Hi I'm looking for a new fuel efficient car that's not too new with not too many electronics, and isn't ugly, can someone help me please?
Posted by AsphaltPirate74@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 45 comments
I think 2016 would be my cutoff date, but maybe 2014 would be the newest I should go? I'd be fine going newer if there's something that fits my bill.
I hate modern cars with all of their electronics and don't want dealerships or the government having control over what I own, but I also want something I can work on myself and isn't crazy expensive to repair and reliable.
I'm willing to make some compromises of course. Nothing electric, needs to run on gas.
It can be a car or truck or suv. My budget's $20k but cheaper than $10k would be great.
I currently drive a gas pickup truck that gets 10 city and 17 hwy mpg (if I'm going 60 mph). I have a family and don't need it to haul stuff anymore. Double this fuel economy would be great, triple is what I'm shooting for though. I just want a non boring commuter car that saves me money that's somewhat enjoyable to drive.
maldoricfcatr@reddit
2017 Mazda 3 (2.0 skyactive automatic) hatchback. Cruise at 70 mph gets 36 mpg. Touring trim has Bluetooth stereo and navigation. Leathers seats, blindspots sensors. Nice on long trips.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
Most people are saying Mazda, I think this might be the way to go
Socal_Suburban@reddit
I got a 2016 Mazda 3 with the 2.0 and the manual transmission. It’s a very simple car and super reliable
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
That sounds perfect.
Socal_Suburban@reddit
I paid like 6grand for it last year and it has 100k miles. The Mazda 3 is one of the best values used right now
jrileyy229@reddit
Cars from ten years ago still are almost exclusively controlled by electronics.
When you push the defrost button, how do you think that works? Magic?
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
I said not too many electronics buddy, there'sa point where they got too bad, re-read my post you ignorant clown. I've been a mechanic myself and I was also a diesel mechanic in the Military. I just don't know as much about cars as other guys might on this sub reddit and was looking for helpful advice.
jrileyy229@reddit
Okay ... Well define "too many electronics" then... Whatever that means. Everything has been electronic for well over a decade... If you were a mechanic I'd think that would be obvious.
It hasn't been since like the 90s where you needed to change the HVAC airflow that you slid a big lever in the dashboard.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
I said the latest I'd go is 2016, maybe 2014 if that's better. Plenty of people have recommended 90s and early 2000 cars and that's just fine.
If my post's is too complicated for you, then take your unnecessary backhanded comments somewhere else you goof.
jrileyy229@reddit
That's my point, everything is electronic in a 2016 car. Maybe it has dials inside of a gauge in your dash instead of a screen, but those gauges are still electronic.
You aren't being realistic. You want 30mpg city, but you don't want any technology to achieve it, and you want the car to be cheap and reliable and not boring. Not even a Miata is going to sniff 30mpg city.. you have to go into Prius world for that... And then you're right back at boring
docnsx01@reddit
thst generation prob would be true combustion as the hybrids at that age may require replacing the hybrid batteries etc which could be quite costly ! so efficient everyday but functional meaning not the tiny econobox just out here for gas mileage and are not functional to do anything else !
also taking into consideration on maintenance for an almost 10 year old car you are considering!
the two that come to mind would be a honda crv , or mazda cx-5 we own one for my daughter !
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
Most are saying Mazda and my Wife owns a Mazda suv so I think getting another Mazda's the way to go!
docnsx01@reddit
we have an 18 we bought for my daughter thru college law school and today , it has been great , abd the fit and finish inside is more upscale for the price point and not gonna lie we are car snobs and have 7 cars lol, so take what’s it worth lol , don’t ask me why ! but that’s the truth
howrunowgoodnyou@reddit
2000 Honda Insight 5spd. $4-6k for a nice one. Battery lasts forever if you do a deep discharge. Slow AF but that’s also fun because you can beat on it. Gets 55-75mpg. Aluminum chassis. Fun to fling in corners. I’m at almost 300k on mine, it’s saved me so much money
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
That fuel economy's a wet dream for me hahaha, thanks for the recommendation
Hash-82@reddit
Pre 2000 Nissan or pre 2003 Toyota.
A 90's Avalon would be awesome, but won't really hit your fuel economy goals.
It'd be worth it, though. It would be considered "full sized" and luxury by today's standards.
My 01 (gen 2) Avalon used to give me 30MPG if I drove decently - which seldom happened.
I can't think of anything else remotely reliable going on 30 years old.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
I had a chevy colorado that felt like a hay wagon so I think I could compromise lol
I'll have to look into these too, thanks!
