Speakeasy forum: Is Angeline Driving Long, Conserving Fuel & Prospering?

Bakatcha, Angeline--- Re: I wish I could remember what the mpg were. Per the new 2008 EPA Fuel Economy Test Method, here are what the EPA ratings of the variously configured 1988 Toyota Corollas are:

Toyota Corolla (City/Highway)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 3-spd, Regular (23/28)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular (23/31)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular (26/32)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular (22/27)
Toyota Corolla All-Trac Wagon (City/Highway)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular (21/26)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular (20/26)
Toyota Corolla FX (City/Highway)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 3-spd, Regular (23/28)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular (26/33)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd, Regular (21/26)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular (22/27)
Toyota Corolla Wagon (City/Highway)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Automatic 3-spd, Regular (23/28)
4 cyl, 1.6 L, Manual 5-spd, Regular (26/32)

Just pick your particular Corolla from this list.

All of the 88 Corollas are rated above 20 mpg, so I guess Obama will not be writing you a check if you decide to trade in your '88 Corolla.

Regarding the Kia Soul vs. Nissan Cube buying decision. I would go with the Kia Soul over the Nissan Cube. The Kia has a longer, better manufacturers warranty than Nissan, the Soul MSRP is slightly less than the Cube, and the Soul has better 8% better fuel economy than does the Cube.

MSRP on the Base Kia Soul w/ 122 hp, 1.6 Liter L4 & M/T (EPA 26/31) is $13,500. Warranty - Basic: 5-years/60,000-miles; Drive Train: 10-years/100,000-miles. (How about one in Alien Green or Molten Red? http://www.kia.com/#/soul/explore/)

MSRP on the Base Nissan Cube w/ 122 hp, 1.8 Liter L4 & M/T (EPA 24/29) is $13,990. Warranty - Basic: 3-years/36,000-miles; Drive Train: 5-years/60,000-miles.

The Honda Fit is conceptually a nice car, but because it truly is a subcompact, it cannot match the utility of the Soul or Cube. It is a hatchback, and can haul smaller sized cargo. Therefore, forget about buying that new washing machine and trying to haul it home yourself in a Fit, to save having to pay the appliance delivery charge. I can, and have hauled new washing machine and dish washer sized cargo in my Prius Hatchback, but cargo that size will not fit into a Honda Fit.

No the content of you post was not more information on Angelines primary personal transportation news than I wanted to know.

FYI: We are looking to buy a low-cost (i.e. cheap), but serviceable entry-level new vehicle as a college graduation gift for a niece of ours. My wife and I have, essentially, gone through the same Which-Ugly-Puppy-Is-Cuter/Which-One-Is-The-Best Buy, Cost : Benefit analysis-evaluation process as you have, and are going through.

The current front-runner for us is the Kia Soul, mainly because of Price/Value, MPG Fuel Economy, lower Cost-Of-Operation, and Kias longer warranty coverage. JP

The old car cannot get more than 18 or 19 mpg when new (epa estimate). It sounded like an old Honda wouldn't be eligible but a 2008 Hummer would be.

Diana