There are some Hybrid vehicles coming from GM in the 2009 model year. You may want to research them.

If anyone else want to take pull's approach and have a cheap "tow-duty" truck check out mine in the classifieds - diesel dually. I bought it strictly for tow duty but now I'm leaning towards a diesel excursion for daily and tow duties.

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o20919-en.html

I just don't get it. So called green states don't want VW Tdi's on the road that get 45+ mpg all day long. I have a Passat TDi that gets 44 mpg with my foot in it.
It has a 18.5 gallon tank.,I can drive from central Jersey to Montreal and back and still have several gallons left. I don't like working on it but it is cheap to run. Doug

Doug the new TDI's are claiming mid 50 mpg average!!!!

I have been thinking about this too.

The way I see it I could buy a late 90's civic with 100k on it for 3.5-4k, most likely have a completely trouble/maintenance free car, and recoup the money in under 3 years - even taking into account the Property Taxes, and slight insurance increase. We used to have one and I am kicking myself for selling it. Mid 30's for mileage and never a lick of trouble.

I had heard Honda was going to sell a diesel in the states, in Europe it seems like 95% of the cars are diesel. I was told that the newer VW TDi's don't have timing belts or glow plugs. My truck is a gas pig but I don't drive it that much. John, I think mine would do better if I slowed down a bit. Doug

Jon, look at a Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe. Both available in 4wd, huge amount of cargo room, purely Toyota corolla drivetrain so thats good. 35 to 40mpg with the standard 1.8 vvti and about 30 in the 1.8 HO with 4wd. I have a dozen or so customers driving them and they are real good little but not to little cars. I like em so much I bought my wife a vibe, 65000 miles now and so far, sched maint and one front brake job. Thats it, thats all.

If you drive a Pete 379, they're tiny. I could put a VW in the cargo area.

im in total agreement with the VW TDI's, 42 - 46 mph.... makes saving the planet almost second nature to me now. makes up for All the fuel I burn up during the summer in my boat....

Whats the budget for this? Please and thank You.

If wagon I'd go:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=391

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...er_id=57371549