YACT: What is a car that is very fun to drive and gets excellent gas mileage?

[raildogg]

I've been looking at a Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Mazda 3 and a few others for a while. The Mazda 3 is in there because it is a fun car and has lots of goodies. But the Civic Hybrid and the Prius are currently what I am into at the moment. Are there any others? Are these cars really boring to drive? What are your experiences?

 

[tbike06]

Civic Hybrid. The resale value on those things is awesome.

 

[jagec]

1989 Toyota MR2.

 

[RedArmy]

Something Japanese

 

[clickynext]

Mazda3 because Mazdas are AWESOME to drive. Fuel economy won't be as good as that civic, though.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: jagec
1989 Toyota MR2.

:thumbsup:

 

[Fenixgoon]

my brother's 2002 A4 gets 30+ highway and he's modded it to ~300hp at the crank... it's one sweet vehicle

edited for spelling

 

[ElFenix]

mini

 

[raildogg]

Also, I am very interested in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI that got close to 50mpg in a review comparison. The Prius got 42mpg in that comparison. But I'm concerned about diesel stations here and whether they are close by. All I see are gas stations but I don't pay close attention. I think these new Volkswagens should be pretty reliable with the warranty. Your opinions?

 

[JinLien]

Civic hybrid MSRP = $21,850 @ 49/51 mpg
Camry hybrid MSRP = $25,900 @ 40/38 mpg

Civic is a great car, cheaper than Campry, and is a fuel miser. But, Camry is much more car for only $4000 more & isn't as good with fuel.

Personly I would go for the Camry because the style is great and it is nice ride.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Also, I am very interested in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI that got close to 50mpg in a review comparison. The Prius got 42mpg in that comparison. But I'm concerned about diesel stations here and whether they are close by. All I see are gas stations but I don't pay close attention. I think these new Volkswagens should be pretty reliable with the warranty. Your opinions?

most gas stations *should* have diesel as well... most places (even out in the sticks in the middle of nowhere) do.

 

[shoRunner]

how are any of those cars considered "fun to drive?"

 

[thomsbrain]

you don't need to get a hybrid to top 30 MPG. the normal civic will do it, and i think the Si might even make the cut, as well.

the prius is about as un-fun to drive as you can imagine. there is value in the MPG-game, but you won't have fun DRIVING. can't speak for the current civic hybrid, but the Si has been universally acclaimed. also, the honda fit has gained many positive reviews regarding its handling and fun-to-drive factor. the mazda 3 is also supposed to be fun to drive.

 

[SophalotJack]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: raildogg
Also, I am very interested in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI that got close to 50mpg in a review comparison. The Prius got 42mpg in that comparison. But I'm concerned about diesel stations here and whether they are close by. All I see are gas stations but I don't pay close attention. I think these new Volkswagens should be pretty reliable with the warranty. Your opinions?

most gas stations *should* have diesel as well... most places (even out in the sticks in the middle of nowhere) do.

Very good choice raildogg on the TDI VW. It WILL hold it's resale value over anything I can think of (in terms of yearly value degrading %). It is also a diesel, which is super reliable and relatvely cheap to maintain with comparable mileage on gas engines.

And yeah, diesel is widely abundant, but with that car / engine... you might not need to fill up for up to two weeks of nominal driving.

 

[swtethan]

30+ and fun? get a sport bike, nothing is going to be fun at 30+mpg

 

[Toastedlightly]

Well, if it is "fun," you won't be getting the mileage that is advertised.

well, my brother's view of fun in his neon is 11 mpg.

City: 22 Highway: 30

That is the normal mileage. Now you determine if you can have fun and economy.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: swtethan
30+ and fun? get a sport bike, nothing is going to be fun at 30+mpg

*ahem* '89 Toyota MR2.

Granted, if you're below 30MPH that will drop below 30MPG...but at speed, it will get great mileage no matter how you drive, and corners are pure heaven

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: SophalotJack

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: raildogg
Also, I am very interested in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI that got close to 50mpg in a review comparison. The Prius got 42mpg in that comparison. But I'm concerned about diesel stations here and whether they are close by. All I see are gas stations but I don't pay close attention. I think these new Volkswagens should be pretty reliable with the warranty. Your opinions?

most gas stations *should* have diesel as well... most places (even out in the sticks in the middle of nowhere) do.

Very good choice raildogg on the TDI VW. It WILL hold it's resale value over anything I can think of (in terms of yearly value degrading %). It is also a diesel, which is super reliable and relatvely cheap to maintain with comparable mileage on gas engines.

And yeah, diesel is widely abundant, but with that car / engine... you might not need to fill up for up to two weeks of nominal driving.

One of my neighbors has a new Jetta TDI, and it can move off the line well. I wish more diesel sedans/hatchbacks were in the US.

 

[thescreensavers]

Toyota matrix XRS or Corolla XRS (6SPD)
redlines at like 8100rpm and hits lift from around 6000rpm

What lift is
matrix/rolla forums

I want to get this car. I heard its fun to drive.

or if you got alot of money and dont need having more then 2 people in the car get a lotus elise exige same engine jsut they torbo it and stuff.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

well my new ford focus is fun to drive and it must do about 35-40MPG..... its a 1.4 zetec 16v tho.

 

[habib89]

honda fit

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

civis hybrid and prius is fun to drive???

 

[RiDE]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
mini

I agree. Everything else in the thread doesn't sound fun at all.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: cHeeZeFacTory
civis hybrid and prius is fun to drive???

Exactly. My GTO is fun to drive, but I can't imagine a Prius being fun...

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
well my new ford focus is fun to drive and it must do about 35-40MPG..... its a 1.4 zetec 16v tho.

Are you talking about the new new Focus, or the first generation? I didn't think they made it with a 1.4, I thought 1.6 was the smallest engine because that's what I have.