New car suggestions..?

[exrider12]

Ok we all know gas is crazy right now.. I have a steady job but gas is killing me. I currently have a 2003 Nissan Maxima and it gets 18mpg.. pretty bad.

I have been talking to my parents about getting a more fuel efficient car.

Now I have a few requirements... It must be decent looking... no grandma cars. I want it to still have some power, get better than 18 mpg.. and i want it to be a manual.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

[Tommy Warren]

I get 45 MPG with my 08 kia rio5. you can get them in a standard for like 8 grand new with a 10 year warranty. people make fun of them but I've never had trouble with mine. and they go pretty good and handle like a go kart.

[exrider12]

Honestly that thing is pretty sweet!

[krt400ex]

s2000. chicks like it, its quick, gets 25+ mpg and is sexy lol. six speed manual and thats the only way they were built.

[CJM]

I really like the new kias, really nice looking, well built and I recall they got a few sporty models.

[exrider12]

Originally posted by krt400ex
s2000. chicks like it, its quick, gets 25+ mpg and is sexy lol. six speed manual and thats the only way they were built.

I would love one... but im kinda on a $7000 budget. Plus they are not very practical for New England winters!

[exrider12]

anyone other opinions?

[ridehonda400ex]

honda civic, reliable, great mpg, and tons of aftermarket, and theyre fast

[Scro]

You can't go wrong with a Honda. I paid $7000 for my 2001 Accord V6, and get close to 30 MPG highway.

[exrider12]

I found a few nice civics actually... Tasteful mods, nothing ricey for $5000 with 70k miles.

[Tommy Warren]

Originally posted by exrider12
I would love one... but im kinda on a $7000 budget. Plus they are not very practical for New England winters!

this thing is a tank in the snow I've driven through fields with over a foot of snow and it just keeps going. I got the sport model with sunroof, 4 wheel disc, abs, heated seats, fog lights and all that crap....and I've never had a problem with it starting....and I'm in Canada

[exrider12]

Originally posted by Tommy Warren
this thing is a tank in the snow I've driven through fields with over a foot of snow and it just keeps going. I got the sport model with sunroof, 4 wheel disc, abs, heated seats, fog lights and all that crap....and I've never had a problem with it starting....and I'm in Canada

I was talking about the s2000 lol :p

[finsteratv]

subaru's??? good in snow, road gripping monsters, can be fairly fast. not sure on price though..more of a truck guy myself haha..

[Tommy Warren]

Originally posted by exrider12
I was talking about the s2000 lol :p
oh right....yeah not a good winter car:D

[Dobber]

honda prelude. I love mine. does pretty well in the snow, gets decent mpg.

[Kickstarts-suck]

Originally posted by ridehonda400ex
honda civic, and theyre fast

Lol that was funny!


But yea.. Find a used civic.


Im kinda in the same boat. Not looking to replace my truck just a good DD. 12 MPGs isn't cutting it anymore.

Looking into a used civic that WASN'T owned by a young kid.


45mpgs out of that Kia sounds pretty damn good to me! :eek2:

[Canadian144]

Originally posted by finsteratv
subaru's??? good in snow, road gripping monsters, can be fairly fast. not sure on price though..more of a truck guy myself haha..

The mpg's aren't that great .... at least on our 09 STI haha :devil:

I'd check the mpg ratings for the Impreza 2.5RS and 2.5i. Both handle great, have AWD, and you can get them with a manual.

[Rootar]

1.8T jetta can get you in the 30 mpg range, if your ok with a little less power but still plenty of torque to pass anyone you want i d look into a MK4 tdi jetta. i get 45-47mpg on average in mine, the WORST tank i did was when we did a little autocross and i still got 40 mpg that tank. With some tatseful mods the little TDI can really wakeup and be fun driver.

Mine has koni FSDs all around, audi bushings, strut tower brace, egr delete, shine sway bar,and BBS wheels with Yokohama tires. I love mine.

[ProspectorJim]

Surprised nobody mentioned a GTI? Practical, gets 30+mpg with the 1.8l turbo or 25+ with the VR6. Most have a 6 speed, their front wheel drive so winters not a problem, and theyre fun to drive. You can find a really clean mk4 for right around $7000.

