Problem

The coveted hybrids are too expensive — a bare-bones 2008 Toyota Prius is $21,500 — but gas prices on your guzzler are bankrupting you.

Solution

Consider a used car with good mileage. The July issue of Consumer Reports magazine lists the used cars under $10,000 with the best gas mileage: 2000 Honda Insight (manual), 51 miles per gallon; 2001-02 Toyota Prius, 41 mpg; 2000-05 Toyota Echo (manual), 38 mpg; 1998-2002 Chevrolet Prizm, 32 mpg; 1998 Mazda Protege LX, 32 mpg; 1998-2000 Toyota Corolla CE/LE, 32/31 mpg.

Between $10,000 and $20,000: 2004-06 Toyota Prius, 44 mpg; 2003 Toyota Prius, 41 mpg; 2006-07 Honda Civic Hybrid, 37 mpg; 2003-05 Honda Civic Hybrid, 36 mpg; 2007 Honda Fit Sport (manual), 34 mpg; 2007 Toyota Yaris Liftback (manual), 34 mpg.