What are some DU approved cars?

[motorcity]

My car and my wife's car are slowly but surely falling apart, and I need to start looking into what we will get next (unfortunately, we need 2 cars... bikes and feet won't do). You guys seem to know a lot about what companies are worker-friendly, what cars are truly the most environment-friendly, what cars are in the works, etc so I would love to know what you recommend. I am not a big car buff, but I like giving business to companies that deserve it.

I would like two cars on the fuel efficient end of the spectrum, as I have had enough of gas guzzlers. We don't have kids, so one car be small. The other needs to be able to haul the occasional sheets of drywall, big boxes, etc (my current Jeep Cherokee, does this well). Both cars need to be good in the snow. I do not care what they look like, or how fast they can get to 100 mph. I definitely like warranties, because I definitely have used them in the past. I am willing to spend more on a car that lasts longer, though I have no problem buying an inexpensive car if it does the trick. I would prefer to support American companies, though the workers deserve my support a lot more than the CEOs do.

What do you guys recommend? I also plan on looking at places like Consumer Reports. Are there other good places for unbiased car analysis?

[Lex]

1. My next car will be a Prius.

I have a couple of friends with them and they LOVE them. Reliable and excellent gas mileage (it's a hybrid).

[trof]

40. My current car is a Prius. I love it.

I'm 6' 2", 235 pounds, and it's very comfortable.
The back seats fold down and give ample cargo space.
Even the back seats are comfortable for me.
Do it.

[Ellen Forradalom]

79. I love my Prius too.

[Squatch]

2. Our family car is a 2004 Grand Cherokee

and I love it. It has never given us a problem, still manages 20+ miles on the highway, and can fit two adults, two kids, a lab, and all of our camping shit.

[motorcity]

7. I have a 1996 Grand Cherokee, and it doesn't get anywhere near 20 mpg

though it might have back in the day. The car has held up pretty well, but is nearing the 200,000 mile mark. Things are starting to go on it (no ac, no parking brake, the hatch won't stay open, the locks don't work well) and one of these days it won't be worth fixing. I just wish there was a car like that with better fuel efficiency.

[gilpo]

18. Toyota Highland Hybrid (27 mpg around town).... We love ours...

We also have a Civic Hybrid (52mpg)

[mr_hat]

3. Anything made of post-industrial wattle and daub is OK.

[DJ13]

4. I dont drive a DU approved car

I drive a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.

Oh it does have the 4 cyl engine, and manages to get 28 mpg on the highway, but its no econobox.

[MercutioATC]

15. Ah, another "environmentally incorrect" driver...

Fun drive, isn't it?

My vice is cars. I recycle. I have CF bulbs. I turn down my heat and AC.

...but I love to drive.


Everybody has vices...at least ours is fun.

[DJ13]

17. Everybody has vices...at least ours is fun.

So true!

:thumbsup:

[CRF450]

58. Same deal here, 2001 Pontiac Trans Am WS6

Averages around 22mpg and has reached 31mpg on the interstate. Kinda crazy that a 4cyl cant get any better than a v8 in terms of sports cars.

[Kazak]

5. My '04 Toyota Corolla S (manual trans) gets GREAT milage...

for a strictly combustion engine vehicle.

[thunder rising]

8. I've got an '07 ... cheap to keep. I love this little car. Great to drive and solid.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

24. I have a 2004 Toyota Corolla as well

Not a fan. Its mileage is its saving grace.

[khaos]

6. bicycle

[eleny]

14. How do you haul drywall with a bike?

That was one of the OPs needs.

[khaos]

25. easy.. use the creativity we were all born with

i can't wait until energy is so expensive that everyone is forced to get off their lazy fat asses and actually learn what sustainability is.

[motorcity]

29. I often haul it 50 miles through a foot of snow

I am pretty creative, but I don't see that happening in a way that I can keep my job.

[khaos]

30. the market doesn't care if you keep your job or not..

just saying

[eleny]

34. Welcome to my Ignore List

Lots of nasty creeps in there. You should be comfortable in their company.

