[Cialug] OT: safe/reliable fuel-efficient cars.

[Major Stubble]

I'm surprised that you don't want to go with another Elantra. I've  
been driving mine for three years now. I'm about to hit 60k miles, and  
have had no problems that I can blame on the car (though I will blame  
the pot hole my wife hit in Cedar Rapids - worst roads ever).

I do 60 miles (highway) a day, and average 36 mpg. My wife gets about  
30, so it is definitely based on how you drive. I find it a little  
cramped for long drives, but my 6'4" frame has a lot of leg - so there  
are very few cars that fit me comfortably.

I don't think there is a better car for the 12k I spent (new). If you  
are looking at the Honda Fit, I would try to wait until Earth Day.  
Honda is releasing their remodled Insight hybrid. Supposedly, if you  
utilize their eco-assist to modify your driving behavior, you can get  
50 mpg. It's supposed to be under 20k as well.

Back to the Elantra, what about it don't you like that has you looking  
elsewhere?

-Nick

--
Nathaniel N. Petersen
Assistant Application Admin
University of Northern Iowa


On Feb 27, 2009, at 10:06 AM, "Nathan C. Smith"  
<nathan.smith at ipmvs.com> wrote:

>
> If you were headed westbound on 235 after 5:00 PM last night and hit  
> slow traffic because of an accident you can blame the guy that hit  
> me.  (email me for his phone number).  We got rear-ended last night  
> and my Hyundai Elantra is  probably not revivable.
>
> Faced with the painful prospect of a new (at least to me) car, I'm  
> looking at options.  My primary constraints are:
> * manual transmission (because I feel it keeps me focused on driving  
> - my mind tends to wander)
> * reliable
> * safe
> * fuel-efficient (The hyundai was a commuter and I would go exactly  
> 2 weeks between refuels 27 )
>
> I realize this is a bit of a shot in the dark but is anyone driving  
> something they are happy with or would recommend  that meets these  
> constraints?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Nate
> _______________________________________________
> Cialug mailing list
> Cialug at cialug.org
> http://cialug.org/mailman/listinfo/cialug