Commuter car recommendation

[Anonymous]

Returning to the office after working from home. I needed a new car and managed to put it off. I say car but mean any kind of automobile. I’d prefer domestic (don’t need your comments about how you prefer German/Japanese). TIA

[Anonymous]

If you're going to go domestic, I'd lean towards an SUV or truck, not a small crossover or a car.

A) Ford/GM/Stellantis are getting out of cars for the most part -- look at the "cars" tab on Ford.com and you'll find exactly one model left, the Mustang.

B) Ford/GM's true strength is in building awesome trucks and SUVs. This is what they do best.

C) Of these 3 automakers, I would favor Ford and GM over Stellantis from a build quality standpoint.

D) Ford in particular is coming out with some compelling electric vehicles, and electrics are great for commuting as long as you can charge at home.

I'm not trying to change your mind at all, but all automakers are global and ironically the "domestic" companies are the ones outsourcing most of their jobs out of the U.S. and many "foreign" companies have now actually set up plants where they hire American workers to build most of their vehicles right here. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is made in Kentucky, whereas the Chevy Blazer and Jeep Compass are made in Mexico. I don't care if people love a certain brand, but it's sort of a bizarre outdated understanding of how things really are if you label Ford, GM, Stellantis as "domestic" and others as Japanese, German, etc. They are all just global automakers and they all make vehicles all over the world.

[Anonymous]

I recommend a hybrid small crossover suv of some sort. Like a Ford Escape.

[Anonymous]

People laugh about American cars but Back in 2002 I was briefly doing a four hour round trip to work. I leave at 530 am. I saw a few Ford Taurus and smaller Chevys do it everyday as I recognize the cars. That amount of driving, cheap reliable and easy to fix is key. German cars can’t do a 3,000 a month commute very long as maint will kill you.

BTW Buick has small SUVs extremely reliable. Higher rated Toyota and maybe can grab pre owned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're going to go domestic, I'd lean towards an SUV or truck, not a small crossover or a car.

A) Ford/GM/Stellantis are getting out of cars for the most part -- look at the "cars" tab on Ford.com and you'll find exactly one model left, the Mustang.

B) Ford/GM's true strength is in building awesome trucks and SUVs. This is what they do best.

C) Of these 3 automakers, I would favor Ford and GM over Stellantis from a build quality standpoint.

D) Ford in particular is coming out with some compelling electric vehicles, and electrics are great for commuting as long as you can charge at home.

I'm not trying to change your mind at all, but all automakers are global and ironically the "domestic" companies are the ones outsourcing most of their jobs out of the U.S. and many "foreign" companies have now actually set up plants where they hire American workers to build most of their vehicles right here. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is made in Kentucky, whereas the Chevy Blazer and Jeep Compass are made in Mexico. I don't care if people love a certain brand, but it's sort of a bizarre outdated understanding of how things really are if you label Ford, GM, Stellantis as "domestic" and others as Japanese, German, etc. They are all just global automakers and they all make vehicles all over the world.

A Toyota made in America all profits sent to Japan vs Ford profits stay here

[Anonymous]

Toyota/Honda etc…all of them are also made here. The distinction is basically meaningless.

[Anonymous]

Ford Escape

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're going to go domestic, I'd lean towards an SUV or truck, not a small crossover or a car.

A) Ford/GM/Stellantis are getting out of cars for the most part -- look at the "cars" tab on Ford.com and you'll find exactly one model left, the Mustang.

B) Ford/GM's true strength is in building awesome trucks and SUVs. This is what they do best.

C) Of these 3 automakers, I would favor Ford and GM over Stellantis from a build quality standpoint.

D) Ford in particular is coming out with some compelling electric vehicles, and electrics are great for commuting as long as you can charge at home.

I'm not trying to change your mind at all, but all automakers are global and ironically the "domestic" companies are the ones outsourcing most of their jobs out of the U.S. and many "foreign" companies have now actually set up plants where they hire American workers to build most of their vehicles right here. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is made in Kentucky, whereas the Chevy Blazer and Jeep Compass are made in Mexico. I don't care if people love a certain brand, but it's sort of a bizarre outdated understanding of how things really are if you label Ford, GM, Stellantis as "domestic" and others as Japanese, German, etc. They are all just global automakers and they all make vehicles all over the world.

Even if the profit thing were true, which is debatable, you think you, here get anything, out of Ford’s profits?

A Toyota made in America all profits sent to Japan vs Ford profits stay here

[Anonymous]

OP, a Tesla Model 3 or Y is worth considering given your criteria:
--It ranks as the #1 "most American-made" vehicle: https://www.cars.com/articles/2021-cars-com-american-made-index-which-cars-are-the-most-american-437020/

--From a domestic automaker, and built in the U.S.

--No gas engine means low maintenance costs (no oil changes, for instance)

--You'll save a lot by not buying gas and charging at night

--Strong resale value

--No need to pay the ~$5k over MSRP many dealers are seeking due to supply issues; the price on Tesla''s website is the price you'll pay

Tesla has its faults and isn't for everyone, but there is no better pick to match your criteria unless you live in an apartment or condo with no ability to install a charger.

[Anonymous]

Chevy Bolt EV

[Anonymous]

I’d get an electric car. I have a plug in hybrid minivan that gets me 37 miles on a regular household outlet (charged overnight). You wouldn’t need such a big car…I’d get any other kind of plug in car. Plus check if you can charge at work…then it’s essentially free!

[Anonymous]

If you want domestic, I'd buy a tesla 3/Y in a heartbeat if you can charge either at home or work.

[Anonymous]

Electric cars are the best for commuting. Very little maintenance, cost almost nothing to run, one pedal driving for traffic... No comparison.

Plus, no engine noise so you can always hear your music/podcast/news.

[Anonymous]

+1 on the EV/hybrids. Look for a used Chevy Volt or new Bolt. If it's truly just a commuter car you don't need the big SUVs.

[Anonymous]

What’s your commute distance? Parking situation at both ends? I loved my BMW i3 as a city car, but it’s electric range was best suited for less than 70 mile round-trip commute.

I bought it used and got a great deal. DC doesn’t charge sales tax on EVs (even used) and first year tag was cheap. Charging was nearly free in my condo. I bought a set of tires, but that was the most expensive part of owning in 3 years and 30k miles.

I upgraded to a Model Y for the larger size, but miss my quirky canton-fiber electric go-cart.