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Author Topic: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?  (Read 970 times)

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Offline Cryptinox

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2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
« on: September 03, 2021, 11:55:25 PM »
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    • I am trying to see if I can find some sedans or coupes with extremely good base mpg, uses normal gasoline, have 4 seats, and are aesthetically pleasing. I know Toyota Corolla and Hondas are recommended but I am trying find a car with a higher mpg than 25 city/30 highway however 25/30 city is around my minimal. I did some research and found out that at least some models of the Geo Metro can't go above 62 miles an hour with air conditioning on which is a big issue for me assuming it is true.
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    Offline SimpleMan

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #1 on: September 04, 2021, 12:08:05 AM »
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    • Quote from: Cryptinox on September 03, 2021, 11:55:25 PM
    I am trying to see if I can find some sedans or coupes with extremely good base mpg, uses normal gasoline, have 4 seats, and are aesthetically pleasing. I know Toyota Corolla and Hondas are recommended but I am trying find a car with a higher mpg than 25 city/30 highway however 25/30 city is around my minimal. I did some research and found out that at least some models of the Geo Metro can't go above 62 miles an hour with air conditioning on which is a big issue for me assuming it is true.
    Not the Geo Metro.  Please.  A car that can't exceed 62 mph with A/C on, is a car that has issues.  Pope Francis might like it, as he does not like A/C, but he will just have to be him on that, and I shall be me.  And me likes air conditioning.

    I bought a 2021 Toyota Camry LE a couple of months ago, and am just shy of 4000 miles on it, with no complaints whatsoever.  I am scheduled to take it in for complimentary maintenance at 5000 miles.  Mileage is around 18-20 mpg in stop-and-start city driving, with up to 34 mpg (my experience) on the highway.  Not a bad car, a little smaller interior than I'd like, and the trunk space leaves much to be desired.  The metal on the body is just a little thinner than I've been used to (GM and Ford), but that is probably one reason for the superior gas mileage (it is 4-cylinder, I couldn't afford 6-cylinder).  Thinner metal is something I always associate with NASCAR, stock cars highly modified for racing performance. It is loaded with features, including a rear backup camera and a neat feature I discovered, automatic slowing for cars in front of you on cruise control. 
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    Offline Cryptinox

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #2 on: September 04, 2021, 12:51:58 AM »
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    • Quote from: SimpleMan on September 04, 2021, 12:08:05 AM
    Not the Geo Metro.  Please.  A car that can't exceed 62 mph with A/C on, is a car that has issues.  Pope Francis might like it, as he does not like A/C, but he will just have to be him on that, and I shall be me.  And me likes air conditioning.

    I bought a 2021 Toyota Camry LE a couple of months ago, and am just shy of 4000 miles on it, with no complaints whatsoever.  I am scheduled to take it in for complimentary maintenance at 5000 miles.  Mileage is around 18-20 mpg in stop-and-start city driving, with up to 34 mpg (my experience) on the highway.  Not a bad car, a little smaller interior than I'd like, and the trunk space leaves much to be desired.  The metal on the body is just a little thinner than I've been used to (GM and Ford), but that is probably one reason for the superior gas mileage (it is 4-cylinder, I couldn't afford 6-cylinder).  Thinner metal is something I always associate with NASCAR, stock cars highly modified for racing performance. It is loaded with features, including a rear backup camera and a neat feature I discovered, automatic slowing for cars in front of you on cruise control.
    My issue with modern cars is they are boring and expensive. That's why I said 2000s, not 2010s.
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    Offline Emile

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #3 on: September 04, 2021, 01:03:45 AM »
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    • I had a '95 Dodge Neon that I really liked, it always got 38 on the highway. I recall hearing that the newer ones (2000+) didn't do quite as well on mileage.
    Older vehicles can be a good way to go if you are mechanically inclined and willing to work on them yourself (I regularly drive a Ranger that I bought new almost 20 years ago) , but if you have to take them to a repair shop, at today's labor rates, you will often spend more than the sale value of the vehicle.  
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    Offline bodeens

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #4 on: September 04, 2021, 04:04:42 AM »
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    • Quote from: Cryptinox on September 03, 2021, 11:55:25 PM
    I am trying to see if I can find some sedans or coupes with extremely good base mpg, uses normal gasoline, have 4 seats, and are aesthetically pleasing. I know Toyota Corolla and Hondas are recommended but I am trying find a car with a higher mpg than 25 city/30 highway however 25/30 city is around my minimal. I did some research and found out that at least some models of the Geo Metro can't go above 62 miles an hour with air conditioning on which is a big issue for me assuming it is true.
    If you can get over 2010s aesthetics Prius is not a meme. Aesthetics are whatever but the mpg is great and the engine is very reliable. Anything 2013-2015 is okay (2010 has some weird issues with engines, do NOT buy), get a real report on cell health of the batteries though. Once you tank below 45 mpg I'd start swapping batteries. With the savings on fuel put some of that money towards batteries long term. Even with having to buy batteries you will come out ahead. You COULD get a gen 2 Prius (2000s) but the mpg is strictly worse than gen 3 (2010s). 
    Are late 90s acceptable to you? 2000s were really not that hot for a lot of brands. If you're willing to learn some basic maintenance you're far better off getting something slightly older.
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    Offline Quo vadis Domine

