Fuel Efficient econobox that ain't a prius

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datechboss101
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Well the title says it clearly. Not sure if I can afford at the rate of 19 MPG at roughly $4.199 per gal regular unleaded. That means my pride and joy going back to weekend status. But unfortunately, I need 6 months to save up a good amount of money to use for downpayment. With that said, this is a free-for-all for all suggestions regarding a good daily driver that yeilds great city MPG and sips on fuel.

Ideally, I am looking at the HAH (Accord Hybrid for them non-Honda folks). Was thinking and toying with the idea of copping another similar 2016 Rogue SL or getting a refreshed 2nd that isn't a 2019 Rogue SV. My max budget is like $500/month if that helps, after calculating in insurance & phone bills, a good amount for fuel, and a decent portion to invest in stocks and cryptos.


Bobber10
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1st gen honda insight, always loved the look of them and they are pretty quirky and its a honda so it will last forever lmao. (i know not a new car, but i've heard they are good on fuel)

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PapaSmurf2k3
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Man those Honda Insights fly below the radar but are truly awesome.
Anyway besides that, any civic/accord/corolla/camry/mazda 3/6 should be just fine.

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Bubba1
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The 1st gen insight was a very neat little fuel sipper, though you're talking about a 16-20 yr old car. Getting increasingly tough to find a clean enough example for DD duties. I found them best suited for areas with smooth roads. The jittery ride could get on one's nerves on non-smooth roads. James pretty much listed the best choices.

datechboss101
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I got an offer for a CRZ from a fellow members over the MDX forum. Kinda high for miles to be reliable daily. Should I wait for the used car market to crash to buy a used car or just take a loan from the manufacturer with $5k down and buy a brand new car?

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PapaSmurf2k3
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Never borrow money if you don't have to.

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AZhitman
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You desperately need a 2004 Corolla with 300k miles, a missing bumper and four mismatched tires.

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VStar650CL
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AZhitman wrote:
Sun May 01, 2022 11:53 am
You desperately need a 2004 Corolla with 300k miles, a missing bumper and four mismatched tires.
Seconded! Resolution passes!
:lolling:

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AZhitman
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If it's good enough for me, it's certainly good enough for you.
20201013_193740.jpg

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Kompresshun
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I need to pick up a Corolla like that for a beater. Those and Toyota Camrys are awesome for daily duty.

Ditto on not making a payment on something if you can avoid it though. Because here's the thing: it doesn't matter how much you're saving on gas, you're not likely going to offset the payment difference in fuel savings. No payment plus $400-700/mo in fuel may look more expensive at the pump and on the surface, but a $400-500/mo payment(minimum with current market demand and vehicle values) and $200/mo in fuel isn't saving money. It's just redistributing finances and locking you into payment to make you feel like you're saving money.

Here's some good reading I wrote last time we had high fuel prices over 10 years ago: https://www.nicoclub.com/archives/fuel- ... unked.html

datechboss101
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Kompresshun I just read your article. My numbers should add up nicely to what you have mentioned in the article.

My idea is either get a Hybrid, pay it off with the better job that I should be getting around the same time next year (this is after completion of the Cybersecurity Bootcamp at UCF and getting my CySA certification). I definitely got the jist here, which is not to buy a car or lease in this market, regardless if my mind is playing tricks with the MPGs (psychological games of getting teens in real world vs. low 20s on the lie-o-meter on board fuel economy computer).

Next thing I realized. I filled up the deathbox of what is known as my parents 19 Rogue last night at WalMart ($0.13 expensive compared to Costco). Paid almost $50 to fill up that vehicle, and I am here trying to find who has the cheapest fuel in Orlando. Which brings up what Kompresshun mentioned again... Anything I am trying to save will basically cancel out itself. And unfortunately, last night with the Rogue was the perfect example of that. For some reason, looking back at my data sheet for fuel consumption, I barely pay over $50 per fill up on the X, and most cases, its been always under $40. This leads me to believe its all psychological games and tricks that the mind is playing of wanting to see low 20s in a J series.

