The New Car Delima

Well it is that time. The family is demanding I get a real car. As the sole supporter of a family of three and a 100 mile a day commute. they are kinda right, my safety out weighs any savings or enjoyment i get from driving my 35mpg, paid for 22year old car. I have a few problems with this and a few choices to make.

A. I hate the styling of any and all new cars

B. New cars unnecessarily overweight (in my opinion what do you mean i cant get manual windows)

C. MPG! i get 35 average now. Most of the new cars are not much better if at all.

D. I actually enjoy the act of driving. i.e not on the phone, doing 60 in the fast lane..

E. I can and do fix & maintain almost every thing on my cars (-smog test, wheel alignment, mounting/ balancing tires) new cars take this from me. but gives me more time to spend with family

F. I am Cheap

So all that being said I have limited choices. (due to my MPG requirements) My 100 mile day commute is 80% high speed (80mph) freeway driving, 10% mountain/ twisty/ Fun and 10% Stoplight stop and go BS.

1. VW 2010 golf TDI MSRP $23,709
+Has over all a better MPG for Highway driving, 6 speed manual, drives like a real car.
One tank of fuel from SF to Seattle. I am a VW Fan. The Possibility of brewing and/ or buying Bio fuels is a huge win.
The VW Jetta and Jetta sport wagon are options too, all use the same drive train and yield similar MPG

- price with options can creep up high. Wife only drives a auto (for now).
Diesel fuel coasts more and less available at the pump

2. Toyota 210 Prius MSRP $24,550
+ It is a cool piece of tech. The toys and gadgets inside are cool to a dork like me.
Also the Idea of converting it to a plug in hybrid to get 100MPG is awesome.

-Have you ever driven a more boring car in your life.. it is a appliance you sit in to get from one place to another.
Yea it is quite and comfortable but not really fun to drive.

3. Nissan leaf ???
+ All electric car. Zero emissions. I can charge it at work possibly.

- first gen tech, range Max is close to my commute, kinda ugly, waiting list to get one
MSRP $33,720 with federal tax savings from 0-$7,500 *after tax savings, net as low as $26,220


I am not alone in this choice turns out its a common comparison

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/02/22/466709.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/diesel/4284188

http://www.driveclassicvw.com/index.php/connect-with-us/the-classic-vw-blog/2010-jetta-tdi-vs-2010-toyota-prius.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q91b-AIk-00

http://www.insideline.com/volkswagen/jetta/2009/comparison-test-2009-toyota-prius-vs-2009-volkswagen-jetta-tdi.html

http://www.hybridcarblog.com/2009/05/jetta-tdi-better-than-toyota-prius.html

Or just Google Prius vrs TDI