Brian Walker
With the automotive market tanking and a gallon of gas hitting new highs everyday, you'd be forgiven for wanting to dump your car and go straight for a bike. But with a little searching, you can trade in your money-hungry road tank for something more economical and efficient, without sacrificing comfort, performance, or looks.
The first thing to consider is that you don't necessarily have to go the hybrid route. Studies have shown that hybrids are not always cheaper in the long run than their gas-powered counterparts, and hybrid models are often plagued with poorer performance. For those of you that still want the total driving package but aren't quite ready to go completely green, here are a few alternatives that will keep you happy without breaking the bank: Mazda 5 A minivan is certainly the last thing you'd expect to see from a company(MZDAF Quote - Cramer on MZDAF - Stock Picks) whose tagline is "Zoom, Zoom," but the Mazda 5 is still an admirable effort to appeal to families looking to move away from the costly SUV. It strikes a good balance between van and crossover sport utility, featuring minivan amenities such as seating for six and sliding rear doors, but all in a package that feels more like a small car. Designed on the same platform as the smaller and quicker Mazda 3, the 5 series is agile and provides a smooth ride, but can sometimes feel a bit sluggish with the 4-cylinder engine. The big selling point isn't performance, however, but savings at the pump.
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