[Driver72]

Well with regular grade gas pushing $400 a gallon, and with an unbelievable oil prices that can jump up JUST because of SPECULATION or REPORTS on the media (even false ones! (But don't even get me started on the f-in oil companies and the meteoric rise in oil prices in the past 6-7 years, while two oil men are in office...but that's another story!!)
Time to think of cheap speed that gets good gas mileage.

I made a list of several "fun" cars that cost no more than the low $20k's
Gets AT LEAST 20 mpg city and have at least 150 hp

This would be a nice comparo test for some magazine to do.

Chevy Cobalt SS
Honda Civic Si
Mazda 3s GT
Mini Cooper S
09 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS
09 Toyota Matrix XRS
Volkswagen GTI


The Mazda and Mitsubishi are the least powerful (the Mini has less torque but has better power to weight ratio) but the Mazda and Mitsu are also the cheapest. So they offer a lot of fun for the $

My guess is the top 3 would be the
Mini Cooper S
VW GTI
Honda Civic Si
(not necessarily in that order)

For me if I was to get one of these cars, I think the VW GTI or Honda Civic Si would be my choice.
Though the Mini Cooper S would be great too. It's just a bit small, a bit girlish, and possibly a bit too "go kart" ride quality like for a daily driver in Los Angeles area rough roads.

[slyx620]

I would go with the GTI.

Nice to have a turbo, Chip if necessary
Not too many GTI's on the Road
Enormous aftermarket Support.
More class/prestige then an Si.
TORQUE!


Another car you may want to add is the Mazdaspeed 3 Wagon, not sure if thats the 3s GT equivalent.

[Big Windy]

What about the Toyota Prius? Now that is some good gas mileage!

[x5love]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

What about the Toyota Prius? Now that is some good gas mileage!

costs way more than the the low 20's