Okay.  So, in the coming months I fully intend to get a job to be able to buy myself a new car.  I drive about an hour for college four days a week and I drive a Jeep grand cherokee.  I can drive there and back twice on a half tank or more which is not good at all with current gas prices. I plan on getting a job during the beginning of my next semester or maybe more towards summer.  Now, I would like anybody's opinion on the cars that I have picked. And if anybody has one of them currently, can you tell me how you like it and your mpg.

These are the cars that I am down to:

2012 chevy cruze

2012 kia optima

2012 toyota corolla

Kia Optima... but not because I'm biased to Korea or anything... hehe.

I just totaled my 2011 Malibu and had to purchase a new car. After spending weeks trying to figure out which car I wanted I went with the 2012 Chevy Cruze. I got the 2LT model (with black interior black leather seats, sun roof, and the RS package). I really like it and enjoy it more then my Malibu. It doesn't have much take off power for the first 5 mph, but then the turbo kicks in. So the transmission takes some getting used too. But other then that, the car drives great, looks great, and is an awesome value. I chose it over a Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, and Ford Focus and feel I made the right decision

If it is going to be your first car you should consider looking at slightly used cars. From the top ones mentioned i would go for either Optima or Cruze. They are different class of vehicle though. One is midsize and other is a compact. Reason for not choosing the Corolla is that despite being quite reliable they are pretty boring and the new refreshed model is due next year. So if you go for that you might get a good discount.

Do you get good MPG.  One of my friends mom has one and she says that she is currently getting about 50 highway MPGs.  The chevy cruze always pops into my mind first whenever I think about which car I want, but I want to look at different options.  I have a while to decide buy I like to hear other peoples opinions.

Yes, it will my first car buying it with my own money.  If I have to I will go down to a 2011 or 2010 if I can't find a 2012 that is affordable.  But I am one that loves to have one of the newest things, so I want to try and get a 2012.  I also want to get a car with as high MPG as I can get because of the drive to and from college. 

Never buy KIA
http://www.news.com.au/world/accelerator-on-lori-ubelstads-2011-kia-sorrento-gets-stuck-on-interstate-35-in-missouri/story-fndir2ev-1226459268299


No idea about that american cruze thing.

Toyota Corolla is very popular in Australia. Reliable, uses little petrol and gets you from point A to B. Not sure if this car suits the US market because they are very small as when I was in the USA everyone seemed to have a big car to compensate for their ....., with huge roads and parking spots where in other countries two cars would take up.

Ya I remember seeing that video.  That would be really scary.  The corolla would be perfect for me because I hate big vehicles especially because I'm afraid I would hit something too easily.  I have heard nothing but good things about the cruze from a lot of people and a lot of people have them where I live

I own the Top Gear COTY (Car of the Year) from 'o7, which is a VW GTi. Own the Fahrenheit Edition.

I bought a 2012 Optima in February, they are excellent cars!! Definitely take one for a test drive, they have a great ride! I get on average about 31-32 mpg, very comfortable to ride in as well. Especially important for me as I drive ALOT for work. Not to mention I think they have the best look of the 3 cars you mentioned!