When we moved here we drive a 2011 Toyota Yaris. It got about 40 mph on the highway doing around 80 mph. Around town better.
For various reasons, it is gone and we now have a Lexus 350 (2012) and a Jaguar XF (475HP 2011). They get 28 mpg on the highway and 24 mph on the highway respectively. I am amazed the Jag gets 24 mpg, especially the way I drive it - it is "peppy" and hard too resist sometimes.
We are trying to hold off for now, but are planning on a Tesla when we reach the point one of us can't/shouldn't drive - probably in the next 5 years or so. It's pretty close to point to point hands on the wheel at this point. That would reduce the stress of driving a lot.
A long trip for us is up to Gainesville to the VA hospital at least one or twice a week. If we need to go further we will typically fly. A Tesla would allow us to drive further, but relaxing while it drives from one super charger to the next. We are certainly not in the hurry that others here seem to be wanting to drive 1,000 miles in a day.
If you are actually looking for suggestions, I think the Yaris (around 2011) in excellent condition for around $3k or a Lexus 350 (around 2012) in excellent condition for around $5k are both good choices, extremely reliable with little to no maintenance costs. We find it hard to understand the need to own a new expensive car. To me the requirement is something reliable, comfortable and low cost to simply get me from point to point makes more sense.
(BTW: If you want to have FUN - a 2011 Jaguar XF in excellent condition is around $7K, it is really luxurious, and fun to drive - but, its is expensive to maintain, a pair of fuel pumps is around $2k - so if you look into it, be sure to let a mechanic look it over.)
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