Buying a new (used) car within the month. Focused on mpg, what'd you buy under $20k?

[screwd01]

With gas hitting $4 and will most likely go up this summer I decided to sell my 98 Honda CR-V. I sold it personally for $4000 so I have a pretty substantial down payment if I were to get something pricey. I'd love a real small car that can get great mpg. I'm single, no kids, no real need to haul things and will be driving mostly in the city. I'll have access to a big SUV and van if something big is needed. Here's my top picks so far.

2006 (1st gen) Insight. I love this car, it is older though. I need to check the warranty on it.
New CR-Z. Pure sex, pricey and lower mpg. Owner's can get near 50mpg while driving properly though.
New Prius C.
2nd Gen Civic Hybrid. A really great choice and price, I selfishly crave a smaller car.
Any used smart car
New Scion iQ. Would be perfect if it had higher mpg, otherwise, relatively expensive
2003 (1st gen) Prius. Ugly and pretty old
New Mini Coupe. Pricey
New Chevy Spark. Not out yet

 

[Evadman]

Prius C is my choice given your criteria. The Mini and Smart cars get pretty crappy mileage considering their size.

 

[NutBucket]

The Mini is a fine choice as long as you avoid the S models. Reliability is an issue though.

Prius C is nice but I wonder how bad 11.6 0-60 really feels. I guess it wouldn't matter much in city driving. Cost is actually more than a CR-Z unless you get a stripped down base model.

I bought a CR-Z because I wanted a 6MT.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I've criticized the CR-Z in the past for trying to be too many things and not really being good at anything in particular, but it might actually be the perfect car for you. Not too expensive, good mileage (not good for a 2-seater hybrid, but still good in an absolute sense), very classy car.

 

[adlep]

Used Ford Fusion Hybrid?

 

[thedarkwolf]

99 geo metro 3 banger 5 speed.

 

[mmntech]

Don't even consider the Smart. It's just a horrible, horrible car. I can't stress that enough.

 

[JulesMaximus]

For city driving you can't beat the Prius. I'd also check out the Nissan Leaf if you can figure out the who recharging thing since it is electric only.

 

[Seattle51]

You can get a new Ford Focus or Chevy Cruze for under 20k, and they both get about 38mpg. I would be hesitant about buying a used Prius, How much will it cost to replace the batteries in one of those?

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Anything but those super compacts i.e smart/fiat/iq. Those things don't get particularly great mileage and their utility sucks and they're fairly pricey. Lose-lose-lose all around.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

1991-2002 Saturn S Series. Never gotten less than 30mpg in city driving in mine. You can pick one up for $3k easily.... $3k is the high-end actually (cars around 70-100k miles... paid $2900 for a 2000 model SL about a year ago, with 66k). $1k-$2k is doable, but the car will likely have some issues. Put that $1000 aside for possible repairs later, and live without a car payment for a while.

 

[hans007]

used golf tdi

 

[SandEagle]

i would get the CR-Z.

 

[PricklyPete]

Golf TDI

 

[ViviTheMage]

2000-2002 5 speed golf TDI

 

[mmntech]

The TDI is a great choice if you want to go as far as you can on a tank. I hear maintenance is expensive though. German over-engineering in da house.

 

[screwd01]

You can get a new Ford Focus or Chevy Cruze for under 20k, and they both get about 38mpg. I would be hesitant about buying a used Prius, How much will it cost to replace the batteries in one of those?

That was my concern also with ta used Insight and Prius, a replacement costs anywhere from 1,000 to 2,5000 + labor. Which is not terrible in the long run.


The Focus isn't too bad and I've actually test driven the Fiesta. It's nice and a real good price.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Don't even consider the Smart. It's just a horrible, horrible car. I can't stress that enough.

Agreed. The ONLY exception is if you live in Manhattan, Boston or maybe certain other very high-density areas where parking is at an absolute premium. The perpendicular parking ability of the Smart cars is the only good thing about them. Overall though, you can get much more room/utility and same or better mileage for the same or better price.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Prius C
Accent
Rio

Prius C is the MPG king if that's all you care about. Useful 4-dr hatch as well but zero driving dynamics.

 

[Via]

Soething like this.

Older, and cheaper. I knew a guy who loved the one he had.

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/2921087233.html

 

[Insomniator]

Soething like this.

Older, and cheaper. I knew a guy who loved the one he had.

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/2921087233.html

Damn! 51mpg, 5 speed, 9k... that's pretty nice!

Aren't those old VW's not particularly reliable though? I guess you'd have 11k in wiggle room for repairs.

 

[screwd01]

I think I may have found the car, an unused 2011 CR-Z LX for well under MSRP. The LX was what I was looking for, I don't need NAV or nicer lights.

 

[nerp]

What about the Yaris?

 

[SolMiester]

Suzuki Swift sport!?

 

[NutBucket]

Unfortunately no Swift Sport in the States.

And for the OP, a leather wrapped wheel, HIDs and bluetooth are well worth the money But, if its well under MSRP its definitely worth the sacrifice