loves Yellow Cooper S but too pricey.
Me love wrx but not practical for commuting.
Civic SI. Stick shift with 2.0 in it. Fun fun fun
Matrix XRS. Wifey loves it too but too girly (no offense to anyone).

My cousin used to own a Jetta and I got to drive the car when he was on business trip. I don't really like the VW design (no power seat) and did not like the way the car drives. Just my opinion.

Costco

Another vote for a 4-cylinder Accord.

If its main purpose is to be a commute car, it shouldn't be stick.

And it also shouldn't be any of your 3 choices. My opinion is highly subjective but I think most will agree.... a commuter car should be:

Automatic
Comfortable
Fuel efficient
Uses 87 octane
Reliable

I don't see how you're going to have much fun if you're on the highway or stuck in <5 MPH traffic. If anything the TL-S is a more reasonable choice for a commuter car than the choices you listed.... the Mini has a very good resale value, the WRX is totally unnecessary, and why a Civic Si? The EX is fine.

MikeCLS6

My vote is for an 03+Accord V6

GreenMonster

I've never really thought about it, but the 4-cly Accord would make for a nice commuter car...

Great on gas, roomier then a civic, and a bit more solid too...

av6erbzz

how about a use audi a4 1.8t

MikeCLS6

electric problems, takes premium fuel, maintence costs and probally not the best on gas milegae would be my take on the car for a commuter

Mokos23

Wow, I can't anyone didn't mention a preowned Acura RSX non type S

F23A4

Ironically, we are currently using my mother inlaws 99 Accord LX 4dr (my old car) as a daily driver while she is away. Despite being a little lite in hp/tq, it is really is a perfect commuter car: great fuel economy, quiet motor, good 'ride vs handling' balance and terrific ergonomics. (On the backend, it has some decent mod potential.)

I think I actually like driving it more than my 07 EX-L V6.

greybeard

My wife drives an 04 4-cylinder Accord, and she loves it. When we were test driving it, I wasn't as impressed by the power, but it has enough get-up-and-go for highway traffic, and the gas milage for city driving is pretty nice.

drcookie

Yeah ! Thought about it and from my research, the car has history of electrical issues. Not all Audis have that but majority of them.

drcookie

Alright folks ! Let me start reseaching on Accord. The car initially was not under my radar screen since I thought it was too big for one person to drive everyday for commuting and Civic appeared to be more practical. I am not if insurance would be higher for Accord since it was a most popular car for thieves.

What are the best years for Accord? The new body style of the old body style?

F23A4

As a former 6G owner and current 7G owner, it is hard for me to say which one is better. Obviously the 7G (03+) has more power than the 6G (98-02) but, I think the 6G looks better thant the 7G (particularly the coupes). Caveat: I needed my 99 Accord's 4AT tranny replaced @ ~39k and I think the 6G AV6's tranny is susceptible to the same ailments as the 3.2TL/3.2CL's tranny.

As far as theft goes, I believe the 4G (90-93) and 5G (94-97) Accords are bigger theft items than the 6G and 7G. (With the Civics, I believe the pre-01 models were big theft items.)

jnumata

Although I am always for new car purchases, does anyone not see the benefit of purchasing another commuter car? You already have a TLs. I'm not positive about the mini, but the Si and the WRX will barely get better gas mileage and still require premium fuel. You may be getting a couple more miles per gallon in receipt of an additional car payment and/or depreciating asset. Many have lobbied for a 03+ accord v6 because of its use of regular fuel. How many miles are you driving annually? At $.20 less per gallon you may save $500 annually, which is hardly the cost of an additional vehicle. Just my If you're convinced you need it, my vote is obviously for the Si - see avatar.

av6erbzz

oh snap i didnt kno they have electrical problem i almost bought an a4 2 days ago