Looking for a car. 35mpg+ in the 3000-5000 dollar range.

[koda6966]

I emailed a guy about a 2000 Zx2.

2000 Ford Escort ZX2, Black, 83000 miles, runs excellent, fast, body in very good condition, new trans lines, recharged A/C, new brakes all around w/ new master cylinder, perfect interior, power windows and locks, moonroof, aluminum wheels, 4 50% tires, second owner since 2002, inspection good until Dec. 2009

Only thing I don't like is the Auto. That means I should expect about 25mpg correct?

what are everyone's thought on ford focus's, particularly a 2000 sedan with an auto.
Koda sorry if you don't want this in here i just didn't want a new thread when the info should be available here.

Not a problem, it goes along with the thread.

 

[mn_smokeater]

on note of the saturn i had a 93 Sl1 and while it had good mileage i was a bit paranoid driving it. why you may ask? well the GFs dad had by accident backed into my car with his 1500 Ram so we took it to his buddy who owns a body shop an they put a new door skin on. the reason for the parnoia?
the bar in the door thats intended to keep say a car from going into the cabin could be bent by hand and the buddy said "things a damned death trap" so avoid that one there.

 

[koda6966]

A friend of mine had an 95 or so Saturn SL series. He loved the car, until he flipped it on a dirt road. After that he bought a Zx2 and had alot of issues with the car, but ended up getting rid of it and joined the Marines.

 

[harriw]

I sold my '02 Focus ZX3 (the 2-door hatchback version) this summer. It had the 2.0L (Zetec, I think? I'm already forgetting) and the 5-speed. I got up to 35mpg highway a few times, and around 25 in town.

Nice car - I had the sunroof, power everything - it was actually pretty sporty and fun to drive. USELESS in the snow though. Front end was so light it was almost impossible to get started from stop signs and red lights if there was any sort of incline. I never bothered putting snow-tires on it though - that might have helped some.

Ford is cutting costs like everyone else - they put a plastic valve cover on the 2.0 that likes to leak oil. And the way they packaged everything in there, it just happens that the heater intake sucks in that burning oil smell when you're sitting still. It becomes second nature to switch the heater to re-circulate cabin air whenever you come to a stop. Don't know if they use that plastic cover or not, but it was on my '02. Had a combined master cylinder for brakes and clutch that also likes to leak. I've also heard they had some wheel bearing problems, but I never had any trouble with them on mine.

I also had some suspension issues with mine, but that's strictly because the PO did a half-@$$ job installing a lowering kit and I got stuck fixing it.

From a financial standpoint, I probably should have kept it, driven it into the ground, and got the truck 5-10 years later than I did. But I like my truck, and BOY is it nice having an easy way to haul stuff around.

 

[Roger]

I have a 2003 Neon with a 5 speed, and get consistent 34MPG and better, and have managed a couple tanks at 38. My son has managed 40 MPG on a recent trip. Yeah, its a Neon, but I haven't had any issues with it in 80,000 miles. And STILL pull better mileage than the EPA estimates. I'd rather drive a Neon than a Konda or Toyota.

 

[coryg]

i would go with a focus or the zx2... ive owned three neons and theyve all been nothing but headaches cracked blocks, radiators, etc. also the speedometers seem to not like working... as for the hyundais... stay away from them... junk. i had an 01 elantra gls and NEVER got better than 22 mpg with it, along with a host of electrical problems. a few of my friends have had focuses and they all seemed to love them... kinda quick with the zetec..
a toyota or cheap nissan would definitely be another possibilty that you should look into...
my celica gets 35mpg and is driven hard every day, ive had it for almost a year with NO problems whatsoever.
also.. my girlfriends 98 monte carlo with a 3.1 believe it or not got just over 30 mpg on a trip to michigan and back doing about 80 most of the way. i know its a chevy, but i was rather surprised and its actually a pretty comfortable car....

hope this helps some

 

[shizzy]

I think (hope) Hyundi has made progress in quality. My wife has a 06 Elantra that her Mom bought new and has never had an issue with it. even with not being the original owner I belive the warranty still covers to 50-60K.

she also gets 30+MPG regularly and on longer road trips, its closer to 40MPG.

keep in mind this car is NOT I repeat NOT an amazing car. EVERYTHING about it is mediocre. seats, radio, handling and power. its a simple, basic car with 4 wheels and an engine.

 

[Louisville86]

Seriously, you can't beat a Honda Civic. My 2002 (LX, automatic) gets 28 in the city and about 33 in mixed driving (maybe 36 on the highway). It is slow (115 horsepower) but it is as dependable as the sun rising and seems to be holding up very well. But it is a secretary's special (no balls)!

 

[RDR]

for that you can get you a kia for every day of the week

 

[mattpresley]

Anyone know of some? All I can think of is Honda Civics.. but they only get about 26 city in the 96+ models apparently.

Dodge Neons get semi decent mileage, but they're crap IMO.

Koda WTF happened to project rust bucket(was that the nissan?) And you better not consider dumping the ranger unless it's for a ranger

 

[snomaker321]

A friend of mine has a mid-90s saturn sl2 i believe it is. She says she cant take it on the highway because it doesnt go fast enough. Also says it on its last leg. Has around 150,000 miles on it. Not sure if this is normal or anything but its my experience with this car, although I do know that it is supposed to be one of the most fuel efficient cars.

 

[jdt18]

ive owned three neons and theyve all been nothing but headaches cracked blocks, radiators, etc. also the speedometers seem to not like working...

A first gen neon ,sohc,5-speed will get you 44mpgs at 70mph. I'v owned many neons and only had basic maintenance problems. Your gonna have problems what ever you drive.There so cheap and easy to fix. Its soooo basic, just like a honda, but american. If your unable to fix or work on things, you should buy something with a warranty.

BTW... the speed-o problem is a easy fix, pull the Assembly apart, on the back there are two clusters of pin outs, cold solder these pin outs to the board and your good to go...

 

[koda6966]

Koda WTF happened to project rust bucket(was that the nissan?) And you better not consider dumping the ranger unless it's for a ranger

Well the Nissans too rusty, and gets worse mileage than the Ranger. And I'll be keeping the Ranger, no worries.

 

[rat_ranger]

4cyl 5 speed hyundai accent arount 2000 model year. small, not too ugly, and good milage with the little 4cyl but will move decent. wont be the slowest on the road.

 

[mattpresley]

Well the Nissans too rusty, and gets worse mileage than the Ranger. And I'll be keeping the Ranger, no worries.

I recommend a 4 cyl accord then. My old accord is now being abused by my uncle with 290K. Mine was a 92 so the gen is 1990-1993. averages about 35 mpg but I used to floor it and make the tranny fly in rpms LOL

Honestly I can see your reasonings in needed the 4 cyl car. Glad your keeping the truck as you never know when it will come in handy. Gotta say that my Silverado has way more problems than your ranger. However it was free and who wouldnt take a free crew cab with a 6.0 engine?