Quote:
[i]
Your list is way to short. From the sound of things, any hatchback/wagon will suit your purposes pretty well. Here's a few: Audi A3, Lexus IS hatchback, Subaru Impreza/WRX wagon/Legacy wagon/Forester, A4 or A6 Avant, Passat wagon, used BMW E46 or E39 wagon. That's just a few, and all way more fun than a Prius. [/B]
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I actually looked at an IS hatch quite some time ago and it was a nice car. According to the website the IS is rated at 18mpg city and 22mpg highway, it's just way too inefficient.
The Subaru is unfortunately not very efficient either. The non-turbo Forester has a combined rating of 22mpg and the turbo is rated at 20mpg. I guess that's aerodynamics and awd for you. The AWD isn't necessary in Socal anyway.
The BMW 325i Sport Wagon is rated at 20mpg as well.
We looked at an A4 wagon quite some time ago. It was an '00 or '01 model and my wife seemed to like it. The problem again is that you can only get a wagon with quattro and it's rated mpg is in the low 20s as well.
I'm not too concerned about fun really. I mean seriously would I be looking at a Prius or a Matrix if I was looking for fun? I don't even like driving my wife's truck! The Jeep is basically my car to park at the airport and the Porsche is my fun car. We just need something that she can fit her equipment in, something safe, something that doesn't feel like a turd, something that get's good gas mileage, and something that I can fit in.
My cousin has an Escapalade (my brother's name for it) Hybrid and they really enjoy it. For some reason they don't drive it much, they prefer to drive their BMW E46 everywhere. Maybe the hybrid is just as a conversation piece of sorts. The Escapalade FWD is listed as getting 30mpg combined and has a $2600 tax incentive. Not bad overall. I'll have to ask my cousing how they like theirs. Doesn't the idea of a hybrid SUV seem a little silly?
edit: Holy crap! An Escapalade hybrid is pushing $30K!