No, I can't say I've priced any lately. But, I'm not talking about cars from the 80's. I was thinking mid to late 90's. Co-workers have been buying 35 mpg Civics for around $4K, which were near 100,000 miles, but still in pretty good shape. Sure, it's not as FE as a 45 mpg HCH or Prius, but at $4K vs $20K...

I bought my $30K car because of fuel savings. Not as extreme as wanting a car to lessen the impact on the environment, but to help keep a few bucks in my wallet. I wanted a new car. I haven't had one since '93. In fact, I'm still driving my '93. But, originally, I was looking at a $35K car. So, by buying the HAH, I saved money up front, and I continue to save every time I go to the pump. The $35K car was rated 20/29, 23 combined.

 

I'm attempting to say there is not that big a glut of used compact and subcompact cars out there because demand was low in the SUV heyday. While there might be more 30mpg compacts out there, I doubt it's a glut.

As far as the getting a hybrid is unsustainable arguement, that seems like there is a better thread for that, but I'm go into my case. Had a 1988 CRX HF for nearly 250,000 miles before someone totalled it in a collision. Had it not been for that, a tune-up that very nearly caused a total engine meltdown, and better driving on my part, I'd probably be up to 350,000 miles getting 50mpg right now. As it is, I have 101,000 miles over nearly six years on my Insight. Because of that disasterous CRX tuneup, I had to drive five miles to pass the emissions test, so the Insight is much cleaner....

As far as the environmental cost of new car vs. maintaining the old one, no guilt over getting the Insight. It was at the end of it's life and needing constant repairs the last couple of years. This Insight had the battery pack replaced at 94,000 miles, but Honda paid for 90% of it and I'm confident it will be good for 150,000.

 

??? What does that mean? Sorry if it should be obvious.

 

After the 1996 near meltdown after a very bad tune up, I had to drive my 1988 CRX HF five miles before it burned clean enough to pass the Dallas/Fort Worth emissions test.

 

I had a CRX HF too! It's the only car I ran out of gas in too. 3 times to boot. Dang gas tank indicator wouldn't reset until you stoped/started the car... and no dummy gas light.

 

I say that it is true enough. I just came from Yosimite National Park got 57.7mpg. If Honda can get this out of a car that isn't a true hybrid what would their true hybrid do. hmmmm

 

Speaking of Yosimite Nat. Park - I was there ten years ago this month. Was stupid enough to U-turn and my CRX HF was on it's right side. Tow truck easily fixed that, but the right rear fender later rusted from the moisture....