Gas efficient, leather-free car??

[Satya]

I am in the market for a new car. I'm in a 2 door Infinity G35 right now and want something less fancy, but cute and more gas efficient and NO leather. I'd prefer leatherette to cloth. I was looking at the Mazda3 5-door, but they don't have leatherette as an option. Any suggestions of what i should look at??

[vegchica13]

A friend of mine got a Toyota Prius Hybrid, and there was no leather whatsoever. I don't know what "leatherette" is, I'm assuming it's like fake leather? There wasn't any fake leather at all, it was just cloth and other non-leather materials that I don't know what they were.

[MollyMormon]

"That's not a car, it's a lunch box"- Achmed the dead terrorist.

[Poppy]

I haven't shopped for a car in a long time, but it used to be that the European made cars had more leatherette options - i.e. BMW and Mercedes.

[Fenguin]

BMW does still offer leatherette, and it's actually cheaper than getting it with real leather which is nice. However, they don't really have much as far as fuel-efficient goes: The best they offer with that is a 230hp 6-cylinder 128i that gets 28mpg highway. And for the $30,000 they want for one, you could almost get two Mazda3s.

edit: It also looks like VW has some options as well. I think they call it anthracite.

[Satya]

yeah, i knew the BMW's came in leatherette, but i think it is only an option for the 3 series...and not in the mood to spend the money.

i will look at the Prius again. last time i checked they were selling for like 10K over sticker :dizzy:

i heard that VW's have leatherette, but i don't really like them. my search will continue..

thanks!

[Satya]

whoa! the Mini Cooper (http://www.miniusa.com/?#/build/configurator/mini-m) gets 488 miles per tank and has a leatherette option. they also start at 18K and come in great colors. looks like i may have found my new car. i'll check them out next weekend.

[MBlivesinatree]

What about the new BMW 1 series?

[Satya]

wow, i didn't know the Mini Coopers were owned by BMW. so much for negotiating a good deal :whip:

check out the future (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24503596#23723053) in hybrids....

100 miles per gallon :drool:

[Satya]

What about the new BMW 1 series?

guess i can look at these too while i'm there this weekend..

[Poppy]

I love, love, love Mini Coopers!!!

[Satya]

i'm going to test drive tomorrow. i'm pretty pumped to start saving gas money :lick:

[Satya]

well, not sure about the cooper now. the one i want is the new mini clubman; has a lil more room in the back.....they are not only 3 months backordered, but are so popular that they have tacked on an additional $1000 for a market adjustment. :rolleyes:

[Fyvel]

well, not sure about the cooper now. the one i want is the new mini clubman; has a lil more room in the back.....they are not only 3 months backordered, but are so popular that they have tacked on an additional $1000 for a market adjustment. :rolleyes:

I was running into the same problem with the smart. They didn't add anything onto the MSRP but it was non-negotiable. Plus, they were adding on a bunch of options that the people who had ordered them didn't want in order to inflate the price. Or else they were charging ridiculous 'dealer's fees' of up to $800. I had put a deposit down on one in late Dec/early Jan and wasn't going to get one until at least Sept. Instead I went for a Yaris hatchback, which I got at invoice (about 3k off of the overinflated sticker price on the car - and no dealer's fee! :rolleyes:). It doesn't have leatherette seats as an option though...

[Fenguin]

well, not sure about the cooper now. the one i want is the new mini clubman; has a lil more room in the back.....they are not only 3 months backordered, but are so popular that they have tacked on an additional $1000 for a market adjustment. :rolleyes:

I test drove one a few years ago and it really didn't do anything for me. The interior build quality seemed lacking and the ride didn't do much for me either. I really, really wanted to like it, but there was no way I was going to buy one.

I'm torn on the smart cars. I like that they're small, fun, and fuel-efficient. I don't like that they're $10,000 more than a scooter which is also all of those things. Apples and oranges, I know, but you're not going to be bringing home an ikea chair with either.

[Fyvel]

I'm torn on the smart cars. I like that they're small, fun, and fuel-efficient. I don't like that they're $10,000 more than a scooter which is also all of those things. Apples and oranges, I know, but you're not going to be bringing home an ikea chair with either.

Ah, but you won't get wet in a thunderstorm in a smart ;) I agree, they are a bit overpriced for what they are.

[megbot]

minis haven't gotten stellar reviews for a while. I personally like the Honda Fit, they have a cloth option which is good enough for me. Excellent reviews too, think they got compact of the year or best new model last year. They were impossible to get last year too.

I debate about getting a Vespa or a new car. My car is beginning to kick it. I wanted to go car free but it's just not feasible in my area (I checked all the public trans and nothing can get me to work, the damned river is in the way heh). I would get on consumer reports before buying anything

[ICU]

Personally, I drive a Honda Civic Hybrid and LOVE it. Cloth seats, not cold in winter and I don't sear my behind and legs in summer. I consistently get 42-46 miles per gallon.

[AbirasDad]

look for a diesel and get greasecar.com - you can run your car on vegetable oil. now *that* is cool, especially if it's used VO.
Be aware folks that even the leatherette option has things like "leather-wrapped" steering wheel and shifter...unfortunately I have a BMW with leatherette but the two items are unfortunately :( ...