which car gets the best mileage for an auto?

[civic94]

im selling my stick shift civic, and going to get an automatic so I can share my car with my mom (use 1 less car). something that i can get around 30 mpg combined will be great

i dont plan to spend anything over 2000, so far the options are:

92-95 civic
93-97 corolla
90+ tercel?

I was looking at the carpoint for the gas mileage between the civic and corolla, the civic is higher, but on fueleconomy.gov the users get the exact same mileage. I'm leaning towards a corolla, simply because honda auto trannys are not that good.

how about a tercel? isnt those cars rare, such as if i need a replacement part it will be extremely hard to find?


also whats the difference between the prizm and corolla except for the engine and tranny? are the wiring made my toyota also or by geo?

[1cheap1]

Get the car with the most safety features. Mileage is great but safety is important. Just my two cents.

[Hockey4mnhs]

I would go with a civic or a corolla. they will get about the same so go with the one you like most.

[theholycow]

I know it's not on your list, but BEEF is averaging nearly 36mpg with an automatic 1997 Cavalier. Those should be well within your price range, according to kbb.com.

[dkjones96]

Not to mention that the Cavaliers have parts so readily available at the junkyard that if anything at all breaks it shouldn't be expensive to fix.

[GasSavers_Somedude]

The Cavalier is a good choice too, it also has more power than all those three cars (with the 2.4L 150hp model) you mentioned as well as great gas milage.



I have driven an auto 95 Civic LX before and it is so slow that when the light turns green most traffic behind me soon pass and cut me off because they think I am going super slow on purpose.

[dkjones96]

I prefer the 2.2L OHV engine over the 2.4L engine. Especially if you are just riding around town, the extra torque from the 2.2 is nice and I'm pretty sure it has WAY more potential than the 2.4 does.

[bowtieguy]

since you mentioned a prizm, check out this one w/ AT. his FE is better than mine with a 5 speed!

http://www.gassavers.org/garage/view/274

don't know about getting one under $2k tho.

[GasSavers_BEEF]

my car 1997 cavalier auto trans 2 door gets around 35-36 average. I have seen 38 at times. I paid 2k for it over 4 1/2 years ago. good little cars. you are limited in mpg but I think it does alright and you can pick one up relatively cheap.

and, no, mines is not for sale.

*edit* it also has the 2.2 liter engine

[VetteOwner]

the 2.2l engine is reliable, same one in my s-10. cavileers are cheap and abundant(parts are cheap too)

that and personally ive ridden in plenty of cavileers and they seem "bigger" on the inside than corollas or civics....(maybe they just fit me better? i dunno) now berettas/corsicas are just odd fitting to me....(anyone have mpg numbers on those???)