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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 937
  
| What all do you drive that gets good gas mileage? Im not looking for brand new, but something with 30-50k miles on it that gets good gas mileage and isn't known to have too many mechanical issues.
What do you love & hate about your cars?
ETA: Im driving a 2006 Chevy Aveo with 125k miles on it now. It has been pretty good about no mechanical problems but runs through tires pretty quickly. Just looking to upgrade to something a tiny bit newer with less miles soon.
Edited by sourkiss378 2014-05-07 1:40 PM
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
 
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | I drive a Hyundai Elantra. Bought it brand new in 2007 and it has over 116,000 miles on it now.
I have not had any major issues with it. It gets anywhere from 35-40 miles to the gallon. |
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | I have a 9 year old Toyota Corolla with 112K miles on it. Runs great, especially now that I finally got it a set of new tires.  It's not a very "sexy" vehicle, but it get me around efficiently. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | I currently have a 2013 Ford Focus but prior had a 2008 Ford Focus. I get right around 35 miles to the gallon for most of my driving. Can drop down to 30 if I am doing a lot of stopping and going or up to 37 or 38 if I am all eway and keep it below 80. Both cars were very good with no mechanical issues (knocking on wood) sold the 2008 with 115k miles and currently have 25K on the 2013. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 667
| SHEW!!! I thought my 2005 Chevy Impala got good gas milage at 28mpg.... It have 163xxx miles on it... looks like I need to pay attention to this thread and see what I should buy next with even better gas milage. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I have a 2013 Ford Fiesta that's pretty bad@ss. It gets 40 mpg, and drives fantastic. I bought it brand new less than two years ago and have 44k miles on it. Not one problem. I just get the oil changed and that's it so far. I paid 21k for it with every option available, and additional money for the Ruby Red paint. They are great economy cars. I drive 100 miles a day for work, then we take it on trips out of state. I'm 6 foot and my husband is 6'4" and we fit comfortably in it. I got the hatchback, which I think looks better. It has leather seats, 5 speed, heated seats, Sync, Sirius, push button start, and the ambiant lightning. I love this car and I'll drive it for a long time.
Edited by Murphy 2014-05-07 1:59 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | I work for a vehicle dealership, so I see all kinds. I had a Jeep Gr Cherokee, LOVED it, but wanted better gas mileage. Wanted a camry or avalon, but bought an 06 Honda Accord. I drove 2 WHOLE weeks on a tank of gas!!!!!!!!!! Don't like driving a car, but wouldn't change back now!!!!!!!!!!! (also can drive a week on $20)
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
| I have a Nissan versa,not fancy but great for work I will prob get a sentra next |
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 Expert
Posts: 1236
Location: NE Oklahoma | I have a 2012 Focus that I am loving! I get avg 32-40 mpg driving every day. I bought it new and it has about 26,000 miles on it now. Haven't had to do anything to it but change the oil. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1392
Location: Central Texas | I'm not (or wasn't) a car person at all, but driving my big Ford truck everyday was killing me so I compromised and got a sporty car that gets good (not great compared to the other little cars that have been mentioned) mpg. I bought a loaded out 2012 Mustang......I love this car. I get 29mpg on the highway if I drive normal. I have saved enough in gas money every month to make the payment on this car. |
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  Semper Fi
Location: North Texas | There is a 2011 VW Jetta Diesel in my driveway w/ approx 98k (bought new) on it that gets 50mpg highway driving and 45 city driving. However, I don't recommend it for long trips (It is smallish and uncomfortable for me personally). I have driven it on 6hr+ roadtrips and do not like it. I don't know if it is this particular vehicle or me. It is my Wife's daily driver and she does not appreciate me changing the seat positions when I drive it! heheehehe
ETA: It a 6sp manual transmission with OD. This booger will fly on the top end!
Edited by foundation horse 2014-05-07 3:37 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 292
Location: Northeast Nebraska | I have been driving Nissan PU's for decades now. Great vehicles. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | The Hyundai Accents are going to get 35+. 40 if you are doing mostly hwy. I like them a little bit better than the newer Elantras because they drive a little tighter. Elantras is kind of loosey goosey. I also like the Toyota Yaris.
I've got my eyes peeled for an 05 Honda Civic. Love the body style, and you can't go wrong with a Honda. |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
| I have a 2007 Chevy impala and love it! On my second one. It gets around 30 and floats down the road. It's a dream to drive and I feel like I have a car around me, not a tin box. My coworker has a diesel Cruz and I think he said it gets 45.
