I was looking for similar things, namely four doors and hatchback or wagon style, good fuel economy, price $16k or less. I drove the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra5, Scion xB, Suzuki Aerio SX, and Suzuki Reno. Of these, the xB is rated highest for fuel economy, at 31/35. However, the engine is positively anemic, at least with automatic, so I question whether you would achieve that kind of fuel economy in pure city driving. It was relatively fun to drive and has the most interior room for passengers, by far, of those on my list. However, compared to some of the others, the xB is relatively sparsely equipped, with the exception that every model comes with ABS and stability control. It was also a lot more expensive, once I factored in adding equipment to make it equivalent.

None of those I tested were over the 35 MPG on the highway, though as usual your MPG can vary from the EPA sticker.

I also really liked the Ford Focus and Kia Spectra5. I might have bought the Focus if they could have found a manual transmission for me in a 2005 (2006 would have been $2k+ higher than my Suzuki was). In the end, the Suzuki Aerio's timing chain, 155HP/152lbft, automatic climate control, beautiful interior fabric, and exterior styling won me over. I paid $14250.. The downside it was the seond worst rated fuel economy on my list, at 25/31. So far, the worst I have gotten is 27 and the best has been 31, none of which were all highway driving.


Aaron Gilbert
2005 Suzuki Aerio SX 3k miles
1987 9000T 330k miles


posted by 198.22.123...

• Searching for a SIMPLE, econimical, hauler ......., STICKMAN, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 06:15:17
  • Thanks all !, STICKMAN, Tue, 29 Nov 2005 09:20:35
  • drive a Mazda3 or 5..., bamaSAAB, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 20:59:36
    • Re: That Mazda3 impressive, anthony94114, Thu, 24 Nov 2005 09:07:54
      • I too was intially attracted by the look and content..., bamaSAAB, Thu, 24 Nov 2005 22:26:22
        • I love the 3, and I mean love it, but..., Brian, Fri, 25 Nov 2005 12:51:27
          • reccomend the side airbag curtain option..., bamaSAAB, Sat, 26 Nov 2005 09:18:01
  • Re: Searching for a SIMPLE, econimical, hauler ......., kansas, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 18:27:51
  • I picked a Suzuki Aerio SX., Aaron Gilbert, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 13:31:01 <-- Viewing This Message
  • VW Jetta TDI-diesel wagon, 45+MPG, dmz, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 12:38:04
  • What about the Honda Element? nm, Candian_Saab, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 11:11:37
  • Scion?, Finch, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 09:15:13
    • Re: Scion?, anthony94114, Thu, 24 Nov 2005 09:09:12
    • good pick, or maybe a base Matrix, Noel, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 10:03:38
      • Re: good pick, or maybe a base Matrix, Tio Barry, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 15:10:23
      • Matrix = Corolla wagon, NateinAA, Wed, 23 Nov 2005 10:36:59

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