Best fuel efficient car under $20k?

[NeufUnSix]

Subarus get very poor fuel economy for a four cylinder. The last one my family had was an 02 Legacy GT sedan with a manual. Typically it was lucky to get 25-30 mpg on the highway (I'm measuring in Canadian MPG which is slightly higher than US). That was a non-turbo model, and yes, they are pretty gutless and agricultural. Some gremlins too.

Corolla XRS is probably one of the most fun econoboxes I've driven. That Yamaha motor is very sweet and it goes nicely with the six speed. I'd happily take the fuel penalty to avoid the other Corolla models (snooooore). The latest one has been totally neutered with the 2.4L and an auto option, I'd avoid it for the last gen model with the high-strung 1.8 and the 6 speed.

Mini is another good choice at the upper end of the scale. They are fun to drive, if you can get past the cheesy interior and lack of rear space.

If you want something big, surprising efficient and cheap, a last generation Acura TL is a good bet. The 3.2TL was rated at nearly 40 mpg (Canadian) on the highway, which is none too shabby for a high revving V6. TL-S is the one to get if you have sporty taste, the regular TL is a bit bland and not all that quick. Some had transmission problems, keep that in mind.

For something newish, the Acura TSX is very good. 200 hp from a four, good economy, good handling, nice style and interior. The latest one is a bomb though, along with the XRS it's gone the "soft and flobbery" route to appease non-enthusiasts.

Also the Integra with a manual; good fuel economy, good performance, cheap to buy. Just need to dodge the ex-ricer items that have been thrashed within an inch of their life.

Want dirt cheap? Nissan NX2000 gets very good reviews for performance and frugality in a superb handling car, if you don't mind the cutesy looks.

I'm just listing off the most fun choices; if you just want an appliance with wheels there are plenty of whitebread econoboxes around. I prefer to ignore them because you can find lots of economical cars that are fun to drive for not much money.

[fwtcc]

I just got a used mini for 11k and I like it a lot.  Its the base model, but what it lacks in power it more than makes up in the turns.  I get as angry getting behind someone on a fun road as I would on the bike.  I barely use the highway and average about 28 mpg.  By barely I mean I might get on the highway for 10 miles once or twice a week.  Most of that is city driving.  The newer ones get much better gas mileage than mine.

[Pedro-bot]

Geo Metro. -- 1994-96. I think there is a 3 cylinder model that gets 40 mpg. Used, these cars are selling for about $2.5k. Peanuts if you ask me.

[ducatiz]

Geo Metro. -- 1994-96. I think there is a 3 cylinder model that gets 40 mpg. Used, these cars are selling for about $2.5k. Peanuts if you ask me.

yeah, but most are rusted out underneath pretty bad.  caveat emptor.  they were not the best quality in the first place.

[tonyj311]

The wife is leaning heavily toward the Corolla. She can get a deal on those. She wants an automatic because a stick is a PITA in rush hour traffic. I have decided to accept the fact that it is supposed to be a commuter car with the sole purpose of good gas mileage. So performance has to take a back seat to performance on this decision (no XRS model with manual). Our lease is up on the EX- Earth (X-Terra) in December. I will replace that with something fun and four wheel drive. Of course assuming that gas isnt $8 a gallon by then. I saw an article that gas in Germany is like $9 a gallon!! 

[Stangman]

The TDI Golf from a year or two ago is a pretty neat little car and can be had for just under $20k.

37 city / 44 highway
1.9-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder.
184 lb-ft of torque available at only 1,900 rpm

If you are willing to give up a little gas mileage, then I would refer you to NeufUnSix's post.  He listed some good ones.  And I totally agree, if the car is gutless I don't care how good of mileage it gets, life is just too short to drive a gutless little econobox.

[tonyj311]

The TDI Golf from a year or two ago is a pretty neat little car and can be had for just under $20k.

37 city / 44 highway
1.9-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder.
184 lb-ft of torque available at only 1,900 rpm

what is the better number to look at torque or horse power? Is there an easy way to explain the difference?

[ducatiz]

what is the better number to look at torque or horse power? Is there an easy way to explain the difference?

the simplest way i've found (for small cars only):

hp = top speed
torque = acceleration

that is way oversimplified, but it works well overall.  torque and hp are interrelated so you don't want a high torque, low hp engine (like some of those huge boat engines)

the main thing you want to look at tho is 0-60 times. the VW TDIs are well designed and do very well.

[sno_duc]

Good explaintion

Another way is to take modern turbo diesel out on the interstate and find a really big hill. ( I-70 west of Denver comes to mind )
You will have a huge when you get to the top. That's torque.

[Speedbag]

yeah, but most are rusted out underneath pretty bad.  caveat emptor.  they were not the best quality in the first place.

+1

The 4-cyl ones have much better engines. A buddy of mine has a hideous green Metro 4-door work beater that is about to dissolve into a pile of rust dust, but that little 4 has almost 200K on it and will be running long after the rest is dead. This with minimal maintenance, I might add.

[ducatiz]

+1

The 4-cyl ones have much better engines. A buddy of mine has a hideous green Metro 4-door work beater that is about to dissolve into a pile of rust dust, but that little 4 has almost 200K on it and will be running long after the rest is dead. This with minimal maintenance, I might add.

Suzuki makes great engines (for their cars and jeeps) but for some reason, the bodies are shit. 

Those Metro engines are somethign to behold.

Prizm = toyota
Metro = Suzu
Spectrum/Storm = Isuzu

It was an interesting experiment by GM

[DRKWNG]

the VW TDIs are well designed and do very well.

This is a VERY true statement.  I have a 2000 Golf GTI, with the 2,8 litre petrol engine, that was shipped from the dealership in Atlanta to the UK.  Took the car in for scheduled servicing, in St. Ives, and the dealership gave me a TDI GT as a loaner car.  Let me tell you, that car was amazing!  It out-accelerated my V6 to 60 and got over 45 mpg while going 80 mph on the motorway.  AND as said before, these motors last a very long time.  I wish I had been exposed to these cars before I bought my GTI, because then I would have gotten the oil burner...

[tonyj311]

we ended up getting an '09 Matrix S (w/o all-wheel drive). There was one Corolla on the lot and two people were literally arguing over who who be the one to buy it. It is a few mpg less than the Corolla, but worth it. Its a fun little ride (and my wife is happy).

[BWClark]

...(and my wife is happy).

That's the most important! Congrats!