[Quinn4]

I would have to ask what is going wrong with your current car to only be getting 18mpg.
You'd would save alot of money if you could find a "trustworthy" mechanic to go thru your current car and give it a good tune-up.
my 1991 toyota corolla gets 23-24 in town driving.
It's a bit rusty but thats why its my work car.

[exrider12]

My cars in mint shape... nitrogen inflated tires checked every few days, synthetic oil, new plugs... everything. Its just the way the vq35 is I guess.

And iv been finding some real nice gti 1.8 turbos :D

[CJM]

Personally if your looking for maximum mpg I would only look at hyundais, kias, toyotas or hondas.

Im biased yes, but every VW I have ever worked on (Im a mechanic) is such an absolute utter pos I refused to go near them after awhile The GTI (least the older ones) are the only semi-reliable ones. Maybe others have had good luck with them-I certainly didnt enjoy repairing them over and over and over.

Plus remember, turbo equates to less mpg-dont lie your gonna spool that sucker up but good lol.

Me, Id buy the new kias or a relatively new used one. I really like the optima.

[Kawie450r]

01-05 Honda Civic. I have a 04 ex and i love the way it drives. Gets 40mpg. Its a 5spd so its fun to drive. And i can still pull a trailer with my quad so i have no need for a truck.

[feuerstack411]

VW Golf TDI.

VW after market scene is huge, plenty and plenty of mods. The TDI engines get from 40-60 MPG.
And this is coming from someone who HATES VW

[hypersnyper6947]

definitely with out a doubt look for a tdi golf or jetta

[Quinn4]

"My cars in mint shape... nitrogen inflated tires checked every few days, synthetic oil, new plugs... everything. Its just the way the vq35 is I guess."

Your milage just seemed super low for being a 4 door sedan, your version must be a higher performance version. (I'm not all that up on the various specialty imports)
The last time I did the milage on my 06 f150 4x4 with the 5.4 i got 19.23 mpg.

That being said the hondas, toyotas and vw's are great, but keep in mind you will pay alot more for those as well as the maintenance.
Personally I'd look into a 2003 or newer Ford Focus, they made millions of them and parts are cheap. Great mpg as well.

I've even seen the SVT 4dr hatchbacks for less than 6,000.
just my .02

[exrider12]

Originally posted by Quinn4
"My cars in mint shape... nitrogen inflated tires checked every few days, synthetic oil, new plugs... everything. Its just the way the vq35 is I guess."

Your milage just seemed super low for being a 4 door sedan, your version must be a higher performance version. (I'm not all that up on the various specialty imports)
The last time I did the milage on my 06 f150 4x4 with the 5.4 i got 19.23 mpg.

That being said the hondas, toyotas and vw's are great, but keep in mind you will pay alot more for those as well as the maintenance.
Personally I'd look into a 2003 or newer Ford Focus, they made millions of them and parts are cheap. Great mpg as well.

I've even seen the SVT 4dr hatchbacks for less than 6,000.
just my .02

Definitely appreciated man. I'll keep that in mind!

[fastredrider44]

I'm not a fan of VWs after working on a few...

That Maxima should be getting better mileage than that, i don't care what package it has. My g/f has an Altima with the 3.5 and it still gets good mileage, and she doesn't cut it any slack.:eek2:

[OldGuyonaQuad]

I think the Ultima is rated #1 by comsumers choice, but again here I am pushing Honda. The civic believe it or not has a better engine then the Accord (or so my brother the mechanic tells me).

Now that my best friend now longer sells Buicks I will probably get the wife a Civic next time we buy. I'm driving the pickem up truck with a company gas card.

Go big red!!!

[krt400ex]

Originally posted by exrider12
My cars in mint shape... nitrogen inflated tires checked every few days, synthetic oil, new plugs... everything. Its just the way the vq35 is I guess.

And iv been finding some real nice gti 1.8 turbos :D


they are slow as balls. the trans suck and they arent reliable. i wouldnt buy a vw. unless it was a vrt.