Roomate needs a new car: Wants 30mpg+ but..

How about the Highlander Hybrid?

 

The GM card rebate should apply to all GM cars regardless of hybrid or not. Maybe consider the Chevy Malibu/Saturn Aura or Saturn Vue hybrid. I would go those routes with the $4000 GM card rebate.

 

Ford Escape Hybrid or the Merc version? I know they are not GM, but they have a similar hybrid system to the HSD. I think the FEH had pretty good headroom. Ford products seem to be able to accomodate us oversized Americans.

I could give some suggestions of small non-hybrids with good headroom (because I have problems with headroom) but I don't have particularly long legs, so I don't know which ones are best for long legs....

 

How about a Pontiac Vibe? Or is that too small for his needs? It's a GM, but mechanically identical to a Toyota Matrix (shared platform with Corolla). The difference besides the sheet metal is that the Vibe is built in Fremont, CA and the Matrix is built in Ontario, Canada. The 1.8L Vibe is EPA rated 26/32.

 

I think the Vibe is a good idea too, has the functionally of a hatchback, its pretty much a Toyota on the inside, and they could use the 4000 rebate. Or how about a Honda Fit, its roomy inside and according to EPA gets 28/34.

 

+1 for the Honda Fit, u can get the top off the line model fully loaded for around $16-$17K, as long as him and his family would fit in it

if not seriously consider the Saturn Vue Hybrid :usa2:

 

The Vibe would be a good choice since it is GM. With the Honda Fit I would wait since the 2009 will be out soon. But, I am sure they will be hard to get once they do come out. Maybe work out a great deal on the 2008 if there are any left.

 

I too have a friend that is 6'5 just over 300 pounds with really long legs, and surprisingly the car he drives is the Toyota Corolla. Not sure about the new ones, his is 2 years old, but for some reason the dasboard is really far from the seat in the area where a person's knees would go.

I didnt believe him untill I checked it out for myself. He cant fit properly in the drivers seat of my prius, but when I tried out the corolla there was a ton of leg room for the driver.

Overall the car is small, but not bad for a new family, great on gas, and inexpensive. Best of all, it is a Toyota.

I'd also second trying out the Honda Fit, they are fun little cars, just dont know how much legroom is up there.

 

i second the xD, but if room is a concern more than MPG, i would look at the xB....entry and exit are easy, very big inside, mpg's are 21/29 i believe but it also has 160 hp

 

how about the NAH?

Since you mentioned Altima, how about the Altima Hybrid? My mom bought a leftover 07 NAH ~2 months ago. They're still eligible for a $2350 tax credit so they should come out cheaper than a HyCam.

It's got more power than a HyCam and does better in acceleration and handling too.

A former ~6' 7" coworker of mine has (or had?) a previous gen Altima (~02 or 03 model) and I was surprised he said he fit fine in it.

The BIG downsides of the NAH are the tiny trunk and no back seat pass thru at all.

It got 8th place on this list ConsumerReports.org - Most fuel-efficient cars (which they FINALLY updated to include the NAH). For comparison, the non-hybrid Altima 4 cylinder's numbers were 25 mpg overall, 18 city, 33 highway, 30 mpg for 150 mile trip.

 

Scion xD


Scion xB (2nd gen)


my old xA (traded for prius)


my xB (retired showcar)


Scion are great cars, good mpg, good $$$, lots of room, easy to maintain, tons of aftermarket support, best bang for your buck

-enjoy

 

I didn't have enough headroom in the xA or the tC. The xB has a ton of headroom.

Small cars with good headroom:

Toyota Matrix (and Pontiac Vibe) {the older body, haven't tried the newest one} {I would have bought a Matrix if I had not bought a Prius}

Honda Fit {GF wanted me to buy one}

Nissan Versa {Ok, but did not like the seat}

Mini Cooper {my GF thought it was way too small otherwise though}

VW Beetle {but atrocious FE for its size and didn't seem to be best quality}

Ford Focus {but GF didn't like the car at all}

 

new Honda Fit

by Mugen
more info here: 2009 Honda Fit - The Official Honda Web Site

 

Be sure and let us know which one he goes with...