Best cheap car for gas milage....

[Scarpozzi]

I drive a 2003 Buick Regal. While I love this car for long trips and on my daily commute (3.2 miles), I need another ride.

My wife is moving 130 miles away and I'm going to be driving to see her about once a week. This isn't that bad, but I would like to find a car that I don't mind running miles up on and one that will get better milage.

I'm 6'4". I would like one with Cruise Control, but it really doesn't matter. 5 sp ok too. Any recommendations on a good cheap ride?

 

[ElFenix]

regal gets what, 27 on the highway? 3 dollars a gallon that's all of 30 dollars a week. so, ~135 a month between payment, insurance, and gas to make it financially worthwhile. no, i don't think you'll find something like that. if you're getting something because you don't want to put miles on the buick, i guess an early-mid 90s civic wouldn't be bad.

 

[suicidalpigeon]

Exactly how much are you willing to spend...?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: suicidalpigeon
Exactly how much are you willing to spend...?

Probably no more than a few thousand. I figure if I can find a 1990s 5 speed with 120k+ miles on it, that would fit the bill.

I do my own maintenance.

 

[JS80]

your wife is moving 130 miles away

 

[Zaitsevs]

can I ask why the move? but yeah a mid 90's civic sounds about right. that's what I'm looking for too.

 

[FoBoT]

buy a motorcycle, that would be fun and cheap and cheap on gas

 

[olds]

With the cost of the vehicle/insurance/maintenance, I don't see how you'd save much if any money.

 

[suicidalpigeon]

Depending on the demographics, an Accord is doable.

 

[pray4mojo]

another vote for 90s 5spd civic.

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

corolla

40mpg ftw

 

[cheesygoldfish]

it comes down corolla or civic

i pick civic

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: JS80
your wife is moving 130 miles away

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
I drive a 2003 Buick Regal. While I love this car for long trips and on my daily commute (3.2 miles), I need another ride.

My wife is moving 130 miles away and I'm going to be driving to see her about once a week. This isn't that bad, but I would like to find a car that I don't mind running miles up on and one that will get better milage.

I'm 6'4". I would like one with Cruise Control, but it really doesn't matter. 5 sp ok too. Any recommendations on a good cheap ride?

For whatever you'd gain in fuel savings, you'd probably lose in the extra insurance cost. And thats not even taking into account the few thousand the car will cost you. Not to mention a cheap car will *probably* be in so-so condition, and might need new tires ($200), alignment ($60), and god knows what else before it will get it's best mileage.

Since your commute is already pretty damn short, you probably already put way under the average amount of miles on the buick. The only reason that makes sense to consider an extra car in your situation is if you love your buick so much that you plan to keep it for at least the next 20 years, and although the 03 regal aint bad (my friend has one), there's no way I'd drive it for the next 20 years.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Zaitsevs
can I ask why the move? but yeah a mid 90's civic sounds about right. that's what I'm looking for too.

I wrote a thread about it over the weekend. She got accepted to Physician's Assistant school. The PA programs are few and far between here....there's one in the state that's accredited. I would totally move with her, but I have a house here and am up for promotion at my job of 5 years. I'm going to try telecommuting and seeing her on weekends since the program is going to be extremely busy for her. I graduate with my MBA the same month that she starts her graduate school program. Lucky that I'll be able to see her any in the next two years I guess.

I'll definitely look out for a civic or corolla. Thanks guys. I'll have to check both vehicles and see which one I fit in the best. Insurance shouldn't be too bad since I'm over 25 and married.

 

[iversonyin]

More suggestions: Nissan Altima/ Sentra- very good beaters car. Mitsu Lancer, Mazda Portege, Toyota Celica...these are not bad neither.