Top 10 Most Economical New Cars

10 cheep ways to die on highway. All of these vehicles are at, or most likely under 2000lbs. Just think what a full size vehicle could do to one of them on impact. Better yet think what a loaded 18 wheeler weighing around 80.000lbs could do to one of them. Gas is expensive, but is it so bad that a person would put their life on the line in something like this?

Good fuel economy, light weight, maneuverable and easy to park. The way I see most people drive... No I won't say it!

Cheaper is not always better!

Sorry "C-h-e-e-p" should be "c-h-e-a-p". in my first post.

I kind of wish that truckers had their own highway in Atlanta. Very dangerous, especially on 400 and also on I-85.

Trucker, most cars these days are over 2000 lbs. I had a Nissan Sentra 200SX (at the time, one of the smallest/lightest cars on the market) and it curb weighted just over 2300. The Corolla I recently traded was closer 2500, and I'm now driving a subcompact (not on this list) that's just shy of 3000. Most SUVs are well over that. Yes, these are subcompacts, but most people don't drive subcompacts.(That being said, I thought the "no family" comment was funny -- the Vibe, Matrix and Versa all comfortably seat four or five adults.)

The days of the "under 2000 under $2000" Pinto are long gone. Cars aren't so much larger these days, as they are heavier due to things like side-impact beams. Which isn't a bad thing.

Full size vs. subcompact doesn't kill unless we're talking about enough speed or a type of impact where subcompact vs. subcompact could kill.

Tractor trailer vs. four wheel vehicle is always going to come out the same no matter how heavy the four wheel vehicle is. Best defense against that is good driving -- not a heavy car. I personally prefer the smaller ones because they're far more maneuverable which goes a long way toward *avoiding* wrecks.

Trucker has the American macho, bigger is better attitude. So do lots of people. That's why, despite great pollution reducing 3 way catalytic convertors, big vehicle pollution still cause damage to lungs, hearts & other organs of children who live, play & school near freeways(what a misnomer).

I'm surprised Trucker is upset with small cars, when road warrior truckers & motorcyclists have great comradery.

When it comes to a crash between a
small car and an 18-wheeler, our local
deputies usually quote the "Lug-nut rule:"
Whoever has the most lug-nuts wins.

My personal picks for economical cars (Not new but still):

The Volkswagen GTI, Ford Focus, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Pontiac G5, Chevrolet Cobalt, Subaru Impreza and of course the Saturn S-series.

I don't drive a compact car, I own a 2001 Ford Ranger, but If I chose a compact it would be one of those.

To ME personally, ALL compact cars, foreign or domestic are death traps.

Jack wrote:

My personal picks for economical cars (Not new but still):
The Volkswagen GTI, Ford Focus, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Pontiac G5, Chevrolet Cobalt, Subaru Impreza and of course the Saturn S-series.
I don't drive a compact car, I own a 2001 Ford Ranger, but If I chose a compact it would be one of those.

I had a Saturn sl 1,and sold it at 65k so i can buy a truck.The only thing i didnt like was the center council would stick into my leg, otherwise it was a great car.I think you can throw in the Saturn l series.mY inlaws have a Saturn l200 and they enjoy it alot,and im looking at one tomarrow.It has the same 2.2 thats in the Colbalt,but its off of a personal lease so thats a good thing

How many cars will survive a crash with a truck?.NOt very many.

eric wrote:

<quoted text>I had a Saturn sl 1,and sold it at 65k so i can buy a truck.The only thing i didnt like was the center council would stick into my leg, otherwise it was a great car.I think you can throw in the Saturn l series.mY inlaws have a Saturn l200 and they enjoy it alot,and im looking at one tomarrow.It has the same 2.2 thats in the Colbalt,but its off of a personal lease so thats a good thing

Well I like the Cobalt mainly because of its looks and Ive seen some of them on the run and they are pretty fast and quick.

I have never been a fan of 4-bangers, but of all of the Subaru STis and whatnot that I have seen, the Cobalt is a fast car, and Im sure if you raced a Toyota Celica GT and Chevrolet Cobalt SS I can put my word on it that the SS will win..I have no need for that kind of car but still..

archie 500 wrote:

To ME personally, ALL compact cars, foreign or domestic are death traps.

So, what's your reasoning for that comment?? You sound like an old uneducated woman!
Do you have anything constructive or remotely enlightening to say? Like the fact that todays subcompacts and compact cars are extremely better constructed than yesterdays models and save enormous amounts of fuel which translates to saving money, natural resources and our environment.

By the way. I have owned a Cavalier Coupe and I loved that Car. Now I own a Cobalt SS/SC. I don't think there is a better built Coupe model on the market for that price. Saying the Cobalt is Fast is an understatement. The handling and braking are Outstanding! And the Cobalt is an overall winner on so many levels. It's an amazing car. It is the perfect combination of speed/economy/and looks. It goes 140+ mph and still gets 29 MPG.

I don't see how they come up with these dollar figures. I owned a Chevy Cavalier for 5 years and the only thing I paid for was gas, oil/filter and insurance costs. That came to about $1400 to go 10,000 miles each year. If that doesn't make the Chevy Cavalier the lowest cost to operate compared to this list, then I must be bad at math. Why isn't the Cavalier on this list????

I also own a Pickup truck that I only use when hauling things.

Do the world a favor, go get yourself a 3.8L GM and that car is gonna last you forever...it did in my 1993 Oldsmobile 98 I still have that tank with 315k on it and its never failed.......

Get A Clue wrote:

<quoted text>
So, what's your reasoning for that comment?? You sound like an old uneducated woman!
Do you have anything constructive or remotely enlightening to say? Like the fact that todays subcompacts and compact cars are extremely better constructed than yesterdays models and save enormous amounts of fuel which translates to saving money, natural resources and our environment.

The answer to that question is easy...can a compact car tow a boat? Because I'm buying a new SUV soon.

I drive a Chevy Aveo 5 for work. Great mileage and cheap purchase price. The payment of $210/mo (0 down),$49 dollars additional for insurance (third vehicle with two drivers in household) and $300/month in gas is less than it cost for me to run 4x4 Duramax Diesel. I laugh all the way to the bank and still have a great truck to drive on weekends and for recreation.
I am a big guy, 230# and work in construction. My car holds 4-people comfortably and goes great.

Safety comes down to more than size and weight. Engineering is a huge factor. Many of these low price, low cost of ownership vehicles simply don't have technology that other vehicles have that increase their overall safety. (stabilitrack, traction control, all around air curtains, front wheel drive, etc). I have three children and I would not drive them around this city daily in some of the cars on that list.

So if your 80,000 lb rig broadsides an SUV, what d'ya suppose that would look like? keeping small coars off the road doesn't seem the solution to me if it 's the big ones that casue the problems. Truckers LALWAYS drive too fast (time is money)

Trucker wrote:

10 cheep ways to die on highway. All of these vehicles are at, or most likely under 2000lbs. Just think what a full size vehicle could do to one of them on impact. Better yet think what a loaded 18 wheeler weighing around 80.000lbs could do to one of them. Gas is expensive, but is it so bad that a person would put their life on the line in something like this?
Good fuel economy, light weight, maneuverable and easy to park. The way I see most people drive... No I won't say it!
Cheaper is not always better!

The most economical car you can have is one thats paid off and old enough to not need replacement insurance.

Gas can go to ten bucks a gallon and yes it would suck, but I still wont care because I have no car note and insurance is only 600 bucks a year.

I feel sorry for people who bought SUVs and can no longer afford to fill them up...and car dealers wont take them as trade ins anymroe because nobody wants them...but common sense should have been used.