What's the best new compact cheap fuel efficient commuter car?

I drove a friend’s 2018 Accord when I was in California house sitting for three weeks. A VERY impressive car for the price. Other than the rear wheel drive, it was in the ball park as the 3 series BMW. Not quite In the same league as my regular E-350, but not as far away as you would think give it price differences. I could easily see buying one to save money and still be satisfied driving it. I was quite surprised by the quality. I’ve driven Camrys are rent cars and was not nearly as impressed.

I'm sure his Accord was reliable, lasted for many years, looked good, and was fun to drive as you stated. Originally Posted by VeryClean

I didn't want to give it back at the end of the weekend.

Told my friend he could keep the Lexus. LOL!

My sister rode in it and she was so impressed by it, she sold her 1998 Acura TL and bought a new Accord.

I drove a friend’s 2018 Accord when I was in California house sitting for three weeks. A VERY impressive car for the price. Other than the rear wheel drive, it was in the ball park as the 3 series BMW. Not quite In the same league as my regular E-350, but not as far away as you would think give it price differences. I could easily see buying one to save money and still be satisfied driving it. I was quite surprised by the quality. I’ve driven Camrys are rent cars and was not nearly as impressed. Originally Posted by TexTushHog

Fair enough. I've heard from others too that the new Accords are fun to drive, especially because of the turbo giving it that great torque action. That being said, I would still choose a naturally aspirated engine like the Camry's engine for long-term reliability over a fun turbo engine.

Have you driven the new generation of Camry, 2018 or 2019 model? The new Camry has a completely new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) suspension that makes it much more fun to drive than older Camrys. That independent double wishbone rear suspension makes the Camry drive almost like a race car. Especially when you pair it with the 300 plus horsepower V6 engine. The new Camry is lower and wider than older Camrys.

Camrys are good cars.

Mom had a 1993 model that we bought for her brand new.

It lasted her 23 years:

she and Dad even drove it from Houston to California and to Arizona and from California to Vegas in it many times.

Everything was still working including the A/C when she told Dad:

I want a brand new LEXUS!

Now she is driving a GS350 AWD.

So the moral of the story is:

Mom's 1993 Toyota Camry lasted 22 years and still running when she sold it.

My 1992 Lexus (also made by Toyota) LS400 lasted 24 years and was still running when I donated it.

Verdict: Toyota makes damn good cars!

I like to see an American car made in the 90's, purchased brand new then or a brand new American car, purchased now, lasting 22-24 years with most of its original parts still on it and working.

Does it have to be 90's? One of my kids still has my 1983 Pontiac... runs like a champ. Original motor, only things that have been replaced over the years are minor.. water pump, clutch, thermostat, etc.

Fair enough. I've heard from others too that the new Accords are fun to drive, especially because of the turbo giving it that great torque action. That being said, I would still choose a naturally aspirated engine like the Camry's engine for long-term reliability over a fun turbo engine.

Have you driven the new generation of Camry, 2018 or 2019 model? The new Camry has a completely new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) suspension that makes it much more fun to drive than older Camrys. That independent double wishbone rear suspension makes the Camry drive almost like a race car. Especially when you pair it with the 300 plus horsepower V6 engine. The new Camry is lower and wider than older Camrys. Originally Posted by VeryClean

I’m sure I’ve driven the newer Camry. Seems like I get those as rental cars from Hertz about ever third time. Good cars, but not as many creature comforts as the Honda. I’m likewise sure I HAVEN’T driven the V-6 Camry. Doubt there are any/many in rentcar fleets. As I recall, Toyota doesn’t have Apple CarPley, either.

I’m sure I’ve driven the newer Camry. Seems like I get those as rental cars from Hertz about ever third time. Good cars, but not as many creature comforts as the Honda. I’m likewise sure I HAVEN’T driven the V-6 Camry. Doubt there are any/many in rentcar fleets. As I recall, Toyota doesn’t have Apple CarPley, either. Originally Posted by TexTushHog

Yes, the 2018 Toyota Camry doesn't have Apple CarPlay. The 2019 Toyota Camry does have Apple Carplay. The 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback, 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan, 2019 Toyota RAV4 etc. all have Apple Carplay.

No Android Auto on Toyota cars.

Does it have to be 90's? One of my kids still has my 1983 Pontiac... runs like a champ. Originally Posted by Grace Preston

You kid is very lucky.

