If you were forced to buy a family car with GOOD GAS MILEAGE... what would you get?
 

I'm just throwing this out there for funsies.

Here are some guidelines to make it more challenging and to prevent the answer "E30" (because I already want that):

1. Must be under warranty for at least 2 more years / 20,000 more miles

2. Must have four doors and enough back seat room for an decent sized adult to ride comfortably for a 3 hour drive (someone 5'10" should fit)

3. Must get > 35mpg (bonus for > 40mpg)

4. under $37,000 msrp new (bonus for < 30,000) -- subtract 7500 for each year old it is. ie a 2009 would max out at $22000, 2010 $29,5k., etc. (still must meet #1 though)

5. > 1/20 power/weight ratio

6. trunk space.



bonus points (optional):

a) > 40mpg
b) < 30k new (2010: 22k, 2009: 14k)
c) > 1/13 power/weight ratio
d) general awesomeness.



If I think of more, I might add them.


Brainy suggested the new Lexus CT200h was an interesting new find at the auto show. Seems pricey for a tiny, underpowered hybrid.

Also curious about the next gen focus. sadly we don't get the crazy RS.

TSX – 6-Speed Manual $29,610

• Engine:
  
  280-hp, 3.5-liter, VTEC®, V-6

• EPA Est. MPG2:
  
  AT: 19 (city) / 28 (hwy)

Prius.
Fits pretty much every criteria except there's nothing fun or exciting about it.
My sister in law gets over 50 consistently commuting to nursing school every day.

VW Passat 2.0TDI

Mazdaspeed 3. I don't know what kind of mileage, but ass tons of room, and power. I am 6'4" and don't have much of a problem. I am looking at getting a 90's mercedes 350 sdl for pimp factory and gas mileage.

hyundai sonata, 274hp, under 30k new, and 33mpg highway

I was all set to say "MINI Clubman JCW" but they have 5 doors and get 33mpg.

Either of the new Hyundai Sonatas...good looks, hell of a warranty, dependable and a nice driving car overall.

Hybrid- $25k base to $30k fully loaded and 35/40mpg

Turbo- 22/33mpg $24 for the SE, $27 for the Limited base price ($27 -$32 fully loaded).


Had a couple of the base models for rentals cars and fit comfortably (5'10 @ 155) and I could only imagine how much better the turbo version is.

I love my MS3 but the mpg sucks hard - 20-24 on average and my commute is mostly highway.

If I was buying a family car right now I'd probably go the TDI Jetta Wagon route. The build quality is superior for the price point, the MPG is great and aesthetically it can look pretty good. An engineer at work has a black one lowered on GTI rims and at 38 mpg, it's lust worthy.

-Zach

The V6 TSX is only offered with a five speed slushbox.



My vote would be for a 2009+ Civic Si Sedan but you'd be lucky to get 35mpg combined. Otherwise I think it meets your criteria quite nicely.

1. Depending on what year you buy (or new) there should be plenty of warranty left.

2. The current Civic sedan is suprisingly roomy in the back, and it has a decent trunk to boot. Honestly, I'm 6'2" and I don't mind the back seat of the four door civic.

3. See above, you'd be lucky to get 35mpg highway, let alone combined. If you drive reasonably you could probably see 30 combined. (Rated 21/29)

4. With Navi, MSRP of a new Si Sedan is $24,400. If you don't want the crappy Honda navi then it starts at $22,400. Used ones hold their value pretty well but you can get a really nice one for $15-18k.

5. 2950lbs, 197hp (about 15:1)

6. See #2 above, trunk is surprisingly big for how small it looks from the exterior. I was pretty impressed with it, maybe I have low expectations.

With a Hondata reflash, Type R intake manifold and throttle body and TSX cam you see a very good bump in power that is useable at all RPMs, OEM reliability, and even a bump in gas mileage. Those few mods would put you under your 13:1 target, and would cost about another $1k.

Back in 2008 I test drove a Mazdaspeed 3 and a Civic Si. I actually wrote a little review and posted it here on this site. In it I talked about how much better the Mazdaspeed was. Now I'm not so sure...

Don't know about your guys' location, but diesel around here right now is over 5/gallon.

I was just looking for myself last night - almost the same criteria.

I kept coming back to 08/09 Pontiac G8. Quite a few available under 20K miles and $22,000. They have RWD, 360HP, seating for four adults, comfy, fast, 5 year 100,000 warranty.

It won't hit 35MPG, but should do close to 30 and the power would be worth it.

Hits the awesomeness meter a bit when compared to the crop of vehicles above.

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/...620946_20.jpeg

1988 E30 Touring ix - AWD, E30 chassis, lots of trunkspace $8k (from Canada so need to get creative with the VIN + $500 ;))
s52 swap + 2.93 diff - $5-7k (that's paying someone else to do it, and it also means 30-31 hwy mileage, but AWD torque baby!)
aftermarket warranty (you didn't say it had to be the balance of a factory warranty) - $2-3k

Grin factor when finished as a family DD (did I mention it was AWD?) - priceless..... :p (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) I'm half joking, but seriously, if you didn't need to finance, had a separate DD to wait until the swap was done, it would make a killer family hauler for less than a lot of less fun new cars.

