Looking for a car to replace my stolen Accord

[Josiah]

Hey folks! My trusty old Accord was stolen a couple weeks ago. It was found a few days ago with a bunch of stuff stolen out of it and the clutch burned up. Working stuff out with insurance is just starting up, but I'm pretty positive they're going to total it. So, I should be in the market for a new car pretty soon.

I'm attracted to Civics because of their reliability and FE. Is there any consensus on what the best year/model for hypermiling is? I've done a little searching, and it seems like I should definitely look for an HX or VX model. Unfortunately my budget will probably be $5K max.

I'm open to other cars too, let me know what you might think could be my best bet in that price range. Thanks so much!

[Nevyn]

HX and VX are the lean-burn ones, they're definitely good for FE. I think CX is the next best. I don't know about the PDX area, but you may be able to find an 03-05 HCH-I in that price range too.

[some_other_dave]

If you're willing to look at older cars, the 88-91 Civic are pretty neat, and respond decently to HM techniques. (See my sig for one example.) The 96+ ones let you use the SG II, though, and that is a definite plus.

-soD

[Dream'R]

Sorry to hear about your Accord. I drove a '91 model for 17 years with few issues.

I decided to move to a Civic as a replacement but weighed several factors in my decision. There have been major improvements in safety features and engine design with each new generation Civic. (My '91 had no air bags, ABS, or VTEC).

So in your situation, my advice would be to look for the latest model Civic that your budget can manage. You will get great mileage using the skills you have already learned and hopefully many more years of low operating costs.

Cheers,

Roger

[xcel]

Hi Josiah:

___Although a bit above your budget, the 03 and 04 HCH-I are not that far away and will be a much safer for you and your family plus far more reliable ride than the ancient lean burners you are currently considering. Cross the country in an HCH-I and there is only one vehicle that can top it. That being the Insight-I with a stick

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[msirach]

One of my local FaceBook friends posted that he was getting ready to sell his 97HX for $1100. I emailed him about it and he was going to contact me when he got it cleaned up. A week later, a friend got creamed in his Metro and it was totaled so I put him in contact with the guy. He bought it and put about $500 in it to put it in top notch shape. Body was excellent without any dents or rust. It had 175,000 miles so he changed out the timing belt, oil, plugs, brakes, 2 new tires and 2 new headlights. They had fogged up and he found some new inexpensive ones. He is now driving it 220 miles round trip each day. 1st tank was at 43mpg and the next at 45 mpg. He said it drives like a Cadillac compared to the Metro hatch.Deals can be found. Check your local Craigslist, friends, family, and FaceBook.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Josiah, possibly helpful to you:

HCH-I 5spd listings

Coincidentally, I purchased my Insight via telephone after finding a listing with pictures online... from Portland Oregon! I worked with Diya over at Ron Tonkin Acura -- he was extremely helpful and willing to work long distance with me... even holding the car when other people walked in interested in it and cutting me a break on the price to compensate for transportation costs (I had it trucked to my house).

(They don't seem to have any used HCHs at the moment, but it might be worth visiting since they are close?)

[Josiah]

Thanks for the input, everyone! I hadn't considered hybrids much, thinking they would probably be out of my price range. Unfortunately for trying to buy a cheap one, I live in possibly the most hybrid-crazy city in the United States... that and anything diesel are hot commodities here. I'll be watching the outlying areas for a while to try and find a deal. Fortunately I'm not in an immediate bind. I can drive my old fuel-hog pickup to work.

I'd be open to an Insight except that my wife and I hope to start a family before too terribly long, so that gets ruled out. Speaking of insights, I noticed one in Montana (Bozeman is my hometown, so I was looking around for cars there as I'll be going back for the holidays). If anyone is in the market, there's one for sale way out in Ennis with low miles: http://montana.craigslist.org/cto/1409072840.html

Thanks again for the advice! I appreciate the help, and any more tips or connections my fellow hypermilers might have. Hopefully what someone meant for evil will be turned around for the good. (good FE, that is)

[msirach]

http://montana.craigslist.org/cto/1409072840.html

A few things look strange about this car. Blue was not offered in 2000, looks funny setting in prairie grass. Google Whitney's phone number. She even has a 1.8kw wind turbine for sale.

[Harold]

I would go look at that one in Ennis, beautiful town and country. I love that area! Hal