Best car for gas mileage.

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OldHillcrestGuy

Well-Known Member
Im starting to feel the pinch with these gas prices.

I was going to get a new truck come the fall, but with these gas prices Im thinking about holding onto it a little longer, I have a 99 4 banger S10, as one of my vehicles, a 05 Toyota Highlander which I also drive to work along with the S10, rotating days, and a 02 Grand Prix that pretty much sits in the garage, spouse stays home and that car proably hasnt had more then 5,000 put on it in the past 2 years.
Been thinking about getting rid of the Grand Prix and give up the Toyota to her, if I were to do that Im looking to replace it with something 4 doors that would get around 30 mpg, and automatic. Been looking through the papers at the ads this past week and a couple Ive seen that arent too bad price wise appear to be the Ford Fusion, Mazda3i, Dodge Caliber, Toyota Camary and the Hyundai Sonata, Im looking at maybe spending around $15,000, I know there are some like the Yaris and the ones Nissan have that are really not more than $12,000, but would like to keep it on the size of the above mentioned ones.
Seems like the dealers are offering all kinds of deals right now, cause they must be suffering like everyone else is except the gas people Exon/ Mobil, Shell and the others.
Anyone on here drive one of the above mentioned vehicles and would like to share your comments about them. Thanks OHG :howdy:
 
MMDad

MMDad

Lem Putt
I just went over 1000 miles on my caliber. So far I love it. I got the SXT Sport, which has more bells and whistles.

I had the same motivation you have - better MPG. It gets about 35 on my commute to work. Stop and go around town it's more like 27.

I don't think you'll get into the Toyota or Mazda for the price.

The Caliber is comfortable, and I like the way it drives. It has decent power considering it's only a 2 liter.

It has a Constant Variable Transmission (CVT) that takes some getting used to. I was worried about the reliability, but it has a lifetime powertrain warranty so it's not really my problem.

Look at nhtsa.gov for the safety ratings. The Caliber got five stars. Also look at epa.gov for fuel economy data.

It's also the only small car that doesn't look so much like a "small car." So far, I have no complaints.
 
huntr1

huntr1

.
My 4 door hatchback Focus is a decent size. I like it. On the highway, I can get 35 MPG. Normally get about 30 because I like to drive in the left lane. 55-60=35 75-80=30. It's a Mazda drivetrain, so it should be good for 200K plus easy with good maint.
 
jrt_ms1995

jrt_ms1995

Well-Known Member
Embarassing

I find it embarassing that 22 years ago my '86 Honda Civic CRX Si (the Si was the sport one, not the standard or fuel-efficient one, and I drove it like a sports car) got 36 MPG day-to-day driving and 40 MPG on highway trips, and today, after all our "advancements", very few vehicles exceed or match it. I'm sure it all comes down to extra weight due to our obsession that everyone be safe from everything.

As others said, you likely won't be able to get into the Camry on that budget; though the Corolla should be possible, and the Mazda 3 if you stick to the i Touring and keep the options down. There's an outside chance for the Sonata and Fusion (which is basically the Mazda 6) also. I have a personal bias against Chrysler products. How about a Suzuki DR200 or Yamaha XT250? At least double the mileage.
 
G

Gwydion

New Member
No idea on the mpg, but I drive my neon about 140 miles a day seven days a week and spend about $400 in gas a month.
 
H

HouseCat

Guest
:howdy:Mazda 3 is fun to drive, handles excellent, and has quite a bit of pep to it. It gets about 24-26 mpg, circumstances depending. 34 on the highway.
The seats are unforgiving to say, a bulging disc in your back. For long distances, (45 min. drive or longer), it gets a bit uncomfortable. Aside from that, the legroom and spaciousness for such a small car will surprise you! Get the hatchback, and that's even more room. Lay down the back seats, and you can fit quite a bit of stuff back there.
As far as reliability, I have had mine for 2 years now, with no problems. I will also add that a large SUV smashed into my rear-end, and suffered no defects to the frame. I was very surprised for as hard as he hit me that I didn't get hurt, or the car totaled. Even the Sheriff was amazed.
The only other thing I didn't care for was cost of parts. Foreign parts cost a tad more of course, and with that, your insurance might be a few dollars higher. Other than that, excellent car. Ranked high in the 2008 Consumer Reports Car buying guide too. Should check that out.
 
bcp

bcp

In My Opinion
Wifes 2006 Jetta TDI is getting 47 back and forth to work for her, 31 miles each way on the beltway and rt 50, so fairly heavy traffic.
On our trip to Canada with it I was over 50 highway.

my GMC 3500 dually is getting me in the mid 17s back and forth to work 30 miles rt 50 and beltway, so again, heavy traffic.
Open road without traffic and a wind at my back on flat ground with no pebbles in the road surface and fresh wax job, I can get 22mpg.

