please recommend a GREAT GAS MILEAGE car (used)

[englishteacha]

I drive a 1998 Dodge Neon. I consistently get 33 MPG, better on the highway. I'd like something a tad bit bigger for my next car, but it's been reliable and I can't complain about the gas mileage.

 

[DawnM]

When we looked at the Prius a few years ago there were all sorts of rebates. I have heard they are now gone or are nearly gone.

When you compare the Corolla to the Prius, the Prius is about $13K more.

Calculate how many years you would need to keep the Prius to make the gas savings worthwhile. The MPG is about 40 for the Corolla and 50 for the Prius. It would have taken us almost 17 years to break even.

Dawn

I am a recent Prius convert. We still have our tank of an SUV (need it for boat, etc) but this Prius is fun to drive and gets an amazing avg of 50 MPG. We did buy it new, but this is because after looking into used and finding a new one with the tax rebates, it just made more sense to buy new. Toyotas hold their value a little too well for someone to buy used when the rebates are still available (they will only be there until a certain amount of them are sold).

I have owned Civics before (back in the early to mid nineties) and I was worried that the Prius would feel like a Civic in terms of space, but it is actually much more roomy. Believe me, I was skeptical at first, because from the outside they looked so small.

Worth looking into!

 

[writersblock42]

I drive a Honda Civic Hybrid. I get 45 mpg and that is actual because it keeps track of my average mpg since the time that I owned the car. I purchased it used for a decent price. yes, I have some issues with it like lots of road noise. It is funny though that somebody mentioned how cramped the civic is. The civic is our roomy car when we go on family vacations. Haha just perspective I guess. The other car that we own is a 2 door 1997 Toyota Tercel-now that is a tiny car. It gets about 32 mpg and is tiny car that my dh bought years ago for $7,000 and has driven all over the country in it. All parts are original and it has never been repaired. So I would go with a toy or honda.

 

[spaceacewannabe]

I drive a 1998 Dodge Neon. I consistently get 33 MPG, better on the highway. I'd like something a tad bit bigger for my next car, but it's been reliable and I can't complain about the gas mileage.

I have a 1995 Neon and also get around there (unless it's quite windy). I filled up today and figured I got ~40 miles to the gallon, which I regularly get when I'm not fighting weather. AND...mine has a non-factory install sun roof (I bought it used), so it's probably not as aerodynamic as it could be. I think it really depends how you drive, though, too.

Additionally, my mechanic said that Neons routinely go well beyond 100,000 miles and repairs are pretty reasonable.

 

[disneymom3]

Be careful with the Prius if you live in a colder climate. I know someone who loves the vehicle but often complains about it in the winter. Remember that any time the batteries are supplying the power the engine really never gets warm enough to heat the car if it's cold.

Others may have different experiences, but using it here in Minnesota he says that the heater running on high constantly still doesn't keep the inside warm enough in the winter.

I think your friend may want to have his car looked at. A good friend of mine and my MIL both drive Prius's (hmmm, don't know how to make that plural!!) and both can't say enough good about them. I have ridden in both of them when it has been quite quite cold and didn't have a problem with the level of warmth at all and I am pretty picky about that. DH says I have to feel like I am in a cozy bed when I am in a car!

 

[littlele]

When we looked at the Prius a few years ago there were all sorts of rebates. I have heard they are now gone or are nearly gone.

When you compare the Corolla to the Prius, the Prius is about $13K more.

Calculate how many years you would need to keep the Prius to make the gas savings worthwhile. The MPG is about 40 for the Corolla and 50 for the Prius. It would have taken us almost 17 years to break even.

Dawn

Actually, we are still receiving about $2,700 in rebates and we just bought ours about a month ago. After we ran the calculations, it was only going to take us about 5 years to get the gas savings perk, but we were certainly more interested in the fact that there will be 50% less emissions coming from our car. Like I said, we still have the beast of an SUV,(Sequoia) so we figured we'd better make up for that somehow.

Of course, you should take my input for what it's worth because we live in Portland, Oregon and statistically this city has the biggest per capita Prius ownership. It is a very 'green' area compared to any other place I have visited.

 

[Stein]

It is funny though that somebody mentioned how cramped the civic is. The civic is our roomy car when we go on family vacations. Haha just perspective I guess.

Excellent point, I am 6'4" and my other vehicle is a Suburban, so the "Coke Can" isn't my top choice. It does run great and get good great mileage, I just wish I wasn't hitting my head on the roof every time I go over a bump.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I've got a nice Sunfire for sale that I have always gotten over 30MPG with

The new Jeep isn't getting that kind of gas mileage but it has 4x4 and that is something that I need now. Even my Jeep is 4 cylindar though, I don't think I would want anything else, it's just a waste IMHO.

Honestly, go for a good reliable 4 cylindar car - like my Sunfire

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I have an 03 Nissan Altima I get awesome gas mileage and I live on the road. Like all of the other cars I get about 35+/- miles to the gallon. To give you a better perspective I can go from my house in Picayune, MS to my apartment in Houston, TX which is a six hour ride on one tank of gas and still have a little to get here and there. Another example is when we go to disney it takes about 10hrs one stop for gas half way there and one stop for gas half way home total cost 200 dollars. Right now at 2.80 a gallon it is 46 dollars for me to fill my tank up. I also have more room in my car than the Honda Accord.

Of all the cars on the market the Honda's have the best resale value. The VWs have the best gas milage over all cars.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

DHs Civic is FABULOUS!