best gas miser for under $10k?

[cfg83]

GoodOak -

I think any compact wagon would fit the bill. The Vibe/Matrix has great "fold down rear seats" cargo ergonomics.

For compact mini-wagons, my minimum cargo capacity is 50 cubic feet. For family sized wagons, my minimum is 70 cubic feet. The Chevy Malibu Maxx is a family sized wagon, but is classified as "hatchback" on Autotrader.

CarloSW2

[Angmaar]

You may be able to find a TDI Golf 4 Door or Jetta Wagon for under $10K. The diesel engines last for ever.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by Angmaar

You may be able to find a TDI Golf 4 Door or Jetta Wagon for under $10K. The diesel engines last for ever.

As long as you change the timing belt every 80,000 miles and install it correctly so it doesn't destroy the injector pump, there is a reason why used VW TDI engines cost as much as they do and why you can hardly give away other car engines.

[War_Wagon]

Lots of good suggestions so far, I like the Fit, the Matrix/Vibe, and the Focus wagon. The Focus would be the cheapest of the three, get a 5 speed and enjoy the fact that being a domestic the Focus has already taken the biggest hit in depreciation, so you don't have to spend all of your $10k to get a nice one.

[Bill in Houston]

Fit. It also actually pleasant to drive, compared to some others that have been nominated.

[Hip001]

Originally Posted by Angmaar

You may be able to find a TDI Golf 4 Door or Jetta Wagon for under $10K. The diesel engines last for ever.

x2 on the VW TDI. You can get a little larger car and still be in the upper 40's pretty easy! Best bang for the buck if you dont get a TDI IMHO is a 92-96 Toyota Camry LE. Cheap, easy to maintain, 30+mpg, fits 4 adults if needed, a huge trunk, and you still have something comfortable with long life!

[Clev]

Originally Posted by Ryland

A Toyota Yaris hatchback seems like it would fit your needs almost perfectly if you added a trailer hitch, altho get one with the 5 speed because the automatic is pretty much the only thing people have had issues with and it kills your mileage, but the Yaris is nice because when you fold down the rear seat it's hard plastic back there instead of carpet and it folds down pretty flat, there are a few of the hatch backs that are 4 door vehicles as well, but they seem a bit rare.

I got 42 mpg hypermiling an automatic Yaris, so the stick should get what you're looking for. One note though: I'm not particularly long-legged and I couldn't get the driver's seat back far enough for a 100% comfortable driving position, and with the seat back all the way, only kids could sit in the back.

[Nevyn]

Thanks everyone for this thread - I *JUST* had a friend ask about cars, and their budget is 8-10k!

[GoodOak]

Thanks for all the input guys. After a lot of reserach I think I have got my heart set on the Jetta Wagon diesel. Mid-sized cargo capacity with better than sub-compact fuel economy! I just wish I could find a used one!

From what I can find on AutoTrader (and CarSoup), not a single one available within a 100 mile radius of here. Does anyone know of other good sources for reseaching used cars? I might have to pony up for a new one :-/

[justjohn]

You can always go for 2k mile radius. Then cross check and see if there are any cheap plane tickets to where the decent cars are.

Also, auto trader is lame. Search tempest is where it's at.