What kind of car should I look into buying?

if i was you i would get a car that i could afford so maybe a Chrysler or an explorer

If you are on a budget, an old Jimmy or Jeep would probably be your best bet. They are usually cheap and easy to come by, with small engines if you do not need performance.

you might consider a Ford Escape. They have really come up the ladder with this 4 cylinder SUV. So popular that they even make a hybrid version. The vehicle would be great for your area, and it has a great history.

you don’t need a car that’s higher off the ground for New Orleans, and the extra height means reduced gas mileage as it increases both weight and drag.

but, Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape 4cyl and Subaru Forester meet your requirements. even with AWD they’ll all get high 20′s for hwy mpg.

an S-10 4cyl 2wd or ford ranger 4cyl 2wd would actually get slightly higher mpg than those four if you go with a stick.

whatever car you buy have it checked out by a mechanic well worth the money

There are several vehicles that fit the description you asked for. Here’s a list of trucks and SUVs with 4-Cylinder engines:

– Trucks –

Chevrolet Colorado
Chevrolet S-10
Ford Ranger
GMC Canyon
GMC Sonoma
Isuzu Hombre
Isuzu I-240
Isuzu Pup
Jeep Comanche
Mazda B2300
Mitsubishi Mighty Max
Nissan Frontier
Nissan Hardbody
Subaru Baja
Subaru Brat
Toyota Pickup
Toyota Tacoma

– SUVs –

Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
Daihatsu Rocky
Dodge Nitro
Dodge Raider
Ford Bronco II
Ford Escape
Geo Tracker
GMC S-15 Jimmy
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Tuscon
Isuzu Amigo
Isuzu Rodeo
Isuzu Trooper II
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Liberty
Jeep Patriot
Jeep Wrangler
Kia Sportage
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Montero
Nissan Pathfinder
Pontiac Torrent
Saturn Vue
Suzuki Samurai
Suzuki Sidekick
Suzuki Vitara
Suzuki X-90
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Highlander
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

The above models are all available with 4-Cylinder engines and have increased ground clearance over a standard car. Some are new, some are older, dating back to the 1980s, but most are from the 1990s on up to the mid 2000s.

If you’re open to an off-road wagon instead of a small truck or SUV, consider these as well:

AMC Eagle
Audi A6 Allroad
Ford Freestyle
Ford Taurus X
Mitsubishi Outlander
Subaru Forester
Subaru Impreza Outback
Subaru Legacy Outback
Toyota Venza
Volvo V70 Cross Country
Volvo XC70

The above models are all car-based wagons and hatchbacks with All-Wheel Drive and roughly 3″ or more of increased ground clearance over the standard models. Some have 6-Cylinder engines, some have 4-Cylinder engines, but they all get fairly good gas mileage because they don’t weigh as much as a full-blown SUV.

Overall, I would say, if you’re looking for mileage, the Suzukis, Subarus, and a hybrid version of the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, or Saturn Vue would net you the best mileage. They’re all reported in excess of 30 miles per gallon, even with 4-Wheel Drive models.

I hope this has answered your question. If you have any more, please feel free to ask.