Suggest a Vehicle- 26mpg avg, sporty under 12k

[Magusigne]

Hey Guys,

Currently went from a heavily modded turbo 95 probe GT to 2001 Civic LX.

Nowadays I care somewhat about MPG. My rule now is that it needs to be at least 26mpg in mixed driving on average.

I was thinking about a Prius/Camry Hybrid/Altima Hybrid...but I'm not sure I want to "Grow-up" completely yet.

I'm thinking a Sedan Civic SI...2006 or newer. Would like a Automatic however so the Wife could drive if needed (She refuses to learn Standard) so other suggestions are welcome.

14k Max price-

Revised Choices thus far:

Most Responsible- Prius - get made fun of every day but get 50mpg
Middle of the Road- Civic SI- a little pep, decent looking, decent mpg
Most Irresponsible I can get past the Wife with "Logic" - Legacy GT (Pretty sharp, OK gas MPG, AWD and Turbo

 

[halik]

2003-05 Civic Si
Suprisingly fun car

edit: didn't catch the part about useless wife

 

[Magusigne]

edit: didn't catch the part about useless wife

Epic Win.


True Story though- I currently Drive a Manual so its not a huge deal...looking more and more like it could be a Civic SI...as I love my current Civic to death

 

[overst33r]

If you don't have kids, you can't beat an S2000. Definition of sporty. I averaged 25mpg on mine. Sometimes more sometimes less.

 

[Vette73]

Saturn Sky/Pontiac Sol.

Mazda Miata (most are manual but some Autos)

 

[SandEagle]

friend bought a 2007 civic sedan with 22k miles for 13,900 OTD. im sure u can find them cheaper. nice car, 40mpg hwy

buy honda

 

[DarkThinker]

It's hard to beat Honda when it comes to fun little efficient cars. Before my CTS, I used to have a Manual `96 Accord Coupe throughout college and I loved that car. 30+ MPG and very nimble, the only thing I didn't like about it is that it was a FWD car at the end of the day. I say get yourself a reasonably powered RWD sedan / coupe / roadster, I am glad I did.

mariok2006 suggested an S2000, I think that's a great suggestion. RWD, power, looks and efficiency you can't beat that. I would take an S2000 over almost all other counterparts.

 

[Throckmorton]

Buy a manual Miata and let the wife drive whatever she drives now

 

[vi edit]

If you can stomach the VW brand...the GTI w/ DSG sounds like it's right up your alley.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Buy a manual Miata and let the wife drive whatever she drives now

This.

 

[obamanation]

Hey Guys,

Currently went from a heavily modded turbo 95 probe GT to 2001 Civic LX.

Nowadays I care somewhat about MPG. My rule now is that it needs to be at least 26mpg in mixed driving on average.

I don't understand...does not compute.. If you already have a Civic, why are you posting? The only thing more economical would be a M/T Civic. Oh and your wife saying she won't learn M/T is a load of crap, if she is too "dumb" to learn it, you need a new wife.. However since it is unlikely that she is that dumb, just get the manual and tell her she'll like it. There are many older women that drive stick shift, I know of one and she's a realestate agent.. (Drives a M/T Miata)

 

[Throckmorton]

Some people just aren't interested in learning how to drive a manual. It doesn't mean they're dumb, just not enthusiasts.

But to me, buying a car other than what you want just so your wife can drive it if necessary is lame.

 

[superccs]

Buy a manual Miata and let the wife drive whatever she drives now

He has a wife, not a partner. Pardner.

an 04 S2000 is about as fun and economical as you can get these days.

 

[Throckmorton]

S2000 = high resale value + high insurance

 

[BurnItDwn]

Impreza maybe? not quite sporty .... but it does have a boxer engine ... like a Porsche. I have a forester, and I drive in the suburbs, about 1/2 is stop and go, and about 1/2 is a bit more rural, so about 1/2 city 1/2 highway .... and average about 25 ... I think the impreza would do better on the highway ... since it's got less drag... and handle a bit tighter due to being a lower car with a shorter body ....

 

[obamanation]

Some people just aren't interested in learning how to drive a manual. It doesn't mean they're dumb, just not enthusiasts.