In fact, you can walk the plank into it ---> http://www.mediacollege.com/downloads/sound-effects/water/splash-04.wav

[khaos]

35. reality is offensive to some.. i know

[krabigirl]

71. are you for real?

[jmowreader]

63. That's gonna be some SERIOUS creativity!

1/2" 4x8 drywall weighs 60 pounds per sheet. Trust me on this.

The 1/2" 4x12 drywall that the pro drywallers like weighs 90 pounds per sheet. Again, take this as gospel.

There is no way you're hauling a 90 pound item that is simultaneously flexible and fragile in anything but a truck.

[CRF450]

68. Exactly, its fuckin rediculous to advise someone into getting a bike, and be "creative"

Thats like telling me to figure out how to take 4 buckets that weigh from 10 to 50lbs each, a pool vacume hose, cleaning pole, and many other stuff I'll need for my pool cleaning job. I'm a decently fit guy myself, but its nearly impossible and practicle to use a bike. Fuck that shit, I'll use my truck despite high gas prices.

[CRF450]

69. I cant wait untill ignorant a-holes stop telling me what I can and cant do

For sustaining my life, and my job.

[ForrestGump]

76. I'm sure you can't wait

And I can't wait until obnoxious, pretentious little prats like you (i) get a clue as to what 'sustainability' is and (ii) stop using it as just some trendy, catch-all malapropism because you can't think of a better word by yourself.

What's infinitely more offensive than that, of course, is your assumption that people who use cars instead of bikes are all possessed of asses that are lazy and obese when, in fact, it may be that (i) they're on a mission that's terminally unsuited for bike or foot travel because of load or distance considerations, among others, or (ii) they're physically unable to travel any other way, especially where public transportation sucks (i.e., just about everywhere in the US). So go ahead and scorn those physically disabled people and their lazy, fat asses and sit back and reap, from the rest of us, the richly deserved chorus of a hearty gofuckyourself.

Thanks for playing.

[taterguy]

31. Vietminh troops carried 400 pounds of supplies on bicycles during the battle of Dien Bien Phu

It ain't easy but it can be done.

Of course the OP doesn't say how often he transports drywall. It could that he could just borrow or rent a vehicle. Or shop at a place that makes deliveries.

[eleny]

38. And the OP lives in Michigan

Picture hauling drywall on a bike in a Michigan winter. Seems like he intimated that he needs it for work doing that.

[taterguy]

41. Where would you rather haul heavy supplies on a bicycle?

Dien Bien Phu

or

Michigan

Tell the truth.

[eleny]

43. The unvarnished truth is neither

Michigan winters can be b-a-a-a-d with heavy snows. And years ago I moved from NYC to Colorado for the dry climate. So, it's truly neither.

[taterguy]

45. Just pick one

Why is that so difficult?

[eleny]

46. I already explained why for each and I don't feel obligated to you

That's it in a nutshell. Bye.

[stevedeshazer]

72. I'm sure this poster could make do hauling recyclables

[LSK]

37. you ever heard of snow???

How about sub-zero wind chill temps?

[khaos]

48. yes.. i've also heard of I have no $$$ to buy gas

does snow give you extra gas $$$?

maybe i'm looking more than a few weeks into the future..

[LSK]

86. yes because there are no jobs within bicycle range???

Where do you live?

:shrug:

[Rosemary2205]

9. There is no such thing.

Some DUer's want us all to drive electric or hybrid only no matter who makes it (and Toyota is a GOD)

Other DUer's support American unions and any Ford or GM car is acceptable.

Other DUer's think anyone who actually owns a car is a piece of planet killing shit. Everyone is required to live in a big city with great public transport, or better yet, ride a bike dammit.

Other DUers think simply holding a job and purchasing anything makes us a corporate whore.

