Jeramie Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 I have been driving a pile of junk Chevy Classic for the past 4 1/2 years. Ok, I say pile of junk but honestly its been pretty dependable. I just cant stand the car. I drive on average at least 110 miles a day and that thing averages 24 - 25 MPG. It runs over $10 a day for fuel and there is nothing nice or comfortable about the car to make it enjoyable. Im weighing my options and trying to get into something nicer and a little more comfortable. Im looking several different directions. Im pretty set on either a Toyota, Honda, or possibly Nissan. I want that 250k - 300k engine so I can get my money out of the car. Right now Im looking at these cars but fuel economy is huge as again, I average 110+ miles a day. Does anyone have any realistic idea of MPG? Toyota Camry (6cy) -Said to be between 30 - 32mpg highway Honda Accord (6cy) - Said to be between 31 - 33mpg highway Honda Civic (Sports package, 4cy) Said to be around 36mph highway Nissan Maxima or Altima (6cy) Said to be 29 - 31mpg highway www.fueleconomy.gov is the most popular MPG source but if you look at peoples answers on fuel economy it is all over the place. Im looking for something more believeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach1 Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 (edited) My wife has a 2001 Honda Accord and she drives roughly 75 miles roundtrip to work 3 days a week. Her drive is interstate the whole way except for about 5 miles. She gets 30-33 mpg and she can have a lead foot at times. The car has just over 150K miles on it and we plan on keeping it until it dies because of the mpg even after we get her a new-to-us SUV next year. We've not had any issues with it other than general maintenance and it's been a great car. My cousin had a new Nissan Altima that she only had for a few months before it started having all sorts of problems. She got rid of it and got an SUV. Edited September 30, 2010 by Mach1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Would you consider a VW? The TDIs are getting 40-45 highway mileage. They are by far the most fuel efficient vehicles out there. Even with the higher price of diesel over gasoline. Out of your choices, I would go with the Toyota. Of course I am a Toyota person, but the cause of me being a toyota person is working at a shop for 6 years. I have seen what comes in and for what problems in all mile ranges. Dont have real world experience with any of the MPG of each though. Toyota is the most American made vehicle out there, so purchasing from them would support out econmy as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach1 Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Would you consider a VW? The TDIs are getting 40-45 highway mileage. They are by far the most fuel efficient vehicles out there. Even with the higher price of diesel over gasoline. My father-in-law has a Jetta with the TDI. I think it's an '02 or '03. He's at 170K plus with it, drives roughly 75 miles roundtrip 5 days a week. The turbo went out of it a few months back and he doesn't want to put the money in it to fix it (he's been quoted over $1,000 a couple places), so he drives it without turbo. He says it's a dog from a stand still or when he goes to pass, but he's still over 40 mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 My father-in-law has a Jetta with the TDI. I think it's an '02 or '03. He's at 170K plus with it, drives roughly 75 miles roundtrip 5 days a week. The turbo went out of it a few months back and he doesn't want to put the money in it to fix it (he's been quoted over $1,000 a couple places), so he drives it without turbo. He says it's a dog from a stand still or when he goes to pass, but he's still over 40 mpg. That's a great story. It's also pretty awesome that he is still getting over 40mpg with the turbo. But the turbo does help when it comes to get up and go and passing power. They are about the most practical cars for daily commuting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted September 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Would you consider a VW? The TDIs are getting 40-45 highway mileage. They are by far the most fuel efficient vehicles out there. Even with the higher price of diesel over gasoline. Im not against them but I have a buddy that only drive VW, a Truck, Or a murdercycle. I talked to him about his Jetta and he loves it but said the upkeep on a VW is far more than any other cars he has evern owned (he's about 41'ish). He commutes to Tulsa too (about 85 miles round trip for him) and said the fuel economy is enough to offset any work he has to do. Out of your choices, I would go with the Toyota. Of course I am a Toyota person, but the cause of me being a toyota person is working at a shop for 6 years. Thats kind of the way im leaning too. We use to have a Nissan Quest (van) and it got totaled last year. We bought my wife a Toyota Sienna and she LOVES it. Toyota make a great product. However, I honestly believe that Honda makes one of the best engines out there. Im a huge fan of Honda Motors. My main strain is between honda and toyota. If I go with Toyota Ill likely end up with a Camry, may consider a Corolla. If I go with the honda there is a very likely chance it will be the Civic with the Sports or premium package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 That little Honda SI/Sport model is nice, but it will be driven on some occasions as a sports model which will drop the mpg and defeat the purpose of your purchase. What about a celica or scion TC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted September 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Do they still make the Celica? I thought they werent making it anymore? Not crazy about the scions. I know they are the same thing as a toyota but really not crazy about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Nope, not anymore. Are you looking to buy brand new? