I need a little car

JcMack

JcMack

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At this point in my life all I need is reliable transportation and good gas mileage. I'm looking at Mitsubishi or Mazda 3. All I need is 4 cyl. 4 door sedan auto. I don't want Honda or Toyota due to cost and they'ed probably outlive me. Any experience of the Mitsubishi or Mazda?
 
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My wifes '08 Ford Focus just turned 40,000 miles. Zero issues other than the foreign made tires. Good handling, zippy engine. Still feels solid and tight. Ol' leadfoot Mary still manages better than 30 mpg.
 
Almost any car these days are good. I buy American and have great luck with them My daughter bought a new Nissan Altima and it has been far better than I would have thought and at a very reasonable price.

Service any vehicle and it will last many, many miles. My truck is in the shop now for a new motor. But then it lasted 427,000 miles without ever seeing the inside of a shop so I am not going to complain about replacing the motor. Lot cheaper to do so than pay $60K for a new truck at my age.
 
The Mazda 3 is a fun little car, several of my friends have them and have never had any issues. Of course, I'm a bit biased myself as I drive it's big brother.

The 2011 Mazda 2 should be out shortly, very impressive specs for a vehicle under 13,9. 5 door, 33 mpg, lots of standard equipment. The overseas model is available in a diesel, but I don't think that will be available here, at least not yet.
Check it out
 
Mazda 3 is the best bang for the buck, imo. Great gas mileage, looks fantastic, fun to drive. I had the hatchback version for 6 years.
 
Thanks for replies. After 15 years of Toyota pickups I bought a Dodge 1500 V6 in 2001. $13000. In 2006 when gas went to almost $4 I traded that nothing but probs Dodge on a Chevy Cobalt. $14000. Total piece of crap. Traded the Cobalt on a 2008 Chevy Colorado. $16000. The Colorado has a bad rep and will be discontinued next year. The only reason I bought the Colorado was it was the only 4cyl. American mid size truck. Also 5yr 100000 warranty. Mileage is really bad, probably weight to HP ratio. I really don't need a truck anymore. So I'm looking for something else. Gas around here is $2.55, I think that won't last long.
 
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Jc: You're wanting a new car, I take it? I found a used, 4 yr. old Honda Civic for less than 9K -that was nearly 15 years ago, and it's still my primary transportation. Forty-plus mpg highway, around 36-plus around town; and thoroughly reliable. But I know that finding a good used car can be pretty difficult, too.

Andy
 
Buick
get some comfort for those old bones and the fuel consumption rate might shock you in these machines.
dont overlook a Buick dude
 
venomballistics said:
Buick
get some comfort for those old bones and the fuel consumption rate might shock you in these machines.
dont overlook a Buick dude
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Good advice The lady that keeps my bank account empty and makes my life miserable has a full size LeSabre with all the options and a V6. Gets 25mph in the city and 31mph on the road. Rides like a dream and I did not contribute to the economy of another country in purchasing it. Has over 100,000 miles on it and not a problem with it yet.
 
Of the two you mention, I'd take the Mazda in a minute and avoid the Mitsu like the plague. That said, a two or three year old Honda, Toyota or Kia (or Mazda 3) would be easier on your budget. Subtract it's current mileage from 200k, and that's what you can expect from it if you take care of it.
 
How about a VW Jetta, TDI. Quality vehicle, high mileage diesel and my last three since 1999 never required any unscheduled maintenance.
 
A couple of times when I have been out of town I have rented the Chevy Aveo. Small compact 4 door made in Korea for Chevy. The sedan looks ok, but the hatch back looks nerdy as hell. But they are surprising roomy inside and have good pep and handle well. If I needed a small car and could over look the geek factor I might buy one.
 
oldman45 said:
Good advice The lady that keeps my bank account empty and makes my life miserable has a full size LeSabre with all the options and a V6. Gets 25mph in the city and 31mph on the road. Rides like a dream and I did not contribute to the economy of another country in purchasing it. Has over 100,000 miles on it and not a problem with it yet.
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mine ... V6 century ... vintage 1999 250,000 miles ... rolling barkalounger can get between 29 - 34 MPG on the freeway system depending on how you intend to enjoy the ride.
In moving from WI to Nebraska ... my metal lathe needed transport in something ... that something was the Buick..... all 850 pounds of its cast iron.
it resulted in a slightly better view of the weather on the drive a bit less acceleration, but hey ... find me a truck that'd do better and still get over 28MPG :D
 
You need a car

My son-in-law and his wife has one each "SMART CARS"
Their milage is excellent and you have to have them worked on ever 10,000 miles.
Go on google and find information on them.
 
ISOM said:
My son-in-law and his wife has one each "SMART CARS"
Their milage is excellent and you have to have them worked on ever 10,000 miles.
Go on google and find information on them.
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your joking ... right?
a 1987 2.3L EFI Mustang LX will do an average of 40 real world MPG on the freeway system, with over 4 times the cabin volume for you, a passenger, luggage and or groceries, some jammin tunes, a road map, a pair of 45's under each seat plus reloads, a top speed in the 130 range, and all with style and dignity because its a MUSTANG for Gods sake.
The Fart four two is probably the stupidest vehicle ever devised in that most trips to gather provisions must be traveled on a three to one ratio to even a lowly Chevette.

