Fuel Mileage Mobiles

1 Dollar · Nov 9, 2009

I'm loosely looking into buying a smaller car for this summer because I will be doing much more driving than normal. I wanted to start looking now as it was getting cold, the time when 4x4's are in demand and little cars aren't so much.

I'm just looking for a decent sized commuter that overall has a good reputation. Ford Festivas and Geo Metros are a little small for me, but anything else Accord/Civic sized I am interested in. Also looking to go $2000 and below or else it doesn't save me any money. Open to your suggestions.

Thanks

IH2444 · Nov 9, 2009

I would think a $2,000 limit is going to limit your choices a lot.

IA Leo · Nov 9, 2009

It isn't much of a car but my 2006 Corolla is the most trouble free car with the best mileage I have owned in 60 years of paying for cars. Over 34 mpg AVERAGE without clever new (expensive) technology. 90k miles, one headlight bulb burned out. I occasionally pull a small 500lb trailer babying it by keeping it out of OD when necessary. The mileage was computed by 30,000 miles of fuel tickets, in all kinds of weather. I avoided foreign cars for 40 years, but this was the only model that looked like it would allow me to drive alot and still fit my retirement income.

But I don't know if a used Corolla would fit your budget.

The last car was a 92 Taurus that I gave up on at 308,000 miles, but there were always little $$$ needed. About 20-24 mpg, but a lot more comfortable than the Corolla.

You can buy a lot of gas for one stupid repair that should never have been needed--I learned that on a used Studebaker in 1958. Leonard

ddl · Nov 9, 2009

should be able to pick up a fairly nice honda accord for that much in the "90-93 year range. might have around 200,000 miles on it but then theyhave all the bugs worked out. i picked one up for 1500 (1993) in march that looked nice and runs well. getting 26 mpg avg. drive it 100 miles per day.

IH2444 · Nov 9, 2009

Yes they are around, but hewre in rural KY they are in demand. I am not sure where the threadstarter lives.

I did not say it was impossible to find something, just more limited options for that price. One can also buy one like you got and then spend as much money as you paid for it fixing it up, esp if you do not know its history.

imho Honda's are probably the longest lived vehicles when at least marginally cared for.

Mathias NY · Nov 9, 2009

Can you drive a manual transmission? Those do better.

I'm partial to the late '90's Chevy Cavaliers/Pontiac Sunfires. The base model with a manual transmission can get close to 40mpg highway and you should be able to find one in your $2k price range. Parts are readily available and every repair shop can work on them. They aren't as trouble free as a Honda or Toyota, but they are cheaper to fix. If you want a little more power, look for a Cavalier z24. They had a 2.4L engine that will out accelerate most compact cars (and SUVs) but still gets 36mpg highway with a manual transmission.

Dodge Neon's are another good choice. If you are over 6' tall, they are a little cramped, and they don't get as good fuel milage as the Cavaliers. But they are simpler to maintain and also in your price range.

Good luck.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 9, 2009

maybe a little smaller than you're looking for, but, my folks had a Nissan Sentra and a Honda Civic a few years back... both very dependable cars and both achieved 40+ mpg hiway 30 - 35 mpg in town ...D

Pat-CT · Nov 9, 2009

non sence, if you can find the right seller, Altho it is not a compact car, my 2001 jeep cherokee i bought for 500 bucks with what the owner said was a front end shimmy and needed a new alternator

reaplced the alteranotr and balanced the tires, has been going good for the last 10k miles ive put on it with no reapirs (its at 204k mileage)

a compact car can be found

I recomend a vw golf also, me and one of my buddies (both 6'2") used to scoot around in one back and forth to work, overall pretty comfortable

INCase · Nov 9, 2009

Watch for estate sales. I picked up a nice, loaded 1991 New Yorker for my daughter. Little old lady estate. 58000 miles last February. $1000ish. Had $750 worth of new brakes and cat converter. Have put 16000 miles on it since. Could use struts but otherwise in very good cond. (should be for that low miles and garage kept) Big car but still gets close to 28-30 MPG if you keep your foot out of it.

John M · Nov 9, 2009

I had a Festiva for 7 years and with my 6'2" height, i was 10 times more comfortable than I am not in my wifes Civic. No head room or leg room for me at all if the kids are with us, and even with the seat all the way back, I cant be comforatable for more than 2 or 4 minutes at a time. I do have claustraphobia though, and that nay have soimething to do with it.

Fuel Mileage Mobiles

1 Dollar

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IH2444

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IA Leo

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ddl

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IH2444

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Mathias NY

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Anonymous-0

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Pat-CT

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INCase

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John M

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