With a new bambino on the way, the wife thinks it's time to get a new(er) car.
Ok, while it's still running, my '97 Dodge Stratus (141K) is looking pretty tired,
so I get to upgrade.

Taking a drive through the lots on Sunday night, we both commented on how the cars all seem to be uninspiring.

I'm kinda leaning towards the crossover genre... such as the Nissan Murano, but am a bit bummed out about the milage (and cost). Granted I drive 1.5 miles to work (one way... and yes, I really should bike it), but with gas going above $3.50 per gal (.4638 Pounds/Liter) I'm thinking we should get a more fuel efficient car.

I'd love to get a Mini Cooper, but the reply is: "You'd be dead in a crash... and you couldn't get junior into the back seat." The Clubman version is a 4 door, but she does kinda have a point about the crashworthyness.

So I'm looking for your thoughts... Trying to keep it under $20k.

MINI2 MINI Cooper Earns 5 Star Euro NCAP Rating

It seems to very well in the Euro NCAP tests, I'm guessing the Clubman is no different.

im in the very same boat with my 96 grand cherokee.

im very interested in getting the murano as well, in fact thats all i have really looked into. well those and the other SUV's like the Murano.

the Muranos MPG isnt too bad at somewhere near 26 to 28 mpg, and they look nice. except the wife thinks its a soccer moms car.

for about 20k you can easily find a Murano for that price. most likely the 2005, 06 and )& models with not very high milage. pricing them her ein Minnesota i have seen them for about 16k on up. but im trying to stay near the 2007 era, but really like the 09 model alot.

im just trying to run my jeep a little further into the ground to help buy some more time as its isnt the greatest time to have another car payment to make. Hoping to make it for another 6 months to year before buying a new(ish) car. but witht eh gas prices going up, and me spending 60 to 80 bucks a week on gas for my V8 hog, it might be cheaper int he long run to buy a car now.

other cars like the Murano is the Acura MDK, think BMW has one like it as well, and so does Lexus. the prices arent too bad on them. prolly cheaper than you think. think all 3 of them top out in the high 30k area, and start at mid 26 to 28k range. thats brand new.

hope some info was helpful

How about a Toyota Prius? gets up to 48mpg starts at 21grand for a brand spanking new 20082008 Toyota Prius car trim and prices

You need you one of these.





Seriously, check out the MazdaSpeed3 or just the Mazda3 if your a wussy. With 263 ponies who cares if it gets 18mpg in the city and runs on 91 octane. The price is right.

Mazda 6 is solid and Accords are a given. The Chevy Malibu, Saturn Aura, Pontiac G6 (same guts) are all very good family cars. All five star.

Crossovers under 20K are rare. Mazda CX-7 is close but over, good looks and power for the price though. Anything under 20K in a crossover that gets good milelage is underpowered like the Hyundai Tucson.

Don't forget all the milelage numbers for 2008 cars are going to be lower than what you're used to since the EPA changed the method for measurement.

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Edmunds.com - 2008 Dodge Caliber Car Pricing Guide

The Caliber, pretty safe if you ask me, Neons are like mini safe houses, and the caliber is the upgrade. My neighbor just got one(literally it wasn't there when i left this morning but is now.) So it was on the top of my head. I would suggest a minivan, But I can't seem to find one in the under 20k catogory. They seem to get around 27 (avg from a few places) and highway is pretty decent.

Otherwise, a few kia's, the mini of course, the prius, the honda civic and accord hybrids. I would recommend any of those, Just for Gas Milage purposes

Yea you should bike to work, or walk?

Well, my '99 Civic has been a great car. I'm getting like 30 MPG highway. I drive 20 miles in to work and the gas costs haven't been too bad.

A new Civic is around 20K (a Civic DX is like 15K)... still, make sure the insurance isn't going to break you!

