You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
gas saver car.....opinions
- Thread starter redrev
- Start date
L
lenny
Guest
jetta tdi, but that's because I am addicted to torque, Jetta is a heavy car for it's size and very well built, just my .02
averagejoe074
New member
I'm gonna stick my 2 cents in...probably gonna get flamed...could ya try sticking with an american car?..ill bet ya not many of our members on John dee work for Hyundai, Kia, or Honda...I'm thinking there's plenty on here that work for ford, gm, chrysler...and no I do not work for any automaker in any way shape or form...but alot of my neighbors do.....not trying to start a pissing match...just calling it the way I see it...
Last edited:
i bought a ford fiesta this summer, a neat little car, fun to drive, comfy to sit in, gets around 34 mpg around the city and about 40/41 on the highway,... its a little of a change from my gmc 2500hd crew cab that gets maybe 12 mpg in town, didn't take long to get used to it, and now i don't mind doing a bunch of running around getting three times the millage.
Being from the UP, I usually go with Subaru for my cars because of AWD. My new legacy gets 33 on the highway, 30 on the freeway. It's built in Indiana and they source steel from Ishpeming. I have several friends who are engineers from the big 3,
but they will tell you they do not make a good, inexpesive awd car. (in the US) If you just need fwd, look at the Focus. Friends of mine have been getting over 40 with.
their new one and they get great reviews.
but they will tell you they do not make a good, inexpesive awd car. (in the US) If you just need fwd, look at the Focus. Friends of mine have been getting over 40 with.
their new one and they get great reviews.
I'm gonna stick my 2 cents in...probably gonna get flamed...could ya try sticking with an american car?..ill bet ya not many of our members on John dee work for Hyundai, Kia, or Honda...I'm thinking there's plenty on here that work for ford, gm, chrysler...and no I do not work for any automaker in any way shape or form...but alot of my neighbors do.....not trying to start a pissing match...just calling it the way I see it...
Joe, I agree with what your saying but I'd prefer an American-made car instead of an American-named car. You live in Michigan, so I see why you prefer the traditional big 3, but I live in Indiana, and Toyota, Honda and Subaru all manufacture vehicles here and employ people (the big 3 do as well). I myself have done work for Subaru as a supplier/contractor.
I am not trying to start a fight either, just putting a different perspective out there.
Back to the original question, I had had good luck in the past with a jetta and a civic. Jettas are now made in TN and Civics are made in IN. In the used market though, I think you get more car for your dollar with something like a cobalt or focus.
M
Mattarsc
Guest
I like the Volkswagen car. My preference would be the Diesel as well. I had a demo when I sold them and went down to Illinois in one. 650 miles on a tank of fuel and cme back home and still have a quarter of a tank left. I've also seen aftermath of when they had gotten in accidents and thought it was cleverly engineered that when in head on crashes at 55-60 mph there was no damage past the front A-Pillar. Crumple zones were something else!
cuzzinolaf
Active member
Volkswagon TDIs are nice, get good gas mileage, and hold their value. I'm not sure about maintenance, parts, etc. for once it is out of warranty. If you get a late model used TDI you're probably better off getting a new one if they have nice intensives.
My wife has a Civic EX and it averages about 33mpg around town and 38 or so on the highway. I have snow tires for it and will be rocking it to the UP several times this winter just to save on gas. I had a Subaru WRX and it was a fun car but the turbo requires premium and the AWD eats up MPGs. The car was a blast to drive but the 21mpg city with premium fuel got old quick. I think the non-turbo Imprezzas are better and just saw the new ones get 36mpg (non-turbo). We talked about her next car and she really likes the Cruz. I haven't looked to hard at them to know MPGs but think they are pretty good. I also know Ford puts the eco-boost in some of their cars and think they're pretty good on gas as well as power.
