Runde Auto Group's 'Bucket List'

I'm sure most of you have heard of the Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman flick, "The Bucket List". Today, I wanted the public to get a more in-depth look at the employees of Runde; Let everyone know what they want to experience or achieve in their lifetimes...before they 'kick the bucket'.

Chris Reifsteck: 1) Skydiving 2) Fly an Ultra Light plane

Cory Harbach: 1) Experience Vegas to its fullest 2) Build a classic Maverick with his son, Zack who is 10 years old now

Don "Krunch" Kronlage: 1) See how a rich man lives (Be able to buy anything without thinking twice) 2) See my 20 (soon-to-be 22) grandchildren grow up.

Al Cole: 1) See my Daughter, Riley, graduate High School and College 2) Want my family to achieve success.

Curt Lammers: 1) Reach contentment (When asked to define it, he couldn't...Ha!) 2) Win a BASS tournament 3) Retire (He wouldn't tell me if he would stay in Iowa or move...)

Matt Sieverding: 1) Drive 200 MPH in a car I own 2) Live a healthy, quality life

Joe Behnke: 1) Own an island in the Bahamas 2) Hang in the Playboy mansion with Hugh Hefner and the girls

Jenna Moser: 1) Raise a family 2) Play in at least one LPGA (Ladies' Professional Golf Association) event

Dave Schnoor: 1) Hit a hole-in-one 2) Bowl an 800 Series 3) Have an unlimited supply of Bud Light

All of our employees have different goals for themselves, and this is a good way for our customers to get to know them on a little 'deeper' level. It was also good to make them think a little bit...I think I caught them off guard!

How Healthy Are Your Favorite Restaurants?

We have reached the middle of summer, the time of year everyone is spending time on the river or in the pool. I know a few people at Runde are starting diets or have been on them for a while. Chris Anderson and Dave Wordehoff started the Atkins diet a couple weeks ago, and Chris said he feels like it is working for him.

Summer is also a very busy time for people, and eating out can become a habit. What most people don't realize is that one meal at a chain restaurant can account for a whole day's calories. They are not required to inform the public of the nutritional facts of their menus, so they make it a goal to not let us find out.

David Zinczenco, editor-in-chief of Men's Health and author of "Eat This, Not That" has done extensive research on chain restaurants and what those delicious recipes actually include ... both ingredients and calories.

He released his book in December of 2007. Since then it has become a bestseller, and has had an impact on some restaurants and at least one city.

New York City passed a law requiring restaurants to post their nutritional facts either online or in their menus. A few chains have adapted and posted their infortmation, while others have boycotted and do not have restaurants in the NYC area in order to bypass the law.

Restaurants are beginning to make food better for us, but there is still a long way to go. Maybe states should start passing laws like New York City, so consumers will be more aware of what they are eating and be able to make a more knowledgable decision. We deserve to know what we are eating, and I think restaurant chains should do a better job of making their menu healthier for those eating there.


CLICK HERE To Read The Entire Article

If after reading this you're now terrified of a 1320 calorie Dairy Queen cookie dough Blizzard, then just stop into Runde's and pick up your new Corvette or Shelby GT500. We guarantee that one of these speed demons will be able to escort you far away from the DQ faster than you can blink.

Chevy Introduces The Silverado Hybrid

Chevrolet will release the Silverado Hybrid late in the fall of 2008 (in limited quantities). It has a two-mode engine, allowing for 5 power combinations. The first mode can work in 3 ways: electric, engine power, or a mixture of the two. These are used in low speed, light load conditions for optimal fuel efficiency. The second mode is used for highway speeds, allowing the truck the capacity to run in either a four-cylinder or eight-cylinder modes. They offer the ability to tow or handle rough conditions. This engine allows for 40% more efficienct city driving and 25% more efficient highway driving.

The truck has all the available options as the other Silverados, but a new fuel efficiency gage is available in the hybrid. It tells you if the truck is operating at the optimum level.

Chevy takes pride in the high-quality, dependable vehicles they produce, and the Silverado Hybrid is no exception.

Meet A Recent Customer of Runde Ford in Manchester!!

One of Don "Krunch" Kronlage's customers was nice enough to talk with me for a couple minutes while his vehicle was getting ready to take home.

