Recomend a super reliable car that get super mileage

[scottmandue]

Not shopping right now but just for giggles.

For a DD I like a super reliable appliance car (thus why I'm on my forth Hyundai).

When we do get around to buying another car we want super mileage because doesn't look like gas is getting any cheaper.

Wife likes the Prius and we very well may go that way.

I kinda like the Chevy Volt just because it looks nicer.

I'm wondering if any of you have a econo box you really like?

30 MPG minimum, 40 or higher preferred.

Thanks in advance.

[id10t]

Just got a 2013 Nissan Versa last week, has 22k on it, the onboard computer shows it has averaged 38.7 mpg for that whole 22k miles... EPA says 31 city and 40 highway. By contrast, the wife's Mazda CX9 says 19 city and 24 highway per EPA, and the computer shows she's averaged at 18.7 over its lifetime of 26k miles.

Most cars have the computer on board now that displays things like current MPG and average over lifetime MPG, use the EPA ratings as an idea but remember that they are driven under ideal conditions... find a used model of what you want, and check its computer, see what its lifetime average has been for a better idea of true mileage for that model....

[cantdrv55]

Prius

My son gets 47 mpg on his 2010 Prius IV. Has 80k miles on the ODO. Has never needed any unscheduled service. Convinced us to buy my wife a new one. Wife now has a 2014 Prius V wagon which gets 44 mpg. Wonderful, flawless tech packages on both: Nav, Bluetooth, backup camera, great stereo. Used cars maintain very high values.

[nynor]

my 83 944 got over 30 MPG on the freeway.

[Noah930]

I think it's going to be tough to beat a Prius.

But I'd expect any late-model Japanese or Korean 4-banger subcompact (hybrid or not) is going to fit your criteria reasonably well.

[Hugh R]

Camry Hybrid, they use them as taxis in NYC. I get 35 mpg in Los Angeles traffic, dead reliable.

[afterburn 549]

I do not understand why so called modern cars do not get better fuel mileage.
I do know there is no mystery in a gallon of gas.
A BTU goes so far.
How ever i had a 1969 mustang,302 2 barrel, headers and other minor crap when i was a young man.
A good friend of mine did not believe me when i said i "could" get over 25 MPG with it.
So for fun we set up a test, ran it out of gas, added one gallon and it went 29 miles at a decent rate of speed. about 55 MPH
We went from Bellinham wa (I 5 Samish way Dennys to the Blaine Dennys, had coffee and on way back it sputtered and died.
(we did have more gas along in an other can) LOL
I made a believer out of him!
So to me, fuel injection, computer this and that should do a LOT better.
they dont

[Tilikum Turbo]

I think a Prius is about half the cost of a Chevy Volt. Seems like a great value for the buck.

[porsche4life]

A corolla with a 5 speed gets in the mid 30s. You can pick them up new for around 15 certain times of the year. Hard to beat that.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

So to me, fuel injection, computer this and that should do a LOT better.
they dont

Excellent point... I believe some of the early (and very small) Civic's got around 40 MPG.

Hyundai seems to be stuck on 30 MPG for the last decade.

Yes, I think the Prius is hard to beat... there are some haters out there but almost everyone who owns one loves them... if you buy a used one from a dealer they will extend the warranty to you.

[afterburn 549]

Yes the early 80s cars got grate millage !

[vonsmog]

Get a diesel, you will never beat the mileage, even with a hybrid. Even the old ones get great mileage, my son drives a 85' Mercedes 300D with turbo and a 5 speed. He has been getting 35+ mpg and this is with a heavy foot and car! Rides like a cloud and has some style.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

Get a diesel, you will never beat the mileage, even with a hybrid. Even the old ones get great mileage, my son drives a 85' Mercedes 300D with turbo and a 5 speed. He has been getting 35+ mpg and this is with a heavy foot and car! Rides like a cloud and has some style.

I looked into that... Hybrids get 40+ MPG... and I presume a 30+ year old car will need constant TLC... we need something that is zero maintenance.

I also looked at the newer (can't afford new) VW diesel but got scared away.

[Nostril Cheese]

Yaris.

[95avblm3]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Excellent point... I believe some of the early (and very small) Civic's got around 40 MPG.

Hyundai seems to be stuck on 30 MPG for the last decade.

Yes, I think the Prius is hard to beat... there are some haters out there but almost everyone who owns one loves them... if you buy a used one from a dealer they will extend the warranty to you.

Civic CRX HF

My wife has a 2013 Elantra GT, so I asked what she gets... 33.5 average in city only driving. I think it pushes 38-40 on the highway. I think you're on to something being on your 4th Hyundai. We are on our second (I have one too) and are very happy.

To each there own, but the Prius just doesn't have any appeal to me. Some of the new small displacement diesels look really interesting, just not sure how many are/will be sold here stateside. Anyone know what the premium is on a Chevy Cruze diesel? Are they less than a V-dub? Anyone else bringing a small diesel stateside like Hyundai or Mazda?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by 95avblm3

Civic CRX HF

My wife has a 2013 Elantra GT, so I asked what she gets... 33.5 average in city only driving. I think it pushes 38-40 on the highway. I think you're on to something being on your 4th Hyundai. We are on our second (I have one too) and are very happy.

And then there is:

Electric motor tweaks allow Hyundai Sonata Hybrid to go further as EV | In-Car Tech

Did someone say three cylinder?

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Subcompact | Mitsubishi Motors

[onewhippedpuppy]

I think it's going to be tough to beat a Prius.



But I'd expect any late-model Japanese or Korean 4-banger subcompact (hybrid or not) is going to fit your criteria reasonably well.

Yup. Most any compact and some mid size will get 30+ city and 40+ highway. Civic, Mazda3, Mazda6, Camry, Accord, Focus, Fiesta, Fusion, etc. Most of the compacts can be had under $20k.

[FLYGEEZER]

Buy something SAFE.......nothing else matters!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by FLYGEEZER

Buy something SAFE.......nothing else matters!

I, sir drive a Miata... a laugh at death and dine on danger!

I commute 200 miles a week, so MPG does matter!

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I also looked at the newer (can't afford new) VW diesel but got scared away.

FWIW, (formerly) mine is a great car. I'd buy another if I needed it.