What car, DC area edition

I commuted on a motorcycle using the HOV lanes on I-66 for 3 1/2 years. I only came close to dying a few times.

Hilarious on more than one level.

Hal wrote:

neon4891 wrote: My top pick is a Prius, on account of city driving, reliability, and minimal maintenance. This may be a hard sell as he has said "I may be gay, but I'm not THAT gay", but he will listen to my advice.

Not sure about now, but a year ago any hybrid/electric could use the HOV lanes in the DC area single occupant. That was the main reason the Prius became so popular in the area. Might be a selling point.

That died a few years ago.

Datsun1500 wrote:

Rupert wrote: Just my opinion. I can't imagine anyone buying a Fit and not getting the manual transmission! But like almost every other ride, the dealers sell the stick shifts first but still try to order mostly CVTS. Must be more mark up in the CVT.

There is $470 of markup in the manuals, $530 in the autos. I don't think the extra $60 is a factor in why they have more automatics

Maybe the local dealers order many more CVTS figuring everyone has only one hand for the wheel, and the other for the phone. That seems to be pretty much the case for almost all the drivers I see around here under age fifty.

I'm still campaigning for lower theft insurance rates for stick shift cars. Damn few people can even drive a car with a clutch any more!

Hyundai Elantra

Chevy Cruze

Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln Zephyr

Dodge Caliber/Jeep Patriot/Compass (off radar but reliable comfortable and cheap beasties)

Mazda 3 Grand Touring (tremendously excellent Mazda Sports Car Club here)

If he/she wants to be green the splurge on a Volt.

In reply to Advan046:Mazda 3 is a great car, period. I can't say I'm enamored with the Grand Touring. It has way too many electronic nannies for me. I don't want the cruise control to kick out right about the time I'm going to change lanes and pass the car in front of me, I truly don't want the steering wheel to shake because it thinks I'm too close to the stripe on the road.

Great fuel mileage, comfortable ride, a dab of sport, no unscheduled maintenance, big resale value, who could ask for more? Of course I do have a stick, which is all I drive, with an automatic your experience may vary.

neon4891 wrote: I was wrong about Alexandria. In the past he had been asking my wife and myself to go to there with him when it opens. He is looking to work in Woodbridge, with an apartment in Quantico.

If he's working in Woodbridge, best to live NORTH of there if possible. Quantico to Woodbridge is with the heaviest part of the I-95 morning commute. Going south to Woodbridge is against the commute with traffic moving fast.

irish44j wrote:

neon4891 wrote: I was wrong about Alexandria. In the past he had been asking my wife and myself to go to there with him when it opens. He is looking to work in Woodbridge, with an apartment in Quantico.

If he's working in Woodbridge, best to live NORTH of there if possible. Quantico to Woodbridge is with the heaviest part of the I-95 morning commute. Going south to Woodbridge is against the commute with traffic moving fast.

This, absolutely. Or live right in Woodbridge, probably not any more expensive than Quantico.

For dealing with the beltway, I would want a Hummer H3 Alpha or a Lincoln Town Car with Diplomatic Plates.

Mazda3, Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio would be my choices.

used Volt is the answer

bluej wrote:

irish44j wrote:

neon4891 wrote: I was wrong about Alexandria. In the past he had been asking my wife and myself to go to there with him when it opens. He is looking to work in Woodbridge, with an apartment in Quantico.

If he's working in Woodbridge, best to live NORTH of there if possible. Quantico to Woodbridge is with the heaviest part of the I-95 morning commute. Going south to Woodbridge is against the commute with traffic moving fast.

This, absolutely. Or live right in Woodbridge, probably not any more expensive than Quantico.

Both of these.

And even living in woodbridge, be prepared to deal with terrible traffic.

Rupert wrote: In reply to Advan046:Mazda 3 is a great car, period. I can't say I'm enamored with the Grand Touring. It has way too many electronic nannies for me. I don't want the cruise control to kick out right about the time I'm going to change lanes and pass the car in front of me, I truly don't want the steering wheel to shake because it thinks I'm too close to the stripe on the road. Great fuel mileage, comfortable ride, a dab of sport, no unscheduled maintenance, big resale value, who could ask for more? Of course I do have a stick, which is all I drive, with an automatic your experience may vary.

Yeah I hear you but my impression was this guy wanted the appliance with some frills. For Metro DC there is not optimal vehicle only the one you are most comfortable in.

Used Volt will save a ton of gas if able to be plugged in overnight and at the office. Otherwise it sounds like any relatively new cheapo econobox will do (fit, civic, accent, versa, xB, yaris)

Woodbridge is nice in that it is more like the rest of America than most of the close-in suburbs. The close-in suburbs are unique, in my experience.

It suffers from being located on I-95, at an incredibly busy bit of thoroughfare. It's just plain hard to get in and out of during rush hours and weekend afternoons.

The main thing a driver does in Woodbridge traffic is: Wait. Creep forward. Wait.

Whatever it is, seriously think about an automatic. Get great air con. And a comfy driver's seat.