LMS high MPG commuter.

I've never worried about what kind of MPG any of my vehicles ever got, but now that we bought a place in FL, I've made several trips down and back and my Tundra just doesn't cut it. I'm considering buying something that gets GREAT gas mileage so that I can make more trips down to do some small remodeling projects. I did all of the major work over the last 3 trips, so no need to do heavy hauling, I just need to some basic tools and saws down there.

I'd like to find something that gets 35+ mpg! If I had a vehicle that got 40-ish mpg, I would have no issues driving down over a long weekend as it wouldn't "break the bank" as compared to my pickup. I would also use it as a DD to get to and from work(15 miles one-way).

Anybody have any suggestions? I had a 1982 Toyota Starlet that got 40+ mpg, but finding one of those is going to be difficult as they are becoming highly sought after. Maybe a CRX?

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

lotusseven7 wrote: Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Can't tell if pun or not..

You pretty much answered your own question. If a CR-X works for you an insight would be better. For a while mazdaduece had one for sale cheap but they are all over the place for challenge money. Even with a new battery you likely are into one for less than $3500 for 50+ mpg.

lotusseven7 wrote: Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Have you seen the 2 door Honda Insight?

Edit: 2nd to the punch

Fueleconomy.gov and the power search function will let you search the mpg of every car sold in the US since 1985.

What do you want to spend? For maybe $8k (they depreciate like all getout) you can get a '13 Chevy Sonic. I have a 1.8/5MT and get an easy 35. The 1.4T/6MT can get 5 more mpg than that.

I road-tripped mine 4500 miles this summer. Even in a subcompact, GM really knows how to build a highway cruiser. Revs are low at highway speeds and seats are comfy, even for 10-hour stints.

CR-Z?

Used Prius?

What's the budget?

Tdi? Or skip the cost of buying something and fly back and forth.

Honestly if the "commute" is a cross country drive an econobox car is going to get old fast. Within the last 10yrs any Camry / Accord / Altima 4-cyl should get into the low 30's mpg

Fuelly.com is your friend. But you really just need a diesel jetta or golf.

Depends on your budget. If you want to get something that will get you 35+ mpg highway, your choices are only limited by your budget. There are SO many cars that can do that now. Somehow I don't think a 35 year old Starlet or 30 year old CRX would be the best cars for long highway hauls. And I just couldn't bring myself to ever recommend a VW. But beyond that, there's Prius, Civic (regular or hybrid), Accord, Elantra (mine gets 38-40mpg highway), Malibu Eco, Insight, Camry, Cruze, Sonic, Focus, Fiesta just to name a few.

In a world full of Insight's and Prius', they are lost in the shuffle but our Ford C-Max hybrid gets low 40's (freeway) all day long. It really shines in town and easily pulls mid to upper 50's. The driver seat and field of view is almost minivan like and it rides and handles more like a mid-size car rather than a spec. With a fold down rear seat and hatchback, we can haul a fair amount of things when needed.

In comparison to my old Civic vx, I can get almost the same economy but in full comfort and much better view of the road. Depreciation on C-Max's is very steep so picking up a '13 or '14 model could be pretty affordable depending on what you are looking to spend.

It's will all come down to budget. I am selling a bike that I bought off of a friend to get him out of a "jam", so unfortunately it will be around a $3000 purchase. Anybody want a 2000 Harley Sportster?

2nd gen Prius (04-10) should be doable for $3k.

I have a 2008 Cobalt with XFE (eco) package. With 130k miles I just drove from Raleigh, NC to Baltimore, MD. Drove around town and back to Raleigh, NC all in temps from 35 - 50F and averaged 41mpg while doing 5 - 10 mph over the limit the whole time.

You can pick one up (2008-2010) with the XFE package (not actual model, only available in manual trans) as noted by XFE tag on right side of trunk with under 100k miles for under $4k.

I do have a near 0 toe alignment with low rolling resistance tires and 1/3 of the front grill blocked out, without those mods I would expect about 2-3 mpg less. I average 38 - 42 mpg around town depending on seasons.

Only problems I have had were the turn signal doesn't automatically shut off after turning and my front speakers don't work when it's cold but start working in summer or if I have the heat blasting.

There was that whole ignition recall thing but that's a free dealer repair.

BrokenYugo wrote: 2nd gen Prius (04-10) should be doable for $3k.

I want to shop where you shop. Around here, any Prius under $7k has 180k+ miles on it.

In reply to EvanR:

You're in Vegas and we both know it is an unusually high priced car market.

My recent purchase, '07 Prius with 78k for $5.8k and similar examples noted in the area as well.

Here, a 180k example will have an asking price closer to $4k and may actually sell closer to $3k.

I once drove from upstate NY to south Deleware,425 miles at an average speed of 60 mph and got 40 mpg with my '13 Fiesta SE. I easily get over 40 on other trips.

JohnRW1621 wrote: In reply to EvanR: You're in Vegas and we both know it is an unusually high priced car market. My recent purchase, '07 Prius with 78k for $5.8k and similar examples noted in the area as well. Here, a 180k example will have an asking price closer to $4k and may actually sell closer to $3k.

Now I want to drive my rust-free Integra to Sandusky where it will sell for top dollar and buy a Prius for bottom dollar! Thanks.

In Scranton PA. '07 w/160k asking $3.7k or best offer

In Las Vegas '05 w/140k asking $6.5k

Shoot.... I could hook you up with the wife's Rio in a few weeks for around that money. She gets right at 35 round trip.