Econo box car shopping

[ADent]

Toyota? They are terrible used cars - they hold their value too much. This guy likes Pontiacs and Saturns.

Chrysler has done old, discontinued cars. How much does an Avenger or Dart run?

OK that is too far.

Used Fords have to steer clear of the DCTs in the Focus (in general, though a guy at work loved his). Fusions should be OK. Cmax is Ford's take on a Prius.

So that leaves GM - how about an early Cruise or Buick Verano? Cobalt was the Cruise predecessor.

I am true glutton for punishment because I drive 15+ year old European cars. But I wrench on them and have a short drive, and always have a spare.

[jdc]

I think if you up your budget from 3000 to 5000, a lot more to choose from.

that said, with those kind of miles, and the average 120 deaths a day in the US from car crashes... I might want something a bit or bigger with better safety ratings.

For a Mazda 3, you need to go 2012 or newer, with the skyactiv engine, to get the 40 mpg ratings.

[mattkime]

Speedy wrote:
[quote=mattkime]
I'd be tempted to look at a used chevy volt or similar. You won't find it at $3k but you might come out ahead after calculating gas cost.

But only if you can recharge at work. And even if you can recharge at work, in the winter you'll still burn a gallon of gas a day.
The volt has a gas engine too. About half your trip would be electric. The rest about 40mpg.

[Mr645]

With you SUV getting 22 mpg, I don't think our going to find it economical to get another car. My brother bought a Mazda 3, getting 32 mpg vs driving a V8 SUV getting 14 mpg. Gas was $4 gal and going from 14 mph to 32+ was worth it.

[OWC Jamie]

Mr645 wrote:
With you SUV getting 22 mpg, I don't think our going to find it economical to get another car. My brother bought a Mazda 3, getting 32 mpg vs driving a V8 SUV getting 14 mpg. Gas was $4 gal and going from 14 mph to 32+ was worth it.

It's not just economics, his wife's Vibe is 16 years old and being replaced with a commuter car for himself.
I like the Civic but hey, even a Chevy Sonic is a half way decent compact and should be a decent deal used.

[mrbigstuff]

Honda Insight? Kind of rare, though.

[vicrock]

I'm going to throw in another factor - living in Wisconsin, with winter weather, I'd also want something that would be good in the snow - please factor winter driving conditions into the mix.

[Mr645]

mrbigstuff wrote:
Honda Insight? Kind of rare, though.

The Insight never made it because the Civic Hybrid was cheaper, faster and only 1 or 2 MPG less than the Insight.

[testcase]

On a bad day, a Prius will still get better than 40MPG. Drive carefully and, that Prius will give you better than 50MPG. 500+ miles on the 11.5 fuel tank is commonplace. In March, I traded in my 2012 Prius C for a 2018 Prius Four Touring. That's the FIRST time I've ever purchased not only the same brand but also the same model. On the old Prius, over six years, it only needed oil/filter changes, tire rotations and wiper blades; NO other service. VERY economical and reliable car. There should be lots of used Prius' available if you don't want to pony up for a new one. :oldfogey:

[Filliam H. Muffman]

It isn't old enough to be in the used market yet, but the Kia Niro isn't terrible and gives the Prius good competition if you get a PHEV. New model, so it has decent crash results.

FuelEconomy.gov estimates $4600 savings over "average" new car.