I'm thinkin econobox

[jdlowery]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
What the mpg on the good old Volkswagen bug (70s model, not the current one)? Seems to me I used to drive that thing forever on a tank of gas...

I have a '70 Bug and depending on the type of engine you can receive pretty decent mileage. I had my engine rebuilt last summer to a 1641. A little more power but not much. I typically get about 35-40 mpg. Not bad for a 36 year old car. I'll probably get it painted this summer. Any suggestions on where to get it painted in the Bay Area, CA for a decent price?

[s_wilwerding]

I just prdered a Fit myself. I'm actually downgrading from a CRV. Since I never tow anything and rarely have more than one passenger, I figured I don't need to be driving an 18 mpg car when a 34 mpg car would work fine for me. I was very impressed with the Fit - it's got great interior room for both passengers and cargo, and it's got decent power. It handles like a go-kart, probably because it only weighs 2400 lbs.

So, I say go for it. Don't expect to pay less than MSRP for about a year, though, since the Fits are flying off dealer lots. I agreed to pay MSRP for a Sport Fit, and it appears that one in the color I want won't be available until June/July.

[dean]

Originally posted by GothingNC
Plus when we run out of oil in 4-5 years you could convert it to bio-diesel.

Check out www.tdiclub.com

No need to convert anything to run bio. Just pump it in. I am running B100 right now.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Originally posted by s_wilwerding
I just prdered a Fit myself. I'm actually downgrading from a CRV. Since I never tow anything and rarely have more than one passenger, I figured I don't need to be driving an 18 mpg car when a 34 mpg car would work fine for me. I was very impressed with the Fit - it's got great interior room for both passengers and cargo, and it's got decent power. It handles like a go-kart, probably because it only weighs 2400 lbs.

So, I say go for it. Don't expect to pay less than MSRP for about a year, though, since the Fits are flying off dealer lots. I agreed to pay MSRP for a Sport Fit, and it appears that one in the color I want won't be available until June/July.

I'm gonna see what my dealer can do... I bought my previous two cars at the same place, so I'll give them a chance for my next business. I think MSRP for the Fit Sport 5 spd is $15,170. Not too bad. I don't really want any of the options, I'll get the neat stuff in the aftermarket and probably save some $$.

[Rick V]

Originally posted by Noah930
Interesting how mechanics seem to frequently have POS cars. I don't know if that says so much about the finances of wrenching for a living, or if it's some sort of badge of pride that they have--keeping a POS running for far longer than the original manufacturer or NHTSA intended.

Well I wrench for a living and I still wouldn't drive a metro! My comute to and from is 60 miles a day I have to have something fun. So my DD is an E36. Most wrenches that drive merto's or some other POS is because they get them from the customer that just won't put anymore money into it and they grab them for 50 bucks or so. Throw another 200 bucks at it and wham instant cheap transportation. Don't forget we don't pay shop labor and get parts for cost+10%.

[masraum]

hmm, honda econobox, sounds boring. I couldn't do it, so I went with a miata. Maybe not as practical as a 4 door with lots of room, but nearly as much fun as the 911 was.

[john70t]

Drove in a 98 Saturn that got about 44mpg freeway (at consistent 55mph) and about 37mpg (at 75mph). Owner had a Geo Metro before that got at least 45mpg.
I had a 91 Civic Hatchback(my favorite car) that got aroud 37mpg combined c/h.
Keep the tires at max or a few over (except in hot weather), drive slow, and keep rolling when aproaching lights.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Originally posted by john70t
Drove in a 98 Saturn that got about 44mpg freeway (at consistent 55mph) and about 37mpg (at 75mph). Owner had a Geo Metro before that got at least 45mpg.
I had a 91 Civic Hatchback(my favorite car) that got aroud 37mpg combined c/h.
Keep the tires at max or a few over (except in hot weather), drive slow, and keep rolling when aproaching lights.

I had a Honda Insight before my Tiburon. I learned a lot of good gas saving techniques. I used to keep the tires on that thing at 50PSI. Worked great! I usually run my tires a couple pounds high. Also found that it (and other cars) seem to have a 'sweet spot' at freeway speeds where it gets the best gas mileage.

[Don Ro]

You want cheap?...economical?...how about a good used Ford Festiva.

My neighbor died 5 yrs. ago...I bought his flawless, but dead, '88 Ford Festiva LX (Mazda B3 1.3L, 5 spd.) from his daughter for $100.
At 56k miles the distributor failed, he didn't want to pay Ford their $300+ price, so it sat for 6 years in his garage.

I yanked a wrecking yard dist. for $65...poked it in, installed an extra inline fuel filter, drained gas tank/added fresh, changed oil/filter, jumped it, she fired right up, I drove it down the street to my place.

Usual tuning parts, etc., new brake parts, etc., total service, etc. - about $200 in parts/fluids.
She gives me 32 - 36 mpg all around and 48 - 52 mpg hwy @ 60 mph.
Same here, tires a few lbs. over.
Fun, zippy, and cheap little golf cart.
.

.
When I get time, new cam belt going in.

.
K. Back to that nifty Honda Fit.

[GothingNC]

Originally posted by dean
No need to convert anything to run bio. Just pump it in. I am running B100 right now.

I think the newer TDI's with the PD motor sold in the US stating in 2004 need some type of conversion.

[dean]

Originally posted by GothingNC
I think the newer TDI's with the PD motor sold in the US stating in 2004 need some type of conversion.

Hi John,

What would you need to convert? Biodiesel is a direct replacement for regular diesel. There are those that think that Bio is bad for any motor especily the PD TDI. So I hear that PD owners run B50 or some other ratio rather than B100

[ken_xman]

I had a 84 Nissan Sentra Diesel that got its best mileage at 56MPG. They made those for one year... a near indestructable motor. If Nissan ever makes a diesel US car again.. I'm first in line.

[pwd72s]

I like Don Ro's action...when it'sjust a daily commute & grocery hauling, who cares what the stranger next to you thinks of your ride? Cheap is good!

[Nathans_Dad]

For sheer character I would buy a nice classic VW bug for $6000 (that'll buy you a NICE one) and sink another $4k into the engine or whatever else needs fixing. According to the above posts you should be able to get at least 25-30 mpg from the bug, not much less than the econoboxes of today.

Then you have a cool, nearly indestructible econobox.

Needless to say I have considered this move myself many times...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

TDI's can run B100 with no problem...except VW says your warranty is void if you run greater than B5. That may change soon, though, they're working with ADM to test B20.

A shame, since dino-diesel here runs ~3.15/ga and B100 runs ~2.91.

I'll eat the extra $ on the dino for the duration of the warranty, though. It's still better than the $3.45/ga I pay for my WRX.

[Jim Richards]

now that we're Dubya's neighbors, we commute by foot. But wifey's thinking of ditching the Honda Civic grocery-getter for one of these...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Jim, at least put her on a real bike that can get out of its own way...a decent 600 or 750 will get 50+ mpg ridden conservatively, and also go/stop much better than some 50cc tiddler.

[Jim Richards]

with 25mph speed limits in most of DC, it'll due.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Oh, by "Bush's neighbor" I thought you meant "Texas".

[Jim Richards]

LOL! Bush is no more a Texan than Kerry is.