fuel efficient, reliable used cars under $3k

[some_other_dave]

My choice:
Manual-trans Honda Civics from the mid-80s to ~mid-90s. Especially the CRX derivatives. Most especially the CRX HF versions. But even the Si will get up into the 40s relatively easily.

-soD

[Chris D.]

Originally Posted by zman

Get a Toyota Echo with manual transmission, 2 door, no A/C.
That little car will get you in the 40 mpg ralem without mods.

can those be had for $3,000 or less?

Originally Posted by Nevyn

I have opportunity to pick up one, possible two, Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizons on the cheap. Both are autos, though. Is it worth looking into one/the pair of them to try for 40's? I'm not afraid of modding or engine repair.

you'll never see 40's in an automatic omni/horizon,
the auto transmissions rob power like crazy..
also, they have that feedback carburator setups..
its a pain in the arse to deal with when they run bad because parts are scarce..

[cfg83]

Chris -

Originally Posted by Chris D.

can those be had for $3,000 or less?

...

For a ballpark figure, I went to Kelly Blue Book for Minnesota and got these numbers for a 2003 Echo @ 45K miles without A/C private seller :




CarloSW2

.

[Chris D.]

you guys can sweat your balls off for that little bit of extra mpg,
thats one thing I wont skimp on is air conditioning.. lol

I dont want to smell like an air cooled VW owner

I usually just turn it on long enough to chill the interior for a while and turn it off..
we also have a bunch of bugs out here like crazy lol

[Nevyn]

Originally Posted by Chris D.

you'll never see 40's in an automatic omni/horizon,
the auto transmissions rob power like crazy..
also, they have that feedback carburator setups..
its a pain in the arse to deal with when they run bad because parts are scarce..

Originally Posted by IndyIan

The 3 spd autos make 40 mpg pretty hard to get unless you can pulse and glide from like 50mph to 20mph without having other drivers kill you... Also I'm pretty sure those autos didn't lock the converter either.
{snipped}
ps, I forgot some of the omni's used lean burn technology back then, so they may do better than I thought. If yours are lean burners then getting a manual trans might push you into the 50's

Is there an easy way to check on the lean burn? The cars wouldn't be free, but probably 500 bucks for a pair of them. Could always convert one to EV...?

[alohaspirit]

i saw the pontiac sunfire being mentioned


any support on this?

[Bicycle Bob]

I drove old Toyotas for years for less than $200. pa for parts and depreciation. Now I'm into the 3-cyl Suzuki family, with even better reliability.