Not too stupid actually.

When I was in my local Suzuki place a couple weeks ago getting parts for my motorcycle, I got in a conversation with one of the sales guys. I kinda' figured their sales were doing well with more people who'd previously been on the fence now looking at cycles more seriously. The guy said Y-O-Y sales for scooters in particular were up HUGE, like 500% over last year.

I'm still much more partial to the idea of an honest-to-goodness motorcycle than a scooter (I prefer the riding "on top" posture more than the "seat" posture) but anytime you can get 40mpg without really trying is a good time.

Yeah, but I'd want a fast scooter. The Aprilia tops out at about 60 mph. I've done that on my bicycle.

Is 80 mph too much to ask?

Best MPG I ever personally witnessed...From Sacramento, California to Alturas, California on a single tank of gas. This in 1962, my friend David's car. We penciled it out...no calculators back then. Over 48 MPG. Of course, we were limping along at 50 MPH once we figured out it would be a long stretch to the next gas station. His car? One of these:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1215125381.jpg

Id like to get one of these someday...but right now Im happy with the 993

http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007-3-21/tesla_shop.jpg

My 08 Camry Hybrid gets 36 mpg city/highway, and the wifey got almost 40 to and from Las Vegas a few weeks ago. I use 1-1/3 gallon of gas round trip to Burbank and back. At $5/gallon, about seven bucks. I think I can take the hit.

We bought a new Malibu V6 LTZ in May, getting an overall average of 27.3 mpg over the first 1200 miles, I am satisfied. The car is a very good overall performer(not a wheezy 4 cyl.) and very nice fit and finish overall. I like it. We also have a Trailblazer with 108,000 miles and averages 20 mpg, which is has been a very good vehicle over 6 years and of course, the 911, which doesn't get driven enough lately(gets maybe 24 mpg). Next car is maybe a Chevy Volt, if GM is still with us in 3 years..

Yeah, but that old bugeye was FUN! David & I both thinking we were Jimmy Clark...in a car that pretty much matched the Beetle of the day in acceleration & top end. :rolleyes:

I drive this. I traded in my F150 8 months ago (just in time). I commute to work in it 20 miles round trip and get 30mpg by really driving conservatively on the commute and even coasting when I can. On longer Freeway jaunts, I can easily get 33-34 mpg.

The utility is great. It seats 4 very comfortably and 5 in a pinch. With the rear seats down, it can carry very large items. It is PLENTY quick and fast with 200bhp and 200 lbs/ft of torque. It comes standard with Xenon lights, Sirius radio, and a very, VERY quality interior. The level of trim and finish is worlds ahead of most cars in its class.

I really, really got close to buying a scooter (Honda Ruckus) or small motorcycle (Honda CB 100). But, I live in Los Angeles County and feel it is just more risk than I am willing to take.

Check out "ride2die.com" if you want to be dissuaded from riding a bike OR scooter.

Mike
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1215135545.jpg

Bugeyes are very cool!!

Drove a Saturn Astra ... and I quite liked it. Rev-happy, a bit low on power (really needs a 1.6 turbo), but beautiful handling, brakes, and steering feel. And I can sit behind myself - not bad for a 6'2" guy. It's next on my list should the Park Avenue Ultra Luxo-Barge / Family-Hauler bite the dust.

I also quite liked the handling, powertrain & brakes on a Chevy Cobalt SS turbo. But alas, it's still a Cobalt, and the powertrain just doesn't make up for the interior package.

Honda Fit looks interesting - haven't driven one yet.

my mothers '06 Camry gets 32mpg and cost a whopping $16.5k spankin' new.

and no batteries to screw with!

Nice! They have the same BMC A-Series engine as the original Mini. I'm not suprised about the economy. With the right tuning these engines can be built for even better economy. A-series expert David Vizard built an economy Mini that managed over 80mpg. Not bad for an engine who's basic design is over 50 years old.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1215142513.jpg

i got this. average at first 7500 miles is just over 33 mpg. lots of fun to drive.
i feel like i am cheating on my targa though.

Momo and Onlycafe have the right idea, IMO. Performance, utility, comfort and good gas mileage.

:eek: Lot's of videos there...here's my fav:

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/mc-crash8.mpg

Why kinds of milage do e39 528's with standard transmissions get?

I used to average 26.5 in combined driving with mine, although it was an auto. I have a 35 mile commute with about 25 of those freeway, then add in city driving and whatever at the weekend. With a manual you should get at least 2 mpg better I wold think...

I current drive a W8 Passat Wagon and average 21 mpg..... I'm waiting to see the new Jetta Tdi Wagon, which should get easily in the high 40's for combined from what I have been reading.

Matt

Good question. I suppose a 1.6-1.8L car would be fine. We drive an SUV daily. Only bought it because we needed something to tow 7000# with. THe cost of buying a second smaller car well exceeded what we'd pay in gas in several years in the SUV since we don't commute.

