Help Ziggy pick his next car

[ziggy]

After going to the gas station recently and paying 3.97 & 9/10 for gas ( why those bastards have to add the extra 9/10 per gallon when the price is already ridiculous is a mystery to me ) I came to the conclusion that I AM going to get another car in the next 2 months. Riding around in my Chevy Impala getting 19 MPG city isn't going to cut it anymore, If gas keeps prices keep on rising and head on up to $5 per game, which I firmly expect to happen then I need to get a more economical ride.
I'm looking for something that meets the following requirements
* 35+ MPG Highway
* preferably hybrid
* need to be able to comfortably fit 2 kids in the back
* need to have plenty of legroom for my big ass ( I'm 6'4" )
* I'd like XM satellite radio, but its not a deal breaker

So far I've googled around and come up with
Toyoya Prius
Honda Civic Hybrid
and not much else

Do you guys have any suggestions?

[Dunk]

The bus.

Seriously, my office is moving to uptown this summer and I'll be taking the bus instead of driving. The park and ride is about 4 miles from my house. My projected monthly savings -- about $200.

I think you already picked the two best options for cars. I've had much better luck with Toyota service than Honda, personally.

[Muttley]

Really, if you want a hybrid, there's no option other than the Prius. You'll pay a bit extra, but you get back what you pay for. The other hybrids that are out nowadays don't really cut the mustard when compared to the Prius.

My parents own one and the back seat is perfectly comfortable enough for me or most any other full-grown man to sit in, so your children should be just fine. It's surprisingly roomy and has more trunk space than you'd think it would. Also, you can get something like 50 or 60 mpg if you drive it right. With gas prices being what they are (and likely headed higher) it'll end up saving you the extra money you'll pay to buy the Prius over any other hybrid model.

Or, wait until 2010 and get the electric-hybrid Chevy Volt.

[dnbman]

Ziggy,

Check out the Pontiac Vibe also. It's just under 35mpg and has a ton of features.

I use mine as a pickup truck and still feel like I'm driving a sporty little car.

http://www.pontiac.com/09vibe/index....yle=&year=2009

It also consistently gets good reviews from the various consumer and auto magazines.

BTW... Muttley's right. If you want a true hybrid, the Prius is the only one to get. Most of the other hybrids on the market only boost mpg by a couple of miles.

[x2pacalypse]

yea we rented a prius cuz our hyundai piece of shit broke down, and i must say it is nice, it is also extremely quiet, and has a ton of room inside

my parents are thinking about buying one now

[ziggy]

I went out this weekend hoping to test drive the Civic Hybrid and the Prius, but they are both so popular right now, that both dealerships didn't have any hybrids on the lot.
If I get one, it looks like I'm going to have to preorder it and pay close to sticker price.