Car picks againFollow

My car is getting old. My transport needs are minimal. Basically I just need something to get me to work and back. I prefer a manual transmission.

I'm looking at the Honda Fit, the Toyota Yaris, Ford Focus, Mazda 3 and the Nissan Versa. My husband has a Ford Focus. He's consistently getting better gas mileage than what the car was stickered at (his usual range is 35-40mpg). I currently have a Mazda Protege, the precursor of the Mazda 3, I love the way the Mazda handles, but it's the biggest gas hog on my list. Kia also has a couple economy cars, however, I'm still not terribly comfortable with the brand.

Anyone have any of these cars in a 2009 version? Any other suggestions?

Toyota

The Fit is a fun, peppy little car that boasts a pretty good gas mileage. Honda reliability is always a plus. Either that or the Yaris. The Mazda 3 is also a good choice, but don't know if you want another Mazda.

I like the Flex and the Mazda 3, fit is ugly!

I'd say get a Ford Focus. I have an 03' and I think it's a great car. 85K miles and no problems (well not counting the two alternators I shit because I kept tinkering with my electrical system lol).



They come in manual, fucking roomy for a compact, lots of options, and that Microsoft Syncâ„¢ is damn convenient, I wish my Mustang had it. And are much cheaper than the Civic, Corolla, and Prius with better options IMO.









-NW

Find a 92-95 Honda civic and replaced the battery, timing belt, all fluids and all filters then weld the hood shut. Proceed to put gas in it for the next 10 years.

On a more serious note try to get a first gen Honda Fit...if for no other reason than the fact that the driver's seat folds into the back seat to make a 'napping' position.

My parents are looking at the Ford Focus. However, if you are looking for good gas mileage, go for a diesel, they generally have 10-20 more MPG.

My third child is a 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT LTD. We got hit in a front offset collision with the FIRST one I owned by an old metal box Chevy Astrovan going 50+ MPH and it saved our lives. No "intrusion" of parts of the car into the passenger cabin AT ALL. I cried while towed it off and I'm really not that sentimental. After test driving 13 other cars I'm back in a Subaru and happy as hell. Now the downside is that I usually get around 19 mpg with the AC on but the handling is so frigging smooth and beautiful it makes me hot. And the saftey is unparalleled. It's totally stock right now but I'm chipping it one day. Because then it will kick even more ***. The car audio guys I talk to are annoyed they don't get to put a radio in it because the interior is just too pretty to mess up. I paid 15k last fall for it but I drove off with 3k equity.

I gotta go. I have a party to go to that I dread, but at least I get to drive there and I'm kinda jonesing for the fix. I'd have an Impreza but I have kids.

Zoom, zoom, zoom. Mazda wins in the fun category (for these econo-cars).

I like my

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://carsmedia.ign.com/cars/image/article/587/587620/altima-se-r-20050214004433487.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cars.ign.com/articles/587/587620p2.html&usg=__F9eN-c8YXyUEpLWwpjbgHhiJTwg=&h=245&w=460&sz=21&hl=en&start=24&um=1&tbnid=RrCwK81gAXs7gM:&tbnh=68&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3D2005%2Baltima%2Bse-r%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20%26um%3D1

It is taxed heavily. In fact, non-taxed like oils (heating fuels and such) are dyed red to insure that they don't get into the tanks of the trucks. Not sure if that's what makes it more expensive though. Diesel exhaust is also very dirty stuff.

Yeah. I was wondering that too. It's a ULEV (ultra low emissions vehicle), and gets about 40mph without being a hybrid (shocking. I know...).

I've never driven one, and I'm not to thrilled with the look of the car from the outside, but from people I know who have them, they're pretty nice little cars. Lots of neato gizmos and features, good acceleration, great gas mileage. Never heard complaints about steering or anything.

Honestly no, I'm not sure. I've questioned it too. The on-board computer calculates it. I'm gonna push him to measure it himself. I've seen the display. It calculates an average every so often, so you're not getting up-to-the-minute info, but it usually hangs around 37mpg.