Cheap low MPG cars.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,088
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From: Windsor, Ontario
Vehicle: SRT4/Neon SOHC
Cheap low MPG cars.
I found this article interesting.
Thinking about ditching that thirsty V8 for something with a little less go that can actually go more than a few miles on that $4.00 gallon of gas? Instead of waiting for automakers to dream up fuel-efficient cars and trucks of the future, more and more people are looking to the past for a solution to the nation's costly gas crisis.
Instead of shelling out for a new hybrid, some people are rediscovering cars usually relegated to the far corners of used-car lots; cars like Geo Metros, Toyota Tercels, and Ford Aspires, to name a few.
These old cars may be past their prime (heck, they might not have even had a prime), but they shine now as budget-friendly, fuel-frugal vehicles in this climate of skyrocketing gas costs. Some of these 3-cylinder gems even surpass the EPA's fuel economy numbers for the Toyota Prius (45.8 mpg).
If you can overlook a little rust and some questionable styling in the name of saving money at the pump, check out Consumer Guide's 10 favorite cheap, fuel-efficient used cars from the last 20 years.
1990-1994 Geo Metro
EPA MPG: 53/58 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
The Metro was built for General Motors by Suzuki. Two-door and longer 4-door hatchbacks are available. Metro's stellar fuel economy comes from its 49-to-55-horsepower 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine. Transmission choices include a standard 5-speed manual or optional 3-speed automatic.
1992-1995 Honda Civic
EPA MPG: 47/56 (w/5-speed manual)
The restyling of Honda's front-drive subcompact for 1992 brought the demise of the prior generation's station wagon. Two-door hatchbacks and 4-door sedans returned with a standard driver-side airbag. Two engines are available: a 70-to-102-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder and a 125-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. Five-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions are available.
1995-2001 Geo/Chevrolet Metro
EPA MPG: 44/49 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
Metro was redesigned for 1995. It's available in 2-door hatchback and 4-door sedan versions. Two engines are available: a 55-horsepower 1.0-liter 3-cylinder and a 70-to-79-horsepower 1.3-liter 4-cylinder. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual and 3-speed automatic.
1995-2001 Suzuki Swift
EPA MPG: 39/43 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
Introduced for 1989, the Swift comes in 2-door hatchback and 4-door notchback form. Power comes from a 70-to-79-horsepower 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. Available transmissions include a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a 3-speed automatic.
1994-1997 Ford Aspire
EPA MPG: 34/42 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
This Korean-built, Mazda-designed minicompact replaced the Festiva as Ford's entry-level car. Two- and 4-door hatchbacks were produced. One engine is available: a 63-horsepower 1.3-liter 4-cylinder paired with either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission. Who knows, maybe pink metallic paint will make a comeback!
1987-1994 Subaru Justy
EPA MPG: 33/37 MPG (w/ 5-speed manual)
Introduced in early 1987, the Justy initially came only as a 2-door hatchback. A 4-door hatchback joined the lineup for 1990. Both came with either front-wheel drive or on-demand 4-wheel drive. Power comes from a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine that makes 66 or 73 horsepower. Through its lifespan, Subaru's minicompact was perhaps best known for its available electronically controlled variable-transmission. Other available transmissions include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic.
1995-1998 Toyota Tercel
EPA MPG: 34/39 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
Tercel was refreshed for 1995. It was produced in 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan form. Power comes from a 93-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a choice of three transmissions: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, and 3-speed automatic.
1993-1996 Eagle Summit
EPA MPG: 32/39 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
Summits are nearly identical to the Dodge/Plymouth Colt and the Mitsubishi Mirage, and all three were redesigned for 1993. Two-door coupe and 4-door sedan variants were produced. Power comes from either a 92-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder or a 113-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder. Transmissions choices include a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a 3-speed automatic.
1990-1992 Dodge/Plymouth Colt
EPA MPG: 32/38 MPG (w/4-speed manual)
Colts are available as 2-door hatchbacks or 4-door wagons. Several engines are available: a 75-to-92-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, a 113-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, and an 87-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder.Colts are mechanically similar to the Eagle Summit and the Mitsubishi Mirage.
1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus
EPA MPG: 31/37 (w/5-speed manual)
Isuzu's subcompact Stylus sedan arrived in late spring of 1990 and replaced the I-Mark. Power comes from either a 95-to-130-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder or a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a 3-speed automatic.
They get less impressive as the list goes on.
For a small car I don't think 35mpg isn't that great. They did miss some that I think people might like to be reminded about.
2000-2005 Toyota ECHO 34/41mpg
Replacement to the Tercel and with better fuel economy. This car gained top ranks in it's class for reliability, affordability, customer satisfaction, and maintained quality over the years.
1992-1995 Mazda MX-3 29/37
Would have looked better as a notchback to compete with the Honda delSol but was more alongside the hatch version of the Civic.
