Well...
Pre-Covid, I rode between 2h10 and 2h30 daily. 6000+miles/year.
While I do prefer to keep the value down - mainly due to the risk of traffic damage(I have secure parking at work) - my cost-per-mile or cost-per-hour will rather soon become tolerable almost regardless of what commuter bike I’d buy.
And DUE to the hours spent riding, being comfortable and enjoying the ride is quite important.
Of course I could do it on a cruder bike.
People have ridden around the world on high-wheelers. Compared to that, commuting on a basic fixie would be a doddle. But there are no prices available for suffering, and I don’t see the point.
I find it stranger when people invest heavily in bikes they don’t want to ride unless conditions are JUST right. Bikes are meant to be used.