The Best Used Cars for Gas Mileage Under $8000

Are you ready to move to a fuel-efficient used car that is reliable, affordable and relatively new? These dozen used cars range from 1996 to 2005 and represent the best of what domestic and foreign manufacturers have to offer. This class of cars includes an absolute sleeper: the 2002 Chevy Prism. Pricing info courtesy of KBB.com. Reliability info comes from ConsumerReports.org and fuel economy stats come from FuelEconomy.gov. Here are the abbreviations used with these listings:

CR = Consumer Reports
EPA = Environmental Protection Agency
22/29 = city mpg/highway mpg
AFC = Annual Fuel Costs

01

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2005 Chevrolet Aveo $6785

This Aveo is a little car, smallest in the Chevy fleet, that has been hurt by poor sales but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad car – if you buy the right year. CR marks 2005 average model reliability – but beware of 2004 and 2006 models that are rated poor reliability Fuel economy is good at 23-city/32-highway, but could frankly be higher for a car this size. AFC-$2065

02

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2002 Chevy Prizm $6700

The Chevy Prizm is an absolute sleeper of a car. It’s basically a Toyota Corolla sold as a Chevy. That’s a fact very few people know, which works to your advantage because you’re buying a used Toyota at Chevy prices. CR marks 2002 above average model reliability. Fuel economy is 27/37 AFC-$1802

03

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2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser $7690

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Photo © Chrysler

If you’re in the market for a little station wagon, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is a fun option. It’s slightly underpowered but it’s going to get you to the grocery store comfortably. Also, it’s a good highway cruiser that is comfortable to drive long distances. CR marks 2003 average model reliability. Fuel economy is a bit low around town. 19/26 AFC-$2539

04

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2004 Ford Focus $6640

People in the know about small cars consistently praise the Ford Focus. (Most long for the European version to be sold here, but the domestic version is still a good car.) CR marks 2004 average model reliability. Good fuel economy at 24/32 AFC-$2065

05

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2003 Ford ZX2 $6830

Most people would consider sporty Escort an oxymoron, but that’s what the Ford ZX2 was. This little coupe was a fun ride. CR marks 2002 average model reliability but didn’t rate 2003 model year when it was discontinued. Fuel economy is fair at 23/30 AFC-$2232

06

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2000 Honda Accord $7400

No list of fuel-efficient cars would be possible without at least one Accord on the list. CR marks 2000 excellent model reliability. This is a mid-size sedan which helps explain why fuel economy isn’t better at 22/29 AFC-$2327. (It’s still respectable for a car this size.)

07

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1996 Honda Prelude $7065

In a few more years, Preludes could start showing up as collector cars because of their sportiness. Not all Hondas are designed blandly after all. No CR info available before 1998 21/26 AFC-$2427

08

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1996 Lexus ES 300 $7550

It’s an older sedan, but it’s just tough to go wrong with a Lexus that has been well maintained. No CR info available before 1998, but from 1998-2005, each model year was marked excellent model reliability. Just like the Accord, fuel numbers aren’t great because it’s a sedan. 18/26 AFC-$2656

09

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1997 Mercedes C-class $7015

In the late ‘90s, Mercedes was building sedans that were known for their reliability. That slipped a bit as the company got embroiled in the Chrysler merger, but no worries with the 1997 C-class, its entry-level sedan. No CR info available before 1998, but 1998 model rated average reliability. Fuel economy, again, is only fair because it is a sedan that can seat four adults. 20/28 AFC-$2571

10

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2001 Nissan Altima $7600

Talk about a car that gets no respect: the Nissan Altima. It’s been good, solid transportation since first being introduced in 1993. Some people may be turned off by the fact that it’s an American built car, but CR rated the 2001 model average reliability. For a mid-size sedan, fuel economy is good at 20/28 AFC-$2427

11

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2004 Suzuki Aerio $7780

A good little sedan that’s almost fun to drive when mated to a manual transmission. It was inspired by the Japanese market Honda Fit. No CR info available, but 2003 was marked less than average reliability so be safe and get a thorough inspection before purchase. Fuel economy numbers are good but could be a tad better for a car this size. 22/28 AFC-$2327

12

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1997 Toyota Celica $7090

The Celica is the most Mazda-like vehicle in the Toyota stable. It had a lot of zoom-zoom to it and was a bit of a head turner in its day. No CR info available before 1998, but from 1998-2007, each model year was marked excellent model reliability 25/32 AFC-$1932