Bought a gas saver

[tysonnathan]

Re: Bought a gas saver

I was just yanking on your chain a bit. Enjoy the ride in the breeze. I do all of my traveling by motorcycle and ride one at work when I want to boot.

I was wondering where you were getting all of your 2wheeled information! Sure are a lot more bikes out there now... Might be the reason that the price of a gallon has gone down in the past couple days Might also account for the increased # of greasy spots on the road... just b/c you can afford one, doesnt mean you can drive one!

 

[MikDee]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Best of luck with the new wheels Gary, it sounds nice! Personally I'm trying to convince the bride into getting a new Suzuki SX4 4WD, but it's a no go so far Where I live in the suburban hills, & curves of Pa. I need 4WD, shoot even my driveway is an upslope, fun in the winter Of course her Tucson is Great, but I need to replace my 98' Dodge Neon with a 4WD hatch back, it's ok, but can't carry much, nor make it up & down the driveway in bad weather. At least I've got my trusty 95' S-10 for towing.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Full size pickup= 15mpg
300cc Dual Sport Dirt Bike= 75mpg


Assume 15000 miles driven/year
Gas Cost= $4/gal


Annual pickup fuel cost= $4000
Dual Sport fuel Cost= $800


Savings= $3200
Dirt Bike Cost= $1600

Net Savings= $1600/year or $133.33/month



This is an example of how I bought something that burns gas to save gas.... I worked it out on paper, and it makes financial sense to me....

I don't see that working out.

First I doubt you'd do 15K in a year on a 300CC bike. Highway would kill you.
Tires are shot every 5-8K miles so two sets will go 5 bills and that's if you're in good with a shop.
Forgot the gear you wear unless you're a squid in which case you need to add medical. rain gear, helmet, gloves, boots, cold weather jacket, warm weather jacket etc.
Oil change every 3K miles at roughly $ 50 a shot
Regular services, believe you'd get 4 at 15 K $200 a shot
Brakes go at roughly 10K maybe sooner
Probably going to need a chain at some point there, maybe sprockets.

No one rides a bike to save money, although it makes a good argument for the wife, if she doesn't want one around.
If a bike is very meticulously and regularly maintained it will quickly eat up the gas savings in maintenance.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Im not tryin to trash any one car but my experience with mazdas isnt good. Mainly the cost of engine repairs. parts and the problem with finding repair manuals. This is one reason they cost less to buy.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Thanks MikDee!
Fairlane, My brother has had 2 Mazdas that were problem free for well over the 150k mark.
My girlfriends daughter drives one too with no problems and she is really hard on cars.
I guess time will tell...
I would have liked a Honda accord but they would not budge off the sticker price.
All of the reviews and forums i have read on the Mazda were pretty good.
I don't think they have any more problems than other imports.
The Honda that had about the same options as the Mazda was over the 23k price. So the savings of 7k will pay for plenty of service..

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Im sure the new ones are much better than the older ones I have worked on. The millenium was very trouble prone and the kia wih the mazda engine were inferior to many but that was 10 years ago. Sounds like you made a pretty good selection. The paint and body on these cars is also rated very high ,better than most of the other imports from japan and far better than alot of american brands.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Thanks Fairlane!
I went over every inch of the body and paint on this car before i signed the deal.I could not find one flaw.The fit and finish of the body panels are perfect.
I am super picky about that kind of thing too.
I give a thumbs up to Montgomery Mazda,great people and no pressure sales.
It was strange to not have salesmen run for you when you pull in the lot.
I stopped at Dale Jarrett Ford and was swamped by salesmen...I quickly drove off..
Same with the Honda and Toyota dealer.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Bought a gas saver

I'm not a huge fan of small cars at all but I love that Mazda 6. Very nice looking ride. .

