[jr2]

Hmm, get a Tesla Roadster.  xD  Nah, too expensive.  But, how about a new 4-cyl Saturn with a stick shift?  My uncle had a '98 Saturn, 4-cyl, no power steering, 5-speed stick, with an A/C... he used to get 35 MPG with AC, 40 without, and hit 80 in 3rd gear when passing.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:96-99_Saturn_SL.jpg  <- pretty much a green version of that.  My Grandparents have a 2001 wagon version, they get the same mileage about.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_S-Series

[IceFire]

yeah i was - still am - this is just temporary

still looking at altima hybrids

Ohh the Altima is a nice vehicle and the hybrid model should have decent performance.  I test drove a base model and it had allot of kick for the 170hp engine.  That plus the electric assist and you get better fuel economy and better acceleration.

[Stealth]

yeah, 36MPG they claim!  and for $23,000 that's pretty good i think!

also, jr2 - i hit 80mph in 3rd gear too... and then 4th gear redlines at 135, 5th gear redlines at 163, and i haven't gone any further than that (6th gear is overdrive, can't do much in it)

[IceFire]

I wish cars were that cheap here....  $23,500 is Corolla XRS/Mazda3 GT/Honda Civic EX territory.  Altima Hybrid is up in the $30 range if I remember correctly.

[Stealth]

the altima hybrid over here only sold in like 3 states... i'm probably going to have to fly up to get it and drive it back :-/

[S-99]

So you want a car that pays for itself in the long run? This reminds me of putting down extra dollars for an mp3 player with ridiculous continuous playback time. While it may be a lot of bucks, you'll be replacing/refilling batteries/gas tank a loooooooot less than usual. Hope you get the car that you want. If you really want to go cheapie though, get a mercury tracer. For what will be my first car eventually, at least it gets 30mpg (i'm very happy about that for my eventual first car).

[Roanoke]

From personal experience I'd advise against a shiney brand new car as your first car. You will have the odd bump and near scrape. I backed into a very low wall after a couple of months of passing my test. 

 Atleast in something old and cheap you can either not care or have a go at fixing it without costing a load of money.

[Stealth]

this isn't my first car, and you're right - i don't want to get one i'll worry about...

[Roanoke]

this isn't my first car, and you're right - i don't want to get one i'll worry about...

that was directed at Icey and S-99 

[IceFire]

I've been driving for 9 years consistently....so new car isn't a big deal.  The issue was always on affording one and I'm a combination stingy/refuse to buy the bottom and work up because it costs more in the long run.  Bizzare I realize.

I just got my car today...here it is:


09 Corolla XRS

Mostly impressed so far but have a few concerns comfort wise still.  It'll take some time to figure that part out so we'll see...I'm tall which is a problem but this is the best of the smaller cars for that.  Its not anything like the cars Stealth owns but should be good for getting to and from places without too much fuss.  The 2.4L is much better than the 1.8L in the other models in everything except fuel economy.  Its also dead quiet inside...Lexus level of windshield and sound deadening.

[Stealth]

DUDE.  that's an AWESOME car.  seriously. 

[Roanoke]

Not to my tastes (I have odd tastes heh heh) but looks nice. Should be perfect for A-to-Bing, as you say.