Good luck. I suggest spending some time on Fuelly to see real world numbers.
http://www.fuelly.com/car/
My wife has a Civic EX and it averages about 33mpg around town and 38 or so on the highway. I have snow tires for it and will be rocking it to the UP several times this winter just to save on gas. I had a Subaru WRX and it was a fun car but the turbo requires premium and the AWD eats up MPGs. The car was a blast to drive but the 21mpg city with premium fuel got old quick. I think the non-turbo Imprezzas are better and just saw the new ones get 36mpg (non-turbo). We talked about her next car and she really likes the Cruz. I haven't looked to hard at them to know MPGs but think they are pretty good. I also know Ford puts the eco-boost in some of their cars and think they're pretty good on gas as well as power.
Good luck. I suggest spending some time on Fuelly to see real world numbers.
http://www.fuelly.com/car/
booondocker
New member
VW's are safe cars but most are still made in countries outside the USA....and if you do a kelly blue book, the resale numbers are alarming.
The TDI is a strong engine but initial cost is 3k+ more and the clutches to it can't seem to get past 70-100k, and neither the Jetta or more expensive Passat recommend ANY towing...and of course repairs for parts made in Germany means that the dealer holds control of pricing. Used car is synonymous to an intro to your parts supplier.
Remember that many of the LONG warranty cars are for original owners only and require routine maint that many would not otherwise do which negats savings or adds to over-all ownership costs.
I did a Kelly BB on a 2005 honda civic and a 2008 jetta and found the honda blew it away on resale even though it had more miles than the jetta. The new Jettas were cheaped up majorly so that they could hold price points...and no automatic headlights..come on! Don't consider buying a car or truck that does not have this option for safety alone. Some of the technology on these new transplant car makers is sorely lacking....how about Toyota finally getting with it on Camery's and if you leave the doom light on which is easy to do, that car will finally shut the light off automatically to save the battery after 15 or 20 minutes, which is something my buick has done for 12 years.
There is NO one single maker of cars and trucks out there that has a full line of trouble free cars/trucks....they have their winners and losers in each style and category....get on edmonds or the other websites prior to purchase and do your research....you get loads of info PRIOR to any surprises...and is well worth the keyboard time. Be careful NOT to only look at consumer reports, alone...they have often lended toward import machines...and basically are somewhat biased that way...regardless of the reasons which may have caused them to slant their findings, ignoring other things that are equally important such as safety and cost of repairs.
If you live or plan on taking the unit into winter driving conditions, then the Subaru with all wheel drive standard is a great pick, even if the mileage isn't quite there. Again ability to move around safely is more important than an extra 50 bucks in gas over the annual use of the machine.
I think the little Ford is a great pick and will help support the parts makers in your snowmobile areas better. Assembly is one thing, but parts put far more people to work and keep the money flowing within your backyard. And shouldn't that be important to you too?
The TDI is a strong engine but initial cost is 3k+ more and the clutches to it can't seem to get past 70-100k, and neither the Jetta or more expensive Passat recommend ANY towing...and of course repairs for parts made in Germany means that the dealer holds control of pricing. Used car is synonymous to an intro to your parts supplier.
Remember that many of the LONG warranty cars are for original owners only and require routine maint that many would not otherwise do which negats savings or adds to over-all ownership costs.
I did a Kelly BB on a 2005 honda civic and a 2008 jetta and found the honda blew it away on resale even though it had more miles than the jetta. The new Jettas were cheaped up majorly so that they could hold price points...and no automatic headlights..come on! Don't consider buying a car or truck that does not have this option for safety alone. Some of the technology on these new transplant car makers is sorely lacking....how about Toyota finally getting with it on Camery's and if you leave the doom light on which is easy to do, that car will finally shut the light off automatically to save the battery after 15 or 20 minutes, which is something my buick has done for 12 years.
There is NO one single maker of cars and trucks out there that has a full line of trouble free cars/trucks....they have their winners and losers in each style and category....get on edmonds or the other websites prior to purchase and do your research....you get loads of info PRIOR to any surprises...and is well worth the keyboard time. Be careful NOT to only look at consumer reports, alone...they have often lended toward import machines...and basically are somewhat biased that way...regardless of the reasons which may have caused them to slant their findings, ignoring other things that are equally important such as safety and cost of repairs.
