Frugal Vehicles

[learnedcounsel]

We often talk about the benefits of buying used cars. I really like how you articulated this. So many people think buying used is the risky move - buying someone else's problems is what people often say. The truth is that the new car carries more risk, particularly if it is a brand new or redesigned model that hasn't really been tested out yet. They haven't found the flaws and bugs yet.

That's true, but the big difference is that the new car is under full warranty.

[learnedcounsel]

I also think the Hyundai Accent and Toyota Corolla deserve mention.

[JoeP]

Agreed, the 90's and early 2000 Civics are very good cars, and very inexpensive to fix!

Volkswagen Jetta, 1985-1999 with a 5-speed transmission are very good on fuel, nearly free to maintain, parts are available at junkyards, they drive smooth & quietly... and can be had for almost whatever you want to pay!

Or any Honda pre-1999

Both of these makes are getting to be hard to find. This explains well why people hang on to them for a very long time.

[sandrark]

Used Honda, Subaru and Toyotas are hard to beat. Relatively reasonable cost, relatively reasonable maintenance costs, and they last a long time.

I had a 97 Subaru Legacy wagon, AWD, and put 130K miles on it in 9 years. Only two repairs were ever required: swapped out the alternator (took 21 minutes, cost $150) and replaced a wheel bearing at 80K ($125). I'd buy another Subaru in a heartbeat.

[learnedcounsel]

and the Toyota Prius, while good on gas, is NOT a frugal choice. Here's a good article discussing why:

http://practicalfrugalliving.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/myth-busters-toyota-prius-as-a-money-saver/

[mekap04]

I'm looking into used cars for my first car and this thread gave me some good suggestions. I want a Honda Civic but those cars are hard to find at a steal.

Anyway, what do you guys recommend the mileage should be if you are shopping for a used car?

[ua_guy]

I echo the sentiments about small Fords as posted above. Those things are zombie-apocalypse material, right there. We had 2, and both of them went well over 150k miles with only simple scheduled maintenance and consumable items.

[bjl584]

Hyundai and Kia can still be found used for a deal. Check into those.

[Baby_nurse]

Echoing the sentiments on Fords. I've run 2 of them for over 200k with only regular maintenance.

[Ronin]

I'm shopping for a used vehicle right now. My original plan was to drive my 2007 Nissan Altima until it dies. I currently have 110,000k miles on it. However, I used to live in northern IL and IA where the salt from rough winter weather has taken it toll on the cars undercarriage. I've been told by several mechanics that everything is rusted out on the car.

Recently, I failed my states vehicle emissions test because I had a leaky muffler. The Nissan dealer recommended I buy a whole new muffler system because of how rusted out everything is for about $1200. After telling them that was not an option, I was able to get the leaky muffler spot welded for about $75 so I was able to pass the admissions test.

I've read the book, The Millionare Next Door: The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy: Thomas J., Ph.D. Stanley, William D., Ph.D Danko: 9781589795471: Amazon.com: Books

In it they recommend buying two to three year old used cars. So, I've been searching for something in my price range and description (2-3 yo with around 25k mileage or less) that fits my needs. I'm extremely surprised at how much dealers wanted for a used cars. Most of these used cars are about $1000-2000 off what I could buy the car brand new for. It almost makes me consider buying a brand new vehicle.

Buying a 2-3 year old used car is usually worth it if you plan on getting the pimped out higher end models, there is a lot more savings I have found ($5-$10K). For example, I bought a loaded 2008 Honda Odyssey van a few years ago for $10,000 less than what a brand new exactly same equipped Odyssey would cost.

But if you are buying a stripped down Hyundai, I doubt you will save much at all.

[bigdaddybus]

Reading the posts in here just made me smile. Personally I have one major vice in my life and it is vehicles.
Currently, I drive a 2005 Ford Excursion Diesel that gets 19-20 mpg highway (empty) and 11-12 in town. It takes 2.5 gallons of oil to do an oil change every 5K miles, plus coolant filter and fuel filter(x2)every 15K miles. It is tuned to have 800ft lbs or torque for no other reason than I wanted it to have more than the 565 it came with. lol
It pulls my 30ft toyhauler(camper)with ease, and my family of 6 can ride in comfort.

