Jomigunne

I have a budget of as high as 10k. I drive 108 mi / 5 days a week, so it needs to be very fuel efficient. Almost all mi.are hwy miles.
There is a large array of options, trim level, and engine choices. I am replacing a jetta tdi which always got abt 44 mpg hwy. I have read of civic owners saying they averaged over 40 mpg hwy. Looks like there are almost no 1.3 liter and hybrid vrrsions available. Plenty of LX, DX, and EX available. My jetta developed 140hp, i need a car that matches that, as my jetta could pull my 5x8 trailer lightly loaded, no problem.

FRSam

The 140hp isn't the reason you could pull the trailer. It's the 200+ ft-lbs of torque it was making. No civic for under 10k makes that level of torque. I don't think there's a Honda that will accomplish both 40mpg and the ability to tow a small trailer at the same time. For what you're doing, I'd probably stay with a TDI.

Jomigunne

So if I want45 mpg hwy and the capability to pull a small trailer, there is no other option than to stick with jetta tdi?
the main reason i did not want to replace my 06 jetta tdi with another one is that it has that dual mass flywheel that has a very limited lifetime. When i had my current jetta tdi only a short time and was at 120k mi., i found that it had the tdi dmf flywheel "rattle of death". I wasnt going to spend 2 or 3k to get it fixed, replaced it myself. Huge job! Never again. Well, to fit my budget, a replacement tdi will have over 100k, and the car salesman wont be able to tell me if its been replaced. Cant trust anything they say anyway. Ditto for private seller. They are more likely to know, but could lie about it. Other than that, its the most reliable car I've ever owned. At 68, im just plain too old to take on such a big repair again. The other reason is that jettas with diesel eng are scarcer than hens teeth. And the ones i have found so far have been either the max mileage i'd consider, or are over budget. A big dilemma!

FRSam

If you want 40mpg while towing a trailer, I can't think of another car that could do it. You need a diesel to do that, and I don't believe there is a diesel Honda in the North American market. The only diesel cars that come to mind are the TDI and the diesel Chevrolet Cruze (maybe a BMW too, but that would be a maintenance nightmare). Honestly, I still think the TDI is your best option, unless you're willing to sacrifice some MPG.

Jomigunne

Of course the mpg was much much lower on rare occasions when towing the trailer. I dont know....its a crap shoot whether i get a replacement tdi with a sound dmf, or one thats going to fail in another 50k miles.

FRSam

Not sure what else to tell you. These cars aren't designed to tow. They're relatively gutless cars meant to be conservative.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Yeah man that’s Diesel all day. Not gonna find that in a gas powered car. How much and how often are you towing? Are you towing long distances?

firestarter99

Camry

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

look into Mazda - the skyactive engine have a lot more torque than regular gas ones.
and they are cheaper than Toyota or Honda

if you are towing, maybe the CX5 or (pushing the matter, CX-3).
sedans are really not into towing trailers
incidentally i have a '15 CX-5 with 2.0, it can handle the heavy body better than other SUV of that year (not like a diesel low end torque, though, mind you)

R3KogHyZe

But check for rust, and set aside a budget to get it properly undersealed !

tradosaurus

How often are you needing to pull a 5 x 8 trailer? If very seldom rent a truck if frequently probably want to bump up to a V6 engine.

I'm with the other poster and staying with your VW diesel.