CaptainBobBrown

Our long range car is a Prius 'C' and I use it for hauling lumber, roofing, etc. other roofing materials. When it's just me driving I get on the order of 70 mpg at our moderate speed limits here on the island of Hawaii. Our 2015 Nissan Leaf, of course, gets infinite mileage per gallon.

All those gas hogs out there which now get on the order of 2+ times better mileage than than they did decades ago when Detroit asserted it was impossible to meet government mandated fuel economy targets? Detroit is still saying it can't meet the 2021 targets and needs "relief" from the mandated fuel economy targets even though GM went bankrupt cuz it couldn't sell enough gas hogs to compete with much more fuel efficient foreign originated vehicles. AND $4+/gallon doesn't come close to the true cost of fossil fuel when one considers the costs of sustaining a military capable asserting fading dominance in the middle east and Africa mostly to protect petrol sources and waterway security and the cost to the environment of the whole ground to pump pollution cascade we incur to extract and use fossil fuels.

California and Hawaii have it right in setting 100% renewable energy targets for 2045 and Hawaii is about 30% of the way there already and way ahead of schedule to do so.

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

Gasoline technology has advanced at an amazing pace.

So did German lying.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

While the all electric cars are getting popular, the range is still the limitation. That's one reason I use a hybrid. Occasionally I take a trip of 400 miles. The all electric cars just won't hack it for that kind of driving. Yes, recharge stations are popping up, but still, how long does it take to recharge an electric car? A lot longer than pumping gas into a hybrid.

The electric cars are great around town, but not for long distances.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Excuse me?

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

I'll just stick to my 2006 Saturn Vue. It gets an amazing 18 mpg. But, why should I go out and spend 30,00 to 40,000 on a new car when I will not be driving in the next year or so.

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

This reminds me of a prank I read about: A man just bought a new high mileage car; he continually would brag about his high mpg. His neighbors quickly became bored of his boasting. At night after dark they would sneak into his garage and add a couple of gallons of fuel to his tank, the MPG rose astronomically and the owner continued to brag about his car. After a while theses same neighbors started to syphon gas each night plunging the mpg to a terrible level. After a few trips to the dealership and a weeks frustration the bragging stopped. It was several months later before his neighbors told him the truth. All his neighbors had a really good laugh.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

Now that's a good one!!

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

the best car for mileage I ever had was a VW Rabbit Diesel. Got around 32 city and over 40 highway. On a trip to Auburn from Corona, Calif. (800 Mi) only had to fill up half way. Took 3 days as went via State Hwy 1 most of the way. Then cut over to Auburn via US 50. This was in December. (Auburn is east of Sacramento)

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

I've averaged almost exactly 27 MPG on my 2006 Mazda 3 Grand Touring through 167,000 miles, and get about 32-33 MPG on the freeway at around 75-80 MPH. Not as good as many of the posters here, but there is a big difference: It's FUN to drive, almost like a 4 door Miata. I still have the original clutch (5 speed manual) and brakes and it has been very reliable overall. Mazda has recently made a breakthrough and will be releasing the new Skyactive X gasoline engine (likely within about a year) that works mostly like a diesel and improves mileage by 20-30%. It will also be FUN to drive. Life is too short for boring cars.

Zoom, Zoom!

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

You are excused:
http://www.autonews.com/article/20151104/COPY01/311049927/vw-scandal-widens-to-fuel-consumption-figures

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Being that I didn’t buy a Euro vehicle, or am going by Euro testing standards your point is wholly irrelevant.

That being said, the car I have is rated at 40 MPG highway which could be deemed a lie being that it obviously got over 50 MPG.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

Was not the best mileage car I ever had, but the Mazda 6 (2003) was the best overall car. Loved that car, automatic everything cruise control. etc. Unfortunately was totaled or I still would have it. (My dad was still alive then and he said it felt like a Cadillac.) It did get to over 120,000 miles.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Our first Mazda was a 1991 Protege with the twin cam 1.8L and 5 speed manual (I don't like automatics). It was fun and reliable; we donated it at just over 250,000 miles. Our second Mazda was/is our 2006 Mazda 3 (Grand Touring, heated leather seats, sunroof, 5 speed manual, etc.) with 167,000 miles so far. We also have a 1997 Protege that is our "spare car" that was given to us about 6 years ago by one of our daughters when she bought a new car. Two of the three most reliable cars we've ever owned are the '91 Protege and the Mazda 3. Both times I would have preferred a Miata, but we don't fit, as I'm 6'1" and my wife is 6' tall (and the 4 door sedans are more useful/practical, but still fun to drive). Our other most reliable car is our 2003 Honda Odyssey Minivan, currently at ~182,000 miles. BTW, one of the deciding factors of the Odyssey over the Toyota Sienna was that the Odyssey handled better.

Our Mazda 3 is a great road car, as well as around town and commuting. We have taken it on several trips, the longest being an 11 day trip of a little over 4,000 miles to Vail, Colorado Springs, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone and the Tetons. We drove 14 hours the first day and were comfortable the whole way. We've done a Friday afternoon trip to Portland OR, Saturday there and return on Sunday, about 650 miles each way. It's also fun to drive in the twisties, sort of like a 4 door Miata. BTW, the current Mazda 6 is an even better car than your 2003 and one of the best looking sedans on the market (IMHO); you should check it out. It also still drives like a Mazda; it's the benchmark in its class for the driving experience.

Zoom, Zoom!

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I would love to, but now retired. Can't afford a new car. Maybe if win the lotto.

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

Then just be happy and ignore my point.