New hypermile options for first-time buyer

[warthog1984]

I am looking to buy a new or late model car and was hoping for input. It has to be under $325/month for payments with decent credit, reliable, good mileage (regular or hypermiled), and impress the chicas.

right now, the regular civics/corollas look like the best bet (unless the financing from the domestics is really good), but I was wondering if any reliable hybrids would fit the criteria?

[Chuck]

Would a 2-seater Insight after 2000 and 2001 fit your needs? If you find a 5-speed in good condition, that would be a great buy. Otherwise, the models you suggest are probably the best choice

[BailOut]

To keep your payment that low on a 60 month term you'll need to stay below $16,000. For a new car this puts you nicely into the compact or subcompact groups. For fuel efficiency the subcompact will always do better due to lower vehicle weights and generally smaller engines.

Since reliability is high on your list your only two options are Toyota and Honda. The Yaris or Fit, brand new, will give you a car payment lower than $300, and the ladies tend to think they are cute.

I'm not sure what to do for a used vehicle as the Insight and Prius will be outside your spending plan. Possibly an old Civic coupe or hatch, or last year's Yaris.

[anon]

Originally Posted by BailOut

...... you'll need to stay below $16,000. For a new car this puts you nicely into the compact or subcompact groups.........

You can also get leftover 2007 Hyundai Sonatas (mid-size) for that price (after the huge rebates).

Originally Posted by BailOut

.......Since reliability is high on your list your only two options are Toyota and Honda........

Um, Hyundai beats them both, in new car rankings.

Hyundia does not put up the best mpg numbers, but for the price/reliabilty, if you are hypermiling to save money (instead of doing to purely save fuel), you can do very well with a Hyundia Sonata, and even better if you want one of their smaller cars.

Kia also makes viable optons in your price range.

I don't know if it will help as a starting point, but our local mall recently published a list of "green" cars that qualify for their "green" preferred parking spots.

http://www.destinyusa.com/content_fi...%20Parking.pdf

[xcel]

Hi WH1984:

___I have to go with Bailout on this one. A new Focus, Yaris or Fit will fit your $ parameters and give you some absolutely outrageous FE if you are willing to push it. The Ranger is good for 50 just about anywhere as of late and the 2.3 in that heavy brick is far less FE capable then the 1.5’s and 2.0 in the lighter, more aerodynamic and much lighter Yaris/Fit and Focus respectively. Watch the resale on the Focus however. You can pick up a Focus brand new for under $9K in the Chicago area but they are absolutely stripped. I like my front, side and side curtains myself and I would highly suggest you pick up whatever vehicle with the same.

___Anon’s Hyundai suggestion is a good one as well. The larger Elantra comes std. with all the safety gear and excellent features for a knock out price!

___One thing I want to be absolutely clear on wrt any of these 3. DO NOT PURHCASE AN AUTO unless your life depends on it. You will lose upwards of 10 – 15 mpg’s with an Auto in any of these three given the limitations their Auto's sticks (no pun intended ) you with! Do not purchase an AUTO unless you do not care to receive even close to what these compact monsters are really capable of no matter if your daily grind consists of inner city, suburban, local highway or wide open Interstate. A stick can add far more capability even at steady state interstate because you have to get up to speed and down again at some point and an Auto no matter how efficient absolutely, positively sucks for that! I will say the Fit was geared absolutely ridiculous for higher speeds so I would not touch that one until Honda fixes that myself.

___A stick adds 0 – 60 performance, higher FE and lower cost. All 3 will be a godsend once you learn to work your new car for what it's worth.

___Do look up some of ATL’s purchase experiences with his compact replacement. He appears to be a very happy individual after doing what you are planning just a month or two ago!

___Remember, all of the above comes from a very stupid Auto driver if that adds any credibility.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[desdemona]

Wayne, there are other reasons to buy an auto transmission car! I don't think my life depends on it (or maybe it does). But I don't have the motor coordination for a stick, never will. I can't even ride a two wheel bike. I suppose a Prius (unless Toyota will come out with a Corolla hybrid ??may be in my future some day. I understand that the transmission is part of the hybrid system. :-)

--des

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi WH1984:
___One thing I want to be absolutely clear on wrt any of these 3. DO NOT PURHCASE AN AUTO unless your life depends on it. You will lose upwards of 10 – 15 mpg’s with an Auto in any of these three given the limitations their Auto sticks you with! Do not purchase an AUTO unless you do not care to receive even close to what these compact monsters are really capable of no matter if your daily grind consists of inner city, suburban, local highway or wide open Interstate. A stick can add far more capability even at steady state interstate because you have to get up to speed and down again at some point and an Auto no matter how efficient absolutely, positively sucks for that! I will say the Fit was geared absolutely ridiculous for higher speeds so I would not touch that one until Honda fixes that myself.


___Wayne

[MnFocus]

In the Hyundai line the 3 door hatch Accent looks like a winner . Very well equipped and under $15k. ABS and front/side curtain airbags standard ! May be a worthy FE-mobile as I'm sure the rated 32/35 mpg could easily be surpassed by a FE minded driver

[xcel]

Hi Des:

___You are right. If you cannot drive a stick, you cannot. Believe me on the numbers however. I always drive the Ranger around town vs. the Accord given there is a 15 mpg advantage going to the P/U truck and have even driven it on the highway to almost the same results! The Ranger is not nearly as luxurious of course but a stick gives you so many more opportunities to stretch a gallon no matter the vehicle or commute it is almost laughable!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[psyshack]

Lots of good cars out there in your price range. Research them, drive and buy.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

I have to agree with Wayne on the Elantra (of course!!) -- mine has been really good to me. I would recommend it over the Accent for FE as well. The Elantra is just heavy enough to have a really nice glide distance and combined with a 5spd it really returns nice numbers! The Accent is only rated for one mpg better than the Elantra anyway and though I haven't driven it I can't imagine it coasts as well with its lighter weight.

The Yaris sure looks good but I'd be strongly tempted to just go for the Corolla for the exact same reasons as the Elantra over the Accent.