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Out of those 3 I'd go with Toyota. I've never been a honda fan for some reason. Even though I see people up here getting over 400,000km on the older civics and the body falls off them and the engine is still running. Only problem I've been hearing is their automatic transmission being horrible in the newer ones. If it was me it wouldn't bother me since I'd never own an automatic vehicle, that's just me though. My brother has a 2006 Civic 2dr 5-speed. He bought it off a co-worker of mine. The engine had to be replaced at 100,000km (62000mi) because the block had a porous spot and was leaking oil. Now the car has around 160,000km (100000mi), still runs good, I bet he could get 40mpg if he drove it normal, but he drives the livin' snot out of it. I had a 2003 Cavalier 2dr 5-speed with the Ecotec engine. I could get 42mpg on a long trip with it. And that's with me driving between 70 and 80mph the whole trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach1 Posted October 1, 2010 Report Share Posted October 1, 2010 I'm extremely anti-GM/Chevy, but all the Cavaliers I've ever been around have been pretty reliable for their owners and get good mpg. They're quality vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted October 1, 2010 Report Share Posted October 1, 2010 Most GM vehicles are pretty good nowadays, as long as their not the Korean built Aveos, Optras, Epicas. They are JUNK! The Cavalier is a great car. Especially 2003-2005 when they had the Ecotec engines. They made the old 2.2 look like a lawn mower engine when it came to power. They are a way better engine than the old 2.4L Quads too. The ecotec believe it or not is designed by Lotus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad dryden Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 In mu opinion stay away from the nissan all of them around here cars and trucks the frams rust out. I had a 95 nissan maxima and the frame was junk. Had a friend with a truck that was the same way. I would stick with the Honda out of the onces you picked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted October 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 Nope, not anymore. Are you looking to buy brand new? Never..... ive bought one new car in my life... Wont do it again. I buy the program cars and trucks with like 20k miles. You get a lot more life out of them and there cant be too much history with the vehicle (Typically). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 Never..... ive bought one new car in my life... Wont do it again. I buy the program cars and trucks with like 20k miles. You get a lot more life out of them and there cant be too much history with the vehicle (Typically). If you're not going to buy new, then you could still get a celica if you wanted the 'sports' car. But you will need to buy the GTS to get decent power and have a fun car to drive. But with that extra power and fun, you are drifting away from the goal of the car which is to save on money with mpg. If this is just a commuter car and nothing else, I would like at the Toyota Corolla. Cheap, good gas mileage, and big enough for 4 to ride. My number 1 would still be a VW TDI in any of the flavors they come in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rem308 Posted October 4, 2010 Report Share Posted October 4, 2010 '05 Toyota Corolla LE here and it suits my needs just fine. I commute about 70 miles round trip daily and it averages 38 MPG. It's all interstate and is a comfortable ride too. Sure it's a small car but it has a pretty nice interior and several bells & whistles to give me a comfortable commute. I believe Honda makes a great automobile too but I happened to find a good price on this Toyota used with 30,000 miles. I would highly recommend the Corolla based on your criteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/05/vw-sets-single-tank-distance-record-with-1-527-mile-passat-bluem/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otdrzmn04 Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 i work at a toyota factory that builds the sienna, highlander, and sequoia. the quality standards are crazy at toyota plants. all vehicle manufacturers have quality checkers but the dedicated quality checkers that we have throughout our plants heavily out weigh the number that other brands have on the floor. toyota knows the price of heavily manned check points is nothing when it creates return customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted October 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 i work at a toyota factory that builds the sienna, highlander, and sequoia. the quality standards are crazy at toyota plants. all vehicle manufacturers have quality checkers but the dedicated quality checkers that we have throughout our plants heavily out weigh the number that other brands have on the floor. toyota knows the price of heavily manned check points is nothing when it creates return customers. Oh yeah, Toyota is the model for Six Sigma training.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.