YACT: Miles per gallon, and small SUV / sedan thoughts.

[Red]

I've been tracking my gas mileage on the Honda since the 1st tank of gas. When I bought the car, the sticker said 30 City, 38 Highway.

I get 28MPG consistently, driving about 70% hwy / 30% city. I drive like a grandma and don't use AC, auto tranny.

Anyway, it normally takes 10.5 - 11.5 gallons to fill my tank up. I use my trip meter to keep track of how many miles it took my car to use 10.5 gallons. It's usually 300-350 (hence the 28mpg). The '85 Celica GT-S 5-speed got about 275 miles per 12 gallons (22/23 mpg, yuck) in same driving.

I'm considering getting a car for about $5-10k in a couple months and gas mileage is important, but not crazy important. 20mpg is fine. I was considering a vehicle like a Subaru outback / Honda CRV but also cars like Nissan Maxima, Infiniti I30 (J30 is affordable, but gets like 19 MPG mixed driving, and I'd rather rather a small SUV if they get similar gas mileage). I'm steering away from compact cars like Corolla and Civic because they are small and over 15,000 miles per year of driving, 30mpg versus 25mpg only saves $150 in gas and 30mpg versus 20mpg saves $375. Anything less than 20 and it starts to be a big money-loser.

Any of you track stuff like this? If I had to choose a car, I'd go for a Max because it's cheaper than the I30 but I really want a sunroof and I'm not sure how easy it is to find that on a Maxima, because it's standard on I30 (right?). If a Honda CRV gets comparable gas mileage, I might as well get a compact SUV over a Maxima.

Thoughts?

 

[CraigRT]

I'd get a Sedan just cause I like them better.
you can get a sunroof on a Maxima in any trim level other than the base GXE.. if you get a ~2k1 Maxima, the 3.0L engine is really good on gas, my dads car gets excellent mileage.. (it's a 2000)

 

[Zenmervolt]

At steady speed on the freeway, you actually use more gas with the windows open than you do using the A/C because of the increased drag. Where A/C kill mileage is during acceleration and really low speed driving.

ZV

 

[AvesPKS]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
I'd get a Sedan just cause I like them better.
you can get a sunroof on a Maxima in any trim level other than the base GXE.. if you get a ~2k1 Maxima, the 3.0L engine is really good on gas, my dads car gets excellent mileage.. (it's a 2000)

I know it's not as sound as having one put in from the factory, but you could probably have a sunroom put in on a Maxima if you really wanted one, no?

 

[Quixfire]

I general don't choose a car because of the MPG rating.

 

[StageLeft]

Lots of maximas have sunroofs/rooves, including mine. With the 5 speed we get about 24 mpg combo of city and highway. It's rated for 21/27 and I can vouch for the fact it can get 27 like it claims on just highway.

 

[Fausto]

My 0.02

My car gets pretty crappy mileage (Ford Explorer) but I offset this by commuting by bike/foot/whatever as much as possible. I only fill up once every 2-3 weeks unless I do a long trip on the weekend or something.

 

[radioouman]

Gas mileage does not change the cost to drive the vehicle by much, compared to other factors such as insurance, monthly payments, repairs, etc.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Lots of maximas have sunroofs/rooves, including mine. With the 5 speed we get about 24 mpg combo of city and highway. It's rated for 21/27 and I can vouch for the fact it can get 27 like it claims on just highway.

yeah the 3 litre is good on gas!!

 

[Red]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
I general don't choose a car because of the MPG rating.

Quix, neither do I. The main factor is the initial cost of the car. I'm willing to spend upwards of $10k, but my goal would be 5-8k. After the initial cost, it would be a car that fits my needs. 4 doors, not tiny, decent mileage, sunroof, reliability, etc. Camry, Maxima, Accord, and compact SUVs fit this bill. Camry is a bit overpriced for what you get with a Maxima. Accord has high insurance. Maxima offers greater performance than both and is cheaper than both while still offering many of the same features / similar size. A small SUV would also fit the bill for me if it gets similar gas mileage while offering more room and having a sunroof, sitting higher on the road, etc.

 

[freebee]

Let me post my obligatory dont get a newer maxima response. Go to any nissan dealer in an urban area and ask about a certain theft problem.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: freebee
Let me post my obligatory dont get a newer maxima response. Go to any nissan dealer in an urban area and ask about a certain theft problem.

that's why i recommend ~2k1
they are my favorites... 2001 20th anniversary is the best maxima made IMHO.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Redhotjrm

Originally posted by: Quixfire
I general don't choose a car because of the MPG rating.

Quix, neither do I. The main factor is the initial cost of the car. I'm willing to spend upwards of $10k, but my goal would be 5-8k. After the initial cost, it would be a car that fits my needs. 4 doors, not tiny, decent mileage, sunroof, reliability, etc. Camry, Maxima, Accord, and compact SUVs fit this bill. Camry is a bit overpriced for what you get with a Maxima. Accord has high insurance. Maxima offers greater performance than both and is cheaper than both while still offering many of the same features / similar size. A small SUV would also fit the bill for me if it gets similar gas mileage while offering more room and having a sunroof, sitting higher on the road, etc.

I personally would get something like this, because I like them.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Gas mileage does not change the cost to drive the vehicle by much, compared to other factors such as insurance, monthly payments, repairs, etc.

My Dad saved £1000~£1500 ($1500~$2250) in under 2 years from "gas" alone by getting a car with better mpg (33 old vs 46 or so new). Cars cost about the same (lease cars) in terms of pretty much everything, IIRC.
Although $750+ a year may not be much to some people...