Wife needs a new car - eco-family car choice suggestions

[bennelson]

Hi everyone.

My wife has had a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire with a 2.2l gas engine and 3-speed automatic transmission since the day it was new.

It now has 180,000 miles on it and lots of little things wrong with it. In our area, there's lots of salt used on the roads in the winter, which really takes its toll on the undersides of cars. All the brake lines and fuel lines underneigth are rusty, and there's a number of other issues.

Long story short - it's time for a new car. (Which is relative - we do not have the money to buy a $20,000 car, nor would we want to.)

We could spend up to $8000, but less would be better than more.. We'd like to get something with good fuel economy, and will last a while. It needs to seat at least two adults and a baby seat. (No a Chevy S10 will NOT work. Not with a manual transmission anyways...)

It also does need air conditioning. This isn't a luxury. My wife easily suffers from heat sickness and can actually get pretty ill from it. We don't need AC all the time, but it is a requirement for at least a few days out of the year.

Either manual or Automatic is fine, but she has never driven stick before. (Just hasn't owned one, so no reason to.) She would be happy to learn to drive manual transmission, but wouldn't really be able to test drive a stick car properly right now.

Cars near the top of the list would include a used Prius or other hybrids. I also like the idea of the good fuel economy provided by something like a VW TDI Golf or Jetta. (Although they seem to have a price premium or a LOT of miles on the used ones.)

Could you guys weigh in with some suggestions for a good eco-family car?

Thanks in advance.

-Ben

[mattbatson]

i like to get the most for my hard earned dollar that i can, so usually stick to either honda or toyota
maybe a civic?
get a base model 4 dr with auto and you will see 40mpg's on the highway

honda civic w/59k

scratch that, look at this one!!!!!

2006 Honda Civic Hybrid BEST DEAL on HERE!!!!!
low mileage civic hybrid for 10K....

[mattbatson]

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid

another hybrid honda

[Ryland]

Most people with kids want 4 doors as it's easier to get the kid in to safety seats, so I assume this is true in your case as well?
Toyota Tercel, Echo, or Yaris, I also like the Corrola but I've known a handful of folks who have them burn a ton of oil, 4 door Yaris hatch back would be at the top of my list and in about 10 years when my car rusts out will most likely be my next gasoline car.
I would suggest a Honda Civic, but other then the DX non of the 4 door versions get very good mileage and even the DX kind of sucks unless you get the hybrid or something that is old enough that it's starting to rust out as well.

Others I would look at would be

Mazda 3

Scion xA

Kia Rio

All of those should get 35+ EPA mpg, have versions with 4 door and be in your price range.

[jakobnev]

Stop and go or highway?

[user removed]

This is probably a scam. $2500 02 Prius.

02TOYOTA HYBRID PRIUS

regards
Mech

[mattbatson]

i rented a 2006 base civic back in 08 and drove from fl to nc doing 80mph all the way, and i got right at 40mpg's
i ended up buying a 2009 civic si instead, as i autocross and run track days...but if i hadnt, i would have got a base 4 dr 2006 + civic

[FXSTi]

Might be able to step up a few years to a 2005-2007 Ford Focus, Fusion, or Taurus with your budget. Any of those should be roomier than a Sunfire and just a touch better FE. The Honda's, Toyota's, and VW's all carry a price premium as you have noted.

Kirk

[Frank Lee]

An EV Expedition or Suburban should do nicely.

[bennelson]

Does anyone have experience with the Nissan Versa?

The base sedan is very affordable new and has AC on it. We might consider a new vehicle if it is on the more affordable end, and we spread the cost of it out over, say, 13 years or so! (of course, not paying for financing saves money too!)