Runde Auto Chat: What did you like most about the process and how business was conducted here at Runde?

Frank Riese: It was simple, and Don was thorough in answering all my questions.

RAC: What kind of vehicle did you buy? Were there any options or features that you were specifically looking for?

FR: I bought a Chevy 2500 truck. I wanted a good used truck with just the basic options.

RAC: What purpose is this vehicle going to serve: busienss, family travel, etc.?

FR: It will be used for both family and business.

RAC: Do you have any children or grandchildren?

FR: I have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. (A couple of them were with him when he picked up the truck)

RAC: Do you live near Manchester? And what do you do for a living?

FR: I live in Hopkinton (about 10 miles south of Manchester), and I'm a farmer.

RAC: How often do you purchase new vehicles?

FR: Just when needed, and hopefully that isn't for a while now.

RAC: Overall, did you have a pleasant experience at Runde?

FR: Yeah, I was very pleased with everything.

Meet Donna Manternach, a newer customer of Runde Ford in Manchester!

Donna was patiently waiting for our service department to finish working on her car, so I sat down and talked with her for a few minutes. She is a very nice lady!! (And kind enough to answer random questions from a complete stranger) Runde Auto Chat: What kind of vehicle are you having serviced? Is it just a routine appointment? Donna Manternach: Ford Edge, and yes, it's a routine oil change RAC: Did you buy the vehicle at Runde? DM: Yes RAC: Is there any feature it has that will be a necessity next time you buy a vehicle? Or anything that you don't like? DM: When I have a passenger with me, there isn't any space on the floor under the console for my purse, but other than that, I like it a lot. RAC: Have you bought other vehicles from us? DM: No, this was the first. RAC: What is your favorite thing about Runde and how they do business? DM: The people here are always helpful and willing to answer questions. RAC: Do you have any grandchildren? DM: I have 15, and they all live in this area. RAC: What kind of activities are they involved in? DM: Sports, a couple of them are taking driver's ed. this summer RAC: What kind of hobbies do you enjoy? DM: Sewing, Quilting; I spend most my time doing yardwork and gardening RAC: Any last words about your experience at Runde Auto Group? DM: Not really; I'm satisfied with their work.

Manchester's Finest Authentic Chinese Cuisine

I'm sure all of you have heard the typical jokes about Chinese food and dog meat, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a great meal and good for you as well. In Manchester, we have a restaurant called Chuong Garden, located downtown on East Main Street near the movie theater. I have eaten there many times, and from speaking with the workers at Runde Manchester, they have as well. A couple of the guys go for the Szechwan Chicken or Beef. I am a big fan of the Orange Chicken or the Sesame Chicken, but I have never eaten anything there I haven't liked. Our general manager, Matt Sieverding, says he normally orders a random dish each time he eats there. He doesn't have a favorite, but he really likes the food, and does order it often. They do take-out, so next time you're in the mood for a change instead of that same Lean Cuizine or day-old pizza you've eaten the last 2 weeks in a row, try Chuong Garden!

Bienvenida a Las Flores!!

Manchester, Iowa added a new Mexican restaurant to it's downtown community a couple summers ago. I had just started dating my husband when it opened, and it didn't take us long to discover it was going to be our favorite place in town to eat. Monday through Saturday they have Lunch Specials from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Most of the entree's consist of two items with rice or beans. They have very quick service, especially over lunch. Most of the time we can be done eating in about 35 minutes.

My husband and I have kind of gotten into a rut. We tend to eat the same meals every time we go to Las Flores, but lately I have tried to change it up a bit. He always gets the Enchiladas Verdes or the Chimichanga. I usually choose the chicken quesadillas or the Combo #5, which is a beef enchilada and taco, rice and beans. My favorite part of the whole meal is the chips and salsa. They have one of the best tasting salsas I've ever eaten, and there is only one that is better. There is a mexican place near to my hometown in Fort Madison, Iowa called Vel's Amigos. They have the best salsa in my opinion, but Las Flores is a very close 2nd.

Everything is very reasonable as well. Most meals are about $7, and there are usually coupons in the Manchester Shopping News. Ben and I can eat there for under $20. You can spend that much at a fast food restaurant if you buy enough to get completely full.