If you live or plan on taking the unit into winter driving conditions, then the Subaru with all wheel drive standard is a great pick, even if the mileage isn't quite there. Again ability to move around safely is more important than an extra 50 bucks in gas over the annual use of the machine.
I think the little Ford is a great pick and will help support the parts makers in your snowmobile areas better. Assembly is one thing, but parts put far more people to work and keep the money flowing within your backyard. And shouldn't that be important to you too?
I had a Subaru WRX and it was a fun car but the turbo requires premium and the AWD eats up MPGs. The car was a blast to drive but the 21mpg city with premium fuel got old quick. I think the non-turbo Imprezzas are better and just saw the new ones get 36mpg (non-turbo). We talked about her next car and she really likes the Cruz. I haven't looked to hard at them to know MPGs but think they are pretty good. I also know Ford puts the eco-boost in some of their cars and think they're pretty good on gas as well as power.
The eco-boost is just a turbo'd motor as well.
And asking about the WRX, was that just a "Foot on the pedal fun to drive" issue with MPG's? I mean, if you are not nailing it and firing the turbo hard all the time, I would think it would do pretty well MPG wise. Just curious.
T
Team Elkhorn
Guest
Wife and I commute with a '08 Mazda3, 2.0 motor, 5 speed. We get 38 mpg. No problems. Tires and maintenance only. Great car, fun to drive, great on the highway, already has over 125,000 miles, still running strong. Probably get another Mazda3 when its time.
Our old commuter is a '04 Toyota Corolla 1.8 motor, 5 speed with close to 200,000 miles, still have it, still running strong as well. Also 38 mpg. Other than tires and maintenance only had to fix a rear bearing that was getting noisy at 175,000 miles.
Our old commuter is a '04 Toyota Corolla 1.8 motor, 5 speed with close to 200,000 miles, still have it, still running strong as well. Also 38 mpg. Other than tires and maintenance only had to fix a rear bearing that was getting noisy at 175,000 miles.
cuzzinolaf
Active member
The eco-boost is just a turbo'd motor as well.
And asking about the WRX, was that just a "Foot on the pedal fun to drive" issue with MPG's? I mean, if you are not nailing it and firing the turbo hard all the time, I would think it would do pretty well MPG wise. Just curious.
The eco-boost still gets much better gas mileage than any WRX. My friend has the F150 and he averages 17.5 with combined driving and not taking it real easy.
I drove the WRX like a grandpa to work and it wouldn't get any better than 22mpg. It was far from stock but you would think it would still get decent MPGs. Cruising to the UP at around 65-70mph it got 28 mpg.
Go for the VW Jetta TDI! I picked one up this summer and it's awsome. I have ranged between 40.2 mpg to 46.9mpg. That is actual calculated mileage not what the computer says. It's great have a fuel efficent car that is also a blast to drive, LOTS OF TORQUE! l laugh every time I pass a Prius!
F
fusion
Guest
Joe, I agree with what your saying but I'd prefer an American-made car instead of an American-named car. You live in Michigan, so I see why you prefer the traditional big 3, but I live in Indiana, and Toyota, Honda and Subaru all manufacture vehicles here and employ people (the big 3 do as well). I myself have done work for Subaru as a supplier/contractor.
I am not trying to start a fight either, just putting a different perspective out there.
Back to the original question, I had had good luck in the past with a jetta and a civic. Jettas are now made in TN and Civics are made in IN. In the used market though, I think you get more car for your dollar with something like a cobalt or focus.
