Which reliable and economical small car?

Hostage

Hi

I bought my first car last year (a Focus Zetec), casting a blind eye towards the economy. I've recently calculated that it only managed 27 mpg on a recent motorway trip at a pretty steady 70mph. I dread to think what it's costing me in urban traffic.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of a more economical, reliable alternative? I've heard good things about the Honda Jazz.

I bet you get this question all the time. If you're sick of hearing it, do point me in the direction of other threads; I didn't see any immediately.

Regards
R

PHARR

Hi R,

I have the Ford Focus Zetec S, I reset my MPG and it currently doest 30 mpg. Pretty bad but I'm very urban run.

I don't know what the Honda Jazz is like, a suggestion is look on http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/.

You can check real honest mpg submissions so you get a good idea what cars do what mpg.

Not exactly the answer you were looking for i know but still very good.

Paddy

Hostage

That's a great answer, Paddy. Thank you.

londonTiger

use fuelly to calculate your real mpg. It also gives you a good insight onto your historical fuel costs and other stuff which can be interesting to see.

forgotmyname

27mpg on a motorway run is terrible. Were you doing 70mph in 2nd gear?

Maybe your working it our wrong? Its hard to get an accurate MPG from one trip.

Stetson452

As far as a i know Lexas is also reliable and economical small car. so you can buy Lexas car.

Hintza

Lexus small?

Can only imagine with a name like Stetson you must be American and guess then it would be small.

art_for_arts_sake

The Honda Jazz has just had a pasting on another thread, https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4235379. Shame as I'd been looking at one recently and I was quite impressed.

worried_jim

Hostage wrote: »

Hi

I bought my first car last year (a Focus Zetec), casting a blind eye towards the economy. I've recently calculated that it only managed 27 mpg on a recent motorway trip at a pretty steady 70mph. I dread to think what it's costing me in urban traffic.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of a more economical, reliable alternative? I've heard good things about the Honda Jazz.

I bet you get this question all the time. If you're sick of hearing it, do point me in the direction of other threads; I didn't see any immediately.

Regards
R

First thing you need to start doing is calculating your mpg costs correctly. Do this by using-
http://www.fuelly.com
Do it for a period of time and then think carefully about changing your car, rarely can you spend money to save money. Has you focus had a service recently? I get better mpg out of my old Rover 600 2.0 on solely urban trips than you have claimed in your Focus. Good luck!

colino

The first thing to do is sort out the problem you already have. The Focus needs looked at and serviced because with a moderately controlled right foot on that kind of run I'd be expecting at least 35mpg and with little effort, into the low 40s.

knightstyle

Don't forget that if you do a lot of short journeys your MPG will be bad plus a diesel engine can have problems if not used for regular long runs.
We have a Toyota Auris 1.4 diesel and get 48.5mpg around town and about 51mpg on long journeys. Great for an automatic and more than our neighbours old uncomfortable Fiat 500.
So look for the most modern small engined car you can afford.