since gas prices are going thru the roof...

[CMB]

i'm thinking of buying a small compact reliable car that gets the best milage possible to do my service calls in, and park my 4 wheel drive tacoma untill i need it. what would be a good vehicle for this purpose? no hybrids.

think small with high gas milage.
yaris- built by toyota?
honda- whatever?
scion?

[dbrownlee]

We used a Ford Focus with a manual transmission here for a while...31-32 M.P.G. average city and highway, multiple drivers. Was fairly peppy and handled pretty well, too. I now use a '99 Escort wagon, it's at about 140K miles and going strong, about 27 M.P.G. I'll drive that one til it won't go any more, hopefully 200K miles +.

[CMB]

one of our company cars is a focus. two door with automatic trans. gas milage around 15 to 16 mph. not too impressive.

[dbrownlee]

No, that isn't too impressive. I wouldn't think the difference between an automatic and a manual tranny would be that large. Those were good figures on ours, though- the company gas card kept track of mileage, and I did see the records for the year or so we had the car. Go figure.

[dwparker.wa]

I've been driving a Chevy Avio since my Metro got creamed.33 to 37 MPH depending on traffic and pretty agile.I can get 2 Fellows320 shredders in it at a time or most small copiers.( I have the sedan, not the wagon).
Parker

[CMB]

lets make it a little interesting. how about a small vehicle that gets around 40 MPG, new or no more than a few years old for under 10 grand?? and whats you opinion on the reliability of it.

i prefer honda or toyota products..

[wagon]

Do you have lpg (liquified petroleum gas) in your part of the world? Perhaps a vehicle running on lpg would be a good option (motors and such last a lot longer on lpg than petrol - 500000km++)

Kendall.

[CMB]

i have seen a few, but only companies like the city power and gas have them.

[Dukem]

40 mpg, no hybrids?

lets make it a little interesting. how about a small vehicle that gets around 40 MPG, new or no more than a few years old for under 10 grand?? and whats you opinion on the reliability of it.

i prefer honda or toyota products..

That's a lot to ask for. I sold my truck and bought a 2005 Toyota Matrix almost 2yrs ago. Great utility car! The rear seats fold flat for lots of storage space and has railing for the tiedowns and loops it comes with; passenger seat folds flat so you can put your laptop (or lunch) on it; 2 accessory outlets plus a 115v outlet! Gas mileage averages 31 mpg for me but the newer models do even better I think.

I have nothing but praise for this little work horse. With 40k miles in 20 months it's never let me down. Sadly, it will be for sale soon since I have a new job and a company car is on the way.

Good luck in your search.

[CMB]

i've heard of some small 4 cylinder cars just a few years old being sold for under 10 grand or even less. i'm just fishing on what to look for. 40 MPG might be a high number, but i need the best gas milage i can get if i am going to buy one.

thanks everyone for your responses.

[Mr Spock]

I use a Chevy Colorado crew cab and get 22 mpg on the highway. I may start using the wifes chevy cobalt. It gets 21-23 city and 33 on the highway. And it is pretty nice size trunk. Used around here for 2 year old is $13k.

[Herrmann]

Did you ever think of using Cars with Diesel Engine? runs much cheaper IMHO.

We have a Mercedes Sprinter 216 VAN to transport our mashines (Diesel, 155 HP, 170 KM/H) and for Service we use Opel Combo (mini Van, 1,7 Turbo Diesel with 100 HP, runs near 180 km/h)

Both car types allowes a quick transport to the next customer by moderate fuel costs: the Combo use up to 7.5 liter Diesel for 100 KM, the Sprinter near 10 Liter at full load (2,8 tons)


Greeting from Germany

Herrmann