what would you do? (Ideas for higher MPG $6k vehicle than a Kia Sportage?)

[vao]

Hi all, new to the forums. This seems to be an okay place to put this, but I could be 100% wrong.

I recently purchased an 06 Kia Sportage FWD 2.7L, at a great (family) price. I liked the hyundai engine and reliability, and also the amount of ample space to use for work. However, within a week of driving it, I see that I'm only getting about 19mpg.

Now I drive (through central nj) 20mi back and forth to work about 6 or 7 days a week. Sometimes I ride my KLR650, but I never bring my bike to my FT job (hq'd in Franklin- see 'baby newark'). So most of my miles are in the Kia, about 80%city.

Now I CAN afford to buy gas for the commute...I just don't really want to. So what would you do in my shoes. If i sold the Kia I could probably get between 6500-7000 as a budget for the next car, 6 to play on the safe side. What would you buy with some decent room (suitcases and boxes, idc about people), and better economy?

I'm semiinterested in hearing about effective mods too, just weary about expensive mods to save money.

Thanks guys n gals. God bless

[mcrews]

The Kia is a nice vehicle.
My daught has that same yr and V6 fwd.
I get 26-27 on the freeway when I drive it and she gets about 19-20 around town.
(as a note we have 98k on it - bought it new - and only had it in the shop once. No leaks, and everything works!)
Not sure what you could replace it with and have the same space and still get better mileage.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

My 2006 matrix got 30 MPG stock and modded it gets 57 MPG! It has tones of cargo space and people room. very reliable and practical in snow. Used they (or vibes) are cheep .

Matrix/Vibe is a really good suggestion. Not the sport model. It's essentially a Corolla under the skin, so frugal & reliable.

I'm sure there are other wagon-y or hatchback types that can get 30-40 mpg highway. I'd recommend a 2nd gen Prius (bullet proof reliable and surprising room in back), but you'd be hard pressed to find one under 6k.

Golf TDI (diesel) comes to mind too, but I'm not up on the VW reliability question.

I'm sure others will chime in with advice.

[serialk11r]

Fit/Yaris (hatch)? They look like they have a lot of interior volume, but I've never been in one.

[LeanBurn]

Kia Rio wagon comes to mind.

[ron22]

VW Jetta/Golf TDI good choice. Manual Trans better then auto.

[vao]

Sorry for the delay all- yesterday was 'move day' so the past week has been just that nightmare of packing and moving and lifting etc...I'm still not alright from it- apparently the dress pants I put on today are not brown, but gray (now hiding in my office).

Originally Posted by mcrews

The Kia is a nice vehicle.
My daught has that same yr and V6 fwd.
I get 26-27 on the freeway when I drive it and she gets about 19-20 around town.
(as a note we have 98k on it - bought it new - and only had it in the shop once. No leaks, and everything works!)
Not sure what you could replace it with and have the same space and still get better mileage.

I am truely envious of 27mpg. It seems impossible at this stage in the game, as NJ has an unbelieveable amount of stop and go, and I don't take the parkway or tpk to work. I'm a fan of the Korean cars, my last (03 Hyundai Sonata) ran 190k (25k with a rod knock) until it was totalled by a drunk.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Matrix/Vibe is a really good suggestion. Not the sport model. It's essentially a Corolla under the skin, so frugal & reliable.

I'm sure there are other wagon-y or hatchback types that can get 30-40 mpg highway. I'd recommend a 2nd gen Prius (bullet proof reliable and surprising room in back), but you'd be hard pressed to find one under 6k.

Golf TDI (diesel) comes to mind too, but I'm not up on the VW reliability question.

I'm sure others will chime in with advice.

Pontiac scares me. As do many American made vehicles. I'm a patriot, and quite a fan of this country. But we suck at making reliable cars (generally- not trying to start a separate thread). Before coming here, all I heard about hybrids was that the battery will die in a few years, and then you'll be SOL. Maybe I should do some more research- what would a second gen prius run? do the rear seats fold?

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Fit/Yaris (hatch)? They look like they have a lot of interior volume, but I've never been in one.

I don't mind the fit- the yaris I feel like I will not have enough space. Anyone have a fit that wants to weigh in on the topic?

Originally Posted by LeanBurn

Kia Rio wagon comes to mind.

Lean, is this a new model? or have they been around for a while?

Originally Posted by ron22

VW Jetta/Golf TDI good choice. Manual Trans better then auto.

VW reliability scares me too. I've heard entirely too many stories about how quick they bottom out, and how expensive repairs are. Also- diesels retain value entirely too well (around here anyway), so I don't know if I could find a vehicle that would work as a daily (even if the engine is fine, 150k on a body/mechanical parts is enough to concern me).

[LeanBurn]

They have had the Kia rio wagon since the early 2000's

[Daox]

A Vibe is a Matrix just rebranded.

Also, the Toyota hybrids are incredibly reliable, batteries included.

[vao]

Originally Posted by LeanBurn

They have had the Kia rio wagon since the early 2000's

I'll have to look into those...4 or 6 cyl?

Originally Posted by Daox

A Vibe is a Matrix just rebranded.

Also, the Toyota hybrids are incredibly reliable, batteries included.

Interesting point about the Vibe/Matrix. Is there a good aftermarket selection for parts?
-Could you link my some information on the whole 'battery' thing? I really am uncomfortable with that- but only from ignorance. Do the batteries run out? Are the vehicles underpowered?