Of all the dining places in Manchester, Las Flores would have to be my first choice. Most people don't come here often, but if you are ever in the area instead of stopping at Dairy Queen or Burger King, take a little time to stop in and see our friends at Las Flores.

Introducing the Runde Community Service Vehicle!!

Runde Chevrolet has introduced a new community support truck to be used by non-profit organizations. It has already been used for a few events in the area, but it has just begun it's career at Runde's.

The American Red Cross borrowed the truck to work at delivering cots and blankets to flood victims in the Tri-State area. The flood brought disaster to so many families in the Midwest, and Runde's worked very hard to find a way to help all of the people affected.

A Letter from the American Red Cross:

Thank you for your donation of Cube Truck to pick up cots & blankets.

Your generous donation helped our local volunteers assist with severe flooding throughout the Tri-State area.

Because of your gift to the American Red Cross, hope can be found at Red Cross shelters where those impacted come together to rest, regroup and plan the rebuilding of their homes and communities. Hope is reinforced in the advice and encouragement of REd Cross mental health workers; and hope grows stronger with every snack, meal and clean-up kit distributed from our emergency responce vehicles.

Our highest priority will always be to aid those facing challenges from disaster. Your contribution is restoring hope to thousands in the midst of such turmoil in the central United States. On behalf of the American Red Cross and those we serve, thank you.

Sincerely,

Heidi Goin
Director of Emergency Services


Area Residential Care used the support vehicle during their Corporate Games a few weeks ago as well. They used the truck to move their fair games, tables, and chairs for set-up and take down. The truck stayed on display during the games, and it was then returned after everything was torn down.

If you made it to the East Dubuque parade over the 4th of July, you may have seen the truck's official 'debut'. It took part in the festivities by participating in the parade, as well as being displayed during the fireworks exposition.

The truck will be available to any non-profit organization that is in need of a cargo truck. For further details, please contact Lisa Charley at (815) 747-3011 ext. 261.

Chevrolet and Suzuki Make Top 10 List for Fuel Efficient Manufacturers

Below is the Top 10 List for the Average Miles Per Gallon across all spectrums:
cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans.

Chevrolet is the domestic leader at 23.26 MPG, just .45 behind Honda. Honda only has 1 model in the truck category, whereas Chevy has a full line of trucks, cargo vans, mini vans, SUVs, and cars.

Comparisons based on data available in the model year 2008 Fuel Economy Guide, published by the U.S. Department of Energy, the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency -- www.fueleconomy.gov. Number of vehicles for each manufacturer includes variations in transmission, engine and trim, and fuel octane requirements.

Watch For Runaway Barges in East Dubuque!

Runaway barges are not usually a common topic in Iowa and Illinois, but last month was a rare occurrence. On June 9th, a tow of 15 barges and a bridge support were traveling downstream when the lead barge hit the Julien Dubuque Bridge and sent the others on their way. The bridge was closed to vehicle traffic for about 18 hours to conduct inspections. Witnesses say the vessels were traveling too fast for the pilot to maneuver them around the bridge. The current in that area of the river is strong, and doesn't usually have a consistent pattern. Three of them lodged against the bridge, and several others were gathered by towboats. The nose of the barge was sticking out of the water, so it was easy to locate. It should have been pretty easy to rescue, but there were a couple things keeping that from happening: high water and SEVERE flooding.

It took about a month f0r the water levels to fall, allowing crews to begin the removal of the sunken barge. Four cranes, including an A-frame that is attached to a construction barge, are set up to help lift the barge out of the water. The plan is to lift the barge and rotate it enough to fix the damage while it is still in the water. If damage is too extreme, they might have to move it upstream before attempting the repairs. The project should take a couple days, as long as no hidden challenges arise.

The barge is owned by Brennan Marine, based in La Crosse, WI. They would like to repair the barge to bypass the extreme costs of replacing it. A new barge would cost them between $600,000 and $700,000.

Dan Wallin, who is the Retail Accessory Manager for Runde Chevrolet, was going home from work the night of the accident and he was actually on the bridge in his truck when the barge struck it. He said that he heard the impact clearly, but he didn't feel the bridge move or shake. I know a few of our other Runde coworkers spend a lot of their time off on the river. I hope none of them were in that area when the accident occurred! It isn't very easy to dodge runaway barges.

CLICK HERE to View the Barge Removal Video!!

