| Author | Message | ||
     Faseljd |
OK guys, I know there are a lot of very knowledgeable car guys on this forum. My new job will have me going about 80 miles per day so my Tundras mpg just isn't going to be very feasible anymore. So what I am looking for is recommendations for a good high mpg hatchback car. I am so far partial to VW's, Hondas, and Toyotas. Dont mind manuals and most important option is really good ac for this Arizona climate. So if you have owned a good one or had terrible experience with one please share your story.Probably wont be able to afford a newer model, probably looking in the 5-11k range. | ||
| Cataract2 |
VW TDI | ||
| Etennuly |
Get a white one. This will help the AC more than anything. It will reflect heat. You might think silver or gold colors would, but actually metallics and pearl colors absorb heat. | ||
| Malott442 |
Doesn't a cheap honda 5 speed get pretty good MPG? My wife has a 11 jetta tdi, and loves the 45mpg actual. | ||
| Brumbear |
Pacer | ||
| Reepicheep |
Find a 1999 to 2002 Saab 9-3 for $3000. | ||
| Syonyk |
Find a used Mazda2. They're brand new for under $15k out the door, so you should be able to find one nice and cheap. 35+mpg most of the time, and if you're doing slower highway (55-60mph), we reliably can get 40+ on road trips. | ||
| 86129squids |
Yugo- they even made a 'vert... No, seriously, a GM Geo 3 cylinder- buddy had one, stuck NOS GTO badges on it for shits and giddles, but he misses the MPG. They also come in 'verts, someone in my neighborhood has one, I will try to buy it from her. | ||
| Rick_a |
It makes a bit less power than the Buell but gets about the same mileage:  It has served us well. The only irregular maintenance has been a corroded spark plug/coil connection that was an issue as delivered. I thought the "Magic Seats" were a gimmick at first, but you can really load some stuff in there. (Message edited by Rick_A on September 08, 2012) | ||
| Thumper74 |
Used Honda Fit! | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Honda civic. We had a 1995 hatchback that averaged 40 - 45 mpg. On one trip we got 45 mph on the highway with three adults and "stuff" for a long weekend in Atlanta. Sometimes I regret selling it but a 4 door made more sense when our little one came along and we had to deal with a car seat. And its a honda so its reliable. I have friends who got theirs about the same time and are driving them into the ground with 200 and 300K + miles. +1 on the white. Our white ridgeline seems amazingly cooler than our other vehicles in the Florida heat. I'm not looking forward to washing all the love bug carcasses off it tho in the upcoming weeks. YUK! | ||
| Pwnzor |
My 1988 Honda CRX Si still gets 40+ mpg | ||
| 99savage |
Syonyk Find a used Mazda2. They're brand new for under $15k out the door Son got one for driving the beltway - Likes it - Pretty good handling, good mileage, moderately snappy, room enough for most tasks | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I have a Honda Fit too. As of now, it has 109K so far the only unscheduled maintainance has been one of the ignition coils went south. I bought one and played musical chairs til the car ran ok. I get between 35 and 40 miles per gallon. Pretty good car really. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Mine isn't a hatchback, but I average 44mpg with my Saturn SL1. Haven't owned the car very long and it was a little neglected when I got it, but I've had no problems since showing it a little tlc. | ||
| Hammer71 |
Gerbings heated gear for winter and a backpack. | ||
| Tombo |
I liked the Scion TC I had. With the TRD package (RS 5)it actually handled very well. It had a Camry 2.4 that was very reliable and the hatchback was integrated in a way that it didn't look like a hatch. | ||
| Brumbear |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw2fZOyjcAg&playnex t=1&list=PLC2785CD18C8C081C&feature=results_main | ||
| Aesquire |
I've got a '09 TDI Sportwagen Mk5. Handles remarkably well, ( basically it's the GTI underneath ) very stiff chassis, ( I've been in 5 series BMW's that weren't as good ) Hauls a surprising pile of stuff around ( full weeks worth of camping gear ) and the 40mpg at 70mph doesn't suck. The Mk6 Jetta sedans gave up the independent rear suspension to get cheaper to compete on price, but the Sportwagens did not. Downsides? Looks like a shoe. Seat is a bit narrow for my fat ass, ( it helps to pull the too thick wallet out... ) and VW has a history of electrical quirks and the cabin controls can be confusing, at first. ( still easier to figure out than a BMW ) Probably too new for your price range, but the Mk5 TDI's are pretty darn good. The Mk4s chassis isn't as good, so drive before you buy. You might also find the Mk4 gets slightly better mileage, it's a lighter car. The Mk5 is like a little tank. ( built to tougher crash standards ) | ||
| Garryb |
Son has Chevy Sonic Hatch with 1.4 turbo and 6 speed. Fun to drive, good value, and great mpg. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Questions. Will the new car replace the Tundra or be in addition to it? Do you ride when the weather permits? Do you do your own spannering? Can you claim travel costs to & from your workplace against tax where you live? All these have a bearing on your choices. Whether it's in addition to the Tundra or not, you need to work out the difference in cost per trip to find out where the break-even point is taking into account sale & purchase costs, registration, days when you ride, etc. If it turns out that the break-even date is around or after when you'd likely have changed the Tundra anyway, just run the Toy. If you're currently doing short hops with such a big vehicle, I'd reckon that your fuel consumption will actually improve with the longer trip. I'm a diesel-head when it comes to cars, personally. | ||
| Faseljd |
The car will replace the Tundra, I am abandoning construction for my new job. I do plan on riding the bikes weather permitting especially since I will probably end up on graves. Makes for cooler rides here in the desert. I only do oil changes and brake jobs, or little things. Hoping the car payment versus the Tundra payment will lower. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and keep them coming. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Ok, things are becoming clearer. More questions; Do you need a vehicle to tow with? No point in buying something that's going to struggle pulling a trailer. How many people is it likely to carry? If a whole family look at a small wagon maybe. What other vehicles in the household? No point in buying the same as your mrs, for example. Do you have a dealer/garage/mechanic that you can trust not to rip you off? Do you have family/friends with other vehicles that you like? Go try theirs. Another thing to think about is this, fuel costs are a major part of running a vehicle, but can be hugely offset in the purchasing side. You stated, you're ready to spend 5-11k, well 6k is a huge amount of fuel. On a 80 mile round trip with most cars you're looking at around 3 gallons with a modern econobox down to around 2, the Tundra 's probably around 5. So if you buy something pretty standard like a '10 Ford Focus for example, you're saving 10 gals a week. that's what $40, over a year $2000. Following the same equation, an econobox is going to save you more or less $3000 a year. Now that's just on your 5 days a week work trip. If you have no need for the Tundra & fancy a change, go for something that will save a few bob & put a silly grin on your face at the same time. (Court had a Focus ST for sale btw) Or you can save on the purchase price, buy a cheap, boring, crapbox & use the purchase savings to fund the fuel cost. Another alternative is to go green & recycle, drive an old classic, fuel costs wont be much worse than the Tundra, & it won't depreciate. So many possibilities. |
