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Hey there everyone! It's been a long while since I've posted, but rest assured I read the site almost everday- good times.

So I am thinking of selling my porsche boxster s (of which I've been getting around 26.71mpg..avg)...much better than the start..

I would like to drive something a bit more economical. I don't know how I feel about driving a hybrid at this point..I am thinking of a few cars, all of which I've test driven:

Let me know what you think of the cars, what mpg they could achieve, etc (all 08 models)
Honda Civic Si sedan (I like the fact that it has lsd and VSA..heard it'll get 27+ mpg??)
Honda Civic EX-L (manaul of course, heated leather seats can't hurt)
Toyota Corolla (didn't like the ride so much compared to the civic, not driven the XRS)
Toyota Prius (or Civic Hybrid...eh...don't like that I wouldn't be driving a stick)...
08 Accord (the 4-cyl. manual--anyone have any ideas on how it'd do?)

Any input on these would be helpful, I look forward to reading all of your helpful comments..I would like a new car..I know I know...you may think I am nuts for wanting to get out of my current car, maybe not...nonetheless...I appreciate your input..
EDIT: one more thing, I've looked @ the above since they are safe and reliable/efficient...hence the picks..
:D

Hi Mobiuz3,

For the fuel stats look here (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm).

My pic is the Prius, but I'm biased.

Hi Mobiuz3:

___If you want some performance but a lot of FE potential, I would consider the Civic EX (I saw over 85 mpg on a RT in one a few years back) vs. any of the rest. The Si is a FSP of the econo class so I would stay away form that one … The Rolla is like driving a couch and I don’t see former Porsche drivers liking that? 55 mpg with a stick should be doable if pushed? The Prius will easily walk all over the rest in terms of FE if you drive it right. 60 + if you care and 45 if you do not. The 08 Accord will kill you when trying to hypermile and I own the same gen! You really have to force that one for great FE by comparison to the rest other than the Si … The Prius’ and Accord’s insurance cost may be a bit lower than the rest so make sure you check that out and take it into account as well.

___I hope that helped?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne, what do you think the new 08 Civic Ex-L 5-spd could do on avg, easy driving it? Do you think mid-30s could be norm?

Thanks,
Mobiuz3

Civic EX, but I'm biased too. The Prius if you're main goal is mpg.

Hi Mobiuz3:

___Mid 30’s would be a piece of cake in the 08 EX w/ a stick. The 06 – 08 Civic EX (w/ a stick) was rated at 30/38 on the 85 – 07 EPA. Even basic setup would get a stick driver to 35 without doing anything as long as they were not driving in downtown LA, San Francisco, Chicago or New York traffic. Throw a few basics at it and she will pull low to mid 40’s. Throw the book at it and your lmpg will be 55 + imho.

___YMMV but a stick in a Civic is worth some truly spectacular numbers while still allowing a bit of sport ride and handling. The Toyota’s of similar class can best the Honda’s in the FE department (except for the non-hybrid Camry’s vs. Accord’s) using the same but you lose a lot of the fun while driving them if that is what you are looking for?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne, what do you think the new 08 Civic Ex-L 5-spd could do on avg, easy driving it? Do you think mid-30s could be norm?

Thanks,
Mobiuz3

My '03 Civic EX (last gen but very similar) gets 33-34MPG with low-inflated tires and driving like a maniac. 36-37 MPG mild hypermiling. 40MPG medium hypermiling.

I drive mostly short trips around town with an Auto!!:)

The only downside for the 08 is the butt ugly body cladding they saddled it with.

my vote is for the civic, but not the EX-L.. do u really wanna spend $21K+ on a civic? i'd just get the LX 5sp, u can get one for $500 under invoice easy. then get a set of used alloy rims for cheap on craigslist.

though i've heard that current gen civics get worse than EPA #s in city driving.

Around here, we don't really care what the EPA thinks. ;)

wait a min, i just re-read your post, and are you saying you'll actually sell the p-car and get a civic instead??????????? i thought you're gettin a 2nd beater :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Hi Andrew:
Around here, we don't really care what the EPA thinks. ;)
___We should have a “Quote of the day” because if we did, you just nailed it :D :D :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

So I am thinking of selling my porsche boxster s (of which I've been getting around 26.71mpg..avg)...much better than the start..

If you've got the space, I would suggest keeping the Box for top-down "fun" drives (and perhaps for autoX and/or track use!), and getting a Civic as a daily FE driver.

...Then again, I'm a little bit biased. (See the "my cars" list at the top of the post for why.)

-soD

Everyone in this thread is biased (myself included!) If you're going to give up your performance for FE you might as well go all the way and get a Honda Insight. I went from a M Coupe to an Insight for a daily commuter and I find it's actually MORE fun to drive in traffic. Maximizing FE performance is now a daily (and constant) challenge, and slow traffic doesn't bother me as much since it causes others to go a speed the Insight is more comfortable with. I've also been surprised at the handling, it's extremely lightweight so it's tossable even if it has FWD, skinny tires, and electric steering going against it. There's my $0.02.

