Good MPG Daily commuter cars?

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:eek: Yeah no smart cars for me, even thou I don't think many cars would hold up to that kind of impact.
If the economy didn't suck I would take the buy out my company is offering as I don't see myself making that haul for more then 3-4 more yrs.

I have about a year to find something so I may end up ordering a Prius, but seems like most are going for over MSRP right now:(
I'll need to do the math to see if its worth it.

I'm keeping my options open and will be doing alot of test drives in the next few months. Depending on what I end up with I will probably drive my GS in the winter months since its good in snow and has heated seats:smile:

This will take me back up to 6 cars on insurance:eek: the insurance company must love me.....
 
My TL has been an awesome commuter car. Mileage around town is only 19-20 but out on the freeway I can knock down 35mpg (5at). Only thing I've done in 63,000 miles is add gasoline and change the fluids. Hard to beat the reliability, 14 second timeslip, looks, and mpg in one package. Yes, Grumpy, it's faster than a hotair :) .

I was thinking of getting an Accord for a commuter and save the mileage on the TL (same car). I think the TL's 11.0:1 3.2L will probably get better mileage than the Accord's 3.5L 10.0:1 but not sure. Going to buy a used commuter this weekend and there's a 90% chance I'm coming home with a Civic or Accord.
 
my 2 cents

I drive an 07 toyota solara, 4 cyl auto, 75 mi one way commute,( yea 150mi round trip)
I avg 32 mpg, freeway and stop & go,
on a trip to Denver ( from LA) avg 37 on the hwy, its comfortable, reasonable priced ( under 18k) has pwr everything, looks good, and is quiet, ins is cheap.
good luck
 
I was thinking of getting an Accord for a commuter and save the mileage on the TL (same car). I think the TL's 11.0:1 3.2L will probably get better mileage than the Accord's 3.5L 10.0:1 but not sure. Going to buy a used commuter this weekend and there's a 90% chance I'm coming home with a Civic or Accord.
Don't forget the TL uses premium gas, the new Accord 3.5 uses regular; more hp and better mileage and regular gas....
 
Don't forget the TL uses premium gas, the new Accord 3.5 uses regular; more hp and better mileage and regular gas....

I meant to mention that in my last post. The extra mpg should cover the extra $1.50 per fillup. The base TL still gets better mileage than the Accord. Type S 3.5 to Accord 3.5, I don't know.
 
ahhhhh.. smart cars :rolleyes: watch out for trucks :eek:


You could have posted the *other* pics of that wreck. The bad thing about the smaller cars coming to market is it seems you are the crumple zone in them.

Don't forget about the nissan sentra and toyota corolla. As stated before, watch out for sludge in toyota engines. Some engines failed with just 16K on them!!!! The 4 bangers aren't nearly as bad as the V6 design. The new toyota designs are actually less efficient than past years. Get a car that you can get parts from at any boneyard, cheaply. I would vote for a nice used sentra or civic. Maybe even a geo prism.
 
You could have posted the *other* pics of that wreck.

Yeah those pics will stick in your head for a while. Took the guy out in two pieces: above the waist and below the waist.

Clearly the guy was on the wrong side of the road, and drunk too according to the story. And it's a VW CrossFox, not a Smartcar (not that it would have made any difference).

The extra MPG in those little things isn't worth the risk, IMO.

Jim
 
Yeah those pics will stick in your head for a while. Took the guy out in two pieces: above the waist and below the waist.

Clearly the guy was on the wrong side of the road, and drunk too according to the story. And it's a VW CrossFox, not a Smartcar (not that it would have made any difference).

The extra MPG in those little things isn't worth the risk, IMO.

Jim

True....Honda Fit under a truck?

The "Smart" car implies that you are stupid for not owning one. Wait two or three years and we'll see who is stupid. The auto manufactures see nothing but money to be made by making practical high mpg cars right now. I saw a smart for two pulling into our local Sam's club. What the crap is it doing a bulk discount store? Can you just strap the box of 78 rolls of toilet paper to the back?

Search youtube for yaris crash... enough said.
 
Actually the Smart car has a strong steel body. There's a video of a test done with it hitting a concrete wall at 70 mph and it survives pretty well. The issue is the strong frame doesn't absorb the impact so the space is saved the you get bounced around it it at a forces that kill you. I think there are better choices for pure gas mileage. If it was used exclusively in a city or short suburban hops then it might be worth it. I saw a Honda Accord at the junkyard a few years ago that was crushed up the firewall. I mentioned it to some friends and it turns out they knew the accident. A guy hit a bridge abutment going at least 70. He hit it head on and the front crushed up flat to the firewall. The engine got pushed out the bottom and the driver survived. He definately was injured but not dead.
 
You can pick up a used Hybrid for $15-$18k that gets about 40 mpg.
 
The 94-97 Accords are great cars for the money, and parts are easy & cheap to find when you need them. If you go with the 2.2 VTEC & 5-speed, expect 28-31 MPG city, and 34-40 MPG highway. Miles do not seem to hurt them either, you can pick a 200k Accord for $1000-$1500 and easily put another 100k on it and get your money back.

Anything with the 3800 engine is a good bet too. Lots of options to choose from.
 
Avoid the Boxster like the plague...the first models with the 2.5 engine was famous for seeping head gaskets and the when the plastic rear window falls apart it is an expensive repair. From what is on your list the RSX would probably be the most fun to drive, the 4 door TSX would also be a good choice, and probably more available. The Subaru Impreza and Legacy (4 cyl) are also good dependable cars.
 
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