Now my next question that I have to ask: Can I afford 20 or less MPG at the sweet rate of $16/hr? I am surely avoiding 93 octane as much as possible with these gas prices, and also with the hourly rate I get paid as a PC Tech. Most of you guys knows I pushed my vehicles to their limits when driving between Orlando and Miami for undergrad, and now I need to make sure a tank of fuel can last me at least a whole week (I don't drive on Sundays due to 5 hour class of Cybersecurity).

Additional Info: One way to work is 20 miles, which means its a 40 mile round trip. I could take the FL turnpike as the alternative route since I live near one exit and work is literally next to an exit of the South bound Turnpike, which is roughly 10 miles of Turnpike driving and maybe two toll booths MAX on the way from Home to Work. I would have to avoid the turnpike on the route back home due to grid lock from my home exit all the way spilled onto the turnpike.

datechboss101
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AZhitman wrote:
Sun May 01, 2022 7:46 pm
If it's good enough for me, it's certainly good enough for you.

20201013_193740.jpg
Surprizingly I see a ton of these Corollas (all different gens of Corollas) at work. Its me and the warehouse worker that drives Hondas. But lots of Toyotas at work.

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AZhitman
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Let's not forget whatever you buy is gonna rust all to hell in a few years, so it's silly to buy something expensive.

No one needs a spreadsheet to figure that out.

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Bubba1
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There are big reasons why so many people have old Corollas. Cheap to operate/repair/insure, reliable, get 30+ mpg on regular without the complexity of hybrids, and they hold their value. I'm also a satisfied past and present Corolla owner, ('80 SR5 Liftback 5 spd, and '08 S). I bought the '08 for my son several years ago but he ended up settling down in NYC and didn't need a car.. So I kept it and still use it as a DD. To answer your question, $400-$500 monthly car payments are not realistic for a $16/hr job especially if you plan to go out on your own. Sorry. I thinks it's time to lower your budget ... a lot.

datechboss101
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I just realized what my actual pay is since the monies came in this morning. We can say $1.60/hr is gone to some taxes (would need to ask HR about this). So realistically $14.40/hr is my salary. Yeah, clearly now my budget has dropped significantly. And also on some great news, my insurance premiums actually dropped by a whole $300, instead of the whopping ~$1000 increase.

Greg--- My MDX doesn't have a single speck of rust as we speak. And it hasn't been out of state at all nor to any of the beaches at all. So gonna save up now and come back to this thread in maybe a year tops.

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AZhitman
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I'd bet dinner on that. If you can't bust loose a LCA bolt with a 12" ratchet, it's got corrosion. Point being, you had a nice run with the parents' $, but it's time to pay your dues, stack paper, live frugally, and build your career and future.

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Rogue One
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AZhitman wrote:
Fri May 06, 2022 7:03 pm
I'd bet dinner on that. If you can't bust loose a LCA bolt with a 12" ratchet, it's got corrosion. Point being, you had a nice run with the parents' $, but it's time to pay your dues, stack paper, live frugally, and build your career and future.
He's right you know.jpg
He's right you know.jpg (14.49 KiB) Viewed 601 times

datechboss101
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AZhitman wrote:
Fri May 06, 2022 7:03 pm
I'd bet dinner on that. If you can't bust loose a LCA bolt with a 12" ratchet, it's got corrosion. Point being, you had a nice run with the parents' $, but it's time to pay your dues, stack paper, live frugally, and build your career and future.
There were times I didn't ask them for any help other than tuition payments and maybe the tolls too (back when I had those delivery gigs and that lawsuit money). Only thing I'm getting help now is certication exam fees and still tuition payments (payment plan for Cybersecurity).

Actually now I don't need to worry cuz I am seeing coworkers pulling up in Lincolns, Lexus, Acura. The other Acura is driven by one of the HR people.

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Bubba1
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The brand of cars driven by your coworkers has nothing to do with your personal situation or what you yourself can afford. There are many bigger life expenses you face after you finish your education and live on your own without parental assistance That assistance includes living in their home free or heavily discounted. Plus spending a full 1/3 of your income on just car stuff like car payments/insurance/registration/inspection/maintenance/ repairs/tolls/gas/ etc is a bad idea financially. Greg is spot on.

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AZhitman
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I'm afraid your issues are beyond our expertise.


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