Contemplating the unthinkable...
 

Here's the cliffs if you don't want to read: Need a car that gets good mileage, thinking about selling ALL of mine in the process.

At the end of August, I will be going back to the job I had last year at the same time as a pre-school photographer. The job is amazing and pays well, but is ALL travel (between 3500-5000 miles/month). I'm doing this to be able to keep my own business afloat and pay the lease on my laser engraver. Plus, I'm typically done by lunch time at any given school which gives me ample opportunity to design fliers and promote my own stuff. I will still be working at Island, so no worries there. I'm also trying to save my own family money by staying part time to do important stuff, and the other grounds maintenance I do can be passed off to a lower paid person, whether high schooler or one of the local migrant workers.

Anyhow, since its fully travel, I need a car that will get very good mpg, and be reliable at the same time. I was looking at a Prius, (don't knock because its foreign, please) and would have been able to afford one at sticker, but delaers are marking up to 27k, and the car payment vs. gas saved would not be near worth having.

I've really been looking at the Saturn Astra. I saw it last week for the first time, and since, I have really grown to like the car. the 5 speed is rated at 32 mpg, with reviews saying many people are getting 36+ on highway. Optioned with just a/c it is about 16,900 and I qualify for GMs recent grad discount. The reviews for the car are phenomenal, and it is originally Opel and Holden's Astra, just brought to the states.

We went yesterday and also eyed up the Subaru Impreza "wagon" which is a little bit more, and gets less mpg, so is probably not worth it to me, even though its a very nice car.

Next choice I was reading about was Fords new Focus. It starts cheaper than the Astra and gets better mpg, with more americanized options (cupholders for instance :lol: ) The reviews on this are also very good. I'm just concerned about the space in the car, as I have a lot of gear to carry around, the biggest piece being the backdrop holder which is about 5'x10"x4" I think it might JUST fit in the astra, I need to go to a ford dealership and measure the length of the longest space with the seat folded up.

In order to be able to afford a new car payment, I might end up having to sell my Z. I'm already in the process of selling my 79, I just need to talk to the guy about whether or not he wants to take it. Also need to sell the Jeep I just bought. If anyone wants it, its in beautiful shape, but is a v8 so gets about 16.2 mpg mixed driving. Next step to try to get my finances in order is the hardest of all, and selling my Z28. I love the car, and CAN afford to keep it, but it would make it just that much harder to pay off whats really important, which is the engraver for my own business. It would be impossible to ever find an LS1 car in such good shape with as low miles in a few years, which is why I'm very hesitant about selling it.

So, 2 questions now I'd like opinions on...

What cars should I be looking at getting? My credit is great, so I'm not worried about loans, but I want something that will cost around 17k or less new, not against used, but has to be very worth it. Car also has to get 30+ mpg. auto or manual doesnt matter, as long as the mileage is there and it has storage capacity for a LOT of photo gear and 1 suit case.

Also, what do you think about selling the Z? thats the only one up in the air right now. Those who have seen it in person know what I'm dealing with. Those who haven't, its a 2002 35th anniversary Z28, leather, 6 speed, t-tops, 30k miles, MMM in color (burgundy/maroon/whatever).


FWIW, Steve doesn't want me to sell it, but when it comes down to it, for the time being it is worth more than I owe, and who knows how long that stay that way.

You know how I feel about the Astra. The other would be the Pontiac Vibe which is new for this year.
Focus is a coupe or sedan only, make sure you have the space to put stuff in it. IMO, you are looking for a hatchback type vehicle giving you the functionality of a suv without the size.
Mazda 3 5dr is another idea, the 2.0 gets pretty decent gas milage.

As far as the car goes, get a Civic Coupe. It's only 15k and it gets 30+mpg. Way cheaper than the Prius and less ugly.

Edit. Civic is rated at 25/36mpg.

i'd look into a hatchback as well. not sure whats hot or good mpg but deff consider your equipment when shopping around.

Toyota Yaris. Gets like 37mpg and is pretty cheap.

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Go drive a new Vibe. Also, people who own them seem to love the HHR. For $12k there is the Nissan Versa. BTK's DD is an Elantra that does him well.

