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With gas prices at $4/gallon, compact, more fuel efficient used cars are going up in price due to higher demand by car buyers while trucks and SUV’s are sitting on the lot, according to an article in the Courier Journal. “The average used Civic, for example, rose in value 2.7 percent from April 1 through May 11, according to data J.D. Power collects from new car dealers that also sell used cars. The price of used Ford Focuses rose 1.3 percent during the same time, from $9,838 to $9,963.”

The New York Times today reported that the trend is being seen in new cars as well. “…four fuel-efficient cars made by the Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda became the industry’s top sellers last month, according to figures released Tuesday. Toyota said it sold 104,117 of its Corolla compact car and Camry midsize sedan, while Honda reported 97,027 sales of its Civic compact and Accord midsize, along with record-high vehicle sales over all…The Civic and Corolla ranked first and second, respectively, taking positions that for decades have usually gone to the Ford F-series and Chevrolet Silverado pickups.”

A recent Wired blog “Go Green — Buy a Used Car. It’s Better Than a Hybrid” pointed out something interesting — that buying a fuel efficient used car reduces the carbon footprint more so than buying a new hybrid. The article indicates that making a new Toyota Prius takes an amount of energy that is equivalent to 1000 gallons of gasoline — which means the Toyota Prius has to be driven 46,000 miles to make up for the energy used in producing it. Some of the fuel efficient used cars the blog mentions worth a look include:

1998 Toyota Tercel gets about 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway miles

1994 Geo Metro XFi, matches the Prius’ 46 mpg

Ford Festiva can deliver 33 mpg

Ford Aspire can get about 33 mpg

Mid-’90s Mazda Proteges about 30 mpg

Early 90’s Dodge Colts

Honda CRX HF models can get in the range of 39 to 45 mpg

Toyota Echo - 30 mpg or better

Honda Civic - 30 mpg or better

Chevrolet Prizm and Mini Cooper