Best Economical Car

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

bad was the MPG? Mine averages between 23 & 26.

wasn't too bad but not great.

OT looking for a new HT frame (broke the Voodoo)

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

wasn't too bad but not great.

OT looking for a new HT frame (broke the Voodoo)

Will they replace it under warranty? If so do that. If not get a custom steel frame.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Will they replace it under warranty? If so do that. If not get a custom steel frame.

three year warranty

Voodoo also has a ti frame

[brparts]

take a good look at the versa.4 people well over six feet can fit in this car with no problem. the hatchback as fold down rear seats so you can put a bike inside. my daughter drove from san jose to anaheim on one tank of gas. i have drove nissans for 15yrs and have yet to have any problems, big or small. my 2005 altima with a v6 will get over 30 mph if i keep my foot of the floor.

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

three year warranty

Voodoo also has a ti frame

You need to make sure the BB is stiff enough. If so I say go for it.

[Pho'dUp]

Thoughts on the Element.

I have an E and you can pretty easily fit 2 bikes (even 2 29'ers) with the wheels still on and all the crap if you remove the rear seats. I've put as many as 4 bikes crammed in there.

The SC looks nice too, but the center console keeps you from easily putting bikes in the back. Probably can still do it but not as easily.

I get more like 21mpg on my E. 5 speed manual, lead foot, and 4wd hurt the MPG. Plus, I ditched the crappy stock tires for lower wider tires on stock rims. Wow, after that the car actually drove a ton better. But it hurts the MPGs too. Putting a full carpet mat in the rear of the car helps the road noise a bit too.

Still miss my '92 Civis SI though, but the E is a great bike hauler, car camper.

[Koke]

Originally Posted by airgabe

Where can I find or make my own tow hitch?

U-Haul for BUYING cheap tow hitch for almost any car.

[airgabe]

I looked at ads and there is a 2008 FJ 40 for 22k? HuH

[Winger]

You need to think about what is most important to you because these cars are in different classes.

I can speak to the Fit, though. I've had mine for 2.5 years and love it. It comfortably fits 4 six foot men with plenty of head & arm room. I can haul 8 foot long 2X4's by putting down the front seat. I've hauled a 6X4 mirror. The best feat was 3 mtn bikes + gear + 3 men INSIDE the car.

Went to Mammoth this weekend and got 35.5mpg up (hit traffic & mostly uphill), and 43.6mpg home with the A/C running both ways.

The engine is peppy and it corners well.

The drawbacks have been lack of passing power @ high speeds, having to keep high rpm's on steep hills to maintain speed, and not being able to go offroad.

[kbteachme]

I love my xB! When the back seats are down, there is plenty of room for stuff. The gas milage is about 30 mpg. The new xBs have the larger engine and the gas milage is not as good compared to older xBs. If you can find an older xB with low milage, that might be the ticket.

[rjcornelia]

damn wish i saw this thread earlier. there was a buying incentive for toyota carollas for the july 4th weekend. my dad picked one up through a lease as his new commuter car. basic options (keyless entry, power doors locks, cruise control, ect.) LE model i believe $1000 down $250/month payments. he opted to put more down that was necessary so up front paymetns could even be less. 27/35 mpg.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Winger

You need to think about what is most important to you because these cars are in different classes.

I can speak to the Fit, though. I've had mine for 2.5 years and love it. It comfortably fits 4 six foot men with plenty of head & arm room. I can haul 8 foot long 2X4's by putting down the front seat. I've hauled a 6X4 mirror. The best feat was 3 mtn bikes + gear + 3 men INSIDE the car.

Went to Mammoth this weekend and got 35.5mpg up (hit traffic & mostly uphill), and 43.6mpg home with the A/C running both ways.

The engine is peppy and it corners well.

The drawbacks have been lack of passing power @ high speeds, having to keep high rpm's on steep hills to maintain speed, and not being able to go offroad.

FoShizzle needs to check this car out. He can fit his sheep in it.

[speckledtrout]

i have been looking around lately as well, trying to decide what to get when my lease runs out. i've been eyeballing the Fit and saw yesterday that the 2009 is going to have a new look. slightly bigger and more horsepower but still really great gas mileage. i think i'm sold.

[autoduel]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

I get more like 21mpg on my E. 5 speed manual, lead foot, and 4wd hurt the MPG. Plus, I ditched the crappy stock tires for lower wider tires on stock rims. Wow, after that the car actually drove a ton better. But it hurts the MPGs too.

Ya know you speedometer is off once you change the overall diameter of the tires. To make matters worse, your 21mpg is more like 19 if you are calculating using the odometer. You should check how far you are off with a GPS. My roadster is off 10% at 80mph. That's going from a stock 175/80 to 195/50's.