2008 Honda Civic Si - Options and Pricing - the Official Honda Web Site


2008 Honda Civic Si - Specifications - the Official Honda Web Site

Can't go wrong with the VW Jetta or the Passat, I'm in the same boat as well gumby and those are what I'm looking at, though I don't have kids. but They are relatively family friendly and ok on gas (about 22 mpg city and 30 highway) Not the best but cost wise, i think they run in the $14k range brand new.

ohh and again either a toyota Prius or a Corolla, I have a corolla now and if I didn't kill my engine due to a oil leak i didn't know about ( I'm not particularly car mechanically savvy) I was getting a good 30 mpg highway as well

Just a heads up, if you do ANY type of non-city driving the Prius and other hybrids are not wallet friendly.

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol...cle3552994.ece

Quote: Originally Posted by 4x0n Just a heads up, if you do ANY type of non-city driving the Prius and other hybrids are not wallet friendly. http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol...cle3552994.ece

Very interesting read. Thanks 4x0n.

Faced with looming daycare bills, the budget has now been lowered to under $17K. *sigh*

Hope I win the lotto jackpot.

Quote: Originally Posted by 4x0n Just a heads up, if you do ANY type of non-city driving the Prius and other hybrids are not wallet friendly. http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol...cle3552994.ece

48.1mpg highway is still pretty darn good...

What about a Dodge Avenger? Should be able to pick a base model up for around $20k and will do 30mpg highway.

Plus I think its better looking than the Cobalt and the Malibu.

Have you considered a bit of European class in the Ford Focus? (I know Ford are American, the Focus was introduced first in the UK and has become the nations favorite car, statistically). The only difference between the North American and European versions are subtle stylings and I imagine, the engine, to meet your daft emissions laws.

Should be able to get a Focus anywhere from $14k to $22k, and the 2007 model will do nearly 40mpg highway

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex ... Have you considered a bit of European class in the Ford Focus? (I know Ford are American, the Focus was introduced first in the UK and has become the nations favorite car, statistically...

Recommending a Feckarse is a bit like saying that syphilis is becoming the nations favourite sexually transmitted infection, statistically ...

... unless you're talking about the ST version, in which case at least you'll be going that fast that no-one will realise it's you that aspires to be a hairdresser

I'd prob get a Nissan Altima with 2.5L, 175hp, 6 speed manual and prob about 28mpg avg. (23/32)

MSRP is about $20,000, so you could prob find one for around $17,000

Quote: Originally Posted by Darksamurai Well, my '99 Civic has been a great car. I'm getting like 30 MPG highway. I drive 20 miles in to work and the gas costs haven't been too bad. A new Civic is around 20K (a Civic DX is like 15K)... still, make sure the insurance isn't going to break you! 2008 Honda Civic Si - Options and Pricing - the Official Honda Web Site 2008 Honda Civic Si - Specifications - the Official Honda Web Site

Mmmm... not bad. Will have to opt for the sedan instead of the coupe (baby seat to load).

May have to do a test drive.

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonny English Recommending a Feckarse is a bit like saying that syphilis is becoming the nations favourite sexually transmitted infection, statistically ... ... unless you're talking about the ST version, in which case at least you'll be going that fast that no-one will realise it's you that aspires to be a hairdresser

Absolutely nothing wrong with the Focus mate, its won 13 Car Of The Year awards since 1998. My mum used to have a 2 litre estate, that had some poke to it and was great overall.

Anything good enough for Colin McRae, RIP, is good enough for me

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex Absolutely nothing wrong with the Focus mate, its won 13 Car Of The Year awards since 1998. My mum used to have a 2 litre estate, that had some poke to it and was great overall. Anything good enough for Colin McRae, RIP, is good enough for me

America doesn't get your focus, though. We get the fiesta.

Yes you do.


Its essentially exactly the same, except minor engine differences and a few bits of exterior styling.

corolla
civic

Quote: Originally Posted by Dex Yes you do. Its essentially exactly the same, except minor engine differences and a few bits of exterior styling.

K, guess I was wrong.

Whenever they want to sell a street version of this one, I might actually be looking at a ford.