Recently, I was looking into getting a sports car to drive back and forth to work to save fuel. When I realized I would spend $40-65K to save 50% at the pump I decided to keep driving the X to work for awhile.

I dont think I will ever drive a frugal cars, and that is just right for me

[~bs]

Reading the posts in here just made me smile. Personally I have one major vice in my life and it is vehicles.
Currently, I drive a 2005 Ford Excursion Diesel that gets 19-20 mpg highway (empty) and 11-12 in town. It takes 2.5 gallons of oil to do an oil change every 5K miles, plus coolant filter and fuel filter(x2)every 15K miles. It is tuned to have 800ft lbs or torque for no other reason than I wanted it to have more than the 565 it came with. lol
It pulls my 30ft toyhauler(camper)with ease, and my family of 6 can ride in comfort.

Recently, I was looking into getting a sports car to drive back and forth to work to save fuel. When I realized I would spend $40-65K to save 50% at the pump I decided to keep driving the X to work for awhile.

I dont think I will ever drive a frugal cars, and that is just right for me

I think you and me are in the same boat bro.

2006 SLK 55. Small car, same dimensions as a S2000 but the V8 means I average 16mpg, and most of my driving is leisure when there's little traffic and highway driving. 8.5 quarts of mobil 1 oil per oil change aint too much fun.

Of course, the redemption is my other frugal "vehicle", my two legs. I walk to work daily, so only drive 2-3k miles per year. It's going to take me another 10 years just to hit 50k on the odometer.

And sports cars aren't necessarily better on gas. My car is equivalent at least to a gas V6 truck. I see single digit gas mileage in traffic. Some sports cars advertise high gas mileage, but that's only if you're driving like your grandmother, which is not the reason for buying a sports car in the first place. If you buy a V8 camaro or a SRT8 or a GTR or any other sports car, the gas mileage should be the least of your worries.

But I admit, diesels are a lot of fun. My friend has a F350 super duty. Nothing like the sound of a large turbo diesel engine

[ryaneinstein]

Since I valeted for years I have extensive experience with great cars that can run the gammut and those that have great gas mileage and here are my picks:

Toyota Prius (First 2 models)

Honda Civic (1995 greatest car of all time absolutely amazing in gas mileage)

Toyota MR2 (small sports car if you buy the n/a version the mileage is great)

Honda CRV (An SUV version of the civic)

Nissan Sentra

[Liopleurodon]

When shopping for used cars that are good values and will run forever the best deals are usually vehicles that are mechanically excellent, but unpopular with the motoring public.

I'd recommend anything on the Ford Panther platform (Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car). These cars are amazingly reliable. They can take the abuse of daily police use followed by taxi use. Besides being very tough and able to take a merciless beating, the Panthers are also very inexpensive to repair when they do break. The mileage is typical for a full size sedan.

My car is equivalent at least to a gas V6 truck. I see single digit gas mileage in traffic. Some sports cars advertise high gas mileage, but that's only if you're driving like your grandmother, which is not the reason for buying a sports car in the first place. If you buy a V8 camaro or a SRT8 or a GTR or any other sports car, the gas mileage should be the least of your worries.

Lol that's far worse than a truck. I drive a V8 pickup truck and even running E85, I've never seen averages in the single digits. Get a Ford Mustang V6 if you want to have efficiency and performance; its rocket fast and gets 30mpg.

[karenjcarlson]

Jeep Cherokee

I generally pay about $3500 for old used Jeep Cherokees and drive them for 3 years. They require about $700 in maintenance per year - so total cost over 3 years is $5600. I then sell for around $2000. That brings the total cost to $3600 - cost/year to: $1200. Not bad. I'd spend AT LEAST that on depreciation of anything newer. Gas mileage is not great, but I can't find a cheaper model than this.