Best MPG car with Auto Transmission?

[LeanBurn]

The models shouldn't really matter as most of them carry the same base engine. 1.6 or 1.8L Corolla, 1.5 or 1.8L Civic, whatever you get in your price range.

Just don't get Corolla XRS or Civic Si as those are the hopped up power models.

[FXSTi]

11 posts and no one has suggested a dinged up Prius? My buddy just picked up a clean 2007 with 106K miles for $9500. One which has a few more miles and years should be doable for around $5000 if you look hard enough.

[LeanBurn]

The OP said no hybrids..otherwise yeah that is an option.

[Daox]

Yeah that was my first thought too. A 1st gen Prius can go for $5k or less and would match or beat everything else mentioned mpg wise on the highway and completely dominate in the city.

Why no hybrids?

[Ecky]

I didn't even consider it an option because I've not seen one go up for sale within 200 miles of me for the past year- and I check craigslist pretty regularly.

@ OP, yeah, do avoid the Honda CVTs.

[gonefm]

Originally Posted by Daox

Yeah that was my first thought too. A 1st gen Prius can go for $5k or less and would match or beat everything else mentioned mpg wise on the highway and completely dominate in the city.

Why no hybrids?

I was told to stay away from hybrids because their technology can be very expensive to replace. Like if something goes wrong with the hybrid battery i heard thats like 2k right there.

[SentraSE-R]

If the size of the car isn't important, add Toyota Tercels and Echos to your list. Civics didn't go to timing chains until recently, so you've got timing belt replacement costs with them, too. Toyotas and Nissans have used timing chains for decades. I'd add Nissan Sentras to your list, too. Tercels and Echos use the fuel-sipping 1.5 liter 1NZ-FE engine. Corollas mostly use bigger, thirstier 1.8s.

You can get 2005/6 Hyundai Elantras for $5k, compared to 2000 Civics and Corollas. They've got timing belts, but they're still sleepers with enviable reliability.

[Ryland]

Part of the reason for the high cost of a VW timing belt is the special tools that are needed to set the timing, I've done the timing belt on both a VW diesel and a Honda Civic and I a Civic is much easier, their belts also last 100,000 miles or more while the VW belt is suggested to be replaced every 60,000 miles, I also only know of one mechanic in my town that will work on VW's, the rest of them will not touch then engines on them.

Power Search is also a great tool on the www.fueleconomy web site, you pick what you want in a car, leave the spaces that you don't care about blank and it will give you a list of vehicles, cut back to stuff that is a bit older to see what is in your price range.

[johnunit]

I have a $4500 2001 Prius that I am happy with. Driving with minimal thought to economy on medium-length trips, in a big city, with an average of 300lbs of passengers (myself not included) I average 45mpg. On long trips and with more careful city driving 55+mpg is doable.

[gonefm]

well im mostly doin like 70% highway and 25% city so thats another reason why a think a hybrid will be a waste