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What if you cannot afford a “new” fuel efficient automobile?
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08-05-2012, 07:10 AM
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Legend In His Mind
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Vehicles: 2008 Honda Civic LX auto
Location: near Chicago IL
Posts: 1,795
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Re: What if you cannot afford a “new” fuel efficient automobile?
Wow, after folks read that , there will be a stampede of people running to their local used-car lot to try to find a Sable wagon. Some of them will only be able to find a Taurus and will be laughed at by the Sable owners. But ALL of them will be SO GLAD they were able to dump their crappy uncomfortable Prius and get into some real American iron.
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Edwin 
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08-07-2012, 02:07 PM
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Beat The System
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Vehicles: 2009 Fit, 2004 Odyssey, 96 Civic retired
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 12,851
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Re: What if you cannot afford a new fuel efficient automobile?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 50 mpg by 2012
EDIT: My new 1975 Civic CVCC cost 1/6 the base price of the 2012 Civic HF with 38 and 39 User MPG respectively. Of course, the 2012 is a LOT MORE car.
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Yes, but inflation. Counting for that, the old CVCC cost 2/3 as much as the new Hf.
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Andrew
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100 mpg commute / 90.2 mpg tank = 1191 miles
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05-27-2013, 10:20 AM
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Junior Member
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1
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Re: What if you cannot afford a new fuel efficient automobile?
Do 't forget the crx, I am getting 53 mpg mostly stock with aero hubcaps and I paid $1800. When people put a vx engine in it they are getting 70mpg ( economodder site).
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05-27-2013, 10:30 AM
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PZEV, there's nothing like it :)
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Vehicles: Accord, Ranger, and anything else ;)
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 43,022
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Re: What if you cannot afford a “new” fuel efficient automobile?
Hi Mpgplus:
Welcome to CleanMPG.
An original Insight can do another 50% on top of that with no adding an engine although finding one in good condition nowadays is becoming tough.
Great to see you are in a CR-X though. Great Honda fuel savers with lean burn without restrictions from a ways back indeed.
Wayne
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06-04-2013, 08:09 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 31
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Re: What if you cannot afford a new fuel efficient automobile?
Quote:
Originally Posted by xcel
Fuel efficient used car values may be your solution.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - April 30, 2006
2004 Toyota Echo with a 35/43 EPA rating (85 07 EPA specs) Just one of many inexpensive newer used cars with excellent FE.
Here are a few alternatives ranked by year that may fit your criteria for > 35 - 40 MPG per the 85 07 EPA specifications as reported by Fuel Economy.gov and Private Party Pricing as derived from Kellys Blue Book otherwise known as KBB.
Definitions: All vehicles below were considered to be in Good Condition, purchased in the Chicago area, with the lowest standard equipment package (GL vs. GLS as an example), miles for a given year as shown and include 5-speed manuals unless otherwise noted.
"Good" condition means that the vehicle is free of any major defects. This vehicle has a clean title history, the paint, body and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes, and there are no major mechanical problems. There should be little or no rust on this vehicle. The tires match and have substantial tread wear left. A "good" vehicle will need some reconditioning to be sold at retail. Most consumer owned vehicles fall into this category.
Private Party: Private Party Value is what a buyer can expect to pay when buying a used car from a neighbor or from the classifieds in the local paper.
2004 Honda Civic HX
2004
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Man(5) | 60/66 | $13,840 | 35,000 | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Auto(CVT) | 57/56 | $13,840 | 35,000 | | Toyota | Prius | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Auto(CVT) | 60/51 | $16,775 | 35,000 | | Honda | Civic Hybrid | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Auto(CVT) | 48/47 | $14,985 | 35,000 | | Honda | Civic Hybrid | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 46/51 | $14,490 | 35,000 | | Volkswagen | New Beetle | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 38/46 | $14,730 | 35,000 | | Volkswagen | Golf | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 38/46 | $15,555 | 35,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 38/46 | $16,405 | 35,000 | | Honda | Civic HX | 4 cyl, 1.7 L, Man(5) | 36/44 | $10,810 | 35,000 | | Toyota | Echo | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Man(5) | 35/43 | $7,440 | 35,000 |
2003
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Man(5) | 61/68 | $11,745 | 50,000 | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Auto(CVT) | 57/56 | $11,745 | 50,000 | | Toyota | Prius | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Auto(CVT) | 52/45 | $13,955 | 50,000 | | Honda | Civic Hybrid | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Auto(CVT) | 48/47 | $13,135 | 50,000 | | Honda | Civic Hybrid | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 46/51 | $12,690 | 50,000 | | Volkswagen | New Beetle | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $12,585 | 50,000 | | Volkswagen | Golf | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $13,180 | 50,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 40/49 | $14,285 | 50,000 | | Honda | Civic HX | 4 cyl, 1.7 L, Man(5) | 36/44 | $9,690 | 50,000 | | Toyota | Echo | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Man(5) | 35/43 | $6,345 | 50,000 |
2002 Volkswagen New Beetle TDI
2002
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Man(5) | 61/68 | $9,970 | 65,000 | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Auto(CVT) | 57/56 | $9,970 | 65,000 | | Toyota | Prius | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Auto(CVT) | 52/45 | $12,025 | 65,000 | | Volkswagen | New Beetle | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $11,010 | 65,000 | | Volkswagen | Golf | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $11,125 | 65,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 40/49 | $12,030 | 65,000 |
