Originally Posted by supton
I agree with Cujet, I'd check on actual costs, based on your annual miles driven, to determine what fuel cost you will have. It's nice to drive that cost down, but not if you're going to blow it on purchase cost or otherwise not wind up ahead in the game.
To that I'd like to add that driving something you don't like, or that costs much more, just to save 63 gallons per year is not the direction I'd prefer.
In fact, I'd pick "reliable" and/or "enjoyable" as more important than fuel economy. Put another way, if gas hits $5/gal, my example above leads to a $150 increase in costs per 10,000 miles. Less than the cost of a typical major repair, that's for sure.
I remain unconvinced that "economy" cars are all that economical in the end. As they often don't last as long, and resale value is low. Over it's lifespan, one might be able to drive a well chosen Accord for less than an economy car.