Affordable cars that are good on gas (2009, manual transmission, best)

[Averie-Jay]

Originally Posted by GreenMachine

I'm looking to buy a new/used car and with gas prices on the rise, I'm thinking I better get something fuel efficient. I'm seriously thinking Prius today. Any thoughts on fuel efficient cars? (Ones that don't cost more then they save.)

Hi, Greenie!

I bought a Ford Focus hatchback this past summer (got a GREAT deal on it). I had a hard time choosing a new vehicle because I loved "George", my Altima, whom I'd driven 6 years without trouble, but had to sell him when I moved to FL.

I originally wanted to purchase a Corolla, Civic Hybrid, or a Prius, but the Focus was less expensive so I thought it deserved a chance. I really love it! I get about 26-28 mpg.

I found an article regarding hybrids that I thought you might find helpful. Also, I ALWAYS find Consumer Reports to be a life-saver. You can get an online subscription inexpensively and it gives (IMO) very accurate data on mpg, reliability, etc.

Hybrid cars: Do they make sense for you? - MSN Money

[RockyMtnr]

I've driven about everything made.
I remain amazed by my older (96) Suzuki Esteem.
40+mpg highway. 35 or so, in town. Quart of oil every few months or so.
More room than a comparable Subaru.
As much power as I need - can pass most SUVs and most cars of the same size.
I'm not real fond of driving a sewing machine - but 400 miles a tank helps me out a lot.
My model is the commuter-car - kind of stripped down inside. Doesn't carry a lot in the trunk - but can fit 2x4's in when I fold down the rear seat.
It's a 5-speed manual chain-clutch.
A couple of blind-spots but once you get used to those, it's okay.
New ones run around 13 or so, depending.
I can't say one bad thing about this little car ... except I think I have to dismantle it to change the front-passenger side turn-signal bulb.

[golfgod]

I'd probably lean toward the Honda Fit or small VW, sorry I can't remember its name right now. A recent issue of (IIRC) Car and Driver had a side by side comparison of about 10 small cars, I think the VW came out on top.

Have you considered HOW you drive if you want to save gas. We recently cut our highway speed (a fair amount of our driving) to 65 MPH (don't tell me you'll get run over, it's not true) and our mileage went up from about 22-23 to 29-30, that's a saving of about 30%!!!

golfgod

[nitokenshi]

Smart car
Nobody has mentioned diesel cars can run on vegetable oil

[mbuszu]

Originally Posted by GreenMachine

I'm looking to buy a new/used car and with gas prices on the rise, I'm thinking I better get something fuel efficient. I'm seriously thinking Prius today. Any thoughts on fuel efficient cars? (Ones that don't cost more then they save.)

Mazda3 is an excellent value right now, and the Mazda5 gets good fuel mileage too (built upon same engine/frame/sub-frame but with 6 person seating). My family has never had problems with Mazda, very reliable technology and excellent values to be had for these two models right now.

Here's a thought I've had recently... not knowing what is down the road fuel-price nor automobile technology-wise, why not do a 2 year lease on one of these cars (2008 models)? There's a special right now and in 24 months you will be able to re-evaluate what to buy or lease finally knowing the economic patterns under the new President and Congress. This strategy also makes sense to me since next year we'll be seeing a brand new batch of both diesel and hybrid vehicles anyway.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[mbuszu]

Originally Posted by nitokenshi

Smart car
Nobody has mentioned diesel cars can run on vegetable oil

I was excited about this until I realized that there's a lack of diesel cars for sale in the US (used or new - demand is so high they are commanding a premium that kills their value imo). I was looking at used Jetta's or other vehicles which get good diesel fuel mileage and indeed you'll have a challenge finding a used one which also hasn't been host to a large number of reliability issues or an accident or two.

Next year a new wave of diesels will be introduced to the US market... at that point I suspect we'll see better opportunity to go the diesel/vegetable oil route (those of us who are willing to set up an oil filtration system, as well as solicit restaurants for their oil). The technology is rather simple, there are kits which can be installed in your diesel vehicle's trunk, and buyers can enjoy getting 40+ miles to a gallon of freely obtained used vegetable oil (how can you beat that!!?).

[Magnum Mike]

Affordable cars that are good on gas

I think that's called a Bicyle.. They're definitely affordable, and the only fill up you'll be doing at gas stations, will be air in the tires every 3 months!

[Old Gringo]

Toyota Yaris sedan.

[nitokenshi]

Originally Posted by Old Gringo

Toyota Yaris sedan.

why would you say sedan instead of the hb?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by nitokenshi

Smart car
Nobody has mentioned diesel cars can run on vegetable oil

For a car of its size and supposed promise, the Smart car gets lousy mileage. That's what happens when you have to bring a car up to U.S. crash-safety standards. The Toyota Yaris has almost the same EPA rating, costs about the same, has three times the utility, and runs on regular gas so fuel is cheaper PER MILE.

And while many diesels can run on vegetable oil, the ones designed to meet the most recent emissions standards cannot. So please be careful about so cavalierly claiming that "diesel cars can run on vegetable oil."