My wife recently sold her F150 SuperCrew, she wants to get a car that #1 gets better fuel mileage (F150 got around 14-15) and #2 is big enough for our family of four to fit comfortably around town and on trips, her mom lives in Wisconsin and her dad lives in Colorado, so we travel to both areas a couple times a year. We're looking for something that'll see upper 20MPG on the highway. We test drove a 05 Chevy Impala with a 3.8L engine, seemed to have plenty of power and the size is right, just not a Chevy person. I must be rubbing off on her because she told the salesman we were not Chevy people.

I tried talking her into a 2000-2002 CTD, I could BOMB it and she'd leave all the other minivans behind easily but she didn't go for it.

We're trying to stay under $20000, some of the used Impalas we've seen are asking $18000 with leather and loaded. Anyone know about the Impalas or have a different suggestion, we're all ears.

It was so much easier looking for my truck a couple years ago, I knew exactly what I wanted.

Thanks

 

You might try looking at the new diesel jeep liberty's. Don't know how much they cost but they get that kind of mileage and are fairly comfortable.

 

If you can find a volvo for the price that you are looking for you will not regret it. they get good gas milage, are some of the safest cars on the road (my best friends dad got in a head on with a drunk driver the only reason he is alive is because of the volvo), and they are fast as **** (140mph plus on multiple occasions).

 

I like the newer Sebring. Handles well, decent power and mileage. Not many problems, from what I've seen.

 

I 2nd the diesel Jeep Liberty. How about 1 of those new Hemi powered Magnum wagons? Or a Vw Passat with the 2.0L diesel or may the V10 Diesel Toureg (Oops not under $20,000)?

 

go with a vw Passat or Jetta. The Passat will get a little less mpg's but it is bigger. They are safe cars and move quite well when you want them to. they are fairly easy to work on. With a chip the jetta 5 speed will get around 55mpg's and the passat 40mpg's. tdiclub.com is a great resource on these cars. Check them out. Mainer

 

I just bought my wife a Passat Wagon. 1.8T with the Tiptronic Auto Trans.


I swear, in all the cars I've owned, this is by FAR my favorite. I stand an even 6'. With the front seats all the way back, I still have 4" of room in front of my knees, and my height is all my legs.

The 1.8T is great for the power hungry, and with a Manual Trans it normally sees 29-34MPG combined.

My Auto, the Tip, is a gas hog. I'm only getting 25mpg or so, and it's worth every drop. I've had the car since Mother's Day, and put 2k+ miles on it.

 

I got my wife a 2004 VW Passat Wagon with the 1.8T and the 5-speed manual. We love it, and it gets about 6 mpg better than our 2001 Ford Taurus got, and the VW is quicker by far. The Passat is a great car. We average 32 mpg with 70 percent city driving. It does sip Premium, but its worth it.

 

all this talk about Jettas

Did anyone mention the TDI? at least 45 mpg! Im sure she will be poisoned by the diesel bug eventually.. Hey its contagious... If you must stick with a gasser, toyotas are pretty tried and true and some run under 20K. Mileage is always good with a lil toyota.. I have heard that the ford 500 or freeland whatever the sedan is called gets decent mileage, but its just grossly underpowered for the value.. I take it focuses, neons, or lil chevy aveos are outta the question bein that you want a fam sedan.. so there is my suggestion. best of luck in ur quest for a new set o wheelz

Tx

 

I would recommend a Toyota Camry, used 04-05s going for under 18K. Another option is the new Pontiac G6, I drove one yesterday and while I',m not a GM person, it was a nice car with a good amount of power. They are supposed to get 32mpg freeway with a 200hp v6. MSRP starts around 21k or so.

Nick

 

If I had a car, it would be a Subaru Impreza WRX. I dont care if its a ricer, you cant beat Japanese cars.

 

Take a look at the Honda Accord. The car is built in Marysville, Ohio, and the engine is built in Ada, Ohio. Excellent quality, great mileage, unbeatable resale value. It's perpetually one of Car and Driver's 10 best. My 2003 Acura 3.2TL-S (first cousin to the Accord) has never been back to the shop for anything other than routine service.

Rusty

 

i'm with rusty,

we have a honda accord Click Here and we love it. we have a new born and so far it is great. it has a V6 and gets on avg. 27 MPG. plenty of room for a small family. although we are thinking of getting the new honda mini van. oh god i'm getting old. the cool factor has gone out the window

britt

 

Im going to mention this because Nissan made some awesome imporovements on their truck line.

Look at the 05 Xterras. dont get the 04 or previous, gas footage sucks (18 highway with only 170 hp). The 05s are midsized and have a better engine.

After that, I would say look at a Maxima.

 

He mentioned he takes long trips. That rules VW cars out of it. one word explains them... CRAMPED!!!

Any GM product with the 3.8 will not do you wrong.. even though you mentioned youre not a fan of them... very reliable and plenty of comfort and power on tap.

Also second the volvo's... very comfortable, and respectable mileage/power.