Affordable cars that are good on gas (rental, fuel, trucks)

[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.)

[Steve-o]

Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo, etc.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo, etc.

OMG... didn't know Chevy sells these hideous rebadged Korean cars in the US, too

To the OP: In the light of fuel efficiency, did you ever think about a diesel powered car? I currently drive a Merc C220 CDI and I am very happy.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

OMG... didn't know Chevy sells these hideous rebadged Korean cars in the US, too

Yeah, unfortunately we're cursed too. Its the Enterprise Rent-a-Car special!

[Drover]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

OMG... didn't know Chevy sells these hideous rebadged Korean cars in the US, too

To the OP: In the light of fuel efficiency, did you ever think about a diesel powered car? I currently drive a Merc C220 CDI and I am very happy.

Diesel emissions standards are exceptionally stringent in the U.S. so right now the only maker selling Diesel-powered cars here are Mercedes, and the smallest diesel they sell here is a 3.0 and it's in a $45,000 (minimum) car. Even before they became stringent, the only other maker selling diesels here recently was Volkswagen. That doesn't leave a lot of options, besides which people are asking (and paying) crazy money for the used VW diesels on the market right now.

Diesel also doesn't make the same economic sense to an American driver it does to a European driver. Diesel is more expensive than gas (petrol?) here in most markets, and the extra up-front cost of buying a diesel may not be recovered through higher fuel efficiency, or if it is, it won't be recovered for a couple hundred thousand miles.

[Nashcash23]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Yeah, unfortunately we're cursed too. Its the Enterprise Rent-a-Car special!

LOL. Yep, that is true about Enterprise. My mother had to pick up a rental car today because she just totaled her vehicle yesterday and had to get a rental car to have a way to get around. Her insurance rented her a Chevrolet Aveo in black.

[Nashcash23]

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.)

Firstly, what is your price range?
What size vehicle do you need?
Do you have any more preferences?

If you answer these questions I will more accurately be able to recommend a vehicle to you.

[glxyman21]

Originally Posted by Drover

Diesel emissions standards are exceptionally stringent in the U.S. so right now the only maker selling Diesel-powered cars here are Mercedes, and the smallest diesel they sell here is a 3.0 and it's in a $45,000 (minimum) car. Even before they became stringent, the only other maker selling diesels here recently was Volkswagen. That doesn't leave a lot of options, besides which people are asking (and paying) crazy money for the used VW diesels on the market right now.

Diesel also doesn't make the same economic sense to an American driver it does to a European driver. Diesel is more expensive than gas (petrol?) here in most markets, and the extra up-front cost of buying a diesel may not be recovered through higher fuel efficiency, or if it is, it won't be recovered for a couple hundred thousand miles.

Don't forget, some states do not even allow diesel cars to be sold (California, Connecticut, Rhode Island..well most of New England)...of course the exceptions are trucks..which for some reason don't have to meet these "standards" which seem hypocritical. My aunt had a Deisel E-class that lasted well over 250,000 miles before the transmission went, and it got around 30mpg. I think VW pulled the Diesel Jetta from the market about a year ago as it wouldn't meet new standards

[Drover]

Originally Posted by glxyman21

Don't forget, some states do not even allow diesel cars to be sold (California, Connecticut, Rhode Island..well most of New England)...

No state prohibits the sale of diesel passenger cars; some states simply have emissions standards more stringent than the federal standards. Volkswagen and Mercedes expect to have diesel-powered cars that are 50-state compliant within a year.

[okaydorothy]

in 2008 VW will begin to sell diesels again. I think they are starting with the Jetta. I was hoping that they would start with the Passat as that is what I would love to trade up to.

Ca and NY have very stringent emissions.
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