Higher Fuel Prices? Wheels That Will Keep You Rolling
© 2003 by Kyle Busch
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 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 they 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 mp 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 "Consumer Report's" automotive issue (April). 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.
Last, but not least, be certain that you do not overpay to drive a
fuel-efficient vehicle. For example, if you pay say $1,500 more for
a vehicle that achieves five mpg more than your current vehicle, you
would need to drive it about five years to get $1,500 in fuel savings.
However, say you pay an extra $500 for a vehicle that achieves 10 mpg
more than your current vehicle. In a little over one year, you would
recoup your $500.
How to Evaluate a Used Vehicle:
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."
Kyle Busch and his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta
A used vehicle that is closing in on 300,000 miles
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