Small car recommendations

Post by **ReachHigh** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:58 am

I looked at the fit and it meets the hatchback and millage requirements. its a little small for a 6'1" guy to sleep in but I'll test drive one.

Post by **hotkarl** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:23 pm

Jetta Wagon with TDI engine. 50+ MPG

Post by **ReachHigh** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 3:19 pm

hotkarl wrote:Jetta Wagon with TDI engine. 50+ MPG

Not a bad idea. they are going to be some $$$ for the new 09 with the demand.

Post by **anticlmber** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 5:15 pm

Post by **kneebar** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 5:27 pm

We ended up buying a Honda Fit in July, took it for a month+ road trip west. Worked out great, going from a Ford Explorer to the Fit was a bit of an adjustment. Not as big but the added fuel savings just for the trip saved over $800 in gas (basically cut the fuel cost in half). Not much of an off roader, bad ground clearance, won't get into everywhere. It is the trade off for the gas mileage, I'll take the trade and adjust where to climb or buddy up with 4 wheelers.

We bought a manual sport model.......it was worth the added cost for the cruise control. We have over 12000 miles on it now and wouldn't trade it for anything. The 09's are slightly bigger which may be a consideration. I sleep fine in the back, but then I'm not 6' either.

Post by **ReachHigh** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:11 pm

<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/541 ... 0a.jpg?v=0">

you can put a lama in it.

Post by **flip** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:27 pm

I had the same criteria that you have for a car and I settled on the Pontiac Vibe (old model). It get 30-32-mpg and has the ground clearance to get in and out of the PMRP. My wife and I took it on a week long road-trip and slept in it the most of the time. The back seats fold into a perfectly flat hard plastic surface that is very comfortable and void of any holes/dips. With both front seats moved forward you should have plenty of room the sleep in it. The Vibe and Matrix are the same car but the old Vibe doesn't have the under body spoilers that the new Vibe and Matrix have so you get about 3 more inches of ground clearance.

If you want to get really cheap and awesome but a Yaris! My wife's gets 40 mpg and fits 3 with gear but I wouldn't even try to sleep in it or take it to the PMRP.

Post by **anticlmber** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:32 pm

so does it not seem queer that cars ten years ago got better mileage. and nobody is complaining about a new car getting 24 until now. by a hummer and put a hole in the tank.

Post by **ReachHigh** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:50 am

anticlmber wrote:so does it not seem queer that cars ten years ago got better mileage. and nobody is complaining about a new car getting 24 until now. by a hummer and put a hole in the tank.

EPA recently changed the way millage is calculated and the posted millage when down on most vehicles. Also the increased side impact standards added a chunk of metal to the doors that weren't there 10 years ago.

Post by **ReachHigh** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:00 am

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2331037,00.asp

These wouldn't meet my single car needs but would be awesome commuter/second cars.