Oh, and I forgot, you can track it, AND carry all the spares, wheels, etc.... in the back.

More suggestions.

New Golf TDI. Don't know how roomy the back seat or "trunk" is but it's 25k new, rated at 31/40 mpg and it hasn't been cheapened up like the new Jetta.

Used Jetta Sportwagon (already suggested). You don't want the new one that is all crapified and cheap. Get a 2010 with low miles, bigger and more spacious than Golf TDi, same engine, similar mileage.

v8 twin turbo miata

I was forced to get a family car.




So I got an SRT8 Charger.

I'd like to see a 1988 BMW with two years left on the warranty.

My friend has a '08 g6. Fast, comfy, good mileage, etc. However at the limit handling is sketchy to say the least. Floats all over the place. Not sure if the g8 suffers the same problem.

that's straight off acura.com...


Y8s, is the 35mpg thing hwy only?

This fails points 1, 3, and 4, but I believe it is more than made up for in bonus point d.

http://image.automobilemag.com/f/971...front_view.jpg

Mercedes-Benz 500E

I'm also going to throw in the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Fully loaded, brand new it's $33k and get's 39-41MPG. Also had several Fusions for rental cars (base and the SE V6) and they've been very plush, roomy cars. They feel bigger than the Sonata and don't get quite as good of MPGs (for petrol versions), but overall it's a nice car. The SE V6 with some nice options goes for $27k and gets ~25-30mpg.

Checked used pricing and low mile ones (well under 10k), 2010 models...low $20k's. Not bad.

Audi A3 TDI. Too bad they don't offer it with quattro.

Not sure about the "next gen" but my dad got a 2009 focus about 2 months ago and it was THE BIGGEST PIECE OF SHIT CAR I HAVE DRIVEN EVER.

That is not an exaggeration.

He got rid of it exactly 6 weeks after buying it. We were all shocked at how shitty it was, despite being fully loaded (moon roof, 16 rims, bluetooth, etc etc). Horrible gas mileage, the most disconnected and shitty feeling steering brakes, and an auto transmission so bad it would make a 1970's 3 speed look good.

I would not recommend that car to my worst enemy.

He got it cheap and thought he had a deal, til he tried to sell it just a few weeks later and barely sold it cause no one wants em.

This is why I suggested the TDI wagon - VW is still using the old platform for the wagons for line cost reasons.

The new sedan platforms are indeed shittastic. VW sold it's soul and went the Toyota route.

-Zach

Does the Fit fit? Not a big trunk, but neither does the Focus.

Fitting those criteria? nothing, because it would cost more than I'd ever spend. My closest choice would be a first gen Scion xB. wont meet your warranty or mileage requirements, but it would be close.

based on the latest two iterations of the prius, I couldn't convince my wife or myself to ever want one. those things are soul crushingly awful to drive.

umm let's say yes. highway 35mpg.

wife rented a fusion over the weekend in DEEtroit (she was cruising 8 mile what). she said it was actually pretty decent and that the interior was very "not american car".

the audi a3 is pretty too. quattro isn't a necessity and probably would just cut into the mpg, price, and power to weight factors.

I appreciate that you'd buy me a car up to a certain budget but that's why I included a rough number.

Scion XB is interesting--basically a corolla in a box.

Scion XB has tons of room and brand new are cheap and the new Honda accord V6 hauls ass and is super comfy with a trunk like an old Lincoln and more room in the back than you could imagine. My dad has one and it is an amazing car. It is the same car as the TL just different panels.

the new jetta SEL is hella cheap... $23K new, 33mpg hwy.

170hp at 3000lbs, within your power ratio.

http://www.vw.com/en/models/jetta/features_and_specs.s9_trimlevel_detail.suffix.html/2011_jetta~2Fsel.html#/tab=fa1028f8a1a53ace1e11111323084711

Cobalt SS turbo

Sentra SE-R would work as well.

Apparently the Acura website is confusing.

2011 TSX 6-speed Manual @ $29,610 has the base 2.4 engine (201hp). Rated 21/29 mpg

2011 TSX V6 is $35,150 and is only available w/ 5sp Sequential SportShift w/ paddle shifters. V6 is (3.5L, 280hp) rated 19/28 mpg.

Check the site again if you don't believe me.

well I'll be.

If you were forced to buy a family car with good gas mileage... what would you get?

A new wife.

It wont be out tell' the 2012 model year, but the Focus ST looks pretty good, dont know if it meets all the requirments yet since it's not out and hasen't been reviewed in US spec form.
http://image.motortrend.com/f/346456...front-view.jpg

There's also the VW Golf R which has 5 doors, and gets 28mpg on the eurocycle, whatever that is.
http://carsnewhybrid.com/wp-content/...12-500x333.jpg
(AWD > FWD)

2door

who said my wife had anything to do with the requirements? she'd probably want a MINI Clubman if the rear doors were actual doors.


