ATLANTA - With the price of fuel, many people may opt for buying a less-expensive second car just for commuting. So what characteristics would make a good commuter car? Here are a few suggestions:

Fuel economy. Good mileage is critical. Nothing burns up more gas than stop-and-go traffic.

Comfortable seats. Among features to look for are lumbar support, power controls, adjustable seat height, heated seats and for those with long legs, seats that scoot far enough back.

Automatic transmission. Stop-and-go traffic can be particularly trying for those with a manual transmission. Automatic transmissions can make the drive home smoother.

In-dash CD changer or satellite radio. In-dash CD changers allow drivers to load several discs at a time to take the edge off long commutes, while satellite radio can help avoid morning chatter and commercials.

Well-designed cup holders and storage. Drivers need a place to keep their morning coffee safe and within sipping distance as well as a place to store parking cards, toll money and breakfast.

Hands-free voice activated phone system. If you really must make calls in rush-hour traffic (I don't recommend it) try a hands-free, voice-activated phone system.

Reasonably compact size. For a vehicle primarily used for commuting, an SUV or truck usually isn't necessary. A smaller vehicle is easier to maneuver, park and thread through traffic.

Your first excellent choice might be a quality used vehicle. If that is your starting point, then the three most important items on your list would probably be good fuel economy, reasonable size and automatic transmission.

Linda Sharp is a training consultant to auto manufacturers. Her column is written exclusively for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Write her in care of Wheels, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, P.O. Box 4689, Atlanta, GA 30302.