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #5 on: September 04, 2021, 04:18:47 AM »
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    • I learned to drive using my father’s 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Not only was it huge, it got around 12 mpg. 😂
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    Offline TKGS

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #6 on: September 04, 2021, 06:07:51 AM »
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    • Quote from: Cryptinox on September 04, 2021, 12:51:58 AM
    My issue with modern cars is they are boring and expensive. That's why I said 2000s, not 2010s.
    This is absolutely true!  Cars, SUVs, etc., all look the same.  What is really irritating is that, at first glance, most of them look like they've got dents in them until you realize that they aren't dents but the intended shape of the vehicle.
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    Online moneil

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #7 on: September 04, 2021, 07:06:56 AM »
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    • 2013 Ford Focus.  I bought it in 2017 with 56,914 miles for $10,000, it now has 139,000 miles.  I've had zero problems except for I let the brake pads wear down too much and had to replace the rotors.

    Day in / day out I average 34.7 MPG.  On straight highway travel (60-65 MPH speed limit) I average over 40MPG and have gotten as high as 52 MPG on a level road with a steady cruise speed.  With Freeway travel (70 MPH speed limit, and I might cruise faster than that) I get 32-33 MPG.

    I've gotten as fast as 85 MPH with the AC on, but it'll go faster I'm sure.

    I teach First Aid and CPR/AED for the Red Cross and have to carry around a lot of bulky equipment, which all fits fine with the back seat down.

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    Online Seraphina

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #8 on: September 04, 2021, 07:28:24 AM »
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    • 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, two door, but seats four or five.  Can fit three children or skinny adults,  seatbelts installed, in back.  City, 15-18 mpg, highway, 18-25 mpg.  Has very roomy trunk.  Mine is still on road, given to my sister as her car got repossessed when she lost her job due to Covid.  It has 200k+ miles, still runs fine.  Down part is it looks dated and kind of ugly, also, electric windows and moonroof get stuck and are expensive to repair.  
    I traded in yet another another car, 1987 Nissan station wagon hatchback.  It got good mileage, 18-22 city, up to 28 hwy, but eventually, body rusted away, didn’t pass safety inspection.  If you can find one without rust, it’s a good deal.
    I traded it in for parts and bought 1992 Toyota Forerunner, 4x4, cap, extended cab.  200, 200 mi. on it, but new engine.  Gets about 13 mpg in mountains, fully loaded, 20+ mpg light load, on highway.  
    Everything manual!  A no frills vehicle, but works great for me.  
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    Offline SimpleMan

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #9 on: September 04, 2021, 08:39:43 AM »
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    • Quote from: Cryptinox on September 04, 2021, 12:51:58 AM
    My issue with modern cars is they are boring and expensive. That's why I said 2000s, not 2010s.
    They are indeed boring, and they all tend to look more or less alike.  It's a marketing thing.  The big car manufacturers have to ask "what does the car have to be like, to get as many people to buy it as possible?", and that's going to incline towards a vague sameness.  I chose the Camry because, year in and year out, it keeps showing up near the top of the list, and problems are few. 

    This "inclination towards the sameness" even extends to fast-casual "dining" (if you can call it that).  You'll be driving through a strange town, trying to find a good place to eat, hoping there might be something a little bit distinctive about the restaurant you pick, you go in, the server hands you a menu, and... drum roll, please... potato skins, wings, chicken tenders, fries with all that "seasoning" garbage on them, burgers, burgers, and more burgers... because that's what sells, that's what people like, you'll make more money that way, than any other way, because people like what they're used to.  I have to think that many an innovative, clever restaurateur has gone broke, trying to "get cute" with the menu, because they couldn't sell enough "different", "unique" food, to keep the place open.
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    Offline SimpleMan

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #10 on: September 04, 2021, 09:02:01 PM »
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    • 2021 Toyota Camry LE, today on a 25-mile stretch of country road (going to visit my father's resting place), two-lane, rolling terrain, straight as an arrow, cruise control, then on 4-lane exurban highway with a few stop-and-go events:

    41.1 mpg

    Y'all, that's pretty hard to beat.