That's the focus I'm talking about. If the US one is again based on the euro spec focus, it might be a really good car.

OK also I was just looking at the MINI site...

WTF is a MINI Cooper S Countryman All4?! Besides a mouthful.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...est/index.html

http://www.planetautocar.com/wp-cont...n-S-ALL4-2.jpg

none of the good cars make better than 25mpg hwy.

TDI Sportwagon

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<<<<see screen name.

G8's and G6's have nothing in common with one another. If you can drive a V8 G8, I'm sure you will be impressed.

Doesn't meet the requirements, but I recently drove a Honda Odyssey for a week and it was freakin sweet.

G8's are nice

Sonata's are nice

The new Focus coming out looks REALLY nice. Friend had an FSVT3 and it was a blast. It went toe to toe with the Miata and did 33-34mpg on the highway.

I would rock this bitch, gas mileage be damned. I found an 84 AMG on cl I am thinking about actually.

I would skip the family and convert the miata into an airplane.

great. start a thread about it.

Lol. I was thinking about buying a huffy today....

Why not Ford Fiesta?

I get huge bonus points for price, and the bonus points for near 40mpg, only issues are the rear seat room is bordering on too little, and the p/w ratio is .0465 instead of your desired .05.

Super secret bonus points because Jeremy Clarkson likes it.

Fiesta... The Focus looks like its heading to the same design.

http://www.motorward.com/wp-content/...ock-fiesta.jpg

Oh, don't get fussy. What is the "Insert BS here" section for if not to encourage thread drift?

Jetta wagon TDi with a chip and suspension mods.

You have to admit you laughed....

Easy, JSW TDi. Meets or exceeds all criteria. Mine was $26k new and gets > 46 mpg hwy without really trying. Fit and finish is superb and it carts around my kids with aplomb.

Excitement? It's no sports car, but it's a station wagon with a 6-speed manual and a turbo. That should count for something.

Bonus - 10k between services. 500+ mile range (did an 8 hour drive in Texas without stopping for fuel). No battery packs to replace. In automotive periodicals, is routinely put up against cars half its size and wins.

I guess if I had to think of one downfall, it's that the power curve is so different from the (relatively) peaky Miata that I have to remember to adjust if I go back and forth between them.

Agree, although IIRC the Jetta sedan is the one that's been crapified, and the '11 JSW is a carryover.

Normally I don't believe and/or agree with a word he says. But yes. This.

I'm surprised at all the VW recommendations. Aren't they basically one big MIL on wheels?

MIL? Mother-in-law?

VAG NA just moved their offices basically across the freeway from my work. perhaps they would perform the scheduled maintenance there.

JD Power ranks them at or near last in total quality and initial quality. that's disconcerting no matter how much of an outlier the sportwagon might be.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp.

Also known as a CEL (Check Engine Light).

I don't see how, from what I've seen so far.

Oh, you meant a CEL... No issues yet. Got around 30k miles on it so far.

BTW - someone mentioned Acura. Pictured below is the odo on my dad's '05 TL. Original clutch still...

If you want space combined with mileage, you have only two options if you're being sensible.

1.
A car made by VAG, hence Audi, VW, Skoda or Seat. Diesel ofc.
I drive a Audi A6 2.5 TDI myself, but I recommend the 1.9 or 2.0 TDI engine for mileage. If you want horsepower, you can easily get a bigger engine and outrun most of the turbo Miatas you know ;)
http://cache.finn.no/mmo/2011/3/14/9...1531305635.jpg

2.
Ford Mondeo 2.0TDI Ghia/Titanium X. It's the most sporty of the big ones, according to the car tests. I've only driven the 2005, but the 2008+ looks a lot better, and probably rides better too.
http://cache.finn.no/mmo/2011/3/14/5..._-17443121.jpg

With both these you get a highway mileage of 5 litres pr 100 km (fuck if I know this silly mpg measure of yours, get used to the one the rest of the world uses. Metric>yours) and cars that will last forever. The Mondeo is cheaper to service/repair, but the Audi is just heaven to ride.

Not available in U.S.

What an awful country. But then again, you chose Bush 4 times..

Too bad about the Skoda and Seat, since they're basically and Audi in a less pricy shell.

Since the car in question is a family car, stay away from the MINI. It is fucking SMALL, the Clubman - their station wagon - is the same length as the Miata.
You'll end up getting annoyed, and wishing you bought a bigger car.
And the quality is as shitty as they get, it seems like BMW picked up all the parts that weren't good enough for their cars, and thought "hmm.. we've got so many shitty parts here, what to do with them? - Aha! Let's make a new brand!!". And then they made the MINI..

So all in all, go for the Audi or VW.
As for CEL, Mercedes is the winner in Europe, and I can't remember VAG cars being below average in build quality. They have their issues ofc, but all brands do.
Their engines are amazing though, and it's the reason I ended up getting the Audi.