I never liked Mazdas either.

my sisters boyfriend has one........its on its currently getting its 3rd motor put in, my buddy works at the local mazda dealer and says STEER CLEAR, they use a plastic housing for the oil filter, and in cold weather or with an overzelous lube tech the plastic can crack....causing a slow leak on all your wonderful oil

Cobalt SS...36+ mpg they're around the 17-20k mark, its a chevy, its a chevy, and a friend of mine has one and absolutely loves it. besides the 5 speeds run low 13s lol...

personally I would sell the 79 and the Jeep and try to hold onto that 02 Camaro...The odds of getting another in the same shape when your better off, are slim to none...try to keep it as long as posible, only sell it as a last resort. but thats just my opinion

+1 for the HHR. We test drove one last week, and it was very nice.

i only have one word for you: HHR.

space: abundant.
get up and go: available SS model has the 2.2 turbo, so it could satisfy your lead foot a little bit.
mileage: 30 mpg or better.
bang for the buck: starting at less than 16k, it might be the answer to all of your questions, and keep your Z or sell it to me.

a lot of manufacturers use plastic oil filter housings. its nothing new, it works well too. most oil filters come with new o-rings and crush washers. and they usually are in the engine bay facing up so oil won't seep over time. can't help it if an idiot breaks one though, but i have yet to see it.

You forgot that it's also ugly, and if one gets into an accident the chances of survival are probably not that good considering the puny size of it.

i picked up my 07 ion for 11 out the door. i also paid cash for it but theyre getting cheap. 100k mile warranty ftw

IMO with hybrids the extra cost isn't worth the amount you'll save in gas, but with today's market who knows how long that will hold true

HHR SS FTW. sweeet lil wagon car thing, i saw one n the swweeeetest blue with a hint of purple pearly action goin on

Sell everything but the Camaro. Reason being is at this time you won't get nearly what its worth...f-bodies, espically Z28s have fallen drastically in price. And on trade-in you'd be lucky to get 12 grand.

Just get any 4 banger with a nice warrenty, just don't nitpick between one getting 33 MPG and another getting 36 MPG. Its all in how lead footed you are :)

According to Chevy's site, the HHR starts at $17,370, and the SS starts at almost $24k

Would be nice, but I think too much money.

My vote would be for a 1-2 year old Cobalt 5 speed with the 2.2 Ecotec. 148 hp / 152 tq and it's rated 25 city / 36 highway.

And keep the Z28 if at all possible....the extra money would certainly be nice, but you'll regret it for sure.

- Justin

i'm sorry to hear that you have to sell off your toys :(

i know this vote won't be popular but the honda fit is still the most fun to drive of the subcompacts. unfortunately your doing this at a bad time because most little cars have markups. if you need storage, don't forget to check out the HHR. i know a guy on TCL traded in his G35 for a HHR base model with a 5-speed and said he's happy as heck.

edit: go to fueleconomy.gov for real world data

For what you need I would have to suggest the hhr as well you get a ton more storage its a nice little wagon and you dont take a huge hit in mpg....

Second I'd say the impreza wagon they are fun little cars to drive the only reason i went with the legacy over a wrx is more room and i like the looks better. yes you take a small hit in mpg but to me (i have to be at work no matter how much snow ice etc is out there) the awd is awsome i actually feel more in control driving the legacy then i did my tahoe. plus it still has more storage then almost all coupes

and as a third choice i would say the astra mostly because ive never been in one do not know how they drive but from what your saying you really need more of a hatchback

and please no ford focus the new ones are ugly as sin

My parents want to sell our 2001 Jetta GL, with 64,089 miles. Its a manual 2.0 that gets 24/31. It recently had a tune up and runs fine. I have an add up somewhere in the classifieds for it if your interested.

Pimp out Steve for additional cash.....

She said reliable ;) I highly doubt she's going to mod the hell out of it to run low 13's lol

I vote for the HHR if you like it, how about a Corolla?

my mother has an 06 vibe. comfortable, good options, lots of space, storage and seating config. AWD never gets stuck or slips on rain/slush.

Cobalt SS does not get 36mpg. The Cobalt XFE(eXtreem Fuel Economy) edition does, coupe only.
New Cobalt SS turbo is a great car, but under 30mpg.

Plastic housing only on the 2.3 from what I remember. 2.0 takes a regular spin on filter.
Friend of mine has had a 2.0 Mazda 3 4dr for 3 years now, and she likes it. Not a lot of power, but she got 35mpg going to and from western PA.
Mazda's handling is great, (better with the 2.3 sport package), but it would be a good draw between the 3 hatch and Astra 5dr.
Anyone who goofs up on the new plasic oil filter housings should be shot. Dont take it to douchebage lube shops.