2001
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Man(5) | 61/68 | $8,495 | 75,000 | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Auto(CVT) | 57/56 | $8,495 | 75,000 | | Toyota | Prius | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Auto(CVT) | 52/45 | $10,300 | 75,000 | | Volkswagen | New Beetle | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $9,385 | 75,000 | | Volkswagen | Golf | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $9,450 | 75,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 40/49 | $10,340 | 75,000 | | Suzuki | Swift | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 36/42 | $2,865 | 75,000 |
2000 Honda Insight
2000
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Honda | Insight | 3 cyl, 1 L, Man(5) | 61/70 | $7,270 | 85,000 | | Volkswagen | New Beetle | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $8,225 | 85,000 | | Volkswagen | Golf | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $8,375 | 85,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 40/49 | $8,955 | 85,000 | | Chevrolet | Metro | 3 cyl, 1 L, Man(5) | 39/46 | $2,165 | 85,000 | | Chevrolet | Metro | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 36/42 | $2,625 | 85,000 | | Suzuki | Swift | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 36/42 | $2,265 | 85,000 |
1999
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Volkswagen | New Beetle | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 42/49 | $6,710 | 95,000 | | Chevrolet | Metro | 3 cyl, 1 L, Man(5) | 41/47 | $1,670 | 95,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 40/49 | $5,200 | 95,000 | | Chevrolet | Metro | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 39/43 | $2,020 | 95,000 |
1998 Chevrolet Metro
1998
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Chevrolet | Metro | 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Man(5) | 44/49 | $1,425 | 105,000 | | Volkswagen | New Beetle | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 41/48 | $5,830 | 105,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 40/49 | $4,425 | 105,000 | | Volkswagen | Passat | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 39/50 | $5,670 | 105,000 | | Chevrolet | Metro | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 39/43 | $1,675 | 105,000 | | Suzuki | Swift | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 39/43 | $1,525 | 105,000 |
1997
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Geo | Metro | 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Man(5) | 44/49 | $1,070 | 115,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 40/49 | $3,875 | 115,000 | | Geo | Metro | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 39/43 | $1,550 | 115,000 | | Suzuki | Swift | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 39/43 | $1,145 | 115,000 | | Volkswagen | Passat | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 38/47 | $4,550 | 115,000 | | Honda | Civic HX | 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Man(5) | 37/44 | $3,830 | 115,000 |
1996 Volkswagen Golf TDI
1996
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Geo | Metro | 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Man(5) | 44/49 | $970 | 120,000 | | Volkswagen | Golf | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 41/49 | $3,000 | 120,000 | | Volkswagen | Jetta | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 41/49 | $3,325 | 120,000 | | Geo | Metro | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 39/43 | $1,080 | 120,000 | | Suzuki | Swift | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 39/43 | $1,075 | 120,000 | | Volkswagen | Passat | 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Man(5), Diesel | 37/45 | $3,875 | 120,000 |
1995
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Geo | Metro | 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Man(5) | 44/49 | $925 | 125,000 | | Honda | Civic VX | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Man(5) | 42/46 | $2,755 | 125,000 | | Geo | Metro | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 39/43 | $1,100 | 125,000 | | Honda | Civic CX | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Man(5) | 40/45 | $2,275 | 125,000 |
1994 Honda Civic VX
1994
| Make | Model | Drivetrain | EPA Estimates (City/Highway) | KBB Private Party Pricing (US $s) | Miles | | Geo | Metro XFi | 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Man(5) | 53/58 | $800 | 130,000 | | Geo | Metro | 3 cyl, 1.0 L, Man(5) | 46/49 | $750 | 130,000 | | Honda | Civic VX | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Man(5) | 42/46 | $2,405 | 130,000 | | Honda | Civic CX | 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Man(5) | 40/45 | $1,950 | 130,000 | | Suzuki | Swift | 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Man(5) | 37/44 | $750 | 130,000 | | Ford | Aspire | 4 cyl, 1.2 L, Man(5) | 36/43 | $625 | 130,000 |
This is only a guide to find relatively fuel efficient used car for an approximate price as KBB.com described. I bolded some of what I thought may be better values if I were in the market for a $9 - $10 K range used automobile, a $5K used automobile, and a bottom basement < $3,000 automobile in terms of fuel efficiency and price. The TDIs posted above are usually better equipped then the gasoline only autos so make sure you truly understand not only the condition and capabilities, but also the std. equipment as well. As time moves forward, the used car prices listed above should decline in predictable increments except for the fact that fuel prices are distorting the fuel efficient used car market place. The standard caveats apply when making a used car purchase so do your homework as a simple Google search will quite quickly point out known issues with some of the cars posted above.
Because of the TDIs smog related emissions being relatively poor, I would hope one would consider running those autos on B20 to lower CO2 emissions by a far greater degree then available with the gas only counterparts listed above. The older gas only used cars will be lucky to meet TLEV based specs so they are by no means a great solution to control SMOG related emissions either. Do the best you can with the $s you have however and your used car search should turn out to be rather enjoyable.
If a new car is all you will accept but on a minimum budget, a stripped down - 29/35 mpg per the new 08 EPA specifications (34/40 mpg per the 85 07 EPA estimates ) - 2008 Toyota Yaris 3-door hatch might be able to be found for a touch over $11K and may be just the new, relatively low cost, and fuel efficient automobile you are looking for?
Finally, be careful out there as the used car market is not a place for the ill-informed to be playing around in.
Wayne
Thanks for your assistance Bill Lin!
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I just wish I could afford a new car
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