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Buying a Hybrid | Fuel-Efficient Car

Suddenly, buying a fuel-efficient car is fashionable again if not a downright necessity due to today's soaring gas prices.

Back in the 1970s and throughout the 1980s the emphasis was how many miles per gallon (MPG) could an auto maker squeeze out of their engines. Many may recall the old Honda Civic and the CRX from the 1980s that boasted getting around 50 MPG on the highway. The Honda Civic CRX sold very well despite it being only a two-seater and was dirt cheap to buy and operate. Consumers realized that saving gas was important to the environment and their wallets.

As the 1990s arrived, being fuel efficient was just a distant memory as consumers started to go for the newest king-size vehicle on the road, the sport utility vehicle a.k.a. SUV. These SUVs were a throwback to the pre-oil embargo 70s were everyone had a huge gas guzzling car.

We now fast forward to the 21st century and we once again face ever increasing oil prices and constraints on supply while demand continues to skyrocket. The prominence of an SUV or two in every family along with growing demand from emerging countries has forced many to rethink their idea of the family car. Saving gas and buying a fuel efficient car is important.

Buying a new car

If you are in the market for a new car chances are you may be tempted to get the largest vehicle you'll ever need. For example you decide you'll get a minivan with third row seating because once or twice a year you may have need for that. Far better would be to buy what you will actually use on a daily basis, which might be a thrifty 4-cylinder sedan and for those rare occasions you need more then you can simply rent the larger vehicle.

Hybrid cars and SUVs

The Toyota Prius hybrid and the Honda Accord Hybrid has finally brought together gasoline and electric power to the public. Most of the time a hybrid runs on gas, but when stopped runs off the electric engine, which is why they get better mileage in the city.

Toyota Prius Hybrid image

While initially more expensive than traditional gasoline powered cars the increased gas mileage will in time make up for the higher price tag. The Toyota Prius, which is the most popular hybrid car gets 60 MPG in the city and 51 MPG on the highway. The ever popular Camry is also available as a hybrid model as are vehicles from Ford.

More auto manufacturers such as Ford and Chevrolet are coming out with hybrids and electrics like the Chevy Volt so you'll soon have plenty to choose from in the dealer showroom.

Diesel Engine Cars

Buying a diesel engine car is also an option since diesel has a higher energy density than gas, which makes it more efficient. In some cases as much as an additional 10 MPG can be had with a modern diesel engine as compared to a gasoline engine.

Another fringe benefit of owning and operating a clean diesel powered car is that they are more robust so it's not unusual to see diesel cars with 300,000 miles on the odometer. Lastly, diesels offer more torque, which is great if you are hauling a little extra weight around.

Car and SUV makers that offer diesel engines in the U.S. are Volkswagen, Mercedes, GMC, Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge and Chrysler.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

Mainly seen on city transit buses, CNG or Compressed Natural Gas vehicles are starting to make inroads in the U.S. especially with companies and government agencies with large fleets of cars.

In Europe the Opel Zafira, which is a part of GM, has been available since 2003. According to Opel, "The Zafira CNG has a 14-liter gasoline reserve tank. This enables the driver to switch to gasoline when the CNG tanks are nearing empty and there are no natural gas filling stations in the area."