By Rob

Editor-in-Chief

With gas approaching $4 per gallon a lot of folks are starting to think about getting an econobox for their daily driver. There are a lot of cool options out there. My buddy keeps threatening to buy a Honda Fit. I kind of like the looks of the Yaris--I loved this one at SEMA. And the new Fiat 500 really needs to come to the US. How about old school econoboxes? Of course Jen loves her Escort. And I have a soft spot for Mark 1 Ford Fiestas. But if I had to pick I'd probably go with the Mark 1 Rabbit or the original Mini.

What's your favorite econobox?

Comments

Dave
Jun 6, 2008 10:47:33 AM

94-99 Neons. Get a good head gasket in one, in other words, follow the frickin' FSM and never have another problem. Mid thirties fuel mileage, fun to drive, and cheap to maintain.

Charlie Swartz
Mar 6, 2008 3:43:03 AM

probably 81-84 Honda CRXs

Andy
Mar 5, 2008 6:07:24 AM

I'm thinking when I come back to the states after my overseas duty, I might look into getting something like my very first car.
1985 Honda CRX HF. I really wish I didn't blow up the transmission in that. It got somewhere around 50mpg with it's mighty 62Hp carb'd 1.5L. it used to cost 14bucks to fill it (when i was 16, gas was $.89, and that was only 8 years ago!)
The Elco is killing me for the daily commute of 12 miles one way. That, and the 17 gallon gas tank instead of the standard 22 doesn't help the range either.

Austin
Mar 4, 2008 11:18:15 PM

I sure love my turbo EXP. Easy 30 mpg and still fun as hell to drive. other econoboxes that I like are the rabbit GTI, Scirocco, Mk1 fiestas, Shelby Daytonas, etc.

Ben
Mar 4, 2008 7:59:43 PM

My '86 MR2 gets awesome gas mileage, and it's pretty fun. I do love VWs too, though. especially Rabbits!

gtwildfire
Mar 4, 2008 5:17:54 PM

That car goes well with Gustav and his lederhosen

SuzyBruisy
Mar 4, 2008 5:10:06 PM

My '84 diesel Escort will easily be getting 55 mpg by the time all its leaks are plugged up. If I wasn't so into my Escorts, I'd be all over the Dodge Omnis, or the Honda CRX. Cheap-to-run cars are already everywhere and can be had for a dime a dozen; nobody needs to shell out $20K on a car just to save a few bucks at the pump. I don't understand what all the fuss is about!

Ken
Mar 4, 2008 3:59:36 PM

Geo Metro, Suzuki Swift, Chevy Sprint.
All Powered By Suzki's Wonderfully Slow Gas Sipping 3 Cylinder.
45 To 50 MPG

retroman
Mar 4, 2008 2:25:32 PM

I'll stick with my 2 Dodge Spirits. I can't wait to get the R/T out of the garage, but my 2.5L TBI is ok(little slow at the moment) for the commute(I really don't want to submit my ultra rare R/T to the elements anyway), but the R/T is a real kick in the pants to drive, plus it gets 30mpg.

Highspeedhijinks
Mar 4, 2008 12:41:52 PM

New: 08 Accent GT
~
Old: 75 Chevy Vega

Adam
Mar 4, 2008 12:38:25 PM

I'll stick with my Scion xB. Love the car, the milage is just a perk of the car.

NobiZero
Mar 4, 2008 12:13:04 PM

*26 MPG highway

UNKNOWN2U
Mar 4, 2008 12:12:58 PM

I like the Nissan Versa especially the hatchback one and its awsome on mpg too

NobiZero
Mar 4, 2008 12:12:36 PM

Since it gets an EPA rated 26 MPG, does the C6 Corvette Z06 count?

kori
Mar 4, 2008 11:57:57 AM

what about the scion xD?

Rich Truesdell
Mar 4, 2008 11:34:13 AM

As I have said earlier, a 4-cylinder base Fiero, especially the '88 version with the updated suspension, is a great way to save gas while driving a fun, stylish car that getting parts - with a few exceptions - is no problem. Great-running, low mileage 4-cylinder Fieros might be the best buy ever for under two grand. Check out eBay (especially completed auctions) and Craigslist to take your pick. How do I know? Bought a 66,000-mile example last fall for $1,800. It gets 25 MPG around town and 35 MPG on the freeway at a steady-state 75 MPH. Hard to beat that.

eric
Mar 4, 2008 11:13:05 AM

But economically speaking my first car was dope. MAZDA 626.

eric
Mar 4, 2008 11:12:17 AM

Whats the point man, I like stylish and RARE cars so I never really look twice at an ECONOBOX.