Need advice for next car

[Chuck Biscuits]

Hi,
I am the proud owner of an ‘86 CRX HF AND a ‘94 Civic VX. I love both rides, but want to upgrade, for a couple of reasons. Here in the PNW, my carbureted HF sometimes ices up, leaving me stranded until the carb thaws out. It is a one-owner car (prior to my ownership) with about 185k on it. My VX is also a one-owner car, however, I just recovered it after it was stolen 5 months ago. Interior stripped, 2 stock wheels gone, unknown damage/abuse. Started right up in the mini storage unit where it was found. Had it towed to the house, but haven’t delved into it yet.

So, in the summer, the HF gets 48+mpg with NO hypermiling techniques. That is fantastic, however, once the winter gas and the cold temps arrive, 38mpg is more the norm. Plus the uncertainty of carb ice.

I bought the VX to replace the HF, but never really got the mpg numbers I was hoping for. Need to pull the intake, clean the PCV ports and all that jazz. Just never got around to it. I was renting a garage across the alley. The new tenant wanted it, so I was out. 2 weeks later, the VX was but a memory. Until last weekend, that is!!

Long story short, I recently got a new job with significantly better pay, and would like to find something less old, less fiddly, more economical. Don’t want a Prius, but it may be my best option. Have been thinking about a Corolla; I’ve never owned a Toyota, been a Honda guy my whole life.

So, I’m looking for options. If I could get low- to mid-40-mpgs, with cruise and maybe even AC, I would be interested. No 3rd-gear-P&G, no aero, just not my cup of tea.

Please enlighten me, oh wise ones.

[Vman455]

If you can get by with 2 seats, I would get a 1st-gen Insight. They're not that expensive, they won't rust (not that that's an issue in the Northwest...*sigh* now I'm homesick), and it seems like they run forever, functioning hybrid system or not.

[Stubby79]

Got a budget?

Only things that come to mind are the Prius and maybe the Mirage....unless you're looking for 20 year old cars that will come with their own issues after so long.

[Frank Lee]

Silverado. Or if you are into Duggaring, Subdivision or Expedition.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by Chuck Biscuits

been a Honda guy my whole life.

Honda Fit!

[samwichse]

For new cars:
If you're a Honda guy and just want to save some cash, just go with a Fit.
If highway MPG is the most important to you, get a hatchback Civic 6 speed.
If you can do with a sedan, and don't mind to lose your manual transmission (and have more of the monies), then get a new Insight.

For used cars:
I'd still check out a Fit, Honda guy or not.
Or a second-gen Insight, which is basically a hybrid Fit+.
Or a Ford Fiesta ecoboost.

Side note: I hate not having a hatchback.

[19bonestock88]

Look around and find the nicest, cleanest G1 Insight or HCH1 you can find... 50-60+mpg easy, and the manual trans variants WILL drive with a dead IMA pack...

[roosterk0031]

My most recent purchase I choose a 2017 off lease Elantra, after doing a month or 2 worth of research. I would have went with a Volt if my daughter who is driving it for the next couple years had a place to plug one in, same money about same miles just a couple years older.

[freebeard]

$5000 fuel-injected three-door. Stancing it is just an adjustment. I recommend 165-50/15s on the front on artillery-spoke wheels:




Else what Frank Lee says....

[Piotrsko]

And they are all trunk.....

$5 grand? Seriously? They used to be one owner babied for $500