| Kyle Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used
Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money. The book can be
ordered from Barnes and Noble or Borders, or by visiting
www.drivethebestbook.com. The web site accepts all transportation questions. |
The hybrids cost about $5,000 above
the all gasoline cars. The hybrids have most all of the components
of a gasoline car plus the electrical components. I believe that the
Japanese auto makers are doing "real world" testing for
the electric motor, recharging system, etc. In five years, they
should have all electric offerings.
 The Japanese and the Europeans have
micro cars that are fuel efficient. At this time, however, they are
not offered to Americans.
Diesels are an alternative. BMW has a
320di with 148 horsepower. It gets about 50 mpg at 100 miles per
hour. 0-60 is about 8.1 seconds. This car is not imported into the
United States at this time.
Kia and Hyundai are coming up in
quality, but the prices are coming up just under the pricey Toyota
and Honda.
I offer the following fuel efficient
vehicles because the cars are proven, are reasonably priced, and are
available.
The cost of transportation can be
expensive, and higher fuel prices does not help matters. The
following vehicles have good ratings, and they will help to stretch
your fuel dollars.
The following are some vehicles that
will help you to keep rolling longer and avoid the pump:
| 1. |
The
Toyota Corolla has been around for over 30 years. During the
last few years, the Corolla has become a bit larger. Expect to
achieve about 30 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and about
40 mpg on the highway with this vehicle. |
| 2. |
The
Honda Civic has been a stiff rival to the Corolla. The Civic
has also recently grown a bit in size. The Civic is right
there with the Corolla at about 30 mpg in the city and about
40 mpg on the highway. |
| 3. |
The Geo
Prizm will cost about $1,000- $1,500 less than a comparable
year Corolla or Civic. The Prizm will achieve about 29 mpg
city and about 38 mpg on the highway.
SUVs can really eat the fuel,
however, they are convenient for hauling cargo, and some
definitely have a real advantage in bad weather and off-road
conditions. |
| 4. |
The
Suzuki Esteem wagon provides some cargo-carrying ability and
reasonable fuel economy. Expect to achieve about 28 mpg in the
city and about 37 mpg on the highway with this vehicle. |
| 5. |
The
Subaru Legacy wagon/Outback wagon and Forester can all carry
cargo plus they have all-wheel drive. These vehicles generally
have the most powerful engines out of those mentioned above.
Expect to achieve about 22 mpg in the city and about 27 mpg on
the highway |
If you are in the market for a
vehicle, be certain to do your homework. Consult the April
(automotive issue) of "Consumer Reports." This resource is
available at most public libraries.
If you plan on buying a used vehicle,
also be sure to read a couple of archived new vehicle road tests
(review road tests that were conducted at the time the vehicle was
new) on the used vehicle of interest in auto magazines (many are
archived at your local library) or Internet sources such as
"Car and Driver," "Motor Trend," "Road
& Track," or "MotorWeek." Information from the
road tests will allow you to zero in on which of the vehicles
discussed above will be the best for you.
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