Good, Cheap Base Cars?

[SentraSE-R]

There's a mini-controversy on this side of the pond regarding the scientific validity of studies on diesel particulates. This article notes a key researcher's credentials were falsified, and members of the California Air Resources Board served inappropriately long terms.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

There's a mini-controversy on this side of the pond regarding the scientific validity of studies on diesel particulates. This article notes a key researcher's credentials were falsified, and members of the California Air Resources Board served inappropriately long terms.

Tax should be based on how much fuel/emissions you make the two are directly linked, I always figured a 100mpg diesel car should be exempt from emissions standards.

[busypaws]

Back to first car: fuel economy/aero cheap question: For used cars look for a manufactorer that has rising quality standings. I.E. everyone thinks honda/toyota are the best thus the used car price is highest. Hyudia/Kia five years ago were considered cheap thus used cars are less expensive. However I believe a 2-3 year olkd Hyudia/Kia have just as good quality as 2-3 year old Toyota/Honda. So for the best car/price in the 2-3 year old used market go for Hyundia/Kia. Pick the size/style you need, smallest in US is Accent, then Elantra, then Sonnata (if I remembered correctly). Choice in engine size go for smallest. Choice of Gas or Desiel go for the one that has the lowest pennies per mile.
The key is to finding the difference between the general populations assumptions of quality and the real quality. I think Hyundia/Kia have better quality then percieved by the general population.

[SentraSE-R]

^^^ Good advice. I've been aware of Hyundai quality since I bought my wife's 1994 Elantra and gave it to my son in 2004. Consumer Reports has been aware of Hyundai Elantra quality since 2000.

I think Kia still has a way to go, as used ones aren't holding up as well as Hyundais. That said, I rented a Kia Rio a year ago and averaged 43.7 mpg with it for 3600 trouble-free miles in the Rockies and Plains states. If I throw out two outlier tanks crossing SD with 45 mph crosswinds, I averaged >45 mpg, and I was >49 mpg on my last two tanks with the Rio. Not bad at all for an automatic transmission car. I've also test driven the Kia Optima and Kia Soul, and have favorable impressions of both.

[justjohn]

From my research both Kia and Hyundai should be excellent choices from about 2002 on.