Quote :

"ideally, i'd wait until you can get a plug-in for under $30-35k but i dunno how long that will be"

Nissan Leaf, orders starting in August, deliveries in December. Priced right between 30K and 35K at $25,280 with the government's $7,500 tax break.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/28/report-nissan-expecting-leaf-shortages-thanks-to-high-early-dem/

Quote :

"are there any non-compact vehicles that get 30+ mpg and are under $30k?"

2011 Mustang V6 gets 31 mpg on the highway (19 mpg city, so it won't cut it for you). Also has 305 hp First 300+ hp car to be rated at 30+ mpg.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/04/2011-ford-mustang-v6-rated-31-mpg-highway-most-efficient-300-h/

5/3/2010 2:23:28 AM

Quote :

"nah, i require at least 25 mpg city."

Don't today's midsize Japanese sedans get that? Camry, Accord, Altima, Mazda 6, Legacy, Kizashi. I believe they do, at least the base 4 cylinder models.

5/3/2010 3:55:57 AM

Quote :

"if you were currently in the market for a new vehicle"

One that runs consistently. More than I can say for the other two cars I've owned in my life.

5/3/2010 4:47:23 AM

i'd get a cheap old 3 series

5/3/2010 4:51:48 AM

toyota 4runner trail edition

5/3/2010 9:08:59 AM

5/3/2010 9:58:06 AM

Quote :

"are there any non-compact vehicles that get 30+ mpg and are under $30k? [Edited on May 2, 2010 at 11:57 PM. Reason : other than diesels like the jetta tdi] "

what's wrong with a TDI? We love ours. the newer generation has a lot more room in the backseat, which is nice with kid(s).

very reliable, maintenance is dirt cheap on it (oil changes every 10k FTW), and it's a lot 'greener' than a hybrid if that matters to you.

5/3/2010 10:57:49 AM

Quote :

"how much is paying through the nose?"

it depends on how much you make, but if I have to put forth a number pulled from the air based on my own opinion/experience, I'd say $10,000 or 1/4 of your gross yearly income, whichever is less. If you make $100k+, maybe $15-20k, and that's probably pushing it.

Now, I've spent more than that on cars, and if you're a car guy and that's your thing, go for it, but if you just want a grocery getter, I just don't "get" spending a bunch of money on a boring car, when you can get a perfectly good boring car for cheap.

[Edited on May 3, 2010 at 11:51 AM. Reason : ]

5/3/2010 11:23:55 AM

Audi
Maxima/Infiniti I35

I'm AstralAdvent and i approved this message.

5/3/2010 11:25:47 AM

good job on excluding nissans from your list

cause they make some junk

5/3/2010 11:30:17 AM

^^^^ oh, nothing wrong with a tdi for sure. was just looking for suggestions i didn't already know about

5/3/2010 11:44:46 AM

Get a Rolls Royce

5/3/2010 5:08:51 PM

i've decided to fulfill a childhood dream and get a dump truck

one with the buttons on the side that makes dump truck sounds

5/8/2010 4:56:37 PM

sweet

better get some sand piles to go with it

5/8/2010 4:57:43 PM

Currently debating on how i want to spend 18k:

2007 audi a3 certified through 2013
2008 vw jetta gli certified through 2014
2008 accord coupe warranty through 2013
subaru legacy certified through 2014

Really want to do the a3 but it would be the priciest (in initial cost and maintenance). The GLI has the best warranty and drives like an a3 but it just looks like a wet noodle. Accord coupe is a little boring to drive but its reliable and looks good, same with the legacy.

5/8/2010 5:24:19 PM

I miss my A4.

That is all.

5/8/2010 5:26:48 PM

-CJ7 or YJ Wrangler would be neat
-Maybe Honda Civ (5spd, 2000+ model)

Don't plan on buying new ever, so I'm happy with older stuff

5/8/2010 9:01:43 PM

It's hard to find a used TDI

5/8/2010 9:25:05 PM