Thank you!

I like my Volvo S40. I average 30 MPG city, about 35 or so highway (coming off a 1993 Exploder, that's awesome). Has a turbo so it's zippy enough to be fun, but not crazy. I like the bells and whistles it came with, Bose sound system, sunroof, leather, heated seats, etc... The dynamic stability assist is killer on wet roads, does great in the snow. Apparently super safe, although I'm a little concerned that I'll be smothered by airbags if I do run into something. I have about 115,000 on it now and haven't had any major mechanical problems, knock on wood. It's a 2003.
Still like Carmax for car shopping. Even research wise, their site has a pretty good search engine for getting a good look at different cars.

thank you!

Actually, women love that I drive a bug. There have been many a times I have had a girl ask to ride with me when we car pool somewhere. Chicks dig it.

I dont fit into the old ones, lol.

What did you put into your bud vase?

Nazi should be capitalized.

I don't agree.
If I don't agree with someones beliefs they don't get capitals.
Like this mormans, christains, muslims, republicans. Rastafarian, Democrat.

So do you "agree" with Rastafarian because:

A) You fully accept and believe that Haile Selassie I is God incarnate

or

B) They smoke dope

B.

I'd suggest either the Honda Fit, Civic, or a Toyota Prius.

The Fit was in Car and Drivers top ten cars of 2008. It gets 27 in the city and 34 on the highway. Plus, it's cheap and fun to drive. About $16,500, loaded.

The Civic gets similar mileage, looks nice, and you can get an EX, with everything including a sunroof, for about your price range, of $22,000.

If gas mileage is your biggest concern, do like I recently did and buy a Prius. Yes, they are a little ugly, but it will grow on you, and you will love it. I'm averaging 48 mpg after 3 weeks. I put 420 miles on before I had to get gas and it only took 8.7 gallons to fill it back up. Think about it. At least go test drive one. Bare bones, you can get one for under $21,000. Mine had the lowest package with smart key, back up camera, and a few other features for $23,000.

I also looked at the Honda Civic hybrid, but the rear seats wouldn't fold down and the Prius had way more room and got slightly better mileage.

Good luck with your search. It took me about 4 months of research and test drives. I also looked at the Scion Xb, but it wasn't as fun to drive as the others.

Thanks! I've been looking at the Prius, but it's definitely on the more expensive side (but people who have them seem to love them). I hadn't thought about the fit, but I've been looking into the Civic, too.

All good suggestions on cars and I don't disagree.

I recommend checking out the car sales sites for rental car companies...usually you can find some deals there...

www.enterprisecarsales.com

Ooh, interesting. Thanks.

looking to buy a car from a rental car dealership is like going to a house of ill-repute looking for a wife.

try carmax honey

...Well, maybe a I want a car of ill-repute! >.<

That just reminds me of the car commercial with the woman who says "When you turn on your car, does it return the favor?" ...which I always thought was creepy and weird...

lmao.

Dealerships and places like Carmax buy vehicles from rental car sales places (like enterprise car sales) - mark them up and sell them on their own lots because the rental car sales places sell vehicles at great prices to begin with.

Try to fit that thought into your analogy. :p

I've purchased 2 vehicles from enterprise car sales and have had great experiences with both - unless you have an experience to give credence to your advice...

yes the first car i bought was from a rental car dealship and 2weeks after i bought it i was driving down I-95 when one of the tires decided it wanted to get off at an exit i didn't want to get off at. lets just say it was one of the most terrifying moments of my life(the top one being a bunch of my co-workers dressing up as clowns because they didn't believe i was afraid of them)

He says if you're only going as far back as a couple years old, he never ran into any chronic problems. He worked at a VW service department for a year and a half, and on Bugs & Rabbits that new, he was generally seeing them only for regular services, not for mechanical issues.

He said his Rabbit customers seemed happier with their car, but that was it. He generally has a grudge against the Bugs, because they're so uncomfortable for him to drive, so that might just be his bias talking. ;)

I love my MINI to death. When it dies I will buy another MINI in its stead. An amazing car.

If its out of your price range I recommend buying one used. MINI owners really take care of their cars so it'll be like new. They also stick at the used price for a very long time, don't depreciate much.

You need one of these