I need a more fuel efficient vehicle.

[Eli]

As some of you may know, I drive an insane amount of miles for work; 250 - 400/day, although 400 is a little more rare, 350 is not.

Anyway, I need something that gets better MPG. It could have a great impact on my finances.

Numbers:

I'm currently averaging about 325 miles/day. We'll also use the current gas price of ~$2.60/gal.

At ~25MPG, I would use 13.0 gallons/day at a cost of $33.80/day, $169/week, $777/mo.

At ~30MPG, I would use 10.8 gallons/day at a cost of $28.10; $140/week, $646/mo

At ~35MPG, I would use 9.3 gallons/day at a cost of $24.18; $120/week, $556/mo

At ~40MPG, I would use 8.1 gallons/day at a cost of $21.12; $105/week, $485/mo

At ~45MPG, I would use 7.2 gallons/day at a cost of $18.72; $93/week, $430/mo

And finally, at 50MPG, I would use 6.5 gallons/day at a cost of $16.90; $84/week, $388/mo


Now, I doubt I could get 50MPG average or more, even with a hybrid.. But still, it illustrates how much I could save by getting a more fuel efficient vehicle. That saved money could go directly towards the new car payment if necessary.

I'd like to buy brand new, but I might have to wait a while as I don't know if my credit is good enough. Will credit impact my ability to buy a brand new car, or will it just affect my interest rate?

I think my two choices pretty much boil down to either a hybrid or a TDI.

Currently, I'm averaging 26.5MPG. :Q

If I could get that to 35mpg, I would save around 200$/mo, which would pretty much pay for the new car by itself.

Now the question remains.. what should I get? Reliability is the biggest concern. I honestly don't know how reliable the TDIs are.

 

[iamwiz82]

We are averaging pretty close to 50MPG in our Prius and that is with a massive amount of <5min driving (current commute). I can assume that if I were driving it long distances I would hit closer to 55-57MPG. A good hypermiler can easily hit 60MPG in it.

Keep in mind that hybrids are eligible for various tax breaks if purchased new. If you are a good shopper and dont mind travelling to pick up a new car, you can get some great deals, too. Our Prius stickered at just over $26,000 and we paid $22,992. Our salesperson was in Virginia, though. Quite a drive for you.

My only issue with the TDI is that it's a VW, and I would be concerned about it. I can deal with mechanical issues, but electrical ones are beyond me.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
We are averaging pretty close to 50MPG in our Prius and that is with a massive amount of <5min driving (current commute). I can assume that if I were driving it long distances I would hit closer to 55-57MPG. A good hypermiler can easily hit 60MPG in it.

Keep in mind that hybrids are eligible for various tax breaks if purchased new. If you are a good shopper and dont mind travelling to pick up a new car, you can get some great deals, too. Our Prius stickered at just over $26,000 and we paid $22,992. Our salesperson was in Virginia, though. Quite a drive for you.

My only issue with the TDI is that it's a VW, and I would be concerned about it. I can deal with mechanical issues, but electrical ones are beyond me.

Yeah, same. I'm leary about a VW.

Those are nice numbers, though. If I could get 50MPG, it would definitely be in my interest to get rid of this POS Focus ASAP.

I'm driving long distances, but it's not all highway miles, obviously.

It varies from day to day, but I would say on average.. it's about 60% city type driving and 40% highway.

Sometimes 70% highway and 30% city, and sometimes 70% city and 30% highway.

I've seen 32MPG in the Focus all highway, but as low as 23MPG with lots of city driving while using the A/C.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
We are averaging pretty close to 50MPG in our Prius and that is with a massive amount of <5min driving (current commute). I can assume that if I were driving it long distances I would hit closer to 55-57MPG. A good hypermiler can easily hit 60MPG in it.

Keep in mind that hybrids are eligible for various tax breaks if purchased new. If you are a good shopper and dont mind travelling to pick up a new car, you can get some great deals, too. Our Prius stickered at just over $26,000 and we paid $22,992. Our salesperson was in Virginia, though. Quite a drive for you.

