
My brilliant little car made a grand trip to the Southwest and after just 2 weeks home, faced a sudden impact with a Ford F150. Estimates for repair are $9600 and change - other than the visible damage, the frame is broken as is the front axle. It's been a great 260,953 miles.
I am hoping to find something decent used, but my primary focus is on longevity and MPG. I would like to improve on the 34 - 36 mpg that the Toyota averaged, and would love something that has a good chance to meet or exceed the 260K+ miles that the Toyota made in 9 years time.
My mechanics (Cottman Transmission) have recommended AGAINST anything with a CVT transmission. They tell me the repair tools are specialty and at this time, any needed transmission repairs are dealership only. They said that a similar specialty transmission came out in Fords sometime back and mechanics got "burned" when they purchased the specialty tools and then the transmission that was touted to be the new standard was abandoned. Cottman hasn't steered me wrong yet.
So, the one vehicle that I was very interested in - a Toyota Prius Hybrid - is out because of its CVT transmission. Any other recommendations?