[CRF450]

61. Sad but true.

[Warpy]

10. Anything that gets you there, actually

I toyed with the idea of buying a momvan when my old truck finally started to show its age (it was old enough to vote). I don't do a whole lot of distance driving and use an electric moped for short hops when I don't have to come home with cases of anything. A momvan would give me a great deal of flexibility to haul stuff.

However, sanity prevailed and I found a Korean clown car that had just enough cargo room for trips to wool growers and donations to the thrift shops. It got 40+ MPG on a 300 mile road trip last fall, so the mileage is good enough for me to travel. I drive little enough that the extra expense of buying a hybrid would simply not have been justified.

Remember, it's not what you drive as much as it is how you drive. If you're somebody who drives six blocks for a loaf of bread, please do it as economically as possible so that you contribute less of what is making our planet sick. Same goes for commuters who live in the exurbs.

People who drive like I do can drive whatever land barge they please because they're contributing so little to the problem already.

[Xithras]

11. If you can hold off a little, Subaru will be testing the R1e electric in the U.S. this summer.

50 mile range, 65MPH top speed, 15/80 charging system (80% charge in 15 minutes). They're handing a few over to the New York Port Authority and will be testing a bunch more across the U.S. this summer. If no problems are found, they'll be sold here very soon. Obviously, there's no way to know how they'll do in the snow yet.

North American Subaru's are built in Indiana.

[kestrel91316]

21. OMG, how cute! I want one of THOSE!!!

[Xithras]

28. You can actually buy an R1 today, just not in electric.

Importing is would be a fun adventure, but the R1 keicar has been available in Japan since 2005. Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars researching some new platform like their competitors have done, Subaru chose to take their existing minicar platform and try an electric conversion. By all accounts so far, the resulting car works beautifully (a dozen have been built and are being tested in Japan already).



There's also a 4 door version called the R2, but if Subaru is considering electrifying that model, they haven't said so publicly yet.

[lutefisk]

53. Just get one of those and a personalized plate that says: IM CUTE

It would make people smile, for sure.

:)

[jmowreader]

64. Make it 75 and I'll think about it

It's fifty miles one way from home to the office.

And no, I will NOT look for a different job. I get to invent things at this one.

[Xithras]

88. How much range are you willing to give up?

Increasing your speed from 60MPH to 75MPH increases wind resistance pressures by about 25%. All other forces being equal, upping the top speed to 75MPH cuts your range to the mid-30's.

You probably aren't a good candidate for an electric car. Try a hybrid.

[jmowreader]

105. I didn't mean 75MPH, I meant 75 miles range

The little Subaru electric goes fifty miles on a charge...which would have me pushing the thing about 100 feet each time I went to work.

Hybrids are cool, though.

[raebrek]

82. I would need a shoe horn and a ton of lubricant to get into

one of those cars. I don't think I would be able to drive it though once inside. I have a friend a looooong time ago with an MG Midget. I could ride in it with the top down but my feet were firmly pressed to the floor boards. I never could have raised them to press the gas, clutch or brakes.

Raebrek!!!

[Xithras]

87. Small cars are the future.

Sucks for us tall people.

You might be a bit surprised though. I'm 6'1" and had to drive a Chevy Aero recently. I had my doubts because it looked so small, but I fit comfortably.

There's no way to tell about this one though. The R1 was originally designed as a keicar for the Japanese domestic market, so I don't know how much thought they gave to us altitudinally gifted Americans. My understanding is that they aren't redesigning the car, they're just replacing the running gear.

[Fumesucker]

12. Used or new? What price range?

A compact pickup can do pretty well in the snow if you put good tires on the back and a few hundred pounds of sand or gravel in the bed.

I had a Nissan 2.4 four cylinder PU with a 5 spd and it got 27 mpg on the hwy and would tow a dual axle 12x7 trailer with a heavy load no problem. You can get a pretty decent compact pickup used for $2400 or so..

I've also had a Toyota, which was a great truck but they tend to go for more money.

