[00 SS]

It's been a while since I've considered buying a little car just to go from point A to point B but I find myself needing one. I have a few requirements.

1. It must be capable of at least 80 on the highway without being right at redline.

2. It must get at least 30 MPG on the highway.

3. It must have enough room for 4 people or 2 people and 2 big dogs.

4. It must be competent in bad weather and snow.

5. It must be cheap because I plan to pile miles on it and replace it in a couple years.

6. I'd preffer sometheing newer to keep maintenance costs down.

Any suggestions?

[pknowles]

I am watching this thread with great interest since I may be moving and will be increasing my daily drive to work from 10 miles to about 40 miles...

Then again, I am getting high twenties on the highway out of the 1995 525i that I am driving... ...and it's paid for. Maybe I'll just keep until it dies. 

You could probably just do some math to figure out if it's worth it to keep what you have. Just figure at what gas cost does it make sense to get another vehicle and whether you are willing to drive the 525 into the ground. I would think it would be cheaper to keep the 525 and drive it until it dies.

I'll echo what Brian said. I figured it out for my 17 mile commute each way, gas has to rise to almost $5 a gallon for me to break even on getting an eco beater. Paying insurance is what kills the idea. When insurance is about $50 a month for the extra car you have to at least save that much in gas. I figured in oil changes and tires into my calculation as well.