Every car I purchased brand new in the early to mid 80's and I took care of them, regular oil changes, regular maintenance, hand wash and wax them, no accidents, didn't drive them crazy or go off roading or drag racing, etc.,

they all ended up falling apart and dying a long slow death by the time I sold them for a few hundred dollars each in the early to mid 90's:

1985 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport 2.8 fuel injected, 1983 Plymouth Reliant K-Car SE, 1987 Ford Taurus LX, 1989 Ford Probe GT, 1984 Ford EXP.

Heck, my Mom's Chevrolet Caprice Classic 5.7L which Dad purchased brand new in 1978 - that I ended up getting from her in 1985 lasted longer.

I was still driving it regularly in 1993 and everything still worked before I gifted it to a friend who was looking for a 2nd car for he and his wife.

They just had their first child and they needed a 2nd car and they couldn't afford to buy a used car at the time.

American cars in the 80's and 90's were junk.

A friend of mine has a Mazda 626 he purchased brand new in 1980 and he still has it.

His son is driving it.

It's the only car I have ever seen in my life where the directional plastic on the AC vents move left and right and up and down simultaneously when the AC or the fan is turned on.

Ahh.. the 80's 626... AKA The Capella in every other major market. The 6 of today isn't quite the same.

Yeah-- that little Pontiac just won't quit. I also think having a manual transmission and knowing how to drive it helps with vehicle longevity. I never owned an automatic car until about 2008.

Have a couple of Toyotas that the parental units purchased still kicking around.
One thing I miss about the older cars that you are hard pressed to find on new vehicles: glass head lights.
I can't stand the plastic ones. Don't get me started.
I have one car from the late 80s. Advanced for the day. Can drive out of the state of Texas on a tank of gas. But the black boxes of a 30+ year old vehicle are hard to find.
And I think the Mercedes stopped being good in the early 80s.

Mercedes have been junk since the 80's when they stopped making them only in Germany.

My friend bought a brand new 1989 Mercedes 300E and it lasted him a month, Mercedes had to end up buying it back due to hairline fracture defect in the engine block.

43% of Mercedes sold worldwide and in the USA nowadays are built and assembled in China.

Just got rid of my 2017 Malibu premier. It was excellent on gas and still super fun to drive. I upgraded to something luxury now but I was in a rental 2018 Camry for a few days in between. It drove really nice but was shitty on gas and the technology and interior was lacking compared to my mailbu. I heard the 2019s finally have apple car play.

Yes, the 2018 Toyota Camry doesn't have Apple CarPlay. The 2019 Toyota Camry does have Apple Carplay. The 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback, 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan, 2019 Toyota RAV4 etc. all have Apple Carplay.

No Android Auto on Toyota cars. Originally Posted by VeryClean

You know that Apple play or Android auto can be installed in any vehicle? You don't decide a car purchase depending on the radio it brings?

Have a couple of Toyotas that the parental units purchased still kicking around.
One thing I miss about the older cars that you are hard pressed to find on new vehicles: glass head lights.
I can't stand the plastic ones. Don't get me started.
I have one car from the late 80s. Advanced for the day. Can drive out of the state of Texas on a tank of gas. But the black boxes of a 30+ year old vehicle are hard to find.
And I think the Mercedes stopped being good in the early 80s. Originally Posted by Precious_b

I hate the plastic headlights too, they scratch and get strained with time, the older cars were built with quality, today's cars are plastic and many of the parts are manufactured in China

I've owned 49 cars in my life so far and used to build street rods and cobras so I know a few things about them. The most important thing to always remember is if it has tits or tires you're going to have trouble with it!



Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are all very good cars but now days you pay a premium for them. If you're going to pay a premium step up to German cars and get handling to go with the shiny paint job. The Koreans have really upped their game in the past 10 years or so, remember it was Hyundai that first offered a 10 year 100K warranty. Right now the best bang for the buck is probably Kia. Same warranty as Hyundai but less money. I bought my daughter a Soul a few months ago and in December a lady ran a red light in a Nissan Pathfinder and plowed into her at 40+ MPH. The Soul looked like this.





Bottom line is my daughter walked away with a few bruises and the lady in the Pathfinder went to the hospital. Kia's are very well built and safe cars.


Here's a tip. We bought the Soul from Hertz, 2018 model with 30K and paid an even $13K for it.