These days I have an older Altima with a 2.4 and a five speed, it gets slightly over 30 mpg hwy and can break 25 mpg in the city if you drive it carefully.. I have less than $2000 in it and have it fitted with a trailer hitch for my 10x6 trailer which it pulls easily.

I don't like automatics in smaller cars because they just seem to be more troublesome than a stick and they are wickedly expensive to repair.

[enlightenment]

13. Try Edmunds.com

They give you a lot of options for comparison and lots of links to other review sites. US News and World Report also offers car reviews.

I think you're going to have to make a logical trade-off when it comes to where the car is produced versus the other features you want. Saturn (GM-owned) prides itself on being a "US" company, but the Vue I looked at this weekend was 58% produced at their factory in Mexico. At least they're up front about it.

I'm in the market myself - vacillating at the moment between a Saturn Astra hatchback and the Toyota Scion XD - both are under 20K, which is all I can afford at the moment. The Scion XB might answer your "need cargo space" question, though anything short of a full-size isn't going to accommodate an 8 foot sheet of drywall inside.

An option for a "round town" car is the Smart Car. It's about as big as a bird cage - three cylinders - but lots of safety features. If it got stuck in the snow, you could just pick it up and move it . . .

If I lived anywhere but Las Vegas (translated as: city where all the bad drivers in the country come on vacation) I'd buy a Smart Car!

[gollygee]

16. If you're looking for environmental issues, get a used vehicle

A ton of energy and resources are used in auto manufacturing, so getting a used car is best for the earth. Then, choosing as energy-efficient a car as meets your needs.

[Ian David]

19. Toyota Prius!

[SharonRB]

20. I just picked up my smart car on Saturday

and I love it. It would be great for the small car, but if you ordered one now you'd have a very long wait to get it. You could get on an "orphan" list if there's a dealer in your area. Orphans are cars ordered by people who decided not to take them once they arrived. If you're not picky about options, etc., you could get on a list and wait to see what becomes available.

[motorcity]

80. I live in Ann Arbor, not too far from you

Could you tell me the process/ cost/ details of your car? Did you do that $99 deal? I have been looking at their website, and it claims it is good in the snow. If you don't mind, I might hit you up next winter and see what you experience. I am definitely interested in this car.

[seasat]

22. I don't own one of these but a Ford Escape Hybrid might be the best of both worlds.

We're going to have to replace a vehicle in the next year or so and are considering one of these. It's from a US company, gets great mileage, and has a decent cargo capacity. It probably won't fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back but can probably tow a small trailer. Since it's a small SUV it should have good traction in the snow.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

23. Crap....

You mean I have to run my car by the Democratic Underground before I can buy it?

[coriolis]

27. Yes but you'll still have hundreds of choices.

:D
:hi:

[Ghost in the Machine]

26. DU approved car = the Flintstonemobile

It uses no gas, electric or other natural resources. Made from rocks and tree limbs(already dead, of course.. can't be killing trees!) It's the recycling of natural products at its best..

[Lorien]

89. I would have expected a post like this

on that other site...

[Ghost in the Machine]

95. I'm glad you hang out there enough to know what to expect....

Further more, I don't really give a shit *what* kind of car 'DU' approves of or not. Drive whatever the fuck you want to drive and don't worry about it. If someone else doesn't like it, fuck 'em, they don't have to pay for it or ride in it...

Maybe you seek the approval of others.... it doesn't mean I do.

Enjoy your time on "that other site".... you probably fit in well...

[dysfunctional press]

32. DU "approved"??? buy whatever vehicle works best for YOU, whether it's a prius or a hummer.

i'm definitely not a "car" person either...i've never bought a new car, and i never will. i also have never had car payments...but i've almost always had a car.
i like having a vehicle that can handle sheets of drywall as well, and my 2001 dodge grand caravan does so just fine, and then some- i bought it used from my cousin when my aunt and uncle died 3 months apart last year- they needed the cash to pay for the second funeral and had no use for the van; and knowing my uncle, it was treated like a creampuff. it may not get the greatest mileage- 20-22mpg, but the cost difference between it and a new car would buy a lot of gas.
find the car(s) that works best for you, more than anything.

