Ok, anyone have any suggestions on cheap, small cars that get good gas millage BUT are easy to get in and out of?? My Jeep Liberty is almost paid of and hubby has to turn in his lease next month. We are having money issues and think its best to have him drive my Jeep and for me to get a small car. I have a half hour commute to work each day and we figure we can save about a month on gas. My biggest concern is being able to get in and out of it! The Jeep is a good height as I can just sort of turn and slide my but onto the seat. My hips are real bad and that whole putting your leg to the side and standing motion is a hard one for me!
Off to search the net but if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!!
you might look into a used PT Cruiser
I know exactly what you mean about the 'slide my butt in' thing!! I used to drive a Honda CRX, very small and close to the gnd, 55mpg, (my commute was 110 miles a day) and I think I just 'fell' into it, but, boy...getting out was hard on the joints.
I now drive a Honda CRV, perfect height to 'slide my butt in', 28 mpg. My daughter just got a new Civic, beautiful, 40mpg. but I have to fall into it and crawl out of it!!
good luck
I drive a tahoe right now; but I've driven Honda's in the past and always been very happy with them. My son drives my last one and we've always been happy with them.
If I was going to buy another one I'd get a used one myself. My in-laws both drive Hyundai's and they are really happy with what they got for their money. I think they have a really good warrenty as well. You could get a brand new one for what you'd pay for a used honda.
I have an Aunt who just bought a convertable VW Bug. She's crazy about it......but the back seat is really tiny.
Hi, Could you go and sit in the Ford Focus ? I don't know how they would work for you, but they are reasonably priced, and we've had great success with the mechanical parts and all. Mine is a 2 dorr silver, very sporty, but now they mostly come in 4 doors which is more practical. Good luck, sarahYou can buy attachments to help you get in and out. I'll look for the web site and post it later.
PJ
Look for doors that open wide and electronic seat movers. My brother had both hips replaced last year but before that he had to put his butt on the seat and then lift his legs in and turn to the front. He always put the seat as far back as it would go to get in or out.
Trying to step into the car like normals was impossible...
Micheleb, I have a Toyota Prius that gets up to 60 mpg in town. It is a
They (the Prius) are not any cheaper. I would like to have one, but don't know if I can ever afford it. I also read some stuff recently about the Prius not being as good for the environment as they say...if I can find the article I'll send it to you or post it.
I drive an '03 Corolla and will probably drive it for a long time, but would love a Matrix - same gas mileage, but more like a tiny suv (or stationwagon.)
Last month when my Aztec was in the shop I drove one of the new HHR's. I really did like it and would consider it if the back seat was bigger, I have 3 kids... But the base price was like 16,000.00 and 18 being the max...i think... It was awesome on gas. It was getting 28-31 mpg.They (the Prius) are not any cheaper. I would
like to have one, but don't know if I can ever afford it. I also read some stuff
recently about the Prius not being as good for the environment as they
say...if I can find the article I'll send it to you or post it.
I drive an '03 Corolla and will probably drive it for a long time, but would
love a Matrix - same gas mileage, but more like a tiny suv (or stationwagon.)
Here is the link to one of the articles I read...
http://clubs.ccsu.edu/recorder/editorial/editorial_item.asp? NewsID=188
I was praising the Prius and someone presented this article to me. I still like the idea, just want to do more research now.
WOW!
I need to print this and save it for the next time someone makes a wise crack about my huge SUV.
I used to drive a Toyota Tercel, but it was so hard to get in and out of. Now I have a Kia sportage. It is a small SUV. It is good on gas, although not as good as my Toyota
Phats My difficulty with getting in and out of cars is raising and lifting my leg unsupported. When I'm going to get in I actually stand there and count to myself "1, 2, 3, Go" and brace myself for the pain as I pick my leg up to put it in the car.
My husband's Chrysler Sebring is just too low to get in and out of comfortably. He gets really sad when I don't want to go out in his car, because it's a convertible and he loves it. I try to compromise and go sometimes, but I really prefer my car (of course part of the reason, truth be told, is I don't like his driving, tee hee!) My suggestion would be to go to several car lots, and just keep trying out different cars and figure out which feels good to you. It can so variable, based upon your own disability, your height, weight, etc. After you know what kind feels good, then you can get down to the job of really car shopping. Have fun - it's always fun to get a new car! Check out fuel use at: Hummm, I've changed my mind, I think a mustang (red) convertible would be perfect! Also, how about a Corvette (also red!), someone would be glad to drive you anywhere you want to go....or there is the Honda 2000S, very cool. Miatas are fun, but don't fit my golf clubs, ....oh well while i'm dreaming how about .....? What is your dream car? (not to worry about $$$)? sarah We just bought a Ford Focus hatch back. and it is very easy for me to swing around and step out. We traded a Nissan Maxima and I had to hook my leg around the threshold and pull my self out. but it is so nice just to swing around and get out without all the extra effort. good luck. CJames
Some hybrids are *only* better for the environment - the gas mileage doesn't change, but the addition of the electric power helps make the emissions less harmful, and makes the gas that you do use, work harder.
Others do both - lower gas mileage AND are better for the environment. They work the way a TRUE hybrid SHOULD. The electric motor and the gas motor "trade off" For example, when you start the car, it uses gas - obviously, it has to get a good kick to get everything going. When you accelerate, you use gas. But when you stop at a stoplight, and sit idle, the gas engine actually cuts off, and the electric one takes over, saving gas AND emissions. When you hit the gas to go again, your electric motor stops, and charges while the gas one takes over again. If you pop the hood on a car like this, you can actually watch the motors "take turns" While sitting in park, running, the electric motor will run the car for several minutes, then the gas motor will pop on and give a quick burst of gas, then let the electric take over again. It's actually REALLY neat to see.
BTW, Honda has ALWAYS made the second kind of hybrid (better gas mileage AND better emissions) In fact, the one that I got to see "how it works" was a 98. Yup, 1998 Honda Accord -HYBRID. They just didn't ever slap a logo on the side of them that said "hybrid" Neat, huh?
Very cool! Thanks so much for everyone's input!!! Very helpful. I printed off the gas mileage chart as I am started to get confused by all the different cars!!
I went and test drove a Yaris, not too bad, very small and sorta striped down but great mileage. I also drove a dodge caliber, too low to the ground and not enough seat adjust ability, didn't like that one at all. Hoping to go to the Kia dealership after work today.
I an hoping to drive just as many cars as possible before deciding. We are trying to keep the payments to under 0 a month so looking for cheap. Have not ruled out used it but want to find a car I like first, than will check the used listings. I think the ford focus is pretty cute so will definitely be sure to drive that one as well before deciding.
We have to turn in Wills lease by Mid June so have a couple of weeks to decide!!
Who was it that posted about the swivel thing for seats? Do you have any links or further info on that??
at the counter said they are losing a penny a gallon at the pump right now
and the grocery store attached is the only thing they are profiting from right
now. That is a sad thing for the small business owner.
They are hard to find used but I have a line on one but it its about 5 hours away, he will meet us halfway but we are working on getting loans and titles and all that jazz.
I am exhausted mentally and physically from all the running around and trying to figure out will work on our budget! At work, the boss is in, will try to catch up on posts but if not today, we be back on line Monday!
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