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Surprise! - well, not really: Insight, Prius top Consumer Reports most frugal used cars
If you're already stretched paper thin under the financial weight of a thirsty, expensive vehicle, getting out of it for something more fuel efficient might seem like an unattainable dream. Fear not, the smarties over at Consumer Reports have rightly pointed out that since depreciation accounts for nearly half of the cost of a car during its first five years of ownership, buying a used miser is the best way to save money and resources.
The usual suspects top CR's lists; both the under $10,000 and $10,000-$20,000 categories are dominated by Toyota and Honda products. Honda's Insight is deemed the zenith of $10,000 sippers, with the '01-'02 Prius right on its heels. For the higher-price category, the first two slots are occupied by the Prius, and Honda's Civic Hybrid takes the next two seedings. Rankings are based on CR's own fuel economy tests, done with a flow meter and repeatable drive cycle, and overall assessments of the vehicle's quality and reliability likely play big roles in how the list was compiled. It is also noted that older vehicles may be missing out in some more modern features like stability control and side-curtain airbags, but that may be more of an issue for the under $10,000 set, which stretches back to vehicles from the late 1990s. Hybrids might be tough to secure right now, especially for a reasonable price, but going used might allow you to ease your consumption while dodging a high-buck purchase to do so.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wagonphile 6:37PM (8/11/2008)
I'll take an inexpensive, manual-tranny, ICE four-banger FTW. Hybrid have higher total owner cost despite being more frugal at the pump. Total monthly cost is what I'm concerned with. The Honda Fit still appears to be the best bargain on the market IMO.
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why not the LS2LS7? 6:51PM (8/11/2008)
I would think the Civic would be cheaper per-mile to own if you buy it used. After depreciation, you'll pay about the same as for the Fit and the mpg is higher.
A Cobalt XFE (once they appear on the used market) would likely be cheaper in total ownership cost than either. Great mpg and low resale (i.e. price if you're the buyer).
wagonphile 10:55PM (8/11/2008)
True, a used Civic would probably be a better buy, though lately I've seen them hold a pretty steep price even with 20k on the odo. In fact, all of the compacts and subcompacts are selling well now.
I don't think I can stomach a Cobalt-- I like inexpensive, but not cheap.
why not the LS2LS7? 6:52PM (8/11/2008)
Is reporting on the total cost of ownership supposed to imply something about measuring vehicles in terms of utility instead of performance? If so, the Insight, with only two seats and almost no truck space is a serious loser. Might as well get a motorcycle and save even more.
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Red 7:34PM (8/11/2008)
What the Insight loses in practicality it makes up for at the pump with a consistent real-world 70mpg hwy for MT models (CVTs are rated slightly lower). The Prius may seat 4 or 5, but I've very rarely ever come across anyone that actually get/got the 45mpg currently advertised, let alone the previously advertised 60mpg. Given the choice, I would still take the Insight or an older Corolla or CR-X, because, while the motorcycle or scooter sounds like a good idea, I'm not comfortable with being "uncovered" like that.
But good luck finding an Insight. Honda unfortunately discontinued sale just before the market picked up and there weren't that many cars sold, compared to anything else in their lineup. They're EXTREMELY hard to come by now. There were like 50 Prius' for every 1 Insight sold. lol
Dustin 7:44PM (8/11/2008)
Most people use their cars to drive to work and back by themselves every day. The idea of two seats isn't as ludicrous as everyone makes it out to be.
why not the LS2LS7? 8:29PM (8/11/2008)
I'll ask my manual-transmission Insight owning coworker when he gets back in tomorrow.
A friend has a Prius and regularly gets over 50mpg on his 50 mile commute (mostly highway). This is below the old EPA rating but well above the new one. Maybe he drives like a granny though.
MajorGeek 9:31PM (8/11/2008)
I got my H2 to 18 MPG the other day by simply not accelerating on hills, no cruise control, etc. I have not inflated the tires, I think I could get this pig over 20 MPG. I don't drive it much, just thought it would be fun to see what changing small driving habits could do.
Today, I am accelerating at a light and 4 of us take off, my Civic, minivan, Jerokee, another minivan and they wail the gas pedal like gasoline was free, then they all drive at 44 mph in a 40 zone. If only people were willing to make minor changes in their literally unexcuseable driving habits, they might get decent mileage, probably why your buddy gets 50 MPG, let us know!
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Skipper 11:02PM (8/11/2008)
Just be sure to stay on the slow lane if you're going to drive like that as a courtesy to other drivers.
Not everyone feels they need to change their driving habits.
MajorGeek 11:11PM (8/11/2008)
I never, ever said that I did it constantly, Im with you, people dont do it because its not our nature. Read my post again, I think you missed the point. I have 5 cars, gas mileage is not a big deal to me bro. Gas mileages vary, I wondered how much driving habits affected somethign like my Hummer 2.
"just thought it would be fun to see what changing small driving habits could do."
boneheadotto 11:27PM (8/11/2008)
"If only people were willing to make minor changes in their literally unexcuseable driving habits"
you mean like not driving a HUMMER H2???....
but i know what you mean. I drive my WRX like a grandma now and my 50/50 city commute has gone from 20mpg to consistently over 25, sometimes 26.5 over about 150miles. It is hard to drive that way, so i carpool now as well.
MajorGeek 7:57AM (8/12/2008)
I own 5 cars, 2 jet skis, 2 motorcycles and a Segway. I do what I can for the environment, but vehicles are my passion. The again, this assumes one believes in global warming and cares about 100 bucks to fill their tank.
Oh, I dont carpool, I work at home, my total daily commute = 0 miles. I wash and polish my cars a lot while people are driving to and from work ;)
Nick 1:04AM (8/12/2008)
i think the whole trick of hybrids, is that they are so underpowered, slow, and rubbish, that you have to drive them slowly, and therefore increase your fuel economy.
Plus, they are future proofed, they will break down, and make you pay 20 Grand to fix, so you will have to stop driving them, thus, saving fuel.
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