[Dreamer Tatum]

97. If anyone asks you, just say you bought a Yugo Screwyourself nt

[JNelson6563]

33. Something domestic

It's good for your fellow Americans. They've come a long way, some great American cars out there.

Julie

[LSK]

36. Check out the Jeep Patriot

http://autos.yahoo.com/jeep_patriot_sport_4x4

Should be able to haul your stuff around and mine gets combined 20 MPG+.

Also, its built in Illinois.

[lonestarnot]

39. skateboard.

[SoCalDem]

42. We're old and like comfort most, so we love our Amanti

but it's not so good on gas mileage..but we don;t drive much, so it's no biggie to us..

[AlCzervik]

44. i stopped trusting Consumer reports when they said they wouldn't keep automatically approving

Toyota's.

They shouldn't be automatically recommending any brand of car and they admitted they were.

[Echo In Light]

47. Mid 70s Monte Carlo - only 85,000 original miles

Could care less if it's "approved" of or not.

[lumberjack_jeff]

50. '70 Chevelle

bonus points if it's an SS454.

[CRF450]

62. Now thats a cool car!

Wouldn't mind having a nice classic.

[Fleshdancer]

49. I approve of my Mini Cooper

She's cute, fun, and fuel efficient...but I live in Texas and don't have to worry about snow :D

At the end of the day, choose the car that best meets your needs and budget.

[IDemo]

57. I love those things

I've been a fan of Mini's since the original "Italian Job" movie (1969). Never owned one, though. :-(

[mentalsolstice]

107. My MINI Rules!

In fact, I need to go get dressed and go motor over to the courthouse to order a tag for her (just got her 2 weeks ago). Driving her has been the most fun I've had in ages!

[rucky]

51. If you can find an old GEO...

As good for mileage as the new hybrids out there. Also a Toyota Yaris (newer) is a good compact, and more American than most American cars, these days.


And for the hauler, a Little Pickup is good for hauling and mileage, but not so good in the snow.

If you can find a used Subaru wagon, you'll have the best of both worlds.

[Harry Monroe]

92. I've got a '94 Geo Prizm Lsi

Never had a problem with it. Still gets around 29mpg highway/25mpg city. I'm keeping it until it falls apart. I've also bought a Toyota Matrix last summer and get 34mpg highway/29mpg city with it. Put on an aftermarket roof rack to increase carrying capacity. It's a nice little alternative to an SUV.

[Initech]

52. My '07 Altima gets GREAT mileage.

Like in the 30 - 40 MPG range. Unfortunately, I cant say the same about the Chrysler 300 I'm currently renting! :evilgrin:

[Zoigal]

54. Check out the Prius

Great mileage, lots of room, true hybrid, few, if any mechanical problems, etc.
We have had one for three years and wouldn't hesitate in buying another. z

[spanone]

55. honda civic hybrid bought in 2003 getting 43.9 per gallon...great car

[Mind_your_head]

56. Escalade

Fire engine red - that's the ticket! :sarcasm:

Barring that....a Hummer (obvious).....a Suburban (you could start your own bus company with that one).....a Denali?

All 'good' choices :eyes:

[davsand]

59. I'm still driving a Ford Escort Wagon.

It isn't pretty and it is not fancy, but it is American made, paid for, and it will haul a bunch of softball crap and a few kids...

My Buick looks better, is paid for, and runs ok but it won't haul as much stuff or, oddly enough, as many kids.

I dunno, cars to me, are a way to go from Point A to Point B. I love that little Ford because it really is frugal with a gallon of gas, but it has over 160,000 miles on it and it is getting some age on it. I wonder every year if this will be the year that I have to send it to the junkyard. When it does finally give up the ghost I will most likely go look for a used Ford Focus wagon (another little station wagon.)

I dunno if it is "DU Approved" or not, but it is working for me and that is ALL I worry about.

YMMV.



