If you are among the people driving SUVs that are just too expensive to fill (or even sell), here's some advice: Park 'em, cancel the registration and insurance (if possible), and find a fuel efficient used car that's easy on the wallet. A 2005 Ford Explorer will use about $3,722 in gas in a year while a 1999 Mercury Tracer will only use $1,922 during the same time frame. In two years you'd pay for the Tracer with just the money you've saved in fuel costs.
Here are the abbreviations:
- CR = Consumer Reports
- EPA = Environmental Protection Agency
- 22/29 = city mpg/highway mpg
- AFC = Annual Fuel Costs
11. 1996 Nissan Sentra $3610
Photo © Nissan
The kid brother to the Altima, the Sentra is a sub-compact that is never, and I repeat never, going to excite you, but it will get you where you're going. No CR info available before 1998, Fuel economy is 26/36 with that magical AFC number of $1925.
12. 1996 Olds Ciera $3195
Photo © GM
The late great Oldsmobile is still missed by some. I always liked the Ciera for ride comfort even though its steering had more sway than a cruise boat drunk returning from the midnight buffet. No CR info available before 1998. Fuel economy is just a couple of clicks away from being really good. 21/29 AFC-$2327
13. 1997 Pontiac Grand Am $3835
Photo © Pontiac
This coupe was another rental car staple in its day, which meant it was good transportation. Daily rentals drive down used car prices, which is your goal when parking the SUV for a couple of years. No CR info available before 1998. City fuel economy is good at 20. Any highway of 30 deserves your strong consideration. AFC-$2427