___We should have a “Quote of the day” because if we did, you just nailed it :D :D :D

Maybe the site should have a quotebook, and every day it can display a new one as the "Quote of the day."

Gimme the Honda Civic Si. Can't give up all the testosterone! My del sol gets in the 30's when I hypermile and big smiles when I need or want to put my right foot down.

those fuel mileage stats on that gov site are low. it says that my 93 civic del sol can get as high as 39mpg. i got 49 my last fill and my car has almost 200k on it.

if price is not an obstacle then i'd look at the Tesla.

I'm also a bit biased, being a bit of a performance nut myself, and 3 time Civic owner. The interior quality, fit and finish of the Civic is definitely superior to the Corolla. Honda tends to put at least a little "sporty" in everything.

That being said, if I were between an SI and an EX-L, it would be the SI. I'd guess it is capable of comparable FE to the EX if pushed. The 6 speed will be *very* nice on the highway if you keep top speed down. I'd assume people typically get poor FE numbers from it because it is one of those cars that begs to be flogged.

If you want the best FE from a Civic, get the base model. They only get heavier / more bloated as you work your way up to EX.

But I assume you want the EX for the power options and sunroof. ;)

he Rolla is like driving a couch and I don’t see former Porsche drivers liking that?
LOL
Around here, we don't really care what the EPA thinks. ;)
truth!
if price is not an obstacle then i'd look at the Tesla.that was my initial thought as well, it'll get teh same ammount of looks (or more) than the porche and get 9999 MPG

Not knowing the OP's financial situation but looking at the cars that are listed, he might not want to spend 100K on a car considering the other cars are in the <$30K range


my vote is for the prius, package 4 please

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I'm just gonna go with all the 2008 numbers here for the cars you want:
Honda Civic SI 21/29
Honda Civic Ex 26/34
Toyota Corolla 28/37
Toyota Prius 48/44
Civic Hybrid 40/45
Honda Accord 21/31

Hmm seems you didn't look at my favorite car, the Lotus Elise
Lotus Elise 21/27

Overall Recommendation
Get the Elise. Has basically the same fuel economy as the civic si, except it's still gonna be just as fun as your old boxster.

Haha, but seriously, you should stay away from the SI cause if you get that you're basically still stuck in the same situation. Having a sports car but driving for economy. If you get the SI you'll probably be pulling around 35mpg, plus it takes premium fuel doesn't it? So even if you do end up getting 40mpg in it, the price difference between premium and regular fuel is $3.535/$3.88=90%. So if you were getting 36mpg in a regular fuel car it's the same as getting 40mpg with premium fuel cost wise.

Oh yeah, the Elise, it uses regular gas according to the epa website.

Have the best of both worlds - Keep the Porsche, get a Prius or HCH. One is for when you show up at the fancy parties with a full suit on and charm ready, the other is for day to day.

What do you guys this a Toyota MR2 Spyder 5spd. could do? Pretty fun car to drive. I think it uses a Celica engine??
Any thoughts as to what numbers it could hit?

Thanks,

What do you guys this a Toyota MR2 Spyder 5spd. could do? Pretty fun car to drive. I think it uses a Celica engine??
Thanks,

It's good because before I knew what an MR2 was, I thought it was another porsche boxster. I think I was like 12 years old then when they came out. So yeah, nobody will know till they see the toyota badge.

What do you guys this a Toyota MR2 Spyder 5spd. could do? Pretty fun car to drive. I think it uses a Celica engine??
Any thoughts as to what numbers it could hit?

Thanks,

I've heard of MR2s getting 35-40mpg. I like those cars a lot!

hmm....liking the closer to 40 side on that...
Thanks for your input.

"FSP" checking in. ["SmartWay" would be another way to describe it. Insert Frown.]

The Civic Si is *easily* worth 27+ MPG, most of these folks are NOT hypermilers. (http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/civic-si/23786-civic-si-your-gas-mileage.html#post403575) My 12 month MPG stands at 36 MPG. (Hey, today's my Scangauge II's 1st birthday!)

Other fun to drive but able to be driven for FE new cars in the ballpark of 20K are the Mazda Miata and Mini Cooper.

Great, good to know about your numbers, helps a lot.

I used to drive a 91 mr2 that was an automatic and had a 2.2L non-turbo 4 cylinder motor. It was before my hypermiling days and I drove way too fast, and still avg. between 35-38 mpg. Great little cars and I really wonder what a 5 speed non-turbo would do when driven for fe. They really are great cars for hypermiling because they are very aerodynamic and light :D