My only issue with the TDI is that it's a VW, and I would be concerned about it. I can deal with mechanical issues, but electrical ones are beyond me.

Yeah, same. I'm leary about a VW.

Those are nice numbers, though. If I could get 50MPG, it would definitely be in my interest to get rid of this POS Focus ASAP.

I'm driving long distances, but it's not all highway miles, obviously.

It varies from day to day, but I would say on average.. it's about 60% city type driving and 40% highway.

Sometimes 70% highway and 30% city, and sometimes 70% city and 30% highway.

I've seen 32MPG in the Focus all highway, but as low as 23MPG with lots of city driving while using the A/C.

55mph is a sweet spot for the Prius if you must do higher speed driving, 35 is best in town. If you use P&G between 30mph and 40mph you can hit some pretty outrageous. For example

 

[Eli]

Oh, I would have so much fun driving a Prius. It brings tears to my eyes.

Now I want one.

How do the Hybrid Civics and Accords compare?

Unfortunately, when I am driving on the highway, it is at 64-74MPH. I always set the CC to 9MPH over and.. cruise. But still.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Eli
I'm driving long distances, but it's not all highway miles, obviously.

It varies from day to day, but I would say on average.. it's about 60% city type driving and 40% highway.

Sometimes 70% highway and 30% city, and sometimes 70% city and 30% highway.

holy crap wtf do you do for a living?? if it was 95% freeway, 5% highway fine but ~325 miles a day 60% city?? with that kind of time spent daily in a car, f*** reliability, get yourself some heated seats built in with little knobs that rub your ass to make the drive feel better.

actually you know what? get yourself the new car and get the seats recommended installed if fuel efficiency is your ONLY concern, the prius would be a real good choice. i think the civic hybrid is about the same price but it gets like 5-10mpg less i think.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: alimoalem

Originally posted by: Eli
I'm driving long distances, but it's not all highway miles, obviously.

It varies from day to day, but I would say on average.. it's about 60% city type driving and 40% highway.

Sometimes 70% highway and 30% city, and sometimes 70% city and 30% highway.

holy crap wtf do you do for a living?? if it was 95% freeway, 5% highway fine but ~325 miles a day 60% city?? with that kind of time spent daily in a car, f*** reliability, get yourself some heated seats built in with little knobs that rub your ass to make the drive feel better.

actually you know what? get yourself the new car and get the seats recommended installed if fuel efficiency is your ONLY concern, the prius would be a real good choice. i think the civic hybrid is about the same price but it gets like 5-10mpg less i think.

Reliability and MPG tie for #1.

As far as I know, Prius' have stellar reliability. I can't be having my sh!t break down.

I'm a courier driver.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Eli
Oh, I would have so much fun driving a Prius. It brings tears to my eyes.

Now I want one.

How do the Hybrid Civics and Accords compare?

Unfortunately, when I am driving on the highway, it is at 64-74MPH. I always set the CC to 9MPH over and.. cruise. But still.

lower MPG, and they cost more, but they do look better. The Prius has lots of cool gadgets, though. Lots of "hackers" out there. This guy has devised quite a few mods

EDIT: Regarding reliability, check out http://www.priuschat.com. So far, I do not believe Toyota has had a reported case of a battery failure.

 

[Eli]

LOL..

Well.. Doing a little more math on the cost of the Prius, it looks like I might need to improve my credit rating a bit before it would be worth it to buy one. My current car payment is only 200$/mo.

Maybe it's not realistic to buy a new one... used? Are there used ones available? LOL.. AFAIK, they can't keep the new ones on the lots.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

A low mileage used Corolla. Be happy with the 41 mpg highway.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Eli
Oh, I would have so much fun driving a Prius. It brings tears to my eyes.

Now I want one.

How do the Hybrid Civics and Accords compare?

Unfortunately, when I am driving on the highway, it is at 64-74MPH. I always set the CC to 9MPH over and.. cruise. But still.

lower MPG, and they cost more, but they do look better. The Prius has lots of cool gadgets, though. Lots of "hackers" out there. This guy has devised quite a few mods

EDIT: Regarding reliability, check out http://www.priuschat.com. So far, I do not believe Toyota has had a reported case of a battery failure.