Laura

[hellbound-liberal]

60. I've been very happy with my 1999 Ford Ranger XLT and my wife's 2001 Nissan Sentra

Very low upkeep and maintenance costs. I've got 138,000 on the Ranger and all I have done to it is change the battery, tires and brakes (and I got over 100.000 of those miles in stop and go traffic around the beltway in DC). Haven't done much work at all on the Sentra (it's got about 58,000 miles) I think we've only changed the battery and the tires on that. I would recommend a look at either of these cars.

[jmowreader]

65. Some cars I like...

For her: The Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are good if your wife ever foresees needing someone to sit in the back. If not, the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Prius are real nice little cars.

For you: I REALLY like the Dodge Dakota.

[CRF450]

67. Dodge Dakotas are nice trucks! I have an 04 4x4 quad cab.

Despite getting only 16mpg, I love it! Not too big, not too small either. Other mid-size trucks have back seats that are kinda cramped, while the Dakota is nice and comfy. The new 08's now have a 300hp 4.7 v8 which almost rivals some of the fullsize trucks in terms of power.

[-..__...]

66. Half track...

great in the snow, can haul oodles of drywall and groceries, a real attention getter, no parking space arguments.

Sure... it probably sucks on gas mileage, isn't fast and an honest half-track mechanic can be hard to find... but you can't have everything.

[doc03]

70. I have a 1999 Mercury Tracer

with 117,000 miles on it, it gets 32 MPG everyday and 36 MPG highway, paid cash for it 5 years ago. I also have a 400cc Suzuki scooter I ride when the weather is decent 65 MPG everyday have gotten as much as 77 MPG on a trip. I have a 2006 Toyota Tacoma I rarely drive anymore since it only gets 20mpg.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

73. These vehicles are probably too bizarre and small for you

If you're just going to drive on surface streets and don't mind a vehicle that doesn't go much over 35 mph, you can look for a Cushman Truckster. It has a tiny two-cylinder air-cooled engine. Cushman is an American company that recently went out of business. For decades they suppliled utility vehicles like parking enforcement vehicles for police departments. There's a guy at a jazz club in my neighborhood who drives one to and from work. They're not classified as a car, but as a motor scooter for registration and insurance purposes. They get over 60 miles per gallon. You can only drive in the neighborhood and not on freeways. You can probably find one in decent shape for under $5,000. They have a small truck bed in the rear. I believe there are doors available for the sides, if that matters.



Here's another three-wheel motor scooter called the Tango that can go up to 50mph and gets 70 miles per gallon of gas. It's street legal only on surface streets and doesn't have much hauling room. They cost $7,000 new.

[praeclarus]

74. for hauling drywall ...

I have a Subaru Outback which is quite fine for
everything except bringing home various supplies
for home improvement projects ... like sheets of
drywall.

For that I have a 5ftx8ft single axle utility trailer
with a GVWR of 2800 pounds and it weight 600 lbs.
So it can legally carry 2200 lbs... same as a 1 ton
pick up truck.

The car towing capacity is 3500 lbs. So it all works
out. The trailer has a tailgate which folds out into
a ramp so it is really easy to load heavy stuff.

[Rosco T.]

75. Honda Element

an AMAZING amount of interior room
good ride
good mileage, 24ish
solid built, zero problems in 3 years
4wd, good in the slush and snow
built in Ohio

[DrCory]

98. Ditto on the Element! N/T

[KillCapitalism]

77. Mazda 3

That's mine ^

I've only got 10,000 miles on it so far, but I can tell you the build quality is excellent, it has a decent amount of room, and I get around 32 mpg on the highway. It also has enough power to merge onto interstate highways. Awesome car, I plan to drive mine for at least 250,000 miles.

[orleans]

78. toyota corolla. millage is ok. n/t

[Breeze54]

81. My '93 Honda Civic is still going strong and great on gas!

But if you can afford anything you want, then you should probably get a Hybrid. ;)

I would, if I could afford one.

