Economical Tow Vehicles?

[mikeschn]

Is the high price of oil, and ultimately, gas a permanent thing as the auto manufacturers seem to think? I've seen some posts that say part of it is due to inflation, and the other part of it is due to speculation.

Since I've never seen negative inflation, I'll assume for the moment, that portion of the cost is permanent. If that's true, then when we are ready to buy our next car, fuel economy will still be a factor in our choice.

So with that in mind I've started compiling the 5 year cost of some interesting vehicles. Not that I'd actually be interested in some of them, for example, I don't think I'd ever buy an Aveo.

This spreadsheet does not reflect any towing, because every situation is different.

This spreadsheet figures the cost to drive 20,000 miles per year, at the current prices of $4.15 for unleaded and $4.89 for diesel. The total reflects only the cost of the car plus the cost of fuel. (No maintenance, etc)

Aveo $12170 Max tow(unbraked): ? lbs, 27/37 annual fuel: $1824, 5 year total: $21290
Ford Fiesta (UK) $17700 Max tow(unbraked): 1650 lbs, 50/61.9 annual fuel: $1208, 5 year total: $23740
Cobalt XFE $15070 Max tow(unbraked): 1000 lbs, 27/36 annual fuel: $1844, 5 year total: $24290
Ford Focus $14395 Max tow(unbraked): ? lbs, 24/35 annual fuel: $2000, 5 year total: $24395
Matrix/Vibe $16190 Max tow(unbraked): 1500 lbs, 26/32 annual fuel: $1976, 5 year total: $26070
Corolla $17550 Max tow(unbraked): 1102 lbs, 26/35 annual fuel: $1908, 5 year total: $27090
Scion XB $15650 Max tow(unbraked): not rec'd lbs, 22/28 annual fuel: $2305, 5 year total: $27175
Prius $21500 Max tow(unbraked): 1000 lbs, 48/45 annual fuel: $1177, 5 year total: $27385
Ranger 2wd 4cyl auto $14330 Max tow(unbraked): 1000 lbs, 19/24 annual fuel: $2677, 5 year total: $27715
HHR $16730 Max tow(unbraked): ? lbs, 22/30 annual fuel: $2243, 5 year total: $27945
Tacoma 2wd 4cyl auto $14965 Max tow(unbraked): ? lbs, 19/25 annual fuel: $2634, 5 year total: $28135
PT Cruiser $15955 Max tow(unbraked): ? lbs, 21/26 annual fuel: $2441, 5 year total: $28160
Camry 4cyl $18570 Max tow(unbraked): 1000 lbs, 21/31 annual fuel: $2273, 5 year total: $29935
Jetta TDI $23000 Max tow(unbraked): 1560 lbs, 30/43 annual fuel: $1899, 5 year total: $32495
Silverado 2wd 6cyl auto $18515 Max tow(unbraked): ? lbs, 15/20 annual fuel: $3320, 5 year total: $35115
Fusion Hybrid $28000 Max tow(unbraked): 1000 lbs, 33/34 annual fuel: $1660, 5 year total: $36300
Fusion $25000 Max tow(unbraked): 1000 lbs, 20/28 annual fuel: $2441, 5 year total: $37205
Forester $25000 Max tow(unbraked): 2400 lbs, 20/26 annual fuel: $2515, 5 year total: $37575
Forester Diesel $28000 Max tow(unbraked): 2400 lbs, 26/33.8 annual fuel: $2279, 5 year total: $39395
Honda Odyssey $25860 Max tow(unbraked): ? lbs, 16/23 annual fuel: $3018, 5 year total: $40950
Volt $40000 Max tow(unbraked): ? lbs, 150/150 annual fuel: $368, 5 year total: $41840
Have any other vehicles you'd like to see on the spreadsheet? Let me know, and I'll add it.

Mike...

P.S. What is the tow capacity of an Aveo? What is the European towing capacity of a Jetta?

P.P.S. Certain numbers had to be estimated since real number don't yet exist. If you are aware of any real numbers, like the cost of the Fusion Hybrid, for example, please let me know.

[looped]

i would be interested in knowing what an 01 camry with the 3 litre v6 would do.. even the dealership doesnt know the towing capability.


when calculating overall mileage in town (calculated at fill up) i get average 23mpg (i uhmm well have a leadish foot),, when travelling it jumps to 35-37.. when travelling and hypermilling with the cruise control and without (higher number with) it gets between 45 and 53 (two trips this way, one to austin and one to houston each number actual result)

[mikeschn]

How does your car do so much better than the EPA rating?

Looped's Camry $18570 Towing: 1000 lbs, annual fuel: $2024, 5 year total: $28690

Mike...

Edit: Is this what you are talking about? http://www.hypermiling.com/

[apratt]

how about the Toyota Tacoma and the Ford Ranger with the 4 cyl. engines.

[mikeschn]

how about the Toyota Tacoma and the Ford Ranger with the 4 cyl. engines.

Okay I added them...

What's the max tow capacity on those?

Mike...

[bobhenry]

I'm having Draw Tite custom make a hitch for my 2000 Suzuki Esteem
A 4 tank average of 46.7 It almost outdoes the 86 Goldwing at 47 MPG.
I am confident with the 5 speed manual it will handle a 1000 lb tear. I guess we will see. Maybe it will be here in time for our 150 mile Madison In gathering.

[donmaloney]

We just got a Toyota Matrix.
MPG-26 city/32 highway, and tow 1500 lbs.
Base price is $16,190 for a Manual.

[Nitetimes]

Looks like the diesels and hybrids are a bust as far as overall costs go???
I don't see any substantial savings over the regular gas jobs there.

[emiller]

I know from renting a couple of Ford Rangers 1 with a 4 cylinder and the rest with 6 cylinders I would choose the 6 cylinder. I got better milage towing the teardrop and gear with it. I think having your foot pushing harder on the accelerator pedal to get going and climbing hills you waste more with a 4 than with the V-6.

[mikeschn]

I added the Matrix. It's definitely high up on the list!

Mike...

We just got a Toyota Matrix.
MPG-26 city/32 highway, and tow 1500 lbs.
Base price is $16,190 for a Manual.

[boardhead]

Tongue load is another key factor to consider. For example, the tongue weight on my tear is 160 lbs. That's ok on my pickup, but my Acura TL owners manual specifies a max tongue weight of !00 lbs, with a max tow weight of 1,000 lbs.

[rad1]

Looped, my last car was an 01 Maxima (6 cylinder) pretty comparable, and it was 2,000 LB

[Mauleskinner]

Drifting a little off-topic, but just exactly how reliable do we assume these mileage figures to be? I just finished a 3500-mile vacation in my '98 Bonneville (no trailer...but I'll be pulling the trigger on that shortly, cause it SUCKS sleeping in the car ) and got nothing less than 28 mph, and as high as 31.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/bymodel/1998_Pontiac_Bonneville.shtml says 25-26 mpg highway, and even in my "normal" driving (I commute 40 miles to work) I usually get 27 or better.

I know you have to have apples to compare to apples, but I really don't see anything on that list that would convince me not to buy another used Bonneville next time around. (only 180k miles on this one, so it's just getting broke in )

David

[angib]

What is the European towing capacity of a Jetta?

3080lb braked trailer, 1560lb unbraked trailer - but 165lb max hitch weight (yep, less than 6% of the max trailer).

However these are European tow ratings for European driving - vehicles towing trailers travel more slowly than other vehicles and the driver is expected to be using more skill than a non-tower.

Andrew

[toypusher]

Mike, you listed the Tacoma 2wd, but mine is 4wd and I get 19 city and 22-23 on the hiway!!!