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I'm looking into buying a new car and need some help narrowing down my choices. I'm looking for a fuel-effecient car. No hybrids and preferrably American (no specific reason, just biased I guess). So far I'm deciding between the Dodge Avenger, Ford Focus and Chevy Cobalt in that order. I was hoping you guys could provide me with some opinions on any of the models or give me suggestions on other models I should be looking at. Thanks!

Griever wrote:I'm looking into buying a new car and need some help narrowing down my choices. I'm looking for a fuel-effecient car. No hybrids and preferrably American (no specific reason, just biased I guess). So far I'm deciding between the Dodge Avenger, Ford Focus and Chevy Cobalt in that order. I was hoping you guys could provide me with some opinions on any of the models or give me suggestions on other models I should be looking at. Thanks!

If you're set on American, I'd consider a Pontiac Vibe. The Cobalt and Focus are shoddy made cars that won't last, and the Avenger is a bit overpriced.

The Vibe has a stronger build and will actually last.

The '08 Cobalts have the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty on em now. I just got one in Nov. and that's what mine has.

Have kids? Gf? How many people would be in your car regularly?

Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit TDI.

Huge fuel economy & maintaining it isn't that difficult.

-Adam

VW make very nice cars

when in doubt tho, buy a jeep!

No gf no kids, just me. I think I'd prefer a coupe over a sedan but I'm not that against 4 doors.

Thanks Lyion, but the Vibe just isn't my kind of car. I don't really like the style.

How much are you looking to spend?

-Arlos

The other option would to be a motorcycle!

great fuel economy & lots are made in the US that you wouldn't expect, such as Honda even.

Same goes for cars, don't discount Honda simply because you think it is a Japanese company. Their cars are engineered, tested, and built here in central Ohio.

-Adam

Yeah, the NUMMI plant right near me in Fremont, CA. builds Corollas and Tacomas along with Vibes.

Oh, BTW, when looking for what car, don't forget Saturn. I dunno what their current rep is, but they used to be decent.

-Arlos

Lyion wrote:If you're set on American, I'd consider a Pontiac Vibe. The Cobalt and Focus are shoddy made cars that won't last, and the Avenger is a bit overpriced.

The Vibe has a stronger build and will actually last.

eh.. the new focus beat every other car in its class in quality plus i think it has the best fuel economy of your 3 choices.

also i'd like to add it's nice to see that some people still have the sense to buy american. kudos to you griever.

Arlos wrote:How much are you looking to spend?

-Arlos

Around $20,000. Preferrably cheaper.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/-best-cars ... 11908.html

One of your options for approx 20k is actually the V6 version of the new Ford Mustang, if you want something with some oomph. Gas mileage will not be anywhere near something like the Focus or Civic, obviously, though.

-Arlos

I do want some ooph, but I'm really interested in fuel efficiency since I live in an area with a high volume of traffic.

The focus must be the most monstrous piece of shit car out there that's "new".

It's a big plastic problem. It falls apart quickly.

Edit: It is great on gas though. I can't remember how many times I filled it driving to Michigan but it wasn't as much as I expected to spend.

i would say the vw tdi's are very nice, though diesel, at least around here, is often 30-50 cents more a gallon, so don't know if the mpg would really be worth it, though i have only heard great things about them.

I had an 06 Focus for a year when I was commuting to work. 35mpg, only option I bought was AC for $13k off the lot. I loved that car.

Only put 30k miles on it before trading it in though so I won't attest to its longevity.

Those golfs are so fucking ugly Not as ugly as the PT Cruiser, but pretty bad >!

Kramer wrote:i would say the vw tdi's are very nice, though diesel, at least around here, is often 30-50 cents more a gallon, so don't know if the mpg would really be worth it, though i have only heard great things about them.

the early 2000 manual vw golf tdi's got over 45 mpg.
To be a better dollar per mile, you'd have to get roughly 38 mpg with a regular unleaded.

Griever wrote:No gf no kids, just me. I think I'd prefer a coupe over a sedan but I'm not that against 4 doors.

Thanks Lyion, but the Vibe just isn't my kind of car. I don't really like the style.

Heck, easy answer with no kids

http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette/

WAY out of my price range. If I could afford it I would just wait another year for the new Camaro.

i would go with a foreign car, though not techinically foreign, since they are made here, just cause that's what i know.

4 door civic, corolla, etc. or the vw tdi.

My top 3 compact cars would be:

1. Honda Civic - Made in USA/Canada/Japan
2. Mazda 3 - Made in Japan
3. Hyundai Elantra - Made in Korea

Elantra would be best equipped for the $$$'s and best warranty - 5/60 Bumper to Bumper & 10/100,000 Powertrain.

Lionking wrote:My top 3 compact cars would be:

1. Honda Civic - Made in USA/Canada/Japan
2. Mazda 3 - Made in Japan
3. Hyundai Elantra - Made in Korea

Elantra would be best equipped for the $$$'s and best warranty - 5/60 Bumper to Bumper & 10/100,000 Powertrain.

Kia has the same warranty, is by the same company, it's just less expensive.

For non American, I think Kia/Hyundai are the way to go. You can get a new car from them for the cost of a 2-3 year old Honda or Toyota, and have a killer warranty and roadside assistance for free.

Buy a used car that has an extended warrenty. Something 2-3 years old that came off a lease and has a pre-owned certification. That is the best deal.