best mpg and dependable car for under 15k?

[MrDudeMan]

im curious what the options are...

i dont care what it looks like or how well it performs. it needs to go from A to B, get the best gas mileage possible (hybrid or not) and it needs to last. i will probably go on road trips from time to time.

any ideas?

TIA



edit: i meant new car...but i also want to know what used cards are good to look at around that price.

 

[shortspanishguy]

Honda fit?

 

[Kelvrick]

What about a hyundai?

 

[MrDudeMan]

i dont really care what kind of car it is as long as it meets the requirements in the OP. i have no brand loyalty but i do tend to lean toward foreign cars for long term dependability...maybe im wrong, but someone can correct me for sure if i am.

i need specific models if you can think of any. i know next to nothing about cars (the names of them i mean...i work on cars frequently so i can find my way around an engine just fine)

 

[Lithium381]

2003 corolla

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Nissan Versa

More space than the FIT nad great mileage from the 6spd manual. Scored well in crash test ratings unlike the Fit, Yaris, and Xa.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: Lithium381
2003 corolla

Considering I paid approx $17k for a 2005 Corolla S in August of 2004 brand-new & loaded, I'd say the OP could very likely get a nicely equipped 2006 CE for around $15k or even a bit less.. not the fanciest car on the road, but bullet-proof reliabliity & one of the most fuel efficient cars around... I'm very happy with mine.


Edit: I average in the mid-high 30 mpg area in mixed highway/city driving & approx 41 mpg in sustained 65-75mph cruising on the highway & in addition this car while small, has enough substance to it so you don't feel like your rear-end is dragging on the pavement, a half-decent trunk & human sized back seat.

 

[Dritnul]

Well if u like the the whole clown car sizing the fit/yaris etc aint bad @ ~50MPG highway

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Dritnul
Well if u like the the whole clown car sizing the fit/yaris etc aint bad @ ~50MPG highway

? don't epa estimates show em at like 38? The Corolla/civic gets better highway, don't they?

 

[OVerLoRDI]

A Civic or a Corolla, those things will go forever and get above average mileage.

 

[Ricemarine]

Mazda3...
Toyota Corolla (depending on your options)
Honda Civic

My 2001 toyota corolla had power steering issues after 6 years, so that's not bad... Already has 77k on it.

 

[RossMAN]

Hyundai Elantra GLS automatic is around $12,000 brand new, not sure on long term reliability.

Try a lower end Honda Civic DX or VP (value package), or Toyota Corolla CE

 

[PricklyPete]

Used Civic. My fiancees Civic (LX) won't win awards, but it is nice enough inside, cruises just fine on the highway, and gets near 40mpg on the highway and you don't even have to stop for gas that often with an easy 400+ mile tank capacity on the highway.

 

[vi edit]

You could almost squeeze into a new civic at that price. It'd be a stripper though.

 

[Mutilator]

I just got a 2005 Corolla CE w/17K miles for under $13K. 1 week before the Toyotathon sale where they had brand new Corolla CEs for the same price... so I'd say get a Corolla.

 

[Tom]

If you mean new, Ford Focus.

 

[Vette73]

Actually the Chevy Cobalt is pretty nice and can be had new for under $15k and it would have options vs other cars in that price. .

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan
im curious what the options are...

i dont give a sh!t what it looks like or how well it performs. it needs to go from A to B, get the best gas mileage possible (hybrid or not) and it needs to last. i will probably go on road trips from time to time.

any ideas?

TIA

2000-2002 chevy Prizm... ~$6k

41mpg

 

[Rock Hydra]

Chevy Cobalt LS? About 1$1,000 base price

 

[MrDudeMan]

thanks a lot for the comments so far guys. i really appreciate it.

it seems like the overwhelming opinion is to look at corollas. i wrote down every car listed in this thread, though, and will check them all out online. keep them coming if you have more to share because i am always open to further discussion.

 

[lobbyone]

Toyota Yaris
Though I drive an 05 Corolla, on the city I get an average of 32/34mpg, on the highway its something like 38mpg, not bad, I tend to drive slow so lol!

 

[RaistlinZ]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Actually the Chevy Cobalt is pretty nice and can be had new for under $15k and it would have options vs other cars in that price. .

I work for a major car rental company and we rent a bunch of Chevy Cobalts as our intermediate-sized vehicles. They tend to do well for the first 10,000 miles, then just go to hell. The durability on them is god-awful compared to our other intermediate cars like Corollas and Sentras.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: RaistlinZ

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Actually the Chevy Cobalt is pretty nice and can be had new for under $15k and it would have options vs other cars in that price. .

I work for a major car rental company and we rent a bunch of Chevy Cobalts as our intermediate-sized vehicles. They tend to do well for the first 10,000 miles, then just go to hell. The durability on them is god-awful compared to our other intermediate cars like Corollas and Sentras.

thanks for chiming in...being in the business makes what you just said stand out a little more.