Edited by 3TurnsonSpud 2014-05-07 9:09 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 631
Location: Somewhere in N.C. | we have a 2008 mazda 3. It has 230,000 miles on it and all we have done is oil change, new tires and replace the ac unit. It gets around 30-32 mpg. Will be looking for a replacement next year. Hope to get another 40k miles out of it. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | UTAHCANCHASER - 2014-05-07 12:31 PM
I drive a Hyundai Elantra. Bought it brand new in 2007 and it has over 116,000 miles on it now.
I have not had any major issues with it. It gets anywhere from 35-40 miles to the gallon.
I have to agree Hyundai Elantras are good cars. Actually almost anything Hyundai or Kia (Kia is made by Hyundai) are pretty good cars and they have the best warranty currently. I also like the Ford Focus, but I'm a definite Ford fan. :) |
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 Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | foundation horse - 2014-05-07 3:36 PM
There is a 2011 VW Jetta Diesel in my driveway w/ approx 98k (bought new) on it that gets 50mpg highway driving and 45 city driving. However, I don't recommend it for long trips (It is smallish and uncomfortable for me personally). I have driven it on 6hr+ roadtrips and do not like it. I don't know if it is this particular vehicle or me. It is my Wife's daily driver and she does not appreciate me changing the seat positions when I drive it! heheehehe
ETA: It a 6sp manual transmission with OD. This booger will fly on the top end!
Funny you should say it's uncomfortable because I love my Jetta's seats. Mine's older now (2003) but in the 8 years I have had it I have put about 370,000 km on it (I bought it used with about 40,000 km), so it's up around 400,000 right now and still going. Back then they were smaller then the new ones too! I routinely take it on 8 hour one way trips to see family; and have taken it on a 10,000km road trip around the rockies and ended up in Arizona, and a trip to Texas/Louisiana (from Ontario Canada). It is amazing on gas if you drive a lot of Hwy driving. I love my heated seats and all the perks that came standard... even though they tried to kill me and caught on fire once (the seats... funny story). The trip to Arizona was about 4 years ago now but I think we paid about $300 American in diesel total (including sight seeing and driving around in cities). I drive about 700km a week (give or take) and spend about $30-40 on fuel and that's litres and canadian too with our stupid high prices. I haven't really had major problems with it; besides for small things like rads, struts, etc from hitting pot holes. I do oil changes, timing belts, tires, and breaks when I need too (and sometimes I stretch it)... but that's basically it.
My poor Jetta has been off-roaded, used as a bulldozer, or a tractor (it's nick-name) to pull fence tight or rolls of wire along (can you say redneck!), and beat up regularly by my brothers on top of it :)... I move my round bales into my field by pushing them with the Jetta... so it's put through it's paces. My road for 30km is a bush trail basically until I get to the HWY too.
I am driving my moms Toyota Corolla right now (my old girl is getting some work done, I tend to neglect it at times and stretch work it needs now that it's older)... the Corolla is pretty good on gas but doesn't compare to the Jetta . IMO. But that's diesel vs gas too. The Jetta handles a lot better and is a more comfortable drive as well. I have been told the pre 2006 models (when they changed their body styles to the round ones) are better and have a better engine. They are also heavier too, and it makes a huge difference driving in snow.
I will always be a Jetta girl I think but I do like the new Focus as well. I have several friends that have them and rave about them. I do hear their breaks seize up a lot though.
ETA: I don't recommend using cars as bulldozers or tractors... I'm just weird!
Edited by ndiehl 2014-05-07 11:17 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1229
Location: Royal J Performance Horses, AZ | I hate the **** things but my mother and sis both drive a toyota prius. the best gas mileage either has gotten was 65 MPG. That's pretty darn good, but i just cant sit in them or drive them with out cringing and feeling itchy... 
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| Buy you a HONDA or Toyota and forget all the rest ..... |
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| I have had Toyotas and Hondas both. Equally good mileage the corolla and the civic are the smaller models and will usually get better gas mileage; the accord and camry have a bit more room but mileage might be a few mpg less. To me, the Honda was a bit more comfortable to ride longer distances. I never had a lick of trouble with any of them--all well over 150K miles. |
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Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-05-08 1:22 AM Buy you a HONDA or Toyota and forget all the rest .....
Dumb. |
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| farmer's tan - 2014-05-08 3:05 AM
I have had Toyotas and Hondas both. Equally good mileage the corolla and the civic are the smaller models and will usually get better gas mileage; the accord and camry have a bit more room but mileage might be a few mpg less. To me, the Honda was a bit more comfortable to ride longer distances. I never had a lick of trouble with any of them--all well over 150K miles.
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5 out of 10 best used cars are Honda's or Toyota's ....
