Best used economy cars

[RichZ]

OK, you guys talked me out of a motor scooter for my 23 mile each way commute. And I'm glad you did. I can afford about $5000 for a used commuter car. I'd like to get at least 30 mpg, and something that I'm not going to be having to repair all of the time. Other than that, I'm wide open to anything. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

 

[Bird]

Rich, there's just too many options in small cars. I'm inclined to think the smaller Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas would be good, but personally, I'd be looking for a Ford Escort or Ford Focus that replaced the Escort. We bought a new 1993 Escort Station Wagon with the 5-speed manual transmission, drove it over 106,000 miles with an overall average of 32.982 mpg. Then when my wife wrecked it and totalled it, we bought a new 1999 Escort 4-door sedan with automatic transmission, but only drove it a little less than 39,000 miles with an overall average of 32.585 mpg.

 

[Wombat125]

Some of these opinions are pretty subjective -- Your mileage may vary [pun intended].

Bird's Escort or a Saturn are good options just because they can be had for a song.

Honda and Nissan cars are super reliable, but not really engineered for serviceability. Go to change a clutch in a Honda or a water pump in a Sentra, and you're going to be in for a long day.

I like the little Toyotas, Geos, Suzukis, and older VWs for both economy and serviceability.

My dream is to find a nice little 1.6L turbo diesel (not TDI) Rabbit. The problem is that I probably wouldn't have the self dicipline to not rip the motor out to put it in my Samurai.

 

[actionaj]

I have a 2000 Chevy Cavalier that I gave about $4500 for 4 years ago. Its got 170,000 miles on it now never had any problems with it. It gets 31.4 MPG I would like to replace it with a TDI Jetta but they are hard to find. Probably end up trading it for a Cobalt

 

[jcotta]

Rich, I just went thru the same search. The market for used small cars is thru the roof. Local dealer here spent 2,000,000 to buy used Honda and Toyota economy cars to fill his lots. He must have bought every decent vehicle within 500 miles. A good used vehicle with less than 50k will bring close to 10,000. I took my 5,000 and bought a new 2008 Ford Focus for 15,300 with zero percent financing for 60 mo. Monthly payment 166. Got it just before deal ended in May. My fuel bill went from $160 a week for my Ford 150 to $45. The Focus pays for itself. Just use the truck when needed. I also went thru the excercise of looking at pay back on a hybrid. The cost was 7k-8k higher. Payback at 45mpg vs Focus 33mpg (my average) would have been at least 5 years for the hybrid. I really like the Focus . Good luck on your search.

John

 

[kenmac]

I've got a 2000 mazda protege that gets around 31 mpg. I think it was rated around 29 mpg. I bought this little car about 4 yrs ago ( b-4 gasoline prices went crazy) for with 45000 miles on the meter for $4500.00. Only thing I've done to it is change oil, replaced timming belt myself for about $40.00

 

[EddieWalker]

Honda and Toyota are pretty much accepted as the most reliable and best built cars out there, but their price reflects that. Resale seems to hold real high on both of them too.

For good quality, reliablity and good value for you money, I think Mitsubishi is probably the most underated car maker out there. For whatever reason, they just don't get the recognition of the other two, but make a car just as good, or nearly as good, depending on styling and options.

Everyone that I've ever met who owns a Saturn raves about them when they have them, but never buys another. Same is true for most of the other el cheapo's.

Ford and Chevy both have decent cars, but not in the came class as the Mitsubishi.

Eddie

 

[jinman]

I bought a '92 Honda Accord from my neighbor for $1500 and put another $2000 into it over a year (battery, alternator, fuel pump, suspension, tires, valve cover gasket, and hoses). The car is now in great shape and I gave it to my daughter because they needed a commuter beside their bigger vehicles.

I bought a 2007 Pontiac Vibe for myself since I commute 150 miles per day. It delivers 33 mpg if I don't drive over 70 mph. The Vibe was $14k with 10k miles on it when I bought it. It's a great little car built in a joint venture between Pontiac and Toyota. Essentially, it is a twin of the Toyota Matrix. It is probably much more money than you want to spend, Rich, but if you see a used one, you might take a look.

 

[dooleysm]

I bought a '99 lumina 4-door sedan 3 years ago. It had 78k miles and I paid $4000 cash at a dealer. I drive 85 miles a day to/from work and average between 27-29 mpg. I've got 131k miles on it now (I started carpooling, so I'm not driving nearly as much as I used to).

It's been a heck of a car for me. It gets very good mileage, and seats 4 adults comfortably and 6 will fit in a pinch. 2 adults and to young kids will fit well too, which works out nicely for us.

 

[Bird]

Ford and Chevy both have decent cars, but not in the came class as the Mitsubishi.

Wow, that's a surprising statement! You may be right for all I know, Eddie, but the Mitsubishi would be about the last thing I'd consider.