But to me, buying a car other than what you want just so your wife can drive it if necessary is lame.

learning how to drive a manual really isn't all that difficult. It doesn't matter whether they're interested in learning how, learning how isn't difficult and getting a M/T car isn't a big deal. The idea that it's a big deal is the reason why people get into these stupid discussions in the first place. They make as big of a deal driving a manual as cooking their own meal...like it's completely unheard of or something..

 

[PricklyPete]

Epic Win.


True Story though- I currently Drive a Manual so its not a huge deal...looking more and more like it could be a Civic SI...as I love my current Civic to death

That car is not going to be even a 1/3rd as fun with an automatic. Being able to properly rev that engine is what it is all about..it shouldn't even be sold with a traditional automatic.

 

[Magusigne]

Yes. Likely its looking more and more like a Civic SI. S2000 is a bit too sporty, as much as I'd like it, we will be starting a family in the near future and it's just not going to be too practical.

The Civic SI Sedan (Apart from being Manual) looks to be about what I'm looking for-

Unless I do decide upon a Prius/Camry Hybrid.

 

[zerocool84]

Yes. Likely its looking more and more like a Civic SI. S2000 is a bit too sporty, as much as I'd like it, we will be starting a family in the near future and it's just not going to be too practical.

The Civic SI Sedan (Apart from being Manual) looks to be about what I'm looking for-

Unless I do decide upon a Prius/Camry Hybrid.

Well if you're starting a family soon then the Civic Si won't be as comfy then either. Look into something larger and more comfortable.

 

[foghorn67]

Buy a manual Miata and let the wife drive whatever she drives now

Doesn't get much more "sportier" than that. In fact it's a true sports car.
RWD, perfect or near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, lightweight.
Win.

 

[obamanation]

Yes. Likely its looking more and more like a Civic SI. S2000 is a bit too sporty, as much as I'd like it, we will be starting a family in the near future and it's just not going to be too practical.

The Civic SI Sedan (Apart from being Manual) looks to be about what I'm looking for-

Unless I do decide upon a Prius/Camry Hybrid.

Maybe you should get a 2001-2005 civic with a M/T. Even the DX/LX with a M/T will be faster than an '06 SI with the automatic transmission. So, not only will the M/T be faster, it will be quieter on the highway and get better mileage than the SI automatic. Lastly, which is why I'm bothering to suggest this vehicle is that the '06+ civics are smaller than the '01-'05 civics, heavier and basically and overall downgrade. Either get the '01-'05 civics with a M/T or just give up and get a Prius because the Camry hybrid is a worthless pos. If you're going to go for something the likes of a Camry hybrid instead of the Prius, then you're better off with a Ford Fusion Hybrid.. Camry hybrid is an abomination.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Obligatory Ford Fusion plug. Seriously - go look at a '07, '08, or '09 V6. Automatic only, but they handle well, and they have just enough kick to be fun.

 

[zerocool84]

Maybe you should get a 2001-2005 civic with a M/T. Even the DX/LX with a M/T will be faster than an '06 SI with the automatic transmission. So, not only will the M/T be faster, it will be quieter on the highway and get better mileage than the SI automatic. Lastly, which is why I'm bothering to suggest this vehicle is that the '06+ civics are smaller than the '01-'05 civics, heavier and basically and overall downgrade. Either get the '01-'05 civics with a M/T or just give up and get a Prius because the Camry hybrid is a worthless pos. If you're going to go for something the likes of a Camry hybrid instead of the Prius, then you're better off with a Ford Fusion Hybrid.. Camry hybrid is an abomination.

Are you drunk??? Saying that a manual DX or LX is faster than an auto Si shows that you probably are drunk.

 

[ballmode]

s2000 or 350z

 

[Magusigne]

Maybe you should get a 2001-2005 civic with a M/T. Even the DX/LX with a M/T will be faster than an '06 SI with the automatic transmission. So, not only will the M/T be faster, it will be quieter on the highway and get better mileage than the SI automatic. Lastly, which is why I'm bothering to suggest this vehicle is that the '06+ civics are smaller than the '01-'05 civics, heavier and basically and overall downgrade. Either get the '01-'05 civics with a M/T or just give up and get a Prius because the Camry hybrid is a worthless pos. If you're going to go for something the likes of a Camry hybrid instead of the Prius, then you're better off with a Ford Fusion Hybrid.. Camry hybrid is an abomination.

i currently drive a 2001 Civic LX with M/T