Need 40+ mpg college hatchback for less than $1500

With cheap and easy parts. Should be able to cruise at 75 mph without feeling like I'm going to die.

Not EF hatch.

Discuss please. :)

HX hatch?

323?

Accent?

Civic. Oh wait...you will die. Sorry.

SC1 5spd?

Under $1500 its hard to crack 40mpg without feeling like you will die (EF hatch)

Also I'm tall. 6'3" 185 lbs.

By die I don't mean lack of acceleration, I mean overall stability. 60-80 mph in 3-5 business days is acceptable.

ProDarwin wrote: SC1 5spd? Under $1500 its hard to crack 40mpg without feeling like you will die (EF hatch)

I hear these are plastic. Do they rust?

Good luck with that. I think your best bet is a really beat up Echo

You do realize that $1500 cars and $3k cars don't really cost much different after the first 6 months right? And that hatchbacks and good fuel economy aren't cheap. If you could do 30 mpg and don't care if it never runs very well a vw golf would work (mk2 or mk3), or not a hatch then a first gen neon will get close to 40 mpg, or if you don't mind drIving a tiny light car then a geo metro or festiva. I don't think those things all happen at once though.

Taiden wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: SC1 5spd? Under $1500 its hard to crack 40mpg without feeling like you will die (EF hatch)

I hear these are plastic. Do they rust?

Not the body. The chassis and suspension can though

Personally I'd drop your requirement to 35mpg+. That opens this up to a lot more vehicles.

ProDarwin wrote: Personally I'd drop your requirement to 35mpg+. That opens this up to a lot more vehicles.

35mpg to start plus a bunch of hypermiler aero tweaks and you'll probably get to 40mpg. Disregard this if you have any ambitions toward becoming better acquainted with the local female population.

40+ MPG...under $1500...hatchback...not going to die. Hmmmm, that will be tough.

Taiden wrote: Also I'm tall. 6'3" 185 lbs.

Jeez, have a sandwich or something.

Let's say 35+ mpg just for discussion purposes

accent should work. They have a decent amount of headroom

Woody wrote:

Taiden wrote: Also I'm tall. 6'3" 185 lbs.

Jeez, have a sandwich or something.

nomnomnom!

1976 Diesel Rabbit.

Neon with a motor that broke a timing belt. After a few afternoons, it will run and be under budget. but it won't look pretty.

Dang. I was gonna say Dodge Neon.

I'm still gonna say it: Dodge Neon.

i'll be another to toss in the 1g neon... not a hatch... but the fold down seats do help and the way the trunk opens its not bad find a SOHC... recall a number of guys getting over 40mpg with em... check out neons.org

Challenge rule it? Buy one for 2500 and sell 1000$ off it?

Yep, Saturn SC1 5-speed. Look for 1995 or newer. The SC2 5-speed still gets high 30's and is much nicer to drive. I get 37-38 hwy in mine.

Diesel vw would do it for sure, but they aren't cheap anymore, even a beater diesel rabbit is over $2500.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/2624066423.html

1988 VW diesel - $1600 (Newnan)

Date: 2011-09-29, 3:53PM EDT Reply to: sale-hvzx4-2624066423@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

40mpg. 1988 VW Jetta 280k. runs good has a new fuel injector pump(600) starts on the spot everytime. need some alignment work but a great 2nd car 1600.00 firm. no trade cash only

Bad clutch 3k.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/2600980226.html 2000 VW Jetta TDI - Needs Work - Black - - $3000 (Atlanta/Powder Springs)

Date: 2011-09-15, 9:31PM EDT Reply to: sale-zqekj-2600980226@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I am selling my BLACK Volkswagen Jetta. It's a GLS TDI. 249,000 Miles

The Good: Engine runs great. Always performed timely oil changes. Fluids kept level. Driven easy. FANTASTIC Gas mileage. (I'm sure you already know) --I got 52mpg ONE trip earlier this year. Typically, it stays around 46mpg/hwy Tires still have a good amount of life left on them. Clean title. (NOT SALVAGE) all lights work.

The Bad:

The Clutch is struggling. All gears still work, but I can tell it's going to need to be fixed at some point in the future. Oil Stick housing is broken, but it still fits down in it and doesn't pose any real problem. (been that way for 4 years) The trunk button doesn't work. (still have access through the back seat) I only have the valet key. Never wanted to spend the $200 needed for the keyless entry.

The Ugly:

Exterior- Broken Driver's Side Mirror. (hanging by it's wire) Passenger Side Mirror is missing it's shell. Dents on rear (trunk) above license plate. Passenger side rear door has large dent in it, neighbor backed in to it. (white scratches/missing black paint) Interior- I could describe everything that's wrong with the interior, but just know that if you get this car, it wont be because it's nice on the inside. it's not. has some stains front floorboards are a bit ripped up. especially the driver's side. liner on the sun roof shade is gone. Glove box is broken. it doesn't close. probably really easy to fix, but i dont keep anything in it, and I drive alone mostly, so...

anyway. this is a fixer upper....but the engine has another 150k left to run.

Please Please Please email me if you are interested. I am READY to sell. $3,000 FIRM --- Or best offer above.

You do realize that $1500 cars and $3k cars don't really cost much different after the first 6 months right?

BullE36 M3. That's only true if you dont know how to car shop.

I'll vote for the neon too. SOHC with the taller-geared 3.55 5-spd, tiny stock size tires, and you will be able to hit 40 mpg AND have a reasonable amount of fun to boot.

In fact, of the cars that can hit those numbers and in that price range, i think MOST of the other options are SIGNIFICANTLY slower cars.