Reccomendations for a car that's really good on gas?

[Lara]

My mom just interviewed for a new job, and its almost guarenteed she will get it. The only thing is that the commute will be about 85miles round trip for her daily, so she needs something really good on gas!

She was talking about getting a Smart Car or something, but I don't like that cause then she couldn't transport my dd! So, anything else that is really good on gas that I could reccomend to her? She drives a nissan sentra right now (03 I think)

Thanks!

[natysr]

I have a similar commute and I have a Honda Civic Hybrid.

Check out:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov

[steph]

I don't know about safety ratings but the Scions have excellent gas mileage. also the Toyota Prius.

[Judi]

I want to look at the fortwo. It has great crash ratings and gas mileage.

[Defrost]

Originally Posted by Judi

I want to look at the fortwo. It has great crash ratings and gas mileage.

I saw one IRL a few months ago. It's really cool! I didn't get to meet the owner or else I'd have bombarded him/her with questions, but just looking at it from the outside and peeking in the windows, I was impressed!

[Judi]

I swear, everytime you talk, I like you more! I want to go play in Portland one day, to go look at it and play with car seats.

[niccig]

Toyota Prius. DH has one, used to be mine when I commuted 40 miles roundtrip. I've gotten a Blvd and Como both rearfacing and Forward facing. When the carseat was rearfacing, the passenger could have the seat all the way back - back seat is surprisingly roomy.

We're in LA, and DH paid $10 for a permit that lets certain hybrid cars go in the car pool lane. They don't offer it here anymore. But check into it, as your state may have something similar. It can cut 20mins off DH's commute.

[southpawboston]

if your mom doesn't want to pay a premium price for a hybrid, she could go for a MINI... 40mpg with a regular gas engine + incredibly fun to drive, unlike a hybrid prius or civic.

you can fit carseats pretty well in the back.

[Lara]

Originally Posted by Judi

I want to look at the fortwo. It has great crash ratings and gas mileage.

Never heard of it! I'll go google it. ETA: okay, that is the car I was talking about in my op. They are SO cute! I'm just worried about her being able to transport dd. Though, I guess if she is working it wouldn't as much of a big deal. She takes her all the time now cause she isn't working and has the time! Anyways, just thinking out loud here.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

[natysr]

Originally Posted by southpawboston

if your mom doesn't want to pay a premium price for a hybrid, she could go for a MINI... 40mpg with a regular gas engine + incredibly fun to drive, unlike a hybrid prius or civic.

you can fit carseats pretty well in the back.

I had heard the mini gets 40 mpg in the past, but I checked it with www.fueleconomy.gov and am not seeing that.

[sbaker]

Originally Posted by natysr

I had heard the mini gets 40 mpg in the past, but I checked it with www.fueleconomy.gov and am not seeing that.

I have a MINI with an automatic transmission and I regularly get 35 mpg in it. My MINI club friends with manual transmissions get 40+. The models prior to 2007 got less mileage. I've had several cars over the years and my MINI is by far the most fun to drive.

[Judi]

Originally Posted by Iluvbabies57

Never heard of it! I'll go google it. ETA: okay, that is the car I was talking about in my op. They are SO cute! I'm just worried about her being able to transport dd. Though, I guess if she is working it wouldn't as much of a big deal. She takes her all the time now cause she isn't working and has the time! Anyways, just thinking out loud here.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

I haven't checked yet. I want to see if the air bag can be turned off. I gotta see if I can go see one soon!