Meet Jeff 'Lenny' Keuter of Runde's Outside Service Staff

Lenny was a little hesitant to let me interview him, so I promised to be nice. He works in our reconditioning department at Runde Chevrolet, and he didn't have a lot to say but he gave us SOME input.

Runde Auto Chat: Everyone knows you as Lenny, but what is your REAL name?

Lenny: Jeff Kueter

RAC: How long have you worked here?

L: A little over a year

RAC: A lot of people think that you're the hardest worker here. Is there any truth to that?

L: Maybe a little bit.

RAC: Do you follow baseball?

L: Yes

RAC: Who's your favorite team?

L: Cubs

RAC: Will you be watching the All Star Game?

L: No, I have prior commitments.

RAC: Wife? Kids?

L: Yes, and 1

RAC: Favorite restaurant?

L: Hardees

RAC: Favorite movie?

L: Wedding Crashers

RAC: What do you think of the whole Brett Favre thing?

L: He should come back and play for the Bears...(a slightly biased answer in my opinion...ha!)

Comments From Happy Customers!!

"This is the 8th new car that I have bought from Runde Chevrolet. Well satisfied with all of them. Good Service department also."
John Altfillisch-Galena, IL

"Tim Runde is the best salesperson I have ever delt with. When he gives you a price it is where he wants to be. He doesn't waste your time wheeling & dealing for hours."
Michael Wilkinson-Lewistown, IL

"Just a very nice place to do my business. Makes buying a vehicle a nice experience."
Ray Merfeld-East Dubuque, IL

You WON'T Find This Kind of Truck At Runde Auto Group

Last Tuesday, a truck and boat trailer were pulled out of the Mississippi River at the East Dubuque docks. It had been in the water since July 3rd. East Dubuque Police Chief Steve O'Connell said he thought the driver had set the parking break, but the brakes failed, and the truck and boat slid backwards into the water. It doesn't look like this is a vehicle Runde's will want take in on trade!

CLICK HERE to watch the Video!!

Plan a Night on the Town!!

I took a trip down to Houlihan's in Dubuque today to see what was going on -- it's just a 4 minute drive from the Runde PreDriven store. Houlihan's is located next to the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino and the Hilton Garden Inn just off of Highway 151. The location would be great for a weekend away from home. You can stay at the Hilton, eat at Houlihan's, and gamble at the casino. It is also within driving distance of shopping, golf, and many other restaurants in the area. It was very busy for a Friday around noon, so I didn't get a chance to talk to any of the workers. I did manage to get a To-Go menu. I asked around the dealership to see if there were any food favorites among the staff. The vote ruled in favor of the Long Island Iced Teas, which are served in pitchers. The Chicken Parmesan, Atlantic Salmon, Baked Potato Soup, and Lettuce Wraps were other employee favorites. They were also very impressed with the atmosphere. Next time you're looking for a night on the town, think of Houlihan's for a fantastic dining experience!

Johnson and the PGA Start Fund for Flood Victims

There is no doubt that the Flood of 2008 left it's mark on the Midwest, but the cost of reconstruction is billions more than the smaller townships can cover. You may remember Zach Johnson, who hails from Cedar Rapids and won the PGA's green jacket in 2007. Zach's parents left for this year's U.S. Open the day before the flood hit. When they returned, they weren't sure if they would have a house to go home to. Luckily, their house and his dad's chiropractic clinic were almost untouched. Compared to many other families in the Cedar Rapids area, they had very few problems. Zach's mom had to work out of home and an area high school due to her downtown office being flooded, but that was a minor detail when one considers the big picture; it'll take quite awhile before their hometown can be cleaned up and restored to a point of normalcy. After Zach finished his Friday round of the U.S. Open and missed the cut, he went straight to the PGA and said a fund should be started for the flood victims in the Midwest. What Zach did not know, was Kenny Perry, originally of Wisconsin, had done the same thing after he caddied at the Women's U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at Erin Hills. The PGA agreed with both men, and the fund was set up last week. Through the weekend, $12,975 had been gathered to be sent back to the victims in their home states. Zach Johnson has been battling tendonitis in his wrist, and finally started swinging again last week. He will return home for the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois (a few miles down the road from the Quad Cities) this week. -------- I am relatively new to the Runde Auto Group staff and I was actually working in Cedar Rapids at the time of the flood, and it was like a whole different world. I was commuting from Manchester and one day when I was trying to drive home, the road was completely under water, and the worst was yet to come. At that point in time, downtown was beginning to get bombarded with water, and tv crews were having to take boats down 1st Ave. I went to my hometown in southern Iowa to see my parents for a couple days during that time, and a friend of our family's house was being taken over. He had to park his car about 4 blocks from home and walk in order to even get to his house, but it was flooding horribly, so he spent about a week and a half trying to get water out and throw out all of his stuff that was ruined. When I tried to drive home, all of the major highways within 90 miles of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City were under water and closed. I had no way of getting home and was stuck. This was of course an inconvenience, but it was nothing compared to the set backs that many families in the eastern Iowa faced. Runde Auto Group contribut- ed to the flood relief by donating a cube van for the Red Cross to use in Elkader, IA when the waters were bringing devastation to that town and the surrounding area.