The not so Smart car is only viable for use as an escape pod for a proper piece of machinery
 
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Buy a Miata! Doesn't have 4 doors but then, you only get to cruise with your wife, don't have to make trips to the local mao mart for a weeks worth of cheap chinese crap and no one ever asks you to haul their junk for them! As a bonus, you're not making a statement about your inadequate manhood as those who drive hummers/4Xdualies, etc. do.

It's a win/win!
 
Take a look a Scion. I have an XB model. They are ugly as heck, BUT are low maintenance, mine averages around 30 mpg, pretty spunky in the power dept. can carry a good amount of stuff and more passengers than most microcars, and they are pretty cheap. (Mine was $19K fully equipped).

Drawbacks are an 11 gallon fuel tank and low ground clearance so you'll be staying off of dirt country roads with potholes.
 
I have to go with venomballistics on this one.'87 thru '93 Mustang 2.3,available with either auto.or 5 sp.[the 5 sp.is tougher and gets better milage.]Available in coupe[notchback],hatchback and ragtop.Am i a Ford guy?You bet!!!
 
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afriqueart said:
Buy a Miata! Doesn't have 4 doors but then, you only get to cruise with your wife, don't have to make trips to the local mao mart for a weeks worth of cheap chinese crap and no one ever asks you to haul their junk for them! As a bonus, you're not making a statement about your inadequate manhood as those who drive hummers/4Xdualies, etc. do.

It's a win/win!
Click to expand...

I'd include this in my list of recommendations if it didnt fall short in a few real world categories.
Sometimes a ride needs to be called upon for at least some hauling duty ... Im sure you could fit a rifle or shotgun into a Miata ... but you might need to rely upon a friend to bring the ammo.
We need to think of these things before we plunk down the payolah on these things since we have to live with the investment.
My recommendations will also favor an American car. Im kinda sick of seeing my neighbors in interviews whenever a plant closes, be it lumber mill or auto plant.
As much as I respect the offerings of Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi, Jaguar, and other fine mechanical specimens prowling the streets, it was a Ford under the foot of AJ Foyt that showed Ferrari its tail lights at the 24 hours of Le Mans three years running.
Can we compete?
History says yes.
 
cowboy117 said:
I have to go with venomballistics on this one.'87 thru '93 Mustang 2.3 available with either auto.or 5 sp.[the 5 sp.is tougher and gets better milage.]Available in coupe[notchback],hatchback and ragtop.
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yes ... and the vehicle cited is an auto tranny machine ... and STILL meets or beats a Smarts MPG even if its nearing the quarter century mark:D
People need to know that MPG does not have to come in a suck muffin
 
Thanks to all for advise. I've got this '08 Colorado I'd have to get at least 12K out of on a trade, as I still owe 6.5 on it. The truck only has 4K miles on it and is basically ANIB. (I've got a company car that will probably go away soon). I'd try to sell the truck outright, but I doubt there's a market. Some day 2 car households may include one "SMARTCAR" type vehicle for around town. Remember Isettas ? I've seen a couple Smartcars on the throughway with terror stricken looking people inside.
 
my BMW motorcycle is my primary transportation and gets 50 MPG... My wide' Buell gets 69 +/-.
 
My son has an '05 Hundai Elantra, recently turned 200K with no real issues in all that time. It's served him as well as my '06 Corolla which is very good indeed. Reliability is tops, but resale value on them is minimal. Real sleepers.
 
My car is a 07 Mazda3 Sedan, 2.3L, 5MT. Can get very good mpg and handles like a dream. It fears no Civic Si when the twistys show up.

Our other car is a 09 Civic Hybrid. The wife and I ride into work together a lot. So through in the car pool and 69 mpg plus this time of year. And its a win win.

Then there is the 00 Ranger that sets in the back yard most of the time. :)
 
blastfact said:
My car is a 07 Mazda3 Sedan, 2.3L, 5MT. Can get very good mpg and handles like a dream. It fears no Civic Si when the twistys show up.

Our other car is a 09 Civic Hybrid. The wife and I ride into work together a lot. So through in the car pool and 69 mpg plus this time of year. And its a win win.

Then there is the 00 Ranger that sets in the back yard most of the time. :)
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It amazes me so many people bought the Prius so everyone would know "I'm driving a Hybrid" when the Honda was a much better car.

My wife and I just bought a new Focus as our 3rd car, her SUV was burning way too much gas when it was just her and one or two kids in town. It handles well, and is comfortable, haven't owned it long enough to talk about reliability. It is slower than my '07 Mustang GT, though.

Andy
 
Between Mazda and Mitsubishi, I would choose Mazda.

Since BHO became the CEO of both GM and Chrysler, they are not even worth consideration to me.

Ford has some interesting models, but I'm not real wild about supporting the socialist UAW.
 
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