Price of gas...how small will you allow yourself to go?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

I'm picking one of these up after work today. will be my commuter and short small errands toy. $6 in gas a week, i think i can live with that.

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.

[dd74]

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?

[pwd72s]

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:

[Sonic dB]

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

[Hugh R]

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.

[p911dad]

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..

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

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.

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.

[MOMO3.2]

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

[Hugh R]

Bugeyes are very cool!!

[burgermeister]

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.

[berettafan]

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

and no batteries to screw with!

[Aerkuld]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

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:

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.

[onlycafe]

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.

[dd74]

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

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by MOMO3.2

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

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

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

[89911]

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

[MattKellett]

Originally Posted by 89911

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

[cstreit]

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.)

[austin552]

Originally Posted by onlycafe

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.

Mini gets my vote.

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by MattKellett

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

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