Girlfriend wants SUV ( it " looks nice " )

[Cd]

Originally Posted by vskid3

The Ford Focus ST is a pretty good looking little car. Of course, it is tuned more for performance, but it should easily get 30MPG highway. Even has that crease you were talking about to make the fender flares look more flare-y.

Yes, there is that crease that I was referring to.
Thanks for posting the image. I'm on my phone right now and it is cumbersome to post images with it .

[cfg83]

Cd -

Go look at the new macho-Mini. I don't know if it gets good MPG.

CarloSW2

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Cd

So can you guys think of a ' macho ' looking small car ?
Name them here !
I think what is unfortunate is that to look muscular, cars seem to need large wheels and wheel flares.
I have taken notice of what some car makers are doing to create the illusion of a wheel flare without the added frontal area.
A cut line is added above the wheel arch and it creates the illusion of a protruding arch.
It's all a trick of light and shadow. Very clever.

Everyone's idea of "Macho" or good looking is different. Do you know of any other cars she likes? What sort of MPG can you compromise on?

There's always the Mustang or Camaro. Performance pedigree with economy versions that aren't too bad on mileage.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Sporty, RWD, fairly aggressive styling for a Hyundai, 2.0T version rated at 21/30mpg.

Maybe a small pickup (Ranger or Colorado/Canyon?) or mini FWD SUV (RAV4, Vue, CRV)

If she just likes getting noticed, maybe you can can buy something economical and modify it to stand out. Bigger wheels/tires may hurt efficiency a little, but still far better off than with an SUV.

It's hard to narrow it down too much without knowing her tastes.

[cleanspeed1]

I'm gonna plus 2 myself; 2011-12 Mustang V6 / manual trans.

[Fat Charlie]

Dodge Avenger. With the 2.4 and a 4 speed it's 21/30. With a 6 speed it's 20/31. Full disclosure: I work at a Dodge dealer. But I'm not endorsing this car in any way except that it's a mid sized car that gets +10 MPG over the FJ on the highway and "looks masculine" with all those fender flares and whatnot.

My wife drives a yellow Xterra because it was the first thing she felt safe in. Do anything you can to avoid the FJ.

[Kodak]

My mom likes her Impala. It's a supercharged V6 auto, and she's managing low/mid 20's (I think 23 and change was her last fill) around town. Not sure about highway, since it doesn't get out often. It's a pretty nice looking car too.

Looks like you have some thinking to do, Cd.

But no matter what she gets - does she have the driving technique to beat the EPA?

[Cd]

Actually guys, to my surprise, she said she likes the Matrix and the Pontiac version of the vehicle as well.

That's a win ! :-)

[gone-ot]

...well, since GM killed the Pontiac-version (Vibe) and Toyota is rumored to be discontinuing the the Matrix in North America, you/she had better make-up your mind(s) and get something soon...or, start looking for something else.

[cfg83]

Cd -

Originally Posted by Cd

Actually guys, to my surprise, she said she likes the Matrix and the Pontiac version of the vehicle as well.

That's a win ! :-)

Yeah, I look at the Vibe as a "proto-crossover" that looks like an SUV without the (AWD + high COG) but with the practical interior cargo-carrying volume.

CarloSW2

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...well, since GM killed the Pontiac-version (Vibe) and Toyota is rumored to be discontinuing the the Matrix in North America, you/she had better make-up your mind(s) and get something soon...or, start looking for something else.

...or let someone else pay all that depreciation and get a used one.