My 05 Cobalt 2.2 manual gets over 35mpg most of the time, worst I've seen yet is 30ish in the winter in stop and go. Got 40mpg driving to Cedar Point a few times now. As for parts, I don't know, I have 140k on the clock and haven't had anyhting go bad besides an o2 sensor and the front control arms' rear bushings. Besides that, just breaks, tires, basic maintance parts.
Here are my thought on the vehicles that get good mpg's, I drive nearly 200 miles everyday to and from work and when I first started doing it I wanted a car that gets high mpg's like you. I ended up with a 2002 Honda Civic 5 speed with the 1.7 litre, car was averaging about 35-37 mpg's but seating and ride was very uncomfortable for that long haul, get to work or home and my back would be sore and just feel cramped. Now my drive is 90 miles one way nearly 99% highway, I found that a comfortable ride that gets about 25mpgs was best for me so I guess it depends on your commute and driving style.
I picked up a 2010 fusion 4 banger with a 6-speed. I do around 700 miles a week for work and I love this car. I get way better then the sticker said I would for MPG. My MPG avg for city and highway is 29.9. Mid 30's on the highway and I like the Ford Sync option too. I think it's a great daily driver.
He now has a Cobalt Ecotec with an automatic. He said it's under 30mpg. Somewhere like 23-26.
I have a customer that buys every single Saturn that comes into our place. Wrecked, motor blown...he buys them all, fixed them and sells them FAST. Everybody wants a Saturn.
X2 on the Cobalt. My coworker drives from Williamston to Pontiac every day, gets 37-40 mpg with it. XFE model, so it's a 5 speed.
I had a 90 Accord that I got with 55k on it in 1994. I never got over 32 with it but I beat the living piss out of it. Never let me down. Did a clutch at 105k, crashed it at 145k in 98, and the only parts I ever put on it were that clutch tires and front pads. I dont think i ever changed the rear shoes. Body held up great too for being in upstate NY and MI its entire life.
Can't say anything bad about Hondas.... as a 13 year GM employee I wish I could, but can't.
only thing wrong with them is they use oil when the mileage goes above 100k
That sucks......I get just over 26mpgh combined with my 2010 V6 Escape.
--Joe
I never realized how cult-like the Saturn buyers were until I had mine for sale. A majority of the people that inquired about my car for sale would say stuff like "I own 4 other Saturns" etc.
--Joe