Ill let you know saturday night what it looks like with 11000 lbs superglued to the back bumper. (cant afford the hitch yet)
 
belvak

belvak

Happy Camper
bcp said:
Ill let you know saturday night what it looks like with 11000 lbs superglued to the back bumper. (cant afford the hitch yet)
Click to expand...

Where you headed? Just want to make sure I'm not behind you if that super glue gives up the battle.:lmao:
 
thurley42

thurley42

HY;FR
get one of those "Wii" cars that are going to triple pollution rates in Asia. Someone was driving one in Annapolis on Saturday and I all but lost it in front of my hood at the stoplight.
 
R

RadioPatrol

Guest
MMDad said:
I just went over 1000 miles on my caliber. So far I love it. I got the SXT Sport, which has more bells and whistles.

I had the same motivation you have - better MPG. It gets about 35 on my commute to work. Stop and go around town it's more like 27.
Click to expand...



MY 1996 Saturn does that .... 32 - 35 highway can be as high as 38 in I drive reasonable speeds, and 25-27 stop and GO running errands .... :whistle:
 
Hessian

Hessian

Well-Known Member
Matrix

Has headroom, easy storage, comfort, space for a rack on top,...and about 32+/- mph commute up toward Andrews.
I know it can accomodate a 250 lb 6 ft 4 driver....comfortably.
I like the sound system too but I am a novice at that.
$17,400 last July.
Hessian
 
C

CAE

New Member
I easily exceed 100 mpg in my 1983 Mercedes 300D sedan. During warmer months I can do better, and my record was approx 140 mpg last summer (2374 miles on 17 gallons of diesel).

BS??? Nah... the car gets 25mpg no matter what, but once the engine's hot, I start burning vegetable oil. It's free around the back of any Chinese restaurant. Saves the restaurant money, saves me money, and reduces our dependence on foreign oil (no war required!).

Of course, I don't recommend it... sticky, smelly stuff to deal with. But I'm cheap and I'm happy I'm not competing for the stuff right now!

You want a new car? Get a VW with the TDI engine. Yeah... diesel's more expensive, but start thinking in terms of $/mile and see where the good deal is!
 
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R

remaxrealtor

Guest
CAE said:
I easily exceed 100 mpg in my 1983 Mercedes 300D sedan. During warmer months I can do better, and my record, was approx 140 mpg last summer (2374 miles on 17 gallons of diesel).

BS??? Nah... the car gets 25mpg no matter what, but once the engine's hot, I start burning vegetable oil. It's free around the back of any Chinese restaurant. Saves the restaurant money, saves me money, and reduces our dependence on foreign oil (no war required!).

Of course, I don't recommend it... sticky, smelly stuff to deal with. But I'm cheap and I'm happy I'm not competing for the stuff right now!
Click to expand...

:doh:
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
OldHillcrestGuy said:
Mazda3i,:
Click to expand...

Think I read in Popular Mechanics this is almost an identical car to the Volvo. Same sub frame, very similar suspension... etc.. etc.. for a lot less money.


I thought about trading in one of our SUV"s for a new fuel sufficient car, but after doing the math it's cheaper to keep them and just pay for the gas, then buying a new car and getting a payment to go with it.

I'd have to buy a car for about 12K that gets about 100MPG to break even
 
S

Sindy

Guest
I had the Honda CRX HF. 54 MPG. $7,500 new in 1985. Best car I ever owned, and wish I had bought a few of them....who knew I would be spending more to fill my gas jug to mow gas than I did filling the tank of gas in the car that would last me a month?
 
huntr1

huntr1

.
OldHillcrestGuy said:
Im starting to feel the pinch with these gas prices.

I was going to get a new truck come the fall, but with these gas prices Im thinking about holding onto it a little longer, I have a 99 4 banger S10, as one of my vehicles, a 05 Toyota Highlander which I also drive to work along with the S10, rotating days, and a 02 Grand Prix that pretty much sits in the garage, spouse stays home and that car proably hasnt had more then 5,000 put on it in the past 2 years.
Been thinking about getting rid of the Grand Prix and give up the Toyota to her, if I were to do that Im looking to replace it with something 4 doors that would get around 30 mpg, and automatic. Been looking through the papers at the ads this past week and a couple Ive seen that arent too bad price wise appear to be the Ford Fusion, Mazda3i, Dodge Caliber, Toyota Camary and the Hyundai Sonata, Im looking at maybe spending around $15,000, I know there are some like the Yaris and the ones Nissan have that are really not more than $12,000, but would like to keep it on the size of the above mentioned ones.
Seems like the dealers are offering all kinds of deals right now, cause they must be suffering like everyone else is except the gas people Exon/ Mobil, Shell and the others.
Anyone on here drive one of the above mentioned vehicles and would like to share your comments about them. Thanks OHG :howdy:
Click to expand...
I love my Focus.
 
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