I want to get a fuel efficient car. But, I do not know where to start :(?

Question

So, I have a Highlander that I received second hand from my parents. It's a great car; but, it fuel efficiency rating is very low and it "eats" a lot of gas. I try to be as "green" as I can and I am also trying to save some money. So, I thought about seeling the SUV and getting a Prius. But, I am scared because I have read a lot of mixed remarks about hybrids. Should I get a hybrid, a diesel, or a gas car? And what car specifically do you recommend?

Answer 1

I strongly suggest a hybrid model. They are reliable, cost effective, and have some of the best mileage out there. Also, they have substantial performance (they accelerate quickly, waste little to no energy, and have a reasonable top speed).

Answer 2

At this point there's no real reason not to buy a hybrid.  All of the negative comments you read are by people who don't own hybrids and simply spread myths about them.

One such myth is that the battery will die after a few years and cost thousands of dollars to replace.  In reality hybrid batteries are under warranty for 8-10 years and are designed to last the lifetime of the car.  Priuses used as taxis have over 200,000 miles on the original battery.

Other myths are that hybrids aren't much better than regular cars on the highway and that they don't accelerate well.  In reality my Prius gets ~50 mpg in both city and highway driving, and can accelerate quite well if I need it to.

If you want to get an environmentally friendly car, get a Prius.  Studies have shown it's the greenest car on the planet:

http://www.reuters.com/article/environme...

I haven't heard of a single Prius owner who's not very happy with the car.  

You could wait until 2009 and get an electric vehicle, but it's probably smarter to wait until the technology has been out for a few years to make sure it's reliable.  Plus for $30,000 electric vehicles will only have a range of about 100 miles/charge, which is pretty good, but a Prius can go 500 miles per tank of gas.

In 2010 Chevy will come out with the Volt, which will act as an electric car for the first 40 miles and then a gas/electric hybrid after that.  That should be a really cool car, again for about $30,000.  Toyota is going to come out with a plug-in version of the Prius, but not until 2010 at the earliest.

So I would suggest getting a Prius.  With the '08 models coming out soon, you can probably get a good deal on an '07.  There should be little difference between the two model years.

Answer 3

It all depends on your needs, and time frame.  If you can wait 2-3 years before trading, electric car is the way to go.

By 2009-2010, electric car will be plenty.

http://www.autoneato.com/

If you can't wait, and style and speed is not a factor, then Prius hybrid is the way to go.

Model: 2008 Prius

Manufacturer: Toyota

Body: four door mid-size sedan *not stylish, just okay*

Real fuel economy: 40-50 mpg

Batteries: NiMH

Range: 600+ miles

Price: 20,000+ *brand new!!!*

acceleration: slow *not impressive*

electric only top speed: 30-40mph *slow*

handling: soft

engine sound: ultra-quiet *super silent*

Again if you can wait, 2009-2010 is the year that electric cars becomes widely available.

If you get a Prius, don’t be obsessed with the electric motor.

Answer 4

you can go to yahoo web search and read fuel efficient cars

Answer 5

Go for the Prius!  It's as reliable as they come, is easy to own, fun to drive, and green.  

I average over 60 mpg (I added extra air to the tires).  It's roomy, powerful and versatile (the hatchback design and folding rear seats let fit all kinds of stuff inside.)  I can't imagine a better car.

There are some jealous haters that try to dig up dirt on the Prius.  All those articles and remarks are full of holes and ignorance.  

People are gradually reading through the myths and realizing what great cars they are.  That's why they're selling so many of them now...they're everywhere!  I used to wave at them coming the other way but that's just too much waving!

Diesel cars do have impressive mpg numbers but their emissions aren't nearly as clean.  That's why they're practically outlawed in Japan, where they have very strict emmissions regulations.