Except when you talk to a redneck Ford owner ... lol
Full List
1.2007 Honda Civic
2.2011 Hyundai Accent
3.2005 Honda Accord
4.2005 Toyota Camry
5.2007 Mazda3
6.2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
7.2005 Honda Pilot
8.2004 Toyota Prius
9.2007 Ford Escape
10.2005 Volvo S60
I have two Ram 3500's, 6 speeds with cummins diesels and a 1991 classic Corvette with 350 cu/in gas engine and all of them get 22-25mpg ... I am happy with what I have!!!
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2014-05-08 7:53 AM
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Murphy - 2014-05-08 6:59 AM BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-05-08 1:22 AM Buy you a HONDA or Toyota and forget all the rest ..... Dumb.
Why is it dumb?
We bought a 07 Toyota new in 07 and more of it was made in the US than the Chevys or Fords we looked at. Both Hondas and Toyotas get good gas mileage. |
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Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | Nateracer - 2014-05-08 8:53 AM Murphy - 2014-05-08 6:59 AM BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-05-08 1:22 AM Buy you a HONDA or Toyota and forget all the rest ..... Dumb.
We bought a 07 Toyota new in 07 and more of it was made in the US than the Chevys or Fords we looked at. Both Hondas and Toyotas get good gas mileage.
I don't mean that Honda and Toyota is dumb. I meant "dumb" in saying "forget all the rest". That's just an ignorant statement. I guess my "redneck" self will keep driving my Escape with 307k miles on it, along with the other two Fords in my driveway with over 200k miles. There is still such a stigma in America that foreign cars are more reliable and get better mileage... that just isn't true anymore. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I have had a variety, so I'll go through the last three. All were great cars
I had a Honda Civic, it was a 2006. Bought it new and it got around 35 mpg. Keep in mind I do a lot of highway but also sit in Chicago traffic a LOT. Reliable but not the most comfortable car in the world.
Traded it for a 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster S. LOVED that car. Had it about a year before hubby had a wreck and it was totalled. It got 33 mpg, but took premium gas. Reliable when I had it, but parts were redic expensive if I would have ever had to fix it. Drove great. Small but comfortable. Loved the convertible.... but it's dead now. Sigh.
Now I have a 2014 Honda Accord. It is a very nice car. Reliable, no issues as of yet. I have only had it about a year. I get 29-31 mpg on average, most of that in Chicago traffic. Has all the bells and whistles and is really a comfortable car. Lots of trunk space, and QUICK, (if you turn off all the eco mpg promoting stuff). I have the coupe, so it looks pretty slick. I still miss the Mini, but it's nice having room for the dogs. I would have gotten another Civic, but I spend a lot of time in the car and wanted something a bit roomier this time around.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 937
| Thanks everyone for the replies!
Have any of you had experience with a Toyota Yaris or the Chevy Sonic? |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | sourkiss378 - 2014-05-08 8:26 AM Thanks everyone for the replies!
Have any of you had experience with a Toyota Yaris or the Chevy Sonic?
The sonic is ugly in person LOL. My friend has a newer aveo. Cute little car, but NOTHING but issues.
Not sure about the yaris, but toyota's are normally reliable. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | Go drive the subaru's, not sure what the smaller coupes make for mileage but my outback is a fantastic car that makes 24 back and forth to work where I have never made over 21 and I've had an impala, bonneville, and an explorer. It's all wheel drive and has one of the best safety ratings, my insurance actually went down, when I bought it. Plus everyone I've talked to that has had one says they last forever, since mine is a 2014 my kids will be driving it to college when I'm tired of it! |
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Member
Posts: 29
| I have an '06 Civic coupe and I LOVE it... I've done regular maintenance to it, and thats about it in 85,000 miles and I get almost 40 mpg. |
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 On the Countdown
Posts: 2934
Location: Texas | sourkiss378 - 2014-05-08 8:26 AM Thanks everyone for the replies!
Have any of you had experience with a Toyota Yaris or the Chevy Sonic?
I would go Corolla over a Yaris. Yaris is just so small. I have a Corolla almost a year old 20k miles on it, we also have one 10 years old 200k+ miles on it. Corollas hold their value. If I could go back I would have looked at the Scion XB or something to get a little bigger but I like my little car. Toyotas only at my house if it is a car. |
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Prius:)
I know I am a bit of a joke with my Dodge Diesel and my little Hybrid but I dont care. It gets 55mpg and it doesnt feel cramped- I am not a small person. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | sourkiss378 - 2014-05-08 7:26 AM Thanks everyone for the replies!
Have any of you had experience with a Toyota Yaris or the Chevy Sonic? Sonic is just a Chevy Aveo with a new name, IMO. They are the same size as the Aveo, but I don't know all of the specs on them. Yaris's are supposed to get good gas mileage, but they are pretty tiny. We looked at one once and passed, but something like that might work for you.