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    Online moneil

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #11 on: September 05, 2021, 10:01:38 AM »
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    • Quote from: SimpleMan on September 04, 2021, 09:02:01 PM
    2021 Toyota Camry LE, today on a 25-mile stretch of country road (going to visit my father's resting place), two-lane, rolling terrain, straight as an arrow, cruise control, then on 4-lane exurban highway with a few stop-and-go events:

    41.1 mpg

    Y'all, that's pretty hard to beat.
    That is rather impressive.
    I had what was probable close to a 150 mile road trip yesterday with my 2013 Ford Focus.  I was in College Place, WA to teach Basic Life Support (advanced CPR for health care providers) for pharmacy techs, then took in the Walla Walla County Fair and other local drive.  I had reset the MPG indicator before taking off but hadn't been paying too much attention to it until the drive back to the Tri-Cities on U.S. Highway 12 (2 lane, 60 MPH speed limit) when it was showing a consistent 40 MPG.  After taking the training equipment to the Red Cross office in Kennewick, WA and uploading the course paperwork I returned to the farm home in Eltopia, WA on U.S. Highway 395 (4 lane, 70 MPH speed limit) and the MPG's did drop down to 39.4.
    Today (Sunday), unless something comes up, I'll have a 160 mile round trip to a 1962 Missal Mass in Sprague, WA, but may even extend that to return through St. John and Steptoe to catch a huge barn sale (used books and stamp collecting are the attractions) west of Colfax.  I'm now really curious what my MPG will be.
    Totally unrelated to the topic, but yesterday while on the Walla Walla trip I went to Confession to fulfill for a First Friday devotion requirement (there would be confession available before Mass in Sprague today but best to not rely on only one option in my experience).  I was at Assumption parish in Walla Walla, and the associate pastor (I'm thinking ordained in the past 5 years or so ?) was hearing.  He gave the absolution in Latin, and from the length I might guess he was using the older (before the VII sacramentary) form.   Neither hear nor there, but I thought it was interesting.
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    Offline SimpleMan

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #12 on: September 05, 2021, 12:36:40 PM »
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    • Quote from: moneil on September 05, 2021, 10:01:38 AM
    That is rather impressive.
    I had what was probable close to a 150 mile road trip yesterday with my 2013 Ford Focus.  I was in College Place, WA to teach Basic Life Support (advanced CPR for health care providers) for pharmacy techs, then took in the Walla Walla County Fair and other local drive.  I had reset the MPG indicator before taking off but hadn't been paying too much attention to it until the drive back to the Tri-Cities on U.S. Highway 12 (2 lane, 60 MPH speed limit) when it was showing a consistent 40 MPG.  After taking the training equipment to the Red Cross office in Kennewick, WA and uploading the course paperwork I returned to the farm home in Eltopia, WA on U.S. Highway 395 (4 lane, 70 MPH speed limit) and the MPG's did drop down to 39.4.
    Today (Sunday), unless something comes up, I'll have a 160 mile round trip to a 1962 Missal Mass in Sprague, WA, but may even extend that to return through St. John and Steptoe to catch a huge barn sale (used books and stamp collecting are the attractions) west of Colfax.  I'm now really curious what my MPG will be.
    Totally unrelated to the topic, but yesterday while on the Walla Walla trip I went to Confession to fulfill for a First Friday devotion requirement (there would be confession available before Mass in Sprague today but best to not rely on only one option in my experience).  I was at Assumption parish in Walla Walla, and the associate pastor (I'm thinking ordained in the past 5 years or so ?) was hearing.  He gave the absolution in Latin, and from the length I might guess he was using the older (before the VII sacramentary) form.   Neither hear nor there, but I thought it was interesting.
    WRT the one downvote on the Camry mileage, all I can say is, someone must not like Camrys.  SMH.  (And it's not a "Japanese car", it was manufactured in Georgetown, Kentucky, that plant supports a lot of American jobs in a region that could use them, true, some money trickles back to Nihon, but those auto workers' salaries keep turning over and over again in the local economy.  People in that part of the country know a good job when they see one, they're glad to have it, and they hang onto it.)

    My "field test" yesterday was under the most optimal conditions possible, cruise control limited to 55 mph (the speed limit), hardly any traffic, road straight as an arrow, rolling country, you'd go up an incline, then sail back down again (using no gas), then you'd have to slow down for someone, which, paradoxically, increased the displayed MPG figure, then I got to finish it off with stop-and-go on the highway back into town.  My photo is from where I was stopped at a traffic light just outside of town, i.e., a cuмulative figure for about 35 miles of driving (had just filled the tank up before taking the trip).
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    Offline Viva Cristo Rey

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #13 on: September 05, 2021, 05:55:47 PM »
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    • Get Toyota rav.  

    I knew a priest that had a Honda Pilot and he would drive back and forth from Connecticut to Eddystone, PA.
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    Offline Emile

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    Re: 2000s sedans or coupes with best MPG?
    « Reply #14 on: September 05, 2021, 06:22:37 PM »
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    • Quote from: Quo vadis Domine on September 04, 2021, 04:18:47 AM
    I learned to drive using my father’s 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Not only was it huge, it got around 12 mpg. 😂
    The good old days of the land yachts! The trunks were almost big enough to fit a spare car in.
    My dad was always fond of Imperials but the last big car that he had was a '77 Royal Monaco that actually delivered an impressive 20mpg on long hi-way trips.
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    Patience is a conquering virtue. The learned say that, if it not desert you, It vanquishes what force can never reach; Why answer back at every angry speech? No, learn forbearance or, I'll tell you what, You will be taught it, whether you will or not.
    -Geoffrey Chaucer
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