Hello,

As you can probably tell I'm brand new. I'm darn close to making a decision on purchasing a new 08 for my commuter car (replacing a 95 camry v6). I've test driven the vehicle a few times, and like a number of aspects about it. But I've never been able to drive it for more than 8 miles or so during a test drive and never very long on a highway or freeway.

Is there anyone out there that commutes or drives long distances at 55-70 mph for longer than 30 miles in one sitting? If so, can you comment on the comfort over long higher speed daily commutes?

For example, I drive 62 miles to work in the morning and 63 miles home from work in the evening (not sure where the extra mile comes in, but its there) each day. My 125 miles break down in the following fashion:

2 miles at 35mph
7 miles at 60mph
1 mile at 40mph
8 miles at 60mph
2 miles at 30mph
1 mile at 40mph
7 miles at 55mph
30 miles at 70mph
4 miles at 40mph

So just under 10% of my drive is city/town and just over 90% of my drive is highway/freeway.

The second question I have is regarding the iPod connection and how well it works. But I haven't searched the forum yet for information on that so it's not as pressing a question.

Thanks,

Madode

p.s. As a side note I was looking at a VW Rabbit, Nissan Versa, Mazda3 as competition for the 08xB commuter car.

 

I drive 500-600 miles per week, with about 90% of it 55-70mph. Absolutely love it, and my last ride was a Cadillac SLS. It's also nice to get 30-40% better gas mileage, and use regular gas instead of premium.

 

thats crazy that you know how fast you drive for whateer distance

 

Thanks for the feedback Cionide.

Yeah, I know whispaz but on the days when my iPod isn't charged, it's a long boring drive. To pass the time I started marking changes in speed and tracking the distance. It helped pass the time during a few of my drives.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Madode

 

I drive about the same as CIONIDE, roughly 500 or 600 miles. I work about 50 miles away from where I live and drive approx. 70-80 the whole way. Comfy ride!

 

I currently drive a Mazda3 GT hatchback 30 miles each way every day. I like it, but I can't wait for January 20th to roll around. I'll hand it to my wife and get myself the xB2, it just has character. I cannot complain about the 3 though, it gets me 30MPG in mixed driving, mostly highway but with lots of congestion traffic wise so it's earning it's keep in the MPG category. It is comfortable, but for me, not for passengers if I ever take any, FYI. Rear seats are cramped. Don't gas it though, you'll pay in MPG quickly, it does handle well though and has 17's from the factory which at least give it some sporting intentions lol

 

I drive about 40 or so miles a day and its quite comfy. The only thing that is that the ride can get quite noisy at times depending on the condition of the road.

 

Sound deadener and a good audio system

 

If only I could but funds are short right now.......

 

I know all about it bud, wife and 5 year old son...
Keep on truckin'

 

i drive frequently 700 miles from west central ohio to upstate new york, about 3 times every 2 months. i do about 75 the whole way with 2-3 passengers and the xB does good the ipod connector does a good job at keeping everyone entertained and the fuel mileage makes the trip pretty inexpensive. the arm rest could be nicer but i drive recklessly and shift alot lol.

 

The good news is the IPod stays charged when plugged in, the bad is that it isn't the most user friendly. If you use your playlists or random mode, its not bad, but when you try to find that one song....good luck

 

im a traveling photographer, i am usually doing around 800 miles a week on highways, interstates,etc i love the confort! i agree as far as the road i have been in texas, mississippi, and louisianna back and forth for the past 3 months alot of the roads down here are rougher and have more noise, but its just road noise, have decent stereo, also u dont have to drop major money on a nice system. I have a 10 year old amp and a set of 10" subs. i payed 200 for the amp and 100 for the subs together. The amp i bought used, but it was built back when amps were worth the money. it is a orion 225r. great amps!!

 

Well I purchased my 08 BSP last night and drove it home. The 60-ish mile ride home was pretty comfy. I have a few steep inclines during my drive and the xB2 handled them just as well and the Camry V6 I drove previously. You're right though, the armrest could be a little more comfortable. I wonder if I can order an extra arm rest and add a different flat surface and padding before covering it and attaching it for test purposes?

The stock radio sounds pretty good with my iPod (I use playlists almost exclusively anyway), but I have a set of MBQuart speakers and a matching amp to install. I had an Eclipse HU in my last car but decided that I liked the iPod connection to the stock more than I did my Eclipse HU so that's going with the old car.

All that combined should help me enjoy my daily commute. Thanks again for the feedback.

Madode

 

Congratulations, and enjoy!

 

yes congrats!

 

I have averaged 691 miles a week since i bout the box! 7600 miles since 09/08/07. I go about 35-95 one way miles about 3-5 days a week. Oh, and the trip to VEGAS where I got over 32 MPG...Lovin my box!