[Jennicut]

83. My husband and I both bave Honda Civics-good fuel economy plus reliability

Mine is a 99 and his is a 2004. We needed cars with low car payments as we have two little ones and I'm staying home with them right now. The rising gas prices have made the fuel economy on them a good bonus. I actually want a Civic Hybrid next as well. Their more expensive so I need to wait a until I'm working again and the girls are older. Plus, I will have no car payments soon on my Civic. That is the best and Hondas last a long time.

[Breeze54]

85. Sounds like a plan and my mechanic said that Honda's never die!

:P

I hope he's right! So far, so good on this one. ;)

:hi:

[jakefrep]

84. I think the only truly DU-approved car doesn't exist

It has less than 100 horsepower, a hybrid, made out of recycled aluminum and Evian bottles. It can only go 55mph, since anything more would be "wasteful".

Seats? Milk crates.

Seat belts? Just loops of hemp baling twine to tie yourself to said milk crates.

[deaniac21]

90. I'm partial to my Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

[theboss]

91. 1968 Pontiac GTO

I approve.

[flvegan]

93. Mazdaspeed 3.

Approval be damned.

Buy it used and Japan doesn't get any of the profit. 26 mpg in mine on avg so far. It's a hatch so it hauls stuff AND ass.

VERY highly rated by Consumer Reports, btw.

[tammywammy]

94. Volkswagen diesel

At least to me. :shrug: The new Jetta diesels will be out in a few months, August/September.

[cynatnite]

96. I luv DU, but it's the last place I'd look for approval...

for something like a car.

[CRF450]

101. No kidding. Especially for those of us who like high performance, utility and luxury.

[Pavulon]

99. TechArt 997

1960 Ferrari Daytona, Audi RS8, maserati quattroporte...All great choices

Ford F150, F250 crew cab diesel, Chevy Corvette, toyota hi-lux diesel. Dodge Trucks have some long warranties.

Any diesel truck will run hundreds of thousands of miles and is therefor more efficient because it is not being replaced.

Whatever floats your boat.

[piedmont]

100. Try a Ford Focus. Good gas mileage, durable, cheap, easy to repair, and fun to drive. nt

[LWolf]

102. For the cargo hauler:

I love my toyota pickup. It's my 3rd. The first, a '79, did 350,000 miles before my teenage son ran it into a hill and bent the frame. The engine is STILL, 10 years later, running some power equipment for a family member.

The 2nd is out in the driveway right now, with 225,000 miles and still ticking. Now driven by the same (grown) son.

The 3rd is 4 years old and mine.

I can, and have, hauled yards of dirt, whole truck beds of boulders, and as much hay as can be stacked.

My driveway is 300 feet long and I have no snow plow or blower; high profile and 4wd handles snow without a hitch.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

103. 2002 Honda Civic

Still looks new and gets great mileage.

[Xenotime]

104. Any Hybrid

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

106. With gas prices what they are now, here's a car I wish I had

An old Citroen 2CV Truckette. The tiny two cylinder air cooled engine gets fantastic gas mileage of just under 60 mpg and it still drives fast enough to go on the freeway, although it's not very peppy at all. In good shape, it's a fairly simple and reliable car, spare parts are plentiful, and working on it is easy.

[motorcity]

108. Thanks for the ideas everyone

And no, I don't really care whether it is "DU approved" or not, I was trying to be a little cute with the wording.

[vinylsolution]

109. Fuel sippers

Toyota Yaris (40mpg) and a Ford Escape Hybrid (25mpg) should serve your needs....

[Texas Hill Country]

110. i am holding out till 2010 and getting a LOREMO - 157mpg, $30k

[motorcity]

111. Amazing! I never even heard of that car. it looks like something out of TRON

http://evolution.loremo.com/content/view/98/141/lang,en/

I looked at the website, but HOW is it able to get 160 mpg? Just because it is so light?

[backscatter712]

112. Try my new vehicle...

Hell of a lot cheaper than a car, gets great gas mileage, and has zero emissions!