Hybrids may get great gas mileage,
but it takes the equivalent of 38,000 litres of gasoline to manufacture
a Toyota Prius. In terms of carbon dioxide release, you would have to drive
that Prius about 75,000 kilometres
before the savings compensated for the manufacture of the actual vehicle.
Instead, purchase a pre-owned
car and the carbon debt has already been paid by the previous owner.
It's one less new car that has to be put together and transported across
the continent or the ocean to your driveway.
Old economy cars have suddenly become fashionable environmental statements.
Here are five lightweight, front-drive
cars powered by conventional four-cylinder engines reputed for their miserly
fuel consumption. And, given the tough financial times we now face, we've
kept the purchase price at around $5,000.
2001—02 Nissan Sentra
Fuel rating: 6.1 L to 8.6 L/100 km
The Nissan Sentra hasn't won
the same rabid fan base as the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, which is ideal
because
prices are soft and there are plenty of seven-year-old Sentras on the market
ripe for the picking.
The base engine is a 1.8-litre
DOHC four making 126 hp and 129 lb.-ft. of torque. Nissan's 145-hp, 2.0-litre
four was
available briefly in the SE model. Avoid the troublesome 2.5-litre four found
in some '02 models.
Inside, the Sentra offers posh
levels of refinement and furnishings not typically found in an econobox. The
two-tone
dashboard is an uncommon touch in this segment, and the seats are plump and
comfy.
It's been called the Buick of small cars.
Maybe it's too much of a good
thing. The big seats cut into legroom, especially in back.
Headroom is also compromised. On the other hand, the Sentra won accolades
for its quiet composure.
Not quite as bulletproof as its
main competitors, the Sentra is known for its recalls involving ECM foam
insulation
and crank-position sensors. Reports of mass airflow sensor failures and bad
window regulators have also circulated.
2000 Toyota Echo
Fuel rating: 7.0 L to 7.4 L/100 km
To be honest, it's hard finding
an Echo under the $5,000 target price that doesn't have much less than 200,000
km
on the clock. People who own this odd-looking fuel miser love it to pieces
and won't part with it easily.
The Echo is adored for its trim
exterior dimensions and trick cabin inside. Its upright chairs provide easy
access
and good sightlines. The centre-mounted instrument panel is quirky at first
(and second) glance, but owners assure
us it doesn't take long to acclimatize.
The Echo is propelled by a sophisticated
DOHC 1.5-litre four cylinder that puts out 108 hp, hooked up to either
a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The motor has enough
zoot to pull this sedan with some
authority, thanks to Toyota's variable valve timing (VVT-i).
Toyota's legendary build quality
is baked right into the two- or four-door sedan, assembled in Japan.
There are no known problems to speak of.
On the downside, the Echo doesn't
exactly coddle its occupants with luxury features. Owners miss the extravagance
of a clock, a centre armrest, intermittent wipers, a tachometer and power
locks.
1999—2000 Honda Civic
Fuel rating: 5.8 to 8.7 L/100 km
Canada's favourite car was available
as a four-door sedan, two-door coupe and classic three-door hatchback
in the 1990s. Some believe the 1996-2000 models represent the zenith of the
Civic nation, they were that good.
Like Buffalo wings, the 1.6-litre
four-cylinder engine came in various strengths – 108 hp, 115 hp, 127 hp and
160 hp
– depending on the valve-timing system (VTEC). Even the base engine provides
good acceleration while returning
excellent fuel economy.
Civics retain their value, so
finding one for five grand invariably means getting one with plenty of kilometres
on it
(otherwise, examine for evidence of body repairs).
This generation of Civics is
very reliable, but there are a few things to look for: CV joints and boots
are weak links;
the distributor and igniter may leave you stranded (the latter was the subject
of a recall); and mufflers tend to rot
more quickly than usual.
The low-slung seats are a pain
for older folks, the lack of features in all but the EX/Si models takes some
getting
used to and you may suffer the indignity of having your Civic stolen. Take
it as a compliment on your good taste in cars.
1999—2001 Suzuki Swift/Chevrolet Metro/Pontiac Firefly
Fuel rating: 4.9 to 7.8 L/100 km
When the redesigned Suzuki Swift
arrived in the fall of 1994, it looked like a car from the future.
Tiny and bulbous, it resembled something Jane Jetson would take to the space
mall.
The Suzuki is a three-door hatchback
only; the GM-badged models added two more doors and a traditional trunk.
All models have dual airbags and meet stringent North American crash-impact
standards.
Power comes from a 1.3-litre
four-banger that makes just 79 hp. There's also a lumpy 55 hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder
that's just too harsh for highway travel and should be avoided.
Despite the car's spacey look,
this is old technology: the optional automatic transmission has three forward
gears,
not four, and the ride is choppy and noisy at speed. The interior is small
and cramped, though the hatchback opens
up to big cargo space when the back seat is folded.
Among their redeeming features
are their easy-to-park size, great gas mileage and minimal maintenance.
These cars are tougher than their size and cute faces suggest.
Built in Ontario, the Swift/Metro/Firefly
triplets are susceptible to warped brake rotors and their air conditioners
have been known to fail. Otherwise, driving doesn't get much cheaper than
this.
1998—2000 Toyota Corolla
Fuel rating: 5.6 to 8.0 L/100 km
What do the streets of Manchester,
Mogadishu, Manila and Milton have in common? You'll find Toyota Corollas
on all of them. There's a reason the Corolla is the bestselling car ever:
it runs and runs, and it burns precious little
fuel while doing so.
All models use the same bulletproof
1.8-litre four cylinder, good for 120 hp (it gained 5 hp in 2000).
A five-speed manual shift was standard, while a three-speed automatic transmission
was optional on the base VE
model. The CE and LE models got a four-speed slushbox.
Available only as a four-door
sedan, it's nicely finished inside with tight seams and good-quality materials.
The rear seat is a little on the cramped side.
There's absolutely nothing stylish
about the Corolla – its presence can charitably be described as inconspicuous
– but it goes about its business with quiet competence and rarely asks anything
of the owner.
Due to its universal appeal,
this utilitarian sedan doesn't linger long on car lots, so expect to pay about
$5,000
even for a 10-year-old model.
