Psychic Wisdom

>For most Americans thinking about buying a car these days, the decision of what to get seems to weigh less on luxury and a lot more on fuel efficiency. So what’s the best choice? It depends on what happens with gas prices, and only a fortune teller, such as Madame Nellie, might have the answer for an inquiring auto writer.

Welcome to Madame Nellie’s. I will look into the future and answer one question. What is your question?

I want to buy a car with fuel efficiency, seating for five, reliability, durability, safety, decent handling and performance in typical city and highway driving conditions—all for less than $20,000. I’d like a proven car, too; one that doesn’t command a premium price because it’s a hybrid or is experimental in some way. Just a really good, bread-and-butter car that looks great and meets my needs.

Madame Nellie will look into her crystal ball now. There are fogs of uncertainty in there, but Madame Nellie is beginning to see the outline of ... a 2009 Toyota Corolla.

A Corolla?

Yes. It is beautiful; not the frumpy Corolla you might remember from years past. Just as the Honda Civic has become more like the Accord of old, the Corolla has become more like the Camry of a few years back. The 2009 Corolla is bigger, smoother, more powerful and much better looking.

Madame Nellie thinks you will like 30 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg around town. You might not like the price at the pump, but you’ll buy the least expensive regular gasoline for this beautiful car. It is powered by a four-cylinder engine, and why do you need more cylinders when more cylinders demand more gasoline?

The Corolla has two bucket seats in front and a bench that seats three kids across the back.