Awesome mods & links, thanks. I haven't driven a 2nd gen yet, afraid I'll lose it & buy one

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
A low mileage used Corolla. Be happy with the 41 mpg highway.

My old Ford Aspire got a mix of upper 30's city and low 50's highway. As long as you get a rather UN-peppy 4 cyl car with a light weight, your goals of over 40mpg average should be easy to attain.

That being said, what about the newer VW diesels coming out?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
A low mileage used Corolla. Be happy with the 41 mpg highway.

My old Ford Aspire got a mix of upper 30's city and low 50's highway. As long as you get a rather UN-peppy 4 cyl car with a light weight, your goals of over 40mpg average should be easy to attain.

That being said, what about the newer VW diesels coming out?

I would definitely be interested if they showed exceptional reliability.

Doubt that would be the case, though.

 

[Gillbot]

No idea, I was just suggested one by a friend who is a VW fanboi.

 

[Aimster]

Just buying another vehicle is going to put you negative 10k even if you sell your current car (just a guess).

You won't save a penny in the end.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Aimster
Just buying another vehicle is going to put you negative 10k even if you sell your current car (just a guess).

You won't save a penny in the end.

I guess overall, this is true, but I would be driving a new car at least, lol.

I worry about my current car breaking down. It also bugs me that I piss so much money away in gas, I'd rather piss it away to something tangible.. like a new car.

 

[Fenixgoon]

jetta TDI?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Prius won't benefit as much from highway driving. Get yourself a diesel, and I agree I wouldn't get a VW. Honda is supposed to have a diesel Accord out soon. Subaru will have a diesel as well - that's what I want!

 

[evident]

honda civic 40mpg hwy ftw... or the toy corolla... there's really no other choice for regular fuel vehicles that get as high mpg as those two. I drive all highway and i'm about to settle on a 4cyl accord coupe, because i feel a little bit safer driving a vehicle a little bigger, and i'm willing to sacrifice 5mpg for that

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: evident
honda civic 40mpg hwy ftw... or the toy corolla... there's really no other choice for regular fuel vehicles that get as high mpg as those two. I drive all highway and i'm about to settle on a 4cyl accord coupe, because i feel a little bit safer driving a vehicle a little bigger, and i'm willing to sacrifice 5mpg for that

Civic actually got better safety ratings than Accord - due to the active head restraints, which only help in rear endings and just have to do with the curvature of the seat back.

Anyway - you won't get 40mpg in a Civic at 90mph on the highway. OP - probably won't break 35mpg at the speeds you drive. To get the 30mpg city rating, you'll need to Grandma it. The 5-speed auto has to change gears a LOT to keep you going, the engine is very torque-less.

 

[thedarkwolf]

The prius holds value pretty well but I'm not so sure about the TDIs. Might look for one of those thats a few years old. I'd rather have a diesel.

 

[raildogg]

I drive a 2001 Honda Accord V6 and get 30 MPG of mixed driving. I think that is very good for a V6 engine. Like others have said, you will save more by getting a used Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla if your top priority is to save fuel. But if you want a new car, then thats a another story

 

[Pliablemoose]

Dig up a used Honda Insight.

 

[BUTCH1]

Keep in mind a new car depreciates quickly once driven off the lot, also factor in
higher ins. costs too. The type of mileage your doing will also affect the value
of your new car as @350 mi/day X 5 days a week= over 90,000 mi in one year!
hope they are compensating you well for that, imagine trying to unload a 2 year
old car with 180K on it..

 

[alimoalem]

according to craigslist, there are VW Beetle's that are TDI. the jetta TDI can be had as low as $10k for a 2003 model (in my area) and the beetle TDI for $13.5K. both get 35/44mpg. still, it's weak compared to a hybrid.

i think i heard there's one main gripe about the prius...its parts take a long time to get here so if you get into an accident, even if it's not your fault, you still suffer cause you have to wait a while for the parts to get here. the civic doesn't have this same issue (or not to the same extent).