Ford Fiesta appears to be a pretty good little car as well, but it is more the size of an Aveo as well. Priuses get good gas mileage, but you pay a lot for it and if it ever breaks you can have a pretty spendy fix. My recommendation is if you can find a GOOD Chevrolet Cavalier with low miles and preferably a 5-speed, it will run FOREVER if you keep up maintenance. They are generally pretty inexpensive and really inexpensive to repair. My dad has one with 299,000 miles on it, and we just drove it 240 miles yesterday on a half a tank of gas (15 gallon tank). We never had to do anything to the motor except oil changes until about 296,000. If you could find one, they will run a long ways and will get excellent gas mileage.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2014-05-08 9:52 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 3004
Location: nearby | BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-05-08 12:22 AM
Buy you a HONDA or Toyota and forget all the rest .....
I agree about buying a Honda. I had an Accord that was 18 years old with 250,000 miles on it and still got 35+ mpg. I bought a new Honda Civic and get 35+ with it. I really like Honda's. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | Buy cars with American names on them and help our country out. Can't for the life of me figure out why GM quit building Pontiacs but I have a 2006 Pontiac G6........looks sporty, gets great mileage.
Don't care where your Honda and Toyotas were built, the profits go to Japan.
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Murphy - 2014-05-08 8:01 AM
Nateracer - 2014-05-08 8:53 AM Murphy - 2014-05-08 6:59 AM BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-05-08 1:22 AM Buy you a HONDA or Toyota and forget all the rest ..... Dumb.
We bought a 07 Toyota new in 07 and more of it was made in the US than the Chevys or Fords we looked at. Both Hondas and Toyotas get good gas mileage.
I owned a Toyota for a day one time. I just don't like the feel of the foreign cars. The size/feel of the steering wheel, the controls, the ride. Not for me. They tend to be more difficult to work on as well if you have large hands. Just an oil change is an ordeal. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I bought an 09 Chevy HHR used. It had 38K miles on it and now it has 96K. I average 30mpg and haven't had any real issues with it. |
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 Certified Snake Wrangler
Posts: 1672
Location: North MS | 2002 Volkswagon Passat- Has nearly 200,000 miles and had to have a fuel pump and alternator but it doesn't look like the previous owners did much maintenance and the fuel filter was pretty clogged. Interior hasn't held up well (sagging arm cloth covering) but gets 30/35 mpg. Husband loves he can put around $20-30 in it per week and drive 45 minutes one way to work and back all week long.
We plan on upgrading to a diesel volkswagon of some sorts in the future. Pass this car on to the 16 yr old..... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | My economy car is a 2005 Jeep Liberty with the diesel in it. I get about 42 miles to the gallon in it. I love the mileage, hate filling it up. LOL!! There is just some maintenance issues that need taken care at certain mileage ranges. I just replaced the timing belt because it's at 100,000 and it's a common issue if it's not changed at that mileage range. But it's a diesel, so of course they need a little extra routine maintenance. But overall I love it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | Fancie_That_Chrome_ - 2014-05-07 11:09 PM I hate the **** things but my mother and sis both drive a toyota prius. the best gas mileage either has gotten was 65 MPG. That's pretty darn good, but i just cant sit in them or drive them with out cringing and feeling itchy...
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | Nateracer - 2014-05-08 7:53 AM
Murphy - 2014-05-08 6:59 AM BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-05-08 1:22 AM Buy you a HONDA or Toyota and forget all the rest ..... Dumb.
We bought a 07 Toyota new in 07 and more of it was made in the US than the Chevys or Fords we looked at. Both Hondas and Toyotas get good gas mileage.
Here's an interesting article that was published this year about which brands are mostly american made despite what thier manufacturer title is.
http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/10-most-american-made-vehicles-f... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 386
| Bought a new Toyota Corrolla in 2005. 5-speed. gets 38-40 MPG It has 220,00 miles on it and still going strong. Other than regular maintenance, did have to replace a wheel bearing a month ago. Cheap repair. It is not my dream car, but I enjoy driving it and saves me a lot of money. Definitely will buy another one if this one ever quits, but hoping i'll get a million miles on it. My husband rebuilds engines and works on old trucks all the time and he has been impressed on how good this car has been. |
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Member
Posts: 37
| So I have been looking at a smaller car also. Its been hard I am a die hard ford diesel fan will not ever get rid of my 7.3. But that being said I need something to help save the miles on my truck. been looking at both Pontiac vibes and the kia souls. Anybody have some feed back on either of these cars. Also a toyota matrix |
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Economy Cars