Car shopping.

I smashed my 98 ford escort, so its time for a newer car..

I don't want to spend over 9000 USD, new or used it doesn't matter, so long as its no older than 2002.

My main selling points are fuel economy and size. No Manual transmission

Subcompact or Compact is much perferred.

Ive been doing my own reasearch and so far I have just looked at the most fuel economic cars of the last few years.

2008
Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota Prius

2007
Toyota Yaris
Honda Civic Hybird
Toyota Prius

2006
Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota Prius

2005
Toyota Prius

2004
Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota Prius

2003
Toyota Celica
Toyota Prius

2002
Toyota Prius


Any other ideas or comments?

I like your question, and I don't think your cheap, you simply want value for you bucks.

Your choices are excellent and any of those vehicles you choose will provide economy, however the key factor becomes which one ?

There is a lemon in every bunch, study this web page for starters to narrow down your choices
http://www.usedcartips.org/TESTDRI.html

good luck

One thing to factor in your decision making is the fact that hybrids are more expensive to insure and repair.
http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/managingyourmoney/archives/2008/10/hybrids_save_on_1.html
Also some areas of the country have experienced shortages on qualified or experienced mechanics to repair hybrids.

All good tips, The prius looks ok to me, however, Ive heard they are very very hard to find..

Ive heard that from alot of people so far.

The higher insurance I don't mind, I think of myself as a safe driver save for smashing my escort.

Im a do it yourselfer, so Ill probably study up on self repair for hybrids.

Guess I just have to go looking around for them now..

I highly doubt you're going to get any of those cars within your budget except maybe a 1st generation Prius (which was a downright awful car) or the Celica.

i would go with the celica