The Top 10 Stolen Cars of 2007

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released their Top 10 list of the most stolen vehicles of 2007. As usual, the 1995 Honda Civic and 1991 Honda Accord sat at the top of the list. The older Hondas and Toyotas did not change much in appearance for quite a few years, so the parts fit on multiple models and it was easy to duplicate keys. There are also a lot of older cars still on the roads; I think it might be time for an upgrade! (Before someone steals it and leaves them with no trade-in).

NICB spokesman Frank Scafidi said, "It's amazing to see how many folks get their cars stolen from leaving their keys in them. People should just use some basic common sense." I know one of Runde's customers reported having his XM radio receiver stolen out of his SUV a few weeks ago. He said that he isn't used to locking up his vehicle -- I think he's lucky that the XM was all that was missing. Guess it's time to start locking those doors. Overall, vehicle theft continues to decrease, and dropped 8.9% in 2007.

Fortunately for us, none of the cars that Runde's sells made the top 10 list -- although a few of the older trucks did. We like to think the American-made cars (GM & Ford models) are more difficult to break into, or most of their owners lock their vehicles!!

1. 1995 Honda Civic
2. 1991 Honda Accord
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150
5. 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500
6. 1994 Acura Integra
7. 2004 Dodge Ram
8. 1994 Nissan Sentra
9. 1988 Toyota Pickup
10. 2007 Toyota Corolla

Meet Runde Manchester's GM Matt Sieverding!

Matt is a busy guy, but he allowed me to take a few moments of his time to answer some questions.

Runde Auto Chat: How long have you been working at Runde Auto Group and what do you do here?

Matt Sieverding: I did an internship in 1999, and started working full-time about 5 years ago. I am the General Manager of the Manchester store.

RAC: What do you like most about your job?

MS: There is never a dull moment

RAC: What kind of vehicles do you currently own?

MS: A Pontiac Grand Prix and a Turbo Buick

RAC: What do you like most about your cars?

MS: The horsepower- they are both force-fed V6's.

RAC: If you could drive anything, what would it be?

MS: The Space Shuttle

RAC: What do you spend your time doing on days off?

MS: Housework

RAC: Do you have a favorite restaurant in the area?

MS: Mario's in Dubuque

RAC: If you could meet one person in your lifetime (dead of alive), who would it be?

MS: Ronald Reagan

Runde of Manchester

Runde's Presence is Made Known at the Delaware County Fair!!

The Delaware County Fair is taking place this week, July 7th through July 13th, at the fairgrounds in Manchester, Iowa. Runde Ford - Chrysler - Dodge - Jeep is a major sponsor of the event, and have displayed eight vehicles on location. There are a variety of Ford trucks, a Ford Shelby Mustang, a Jeep Patriot, a Chrysler Town & Country, and a Dodge Journey. If you make the trip to the fair, please come by and check out our cars!! They look good, they drive great, and YOU'LL LIKE OUR ATTITUDE!!

