[Boi350Sierra]

These are the cars im considering they all get better MPG then my current truck and i drive about 30 miles or so a day to and from work every day but i thought who better to ask then people who are into car so which one you think would best work for me...

Acura TL

Audi A4

Audi A3

Pontiac G8

Lexus IS250

Cadillac STS

BMW 325i

 

[plane]

Is your truck paid off?
Your mileage gains at best will be incremental.
Especially in comparison to a car payment.


Do you just need basic transportation? I would go for the Cobalt XFE. 35 mpg, highest power in it's class and can be had for $12-14k.

If you want a full-size sedan with a V-8, I would go with the Pontiac G-8.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

No one can even guess what might work best for you unless you tell us your priorities and expectations of your next car. Of the ones listed my favorite would be the G8 with a V6 since it will provide better fuel economy than the V8 and is still quick enough.

 

[big swede]

If you drive 30 miles a day like you stated then you burn approximately 1.5 gallons of fuel. Let's guess high and say that's $6.00. If you get 30mpg with your new car (none of the cars pictured will do that) the you will burn 1 gallon of fuel a day which is $4.00. So if you work every day of the week all month long you will save $60 a month. Considering you probably don't work that much and your new choice of car will not get 30mpg you're probably closer to $30 a month without figuring car payments and higher insurance.

You migh be saving fuel but you're definately not saving money. With that said I would choose the car you want based on the way it drives and how you like the interior because no matter how you look at it a new car will cost you more money.

 

[Joevette]

those STS's can be found really really cheap used or unsold. Probably be the best deal out off the bunch. or go and get a motorcycle and keep the truck for when it rains

 

[sigma]

Here's what I would do... Hang on to that truck for a couple of more years (it's paid off already) and then pick up a Volt when it comes out. That would reduce your gasoline consumption to near zero (assuming you can charge it at the office and the 40 miles per charge prediction holds up).

 

[AndrewGS]

2008 Model EPA Fuel Economy Numbers:

Acura TL 3.2L = 18MPG City/26MPG Highway/21MPG Combined/$2,813 Annual Fuel Cost

Audi A4 2.0T/Automatic = 21MPG City/30MPG Highway/24MPG Combined/$2,464

Audi A3 2.0T/Automatic = 22MPG City/29MPG Highway/25MPG Combined/$2,364 Annual Fuel Cost

Pontiac G8 V6 = 17MPG City/25MPG Highway/20MPG Combined/$2,790 Annual Fuel Cost

Lexus IS250 Automatic = 21MPG City/29MPG Highway/24MPG Combined/$2,464 Annual Fuel Cost

Cadillac STS V6 = 17MPG City/26MPG Highway/20MPG Combined/$2,790 Annual Fuel Cost

BMW 328i Automatic = 19MPG City/28MPG Highway/22MPG Combined/$2,689 Annual Fuel Cost

The difference between the most expensive to run (Acura TL) and the cheapest (Audi A3) is $449/Year or $37.42/Month. The difference between a '98 Sierra 350 2WD and the cheapest to run (Audi A3) is $1,620/Year or $135/Month.

 

[symdon]

Not Worth Getting Rid Of The Truck..

 

[Boi350Sierra]

I don't mind the higher payment much since it'll equal out to be the same amount since i am on the last year of my loan....I live in phx and the heat kills my MPG since the ac is always going and i want a new car something with way less miles so i don't have to worry about things going wrong...I don't really have a reason to have a truck i do alot of city and highway driving so all of these would work for me and comfort is a big part of my selection

 

[Boi350Sierra]

Oh and i do want something thats alot nicer

 

[Boi350Sierra]

2008 Model EPA Fuel Economy Numbers:

Acura TL 3.2L = 18MPG City/26MPG Highway/21MPG Combined/$2,813 Annual Fuel Cost

Audi A4 2.0T/Automatic = 21MPG City/30MPG Highway/24MPG Combined/$2,464

Audi A3 2.0T/Automatic = 22MPG City/29MPG Highway/25MPG Combined/$2,364 Annual Fuel Cost

Pontiac G8 V6 = 17MPG City/25MPG Highway/20MPG Combined/$2,790 Annual Fuel Cost

Lexus IS250 Automatic = 21MPG City/29MPG Highway/24MPG Combined/$2,464 Annual Fuel Cost

Cadillac STS V6 = 17MPG City/26MPG Highway/20MPG Combined/$2,790 Annual Fuel Cost

BMW 328i Automatic = 19MPG City/28MPG Highway/22MPG Combined/$2,689 Annual Fuel Cost

The difference between the most expensive to run (Acura TL) and the cheapest (Audi A3) is $449/Year or $37.42/Month. The difference between a '98 Sierra 350 2WD and the cheapest to run (Audi A3) is $1,620/Year or $135/Month.

Yeah but my truck gets 14 City and 17 HWY and it's usually 60+ a week to fill

 

[KillerMRK]

Get a STS V6. They're nice cars.

 

[goodcase]

I had a chance to spend an hour or so driving in an A3 and i really really liked it. It was sporty, it was quick, and it was a quiet comfortable ride.

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

I don't mind the higher payment much since it'll equal out to be the same amount since i am on the last year of my loan....I live in phx and the heat kills my MPG since the ac is always going and i want a new car something with way less miles so i don't have to worry about things going wrong...I don't really have a reason to have a truck i do alot of city and highway driving so all of these would work for me and comfort is a big part of my selection

Have you driven one of all of these? How did you like it?

 

[Mr. Burns]

take a look at the BMW 1 series.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

I'd get an STS or G8.
But then again, I would refuse to get rid of a Sierra, no matter how bad gas prices were.

 

[BrickTamland]

The A3 and the 328i get the best mileage. I know AndrewGS's numbers do not show that for the 328i, but looking at the "user estimates" on fueleconomy.gov and truedelta.com will show it does quite well on gas. If it were me, I would have a tough choice between the G8 and the 328i.

 

[logansowner]

What people who jump to the "car payments are worse than gas" conclusion is that sometimes a person just wants a new car, and want something more efficient while they're at it.

 

[ChevyRules]

How much are you willing to spend? Take a look at the 335i as well. It gets 17/26( around the same as the G8) and is a heck a lot of fun to drive around. If 335i is too expensive or some other reason, I 2nd the 325i/328i( I would recommend the 325i since it will have a ZF unit and that thing shifts like a dream).

 

[nailhead425]

If you are on the last year of your loan, just pay it off.
Next year get the new car. I bet you will just wash if you trade in your truck.
If you are set on something nicer and your mind is made up, then go with the G8 or STS. Audi and BMW are maintence nightmares. Do you like driving to Scottsdale? Based on your 30 mile commute I'm betting you work in Chandler or South Gilbert. Besides all that, with all the construction on Hunt Hwy, Ellsworth, Ganzel, etc, I'd wait on getting a low profile car.

From a practical stand point I don't think the cost is worth it, but if you WANT one, all the rationalities won't matter.