Why Are Gas Prices So High?

What is the best used car to get for local transportation that is safe and get good gas mileage?

I am a single parent and I have to drive my disabled daughter to and from school each day, approx. 50 miles. I want to sell or trade in my current auto (Expedition) and get a smaller car that gets better gas mileage - but I also need safety. I am thinking of something around $10,000 - $12,000. Thank you.

Public Comments

1. Any toyota would be your best bet. Theyre roomy, safe, reliable, and gas efficient. For something with a little bit more room I'd go for a kia Spectra hatchback, or Mazda 3...they're cheap NEW, so you can definately find one in your price range that is slightly used. Good Luck
2. the honda or mazdas are great but for your handicap child you will need something a slight larger look on craigs list and get some ideas there.
3. Any Honda or Toyota will last you forever and get good gas mileage. Of course, it will break (as all cars do, eventually)...but the repairs are cheap! Think Civic, Accord, Camry, or Corolla. Subaru is also pretty good.
4. Just about any midsize car falls into that category. I would suggest a V4 Malibu with side airbags. 5 stars all around. My girlfriend has a 2007 and loves it. I waited for the 2008. Neither has been in for repairs other than an oil change. Be careful of rental cars. They may be cheaper, but they usually are poorly maintained. (Hertz cars get oil changes at 10,000 mi increments for example)
5. Toyota Camry or Corolla, also believe it or not Suzuki makes some reliable cars, Honda Civic is also good Do not buy KIA anything, Ford 500, or a PT Cruiser. These cars all have major problems.
6. You absolutely cannot beat a used 4-cylinder Toyota Camry say 1997- 1999. Or newer if you prefer, as $10,000 to $12,000 would buy a year 2000 + model easily. Camrys look great,ride quietly and smoothly, are great on gas, have air bags, and the engine lasts forever, like 200,000 or even 300,000 miles. Make sure you go for the 4-cylinder model. You don't need a V-6 in a car this size. Juts wastes (soon to be) $4.00 a gallon gas!
7. toyota and honda are great but may present a problem if you have to seat her in, have you considered possibly a newer used ford or mercury mini suv? if you got the v6 model you would still have a sense of the suv security you had from the expedition with much better fuel milage. add on top of this cargo space and sounds like a good compramise. sorry the model name has skipped my mind
8. TDI Jetta made by VW it runs on diesel gets 50 miles to the gallon and is turbo... it has good crash test ratings also its 4 doors another option if u dont want diesel is Pretty much any honda civic b/t 1990 threw 1999 get the lx,ex,or si trim and they have 1.5 or 1.6 liter engines and get about 30 MPG and if u throw a small turbo you'll have to buy higher octane gas but you'll get about 35-40 MPG... run the turbo on about 5-9 psi they come in 2 or 4 doors but not the si trim it only comes in 2 doors pretty much any 1.5-1.8 liter engine and you're gonna get good gas mileage... try to stick with 4 cylnder engines for the best MPG