1991-1996 Saturn S-series coupe and sedan 29/40
Thinking about ditching that thirsty V8 for something with a little less go that can actually go more than a few miles on that $4.00 gallon of gas? Instead of waiting for automakers to dream up fuel-efficient cars and trucks of the future, more and more people are looking to the past for a solution to the nation's costly gas crisis.
Instead of shelling out for a new hybrid, some people are rediscovering cars usually relegated to the far corners of used-car lots; cars like Geo Metros, Toyota Tercels, and Ford Aspires, to name a few.
These old cars may be past their prime (heck, they might not have even had a prime), but they shine now as budget-friendly, fuel-frugal vehicles in this climate of skyrocketing gas costs. Some of these 3-cylinder gems even surpass the EPA's fuel economy numbers for the Toyota Prius (45.8 mpg).
If you can overlook a little rust and some questionable styling in the name of saving money at the pump, check out Consumer Guide's 10 favorite cheap, fuel-efficient used cars from the last 20 years.
1990-1994 Geo Metro
EPA MPG: 53/58 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
The Metro was built for General Motors by Suzuki. Two-door and longer 4-door hatchbacks are available. Metro's stellar fuel economy comes from its 49-to-55-horsepower 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine. Transmission choices include a standard 5-speed manual or optional 3-speed automatic.
1992-1995 Honda Civic
EPA MPG: 47/56 (w/5-speed manual)
The restyling of Honda's front-drive subcompact for 1992 brought the demise of the prior generation's station wagon. Two-door hatchbacks and 4-door sedans returned with a standard driver-side airbag. Two engines are available: a 70-to-102-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder and a 125-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. Five-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions are available.
1995-2001 Geo/Chevrolet Metro
EPA MPG: 44/49 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
Metro was redesigned for 1995. It's available in 2-door hatchback and 4-door sedan versions. Two engines are available: a 55-horsepower 1.0-liter 3-cylinder and a 70-to-79-horsepower 1.3-liter 4-cylinder. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual and 3-speed automatic.
1995-2001 Suzuki Swift
EPA MPG: 39/43 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
Introduced for 1989, the Swift comes in 2-door hatchback and 4-door notchback form. Power comes from a 70-to-79-horsepower 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. Available transmissions include a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a 3-speed automatic.
1994-1997 Ford Aspire
EPA MPG: 34/42 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
This Korean-built, Mazda-designed minicompact replaced the Festiva as Ford's entry-level car. Two- and 4-door hatchbacks were produced. One engine is available: a 63-horsepower 1.3-liter 4-cylinder paired with either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission. Who knows, maybe pink metallic paint will make a comeback!
1987-1994 Subaru Justy
EPA MPG: 33/37 MPG (w/ 5-speed manual)
Introduced in early 1987, the Justy initially came only as a 2-door hatchback. A 4-door hatchback joined the lineup for 1990. Both came with either front-wheel drive or on-demand 4-wheel drive. Power comes from a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine that makes 66 or 73 horsepower. Through its lifespan, Subaru's minicompact was perhaps best known for its available electronically controlled variable-transmission. Other available transmissions include a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic.
1995-1998 Toyota Tercel
EPA MPG: 34/39 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
Tercel was refreshed for 1995. It was produced in 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan form. Power comes from a 93-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a choice of three transmissions: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, and 3-speed automatic.
1993-1996 Eagle Summit
EPA MPG: 32/39 MPG (w/5-speed manual)
Summits are nearly identical to the Dodge/Plymouth Colt and the Mitsubishi Mirage, and all three were redesigned for 1993. Two-door coupe and 4-door sedan variants were produced. Power comes from either a 92-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder or a 113-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder. Transmissions choices include a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a 3-speed automatic.
1990-1992 Dodge/Plymouth Colt
EPA MPG: 32/38 MPG (w/4-speed manual)
Colts are available as 2-door hatchbacks or 4-door wagons. Several engines are available: a 75-to-92-horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, a 113-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, and an 87-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder.Colts are mechanically similar to the Eagle Summit and the Mitsubishi Mirage.
1990-1993 Isuzu Stylus
EPA MPG: 31/37 (w/5-speed manual)
Isuzu's subcompact Stylus sedan arrived in late spring of 1990 and replaced the I-Mark. Power comes from either a 95-to-130-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder or a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, and a 3-speed automatic.
They get less impressive as the list goes on.
For a small car I don't think 35mpg isn't that great. They did miss some that I think people might like to be reminded about.
2000-2005 Toyota ECHO 34/41mpg
Replacement to the Tercel and with better fuel economy. This car gained top ranks in it's class for reliability, affordability, customer satisfaction, and maintained quality over the years.
1992-1995 Mazda MX-3 29/37
Would have looked better as a notchback to compete with the Honda delSol but was more alongside the hatch version of the Civic.
1991-1996 Saturn S-series coupe and sedan 29/40
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 0
From: Windsor, Ontario
Vehicle: SRT4/Neon SOHC
As much as I love those cars I would have to disagree...some may have been but most were like their CSM counterparts. Which makes me wonder about this list because the colt is there.