Delaware County Fair Entertainment Schedule
Wednesday, July 9th superchick (Free concert with admission to the fair)
Thursday, July 10th Rodney Atkins (Tickets are $24 and $34)

Rodney's Top Hits Include:
If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)
These Are My People
Watching You
Cleaning This Gun (Come on in Boy)

Friday, July 11th The Charlie Daniels Band
(Tickets are $50, includes all you can eat and drink (pop and beer)

Singer/Songwriter of "The Devil Went Down To Georgia"

Other entertainment includes:
Farm Credit Services of America Farmer For A Day Exhibit
Sedona Worker For A Day
Pork Chop Revue
Wild About MonkeysAgMagic Show
Hay Maze

Saturday, July 12th MMA Fights (Tickets are $20 and $10)

Carnival
Ride Wristbands $15
Wristband days Thursday 1-5 PM & Sunday 1-5 PM
Wednesday Kids Day 1-5 PM ALL RIDES $1.00
Friday 5-7 PM Buy 1st rider, 2nd rider rides FREE

Konichiwa Suzuki !!

Those of you who have driven past Runde Suzuki-PreDriven in Hazel Green over the past few weeks have probably noticed that there has been some construction taking place. Runde Auto Group broke ground earlier this month for the new Suzuki Store. The building will be under construction this summer but it promises to be a gorgeous facility once it's completed.

Runde began selling new Suzuki automobiles in the summer of 2005 and they have been a very popular seller since that time.

The building will be up well in time for 2009 when the Suzuki Corporation will celebrate 100 years in the motorized vehicle business. Today it is one of the largest producers of vehicles in the world. In fact, Suzuki actually outsells Mazda, Subaru, and Porsche combined.

Runde's First Dodge Challenger SRT8!!

Runde of Manchester received its first 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 earlier this week. It was ordered through our Manchester location, and was already spoken for when it got here. It only spent a couple hours with us before the rightful owner came to pick it up, but it was here long enough to leave a lasting impression and it certainly drew a crowd of admirers!!

We caught up with Gary Brewer before he left for the courthouse today...I know what you're all thinking...but he was going to take a customer's vehicle back to them! He is known as 'Mr. Runde' to the people at the courthouse, but to us he's just 'Brewer'.

This is what he had to say about himself and his job at Runde Chevrolet.

Runde Auto Chat: Everyone around here has been wondering the same thing...What exactly do you do at Runde's? How long have you been 'working' for them?

Gary Brewer: I pick up cars for service and return them when they are finished, handle title transfers, and I have worked here for about 4 years.

RAC: What would your dream car be?

GB: A 1960 Corvette.

RAC: How do you feel about the Chicago Cubs leading the National League Central?

GB: Hate it

RAC: How do the Cardinals have more wins than the Brewers, but have a lower payroll?

GB: Lucky

RAC: What is your favorite hobby?

GB: Boating

RAC: Do you have a favorite restaurant in the area?

GB: Grand Harbor Resort...My son works there

RAC: Where are you going on summer vacation?

GB: Next week we are going to Wisconsin for a Milwaukee Brewers game and Summerfest.

Gary, as you can see, is a man of few words, but he was kind enough to share his 'true' feelings about the other teams in the MLB National League. We kept those answers short to avoid the office friction (I am a Cardinals fan).

Hybrids: Cost Effective or More Expensive?

Chevy Aveo Named #1!!

When one thinks of hybrid vehicles, the first thing that comes to mind is fuel efficiency. Though the concept is great, are the savings in fuel going to outweigh the overall price of the hybrid? Edmunds.com ran this exact study in attempt to find the long-run cost of owning a hybrid car as opposed to a normal gas-powered compact or subcompact car. They then created a list of 'top tens' to see where the hybrids ranked in the group.

Ownership costs should include depreciation, financing, taxes, fees, insurance premiums, maintenance, repairs, and fuel costs. Edmunds figured all of their numbers on a five-year ownership plan, and assumed fuel prices of $4.06, $5.00, and $6.00 per gallon. The least expensive vehicle with gas prices at the current price of $4.06 was the Chevy Aveo with an average of $0.42 per mile. The Toyota Prius ranked 33rd with an average cost of $0.50 per mile. The only hybrid that could possibly rank among the top 10 is the Honda Civic Hybrid. Even if gas reaches the $5-$6 range, it still would not take-over the Aveo's spot at #1.
Obviously, fuel costs are a major part of the automobile purchasing process, and should be greatly considered. What consumers normally forget to consider are the other factors: depreciation, maintenance, etc. None of these factors should be over-looked in the buying process and neither should the Aveo.