Going to commute next year.

[koda6966]

Well, looks like ditching the Ranger might be a definite for this spring/summer. I'm widening my job search so MAYBE I'll have enough money by then to keep it, but it's doubtful. The college I am planning on going to is located about 40 miles away, and the way I figure it that's 80 miles to drive per day, at lets say 4 dollars a gallon (I know its around 2.80 now, I'm not expecting that to stay long) all in all that comes out to 5 gallons of gas or so in my Ranger. Multiply that by 5 for each week and you get 100 gallons a month. AKA 400 dollars per month, just in gas. That's not gonna work.

I've been looking at a lot of high mpg cars, and so far the ones that stick in my head are Early 90's Honda CRX's and also Early 90's Escorts.

Both, with the small engine and a 5speed have been known to get 35-40 mpg.

I'd much Rather have lets say.. a ZX2 or something of the sort, but the newer you go the more money I'd have to spend.

So, what are your opinions about the CRX? And any other suggestions?

 

[kunar]

im happy with my escort

 

[Will]

Honda Civic. If you get an Escort, make sure you keep your ten-speed duct taped to the roof.

 

[koda6966]

Yeah, our old Escort averaged about 40 mpg with the 5speed and 1.8 liter. The purple one we had got about 30 with an auto. Thing is, they're hard to find around here. I wouldn't mind fixing up the one in my yard but the frames trashed. Not to mention how I'd have to replace just about everything in it. Never drained the fluids.. sat for 8 years.

I sort of like the look of the CRX

This ones for sale near me, don't have the money though.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

I've been doing 80-90 miles a day round trip for school for 4 years now. When gas got to $3.00 a gallon the first time I decided the explorer just wasn't cutting it. So I bought the ranger for 600 bucks with plans of driving it even further into the ground than it already was.

Somehow I ended up turbocharging it and then fixing the body and repainting it. Now I'm back to the explorer as a daily driver again. Oh well, I graduate in 6 weeks anyways.

BTW, I've been very lucky to have been working at an internship in my major (mechanical engineering) for the past 3 years. I even do about 15-25 hours per week part time during the school year. This internship pays very well and that's the only way I've afforded so much gas and tuition and rent all without loans, parent's help, etc.

So yeah, with a lot of hard work (think 80 hours a week with school and work) the right major and a good internship, it can be done. Keep looking for a better job!

 

[CJREX]

I'm really happy with my '99 Saturn wagon.

28-30 avg with 35+ on the hwy.

And I paid $1600 for it with power everything and leather

It's a nice car, not a clunker. I just lucked out and responded within a couple of hours of it being listed, cash in hand.

Craigslist is your friend. Just gotta be ready to be first to jump when something good pops up.

 

[koda6966]

I'll have no problem qualifying for financial aid, so I can worry about tuition later. I'm what you would call "poor." My family probably makes the least out of all the employed members of TRS.

Gas will be the issue. Hopefully I'll be able to keep a job, and commute to college at the same time. I'll work whatever hours I need to in order to get that done. Hell, I'll even go to hell on earth. (Fathers Quarry)

 

[Sunk]

Yeah it certainly helps to be able to pounce on something when you see it. My mom's old 93 Tercel got low-mid 40s on the highway and that only had a 4 spd. Then again it didn't look that cool.

As for me, I say buy a bike. They're cheap to buy, cheap to insure, and cheap to ride. Plus chicks dig 'em.

 

[koda6966]

Yeah it certainly helps to be able to pounce on something when you see it. My mom's old 93 Tercel got low-mid 40s on the highway and that only had a 4 spd. Then again it didn't look that cool.
As for me, I say buy a bike. They're cheap to buy, cheap to insure, and cheap to ride. Plus chicks dig 'em.

I'd love to. My brothers actually selling his 2005 Buell Blast.

The thing is.. there's this little time of year called winter. And having two vehicles just wouldn't work for me at this point in time. Besides, it's easier to learn stick than to learn how to drive on two wheels.

 

[Ozwynn]

yeah..... i like the Saturns. got 32 mpg out of my 93 SL2 5spd at 80 mph. got 42 if I set the cruise at 65. you can buy them cheap, no rust, easy to work on......... what mmore could you want. we got a 2001 SL2 with a 5spd up the road somebody could pick up for about $1500

 

[rangerbum]

I say get a camel. Spendy to import, but if you can get one adapted to our climate, who knows how many miles to the gallon you could pull with that, and with water at an all-time ability, i'd say Go For It!

 

[Mark_88]

CRX = Sports car = ^ insurance...

I'd go with the civic...they may not be as pretty, but what you save on insurance you can buy some paint and maybe some fender flares or ground effects...

 

[koda6966]

Almost bought a Saturn instead of the Ranger. Only had 1000 to work with, so I went the cheaper route.

 

[koda6966]

CRX = Sports car = ^ insurance...

I'd go with the civic...they may not be as pretty, but what you save on insurance you can buy some paint and maybe some fender flares or ground effects...

Yeah, I didn't think about the insurance.. maybe a Civic DX would be better? That's what my cousin has, only his is red and riced out a tad.

I don't like the look of Sedans or Coupes..

My brother had a Mitsubishi Mirage for a while. Got pretty good gas mileage with an Auto.

30-35 with a 5speed I think..

Oh, and I don't care about the looks. Any spare money I'd have would go to keeping it running or into the gas funds.

 

[Mark_88]

My sister drove one of those for many, many years...they finally had to rebuild the engine after 400,000+ Km...and it was still running when they sold it...great gas mileage...