I spent two month looking for an AWD, nice riding vehicle that could tow at least 1500 and get 25 MPG. Bottom line - it doesn't exist. I thought about the Subaru Outback for a few minutes until I thought of me riding in it and people laughing. Like the Passat TDI, diesel, but even though it has massive torque and great MPG, and they told me I could tow 1500, it's FWD and I can't chance that. I won't get into what happened when I test drove the GMC - Terrain, V6 - it might be embarrassing for some.
blizzardmk
New member
I spent two month looking for an AWD, nice riding vehicle that could tow at least 1500 and get 25 MPG. Bottom line - it doesn't exist. I thought about the Subaru Outback for a few minutes until I thought of me riding in it and people laughing.
So it DOES exist, and you just don't want to be seen driving one?
I drove the WRX like a grandpa to work and it wouldn't get any better than 22mpg. It was far from stock but you would think it would still get decent MPGs. Cruising to the UP at around 65-70mph it got 28 mpg.
For a performance car, that's not bad at all. Not in the high gas saver category though. I'd like to know what real world eco-boost taurus are getting MPG wise. The truck is a much higher profile vehicle, and wind resistance is everything when it comes to MPG's.
I spent two month looking for an AWD, nice riding vehicle that could tow at least 1500 and get 25 MPG. Bottom line - it doesn't exist. I thought about the Subaru Outback for a few minutes until I thought of me riding in it and people laughing. Like the Passat TDI, diesel, but even though it has massive torque and great MPG, and they told me I could tow 1500, it's FWD and I can't chance that. I won't get into what happened when I test drove the GMC - Terrain, V6 - it might be embarrassing for some.
*facepalm*
FWIW to the topic, I bought an 04 Focus Wagon with 24k on it for $4,800. Been getting 28-35 mpg over the time I've had with it. It's an okay car, nothing special.
x6 on a Jetta TDI...
We have an '03 Manual TDI with 137,000 miles on it. With my wife driving it, she averages 50 mpg with 50/50 highway/city driving. On highway only trips it gets a little worse to about 45 mpg. In the winter we see a little drop to about 40-45 with the winter mix.
There is a fantastic support forum too for maintenance. tdiclub.com and a great parts website idparts.com both of which make my maintenance cheap and easy.
Original clutch
New shocks at 110,000 ($300 and 3 hours)
New brakes 120,000 (2nd time) ($250 and 2 hours)
regular oil changes every 7,500 miles
Cheapest vehichle we have ever owned. The trick is to find one...
We have an '03 Manual TDI with 137,000 miles on it. With my wife driving it, she averages 50 mpg with 50/50 highway/city driving. On highway only trips it gets a little worse to about 45 mpg. In the winter we see a little drop to about 40-45 with the winter mix.
There is a fantastic support forum too for maintenance. tdiclub.com and a great parts website idparts.com both of which make my maintenance cheap and easy.
Original clutch
New shocks at 110,000 ($300 and 3 hours)
New brakes 120,000 (2nd time) ($250 and 2 hours)
regular oil changes every 7,500 miles
Cheapest vehichle we have ever owned. The trick is to find one...
L
lenny
Guest
This here is my next vehicle, after my oldest is no longer at home. Most people never even heard of this ride. It's a Diesel and can pull. I hear they come close to 25 mpgs. Very comfy ride and hign end build AWD,,check ot out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/V10-...7129369?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item336e7eb399
or here is a nice tdi, don't let the miles scare you as long as you do the timing belt they are a long lived car
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2009...3?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item41601ca289#v4-37
or a reg jetti tdi texas car
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004...7036001?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c2141aae1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/V10-...7129369?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item336e7eb399
or here is a nice tdi, don't let the miles scare you as long as you do the timing belt they are a long lived car
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2009...3?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item41601ca289#v4-37
or a reg jetti tdi texas car
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004...7036001?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c2141aae1
I spent two month looking for an AWD, nice riding vehicle that could tow at least 1500 and get 25 MPG. Bottom line - it doesn't exist. I thought about the Subaru Outback for a few minutes until I thought of me riding in it and people laughing. Like the Passat TDI, diesel, but even though it has massive torque and great MPG, and they told me I could tow 1500, it's FWD and I can't chance that. I won't get into what happened when I test drove the GMC - Terrain, V6 - it might be embarrassing for some.