The increase in gas from $3.00 to $4.00 costs us about $20/week or just over $1k per year in our SUV, not really worth buying something else for that. (Now the 20k pound V10 motorhome? That one hurts.)

Mini gets my vote.

my sisters 8-10yr old jetta tdi wagon gets something like 48+ combined

onlycafe, is that 33 MPG with the forced-induction version or the NA version? How annoying is that center speedo? Do you end up treating it like a 911 - you get used to using the tach and ignore the invisible speedometer?

Why is it only the mini and the olde-tyme 911 have the tach mounted in the right spot, anyhow ??? :)

I used to have an 2004 XRS and best I could get was 22-23 combined driving..... but I did love to rev that car. The Matrix/Vibe cars are great for space but the XRS is a thirsty for premium gas so I had to sell it.

Since March 2005:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1201572644.jpg

My 2007 MazdaSpeed3 gets 32mpg and it's fun to drive, as well as practical.

I got both with the 1.8 liter engine. I got the choice for the 2009 one (2.4 Camry engine) and choose the 1.8 again.

Sold my last V8 car last year, but it was getting about the same mpg as my 911. I just needed to sell something, and it was not going to be my 911!

Wife drives a Kia @ ~25mpg.
I drive my cycle when I can @ ~35mpg.
When weather is bad, I either drive the 911 @ ~20mpg
or my pickup @ ~17mpg. The pickup sits a lot lately.
We don't need to go any smaller, IMO.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1215278339.jpg

So ya say you like minis?

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Damn, Mercedes has really gone backwards in fuel efficiency! I went out and checked the computer on my wife's '04 C class, it shows over the last 3000 miles she's averaged . . . 17.8 mpg.

An old V8 model can beat that by 10 mpg?

My 94 corvette averaged about 20 if I drove it conservatively, as did my 92 Firebird.

Which engine do you have in that C-class?

2.6 liter 6.

Looks like you're falling right into the reported range for city driving.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2004_Mercedes-Benz_C-Class.shtml

Still, that seems like low mileage for a modern car with a 170hp V6.

Just the more reason to drive the 911. My '98 s-10 with a 2.2 4 cyl gets maybe 25, wifes 06 malibu ss gets 27 hwy. The 911 35 hwy and ~30 driving it hard.

That car of your is awesome Duke, I remeber it from last years Tail of the Dragon. I would imagine filling it up with gas doubles the weight!

We were discussing this subject at work the other day and predicting a gradual shift back towards lightweight cars. Manufacturers have slowly been adding every piece of gadgetry imaginable. They need to start triming that out and selling super cheap, economical cars.

Three V8's in my household and that will not change anytime soon.

Nissan Armada - needed for towing my track car and equipment and is my wife's Daily Driver . Gets 17-18mpg just so you stay at 75mph or lower with no tow. Towing it gets 13-14mpg at the same speed range. It's paid for so not trading in to get my arse whipped to spend less at the pump.

928 - track car. Like I really care about mpg.

928 - street car. Keep it off high boost (it's turbocharged) and you'll get 20-22mpg

Rented a car for my wife a few weeks ago. A Nissan Altima 2.5SL which got 38mpg and was a nice riding car. We've been looking at the E-class Bluetec however are holding off on the purchase for now because of the chance of needing to re-locate or may even be on the job market at the first of the year due to the pending buyout of my employer. I have a company provided vehicle for now as my DD.

I'm looking for a 760Li. Its a great time to pick up a V8..
<img src="http://images.europeancarweb.com/features/0708epcp_02_z+2007_bmw_760li+rear_angle.jpg"><br>< br>

LOL, I had the mileage from memory from a few years ago.

I was overly optimistic. Here's the latest - Mercedes C Class 2.6 V6:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1215405040.jpg

It is what it is. I'd like to see some similar shots from all those who are averaging 27+ or whatever in their V8s.

You can all relax now, US and Sweden will together develope a new plug in hybrid

hallelujah :)

http://www.automotorsport.se/news/14914/sverige-usa-=-plug-in/

....looking for a Swedish to English translator.....

I would love to show you the readout, but none of my cars are fancy enough to have that stuff.
Well, the vette did but it is long gone - sold last year.

16.3mpg?? Is there perhaps a load of cement in the trunk of that Benz???? :D

Actually, here is a likely culprit... Have the tires been changed in size from original equipment? Those onboard computers calculate your MPG based on a tire rolling diameter that is pre-programmed and is based on original equipment. Even a small change in rolling diameter can significantly impact that reading over time.

My daily driver is a 2004 Ford Ranger long bed. I get 25 to 27 mpg average. I live around the mountains so I have alot of uphill driving. If I lived somewhere flat I think this truck might hit 30mpg if I drove it just right.

If the Benz doens't work out, you can always come back to the dark side :)

http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=43035&sortby=&dir=