Salty-Contact-6420@reddit
Like mid and late 90s Avalon's are nice! I still remember when my friends mom got one and upgraded from the sentra
Klutzy_Concept_1324@reddit
Try using Sta-bil360 or berrymans b12 if not one of the others and top tier fuel
weirdoldhobo1978@reddit
Don't sleep on the Pontiac Vibe. It's a Toyota without the Toyota Tax. The first gen GT had a 1.8 2ZZ and a six speed manual, the 2nd gen got a 2.4l 2AZ but a five speed.
Really practical interior features as well. Like a 115v inverter, fold flat passenger seat and d-ring tie downs in the cargo area.
StudeChampMan@reddit
If the op is taller he may not fit. I'm 6'3" and drove one as a rental and absolutely hated that car.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
6' so it might not be too much of an issue, thanks for the warning though
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
I'll have to look into this one, thanks
Signal-Confusion-976@reddit
You are going to have to go back many more years to get away from electronics in a car.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
Lol true, but there came a point where the electronics just got too ridiculous and cheap. At that point or newer is what I'm trying to avoid
UncleSlayton77@reddit
I had a 2014 Mazda 6. It was a sports car with 4 doors. Handled great and I really liked driving it. I put 66K on it in 1 year. Record MPG was 38 highway. It has a smallish touchscreen which was pretty intuitive to use but still had a lot of real buttons and dials. The ones in the mid 2010s had the touchscreen integrated with the dash instead of the ridiculous tacked-on tablet look. It only ever needed basic maintenance. Mine was Soul Red, a metallic red that changed hue a little bit depending on how the sun hit it. Only sold it because I changed jobs and didn't need it anymore. The 6 has more room than the 3 with very little effect on power/MPG. Be sure to get a '13+ with the SkyActiv motor. And the 2.5 has more power and torque than the 2.0, also with very little effect on MPG.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
A handful of people said Mazda 3, but I'll have to look into the 6 as well now, thanks!
Addison_Clark_1964@reddit
Then you're not looking for a new car, as you said?
TurboJobo@reddit
Honda fit!
Texan4tacos@reddit
Honda Fit is the answer to so many of these questions.
Agreeable_Tonight807@reddit
Totally an underrated car. We are a Honda family with Accords and a Civic. All our car have been passed on to young adult children. Me I drive a Pilot. Had a friend bought a Fit. Besides being highly reliable was comfortable and spacious. Great car for the buck.
dumpin-on-time@reddit
lol, this has got all the hallmarks of stupid, oblivious, and out of touch
you want a vehicle that:
good luck, corndog
reedbetweenlines@reddit
Mazda 3, some come in manual
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
Manual would be perfect, I trust Mazda too. My Wife has a 2010 Mazda CX-9 SUV with over 200k miles on it now
YeahIGotNuthin@reddit
Manual Mazda 3 then.
Or, if you like unicorns, a manual Mazda 6 (I wouldn’t mind an automatic one either, I liked the 2014 and later Mazda 6 a lot.)
tederian@reddit
2016 Toyota Avalon or 2013 Toyota Corolla
samit2heck@reddit
Depends on your location for availability but my 2013 Alfa Giulietta QV is great on fuel and very bare bones for options. Fun drive with the turbo and sporty set up. I work on it myself mostly. My sister has a Honda Fit which is great and there's a couple Mazda 3 in the family also really simple cars great on fuel and fun to drive, easy to maintain. The Alfa is the most fun of them all i gotta say but the least straight forward.
Salty-Contact-6420@reddit
I am totally with you on this outlook . Newest Ive owned has been 07. I'm 34 and it's almost like I'm buying up the cars I wanted in highschool. I hate having to pay someone to work on my shit too. It's hard enough to get them to do shit right on an older car...now we wanna complicate it and add a bunch of electronics and computer shit. Where they have the ability to charge whatever they want cuz they know I can't do it....and most other places can't either.
Alchemist59@reddit
Had a 2014 mx3 hatch paid 14k with 30k miles and drove it for 110k miles before someone totalled it, entire time just did brakes oil changes plugs and tires, most reliable and drive focused car I ever owned, I’m suggesting this cus they go for much lower now too and you can get them with a stick and hill assist, if you look at the facelift like 2016 2017 they had more features
the-human-wrench@reddit
Do you mean a cx3 or Mazda3? The mx3 hasn't been a thing since the 90s.
Alchemist59@reddit
Mazda 3 I didn’t realize my mistake I’ll change it
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
That car looks nice, thanks for the recommendation!
Klutzy_Concept_1324@reddit
I see a lot of early CRV's on the road. Unsure of how good those are on gas. I have a lexus rx330 and it's only so efficient, also have a truck
JipJopJones@reddit
First gen Honda Insight.
The cleanest Pontiac Firefly with a stick you can find.
1997 Toyota Camry.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit (OP)
I might have to go with the camry, that looks sleek!