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Bought a gas saver

OK....so I think tthis is the Aussie version......very nice indeed.

http://www.mazda.com.au/Models/Current models/Mazda6.aspx

When you mentioned Sports Wagon, I thought you were in this vehicle.
Anita won't say anything, but I seriously believe this is what she has her eye on. Problem I have is: she always goes for the top of the range with ever extra available......reckons she works hard so she is going to have it that way.
http://www.mazda.com.au/Models/Current models/CX-9.aspx

This is what she currently has.....18mths older.....she insisted on the colum auto shift (which is a very sensible idea actually)....and hers is decked out with a lot of extras this one dosn't have.
Got to be honest, it is a very nice vehicle.
http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/MAZDA/TRIBUTE/Victoria/csn5819642.aspx

This is what I have been trying to talk her in to....for a long time....with little luck. Can be a newer model tho.....but not older (must be GU iv)
She won't have a Toyota Landcruiser Sahara because the rear doors are split.....top half hinges up, bottom down....and she can't reach in to get groceries out. Nissan has barn doors.
http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/NISSAN/PATROL/ACT/csn1743148.aspx?State=ACT

Don't you guys use duel fuel systems.....petrol and LPG.
LPG uses 15-20% more fuel, but here petrol is $1.60 litre and LPG 65c litre, and Govt give a $2,ooo rebate on a $3,5oo installation cost...very economical.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Bought a gas saver

A few years back I hada Chevy Astro AWD that got 16-17mpg. Took a job where I drove 200 to 250 miles a day (got payed IRS mileage rate) so I added a '99 Dodge Neon that got 34 mpg. $3,200 at auto auction. It payed for itself quickly.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Looks close Phillip, wow,What a price tag!
No dual fuel systems here yet from Mazda.I'm sure its in the near future though.
If mine gets the rated 32 mpg i will be happy.
For a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder she has some zip to it..
The 5 speed auto with manual shift mode is cool too.
The dual exhaust looks pretty cool and gives it kind of a deep tone for a 4 cylinder.
So far i am very happy with it.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Bought a gas saver

I've got two Harleys. Nobody buys a Harley to "save money."

I'm impressed.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Bought a gas saver

I'm impressed.

With what?

 

[bhammer]

Re: Bought a gas saver

OK....so I think tthis is the Aussie version......very nice indeed.


When you mentioned Sports Wagon, I thought you were in this vehicle.
Anita won't say anything, but I seriously believe this is what she has her eye on. Problem I have is: she always goes for the top of the range with ever extra available......reckons she works hard so she is going to have it that way.
http://www.mazda.com.au/Models/Current models/CX-9.aspx

Cheers
Phillip

Phillip, we own the CX-9 Sports edition with a lot of extras. It sucks as a tow vehicle though... It won't be long until I have a truck but can't fit 6 family members in them legally.

The only compliant I have with it is that the seats get uncomfortable after about 1.5 hours in them. I have googled and found many other's with the same issue.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Me:

18,200 miles per year commuting alone -$3.50 gas price:
22mpg van I was driving - $2,895.45 yearly in fuel

44mpg Metro I now drive That I paid $2,900 for: $1447.23 yearly in fuel.
Once I didn't have the van, my only other option was the '84 F250.... That would have been $6,370 per year in fuel for the same commute! 10mpg

If it's time for a new car, nothing wrong with getting the right one.
But I agree with the thought - If your getting 25 with a nice vehicle that you would have normally kept, it's retarded to go spend $15k more on something just so you can 35mpg.

Paid for free and clear in fuel alone in 2 years.

----And in my case, just like above, I needed a vehicle either way.

Full size pickup= 15mpg
300cc Dual Sport Dirt Bike= 75mpg


Assume 15000 miles driven/year
Gas Cost= $4/gal


Annual pickup fuel cost= $4000
Dual Sport fuel Cost= $800


Savings= $3200
Dirt Bike Cost= $1600

Net Savings= $1600/year or $133.33/month



This is an example of how I bought something that burns gas to save gas.... I worked it out on paper, and it makes financial sense to me....

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought a gas saver

My truck is 14 to the gallon,maybe 15.5 on the highway at best.I have checked it many times and done everything possible to get better fuel mileage.
The new car is 30+ to the gallon.....Eventually it will pay off.
The best part is the car is way more fun to drive....
I work hard....i deserved a new ride..

 

[Link]

Re: Bought a gas saver

My truck is 14 to the gallon,maybe 15.5 on the highway at best.I have checked it many times and done everything possible to get better fuel mileage.
The new car is 30+ to the gallon.....Eventually it will pay off.
The best part is the car is way more fun to drive....
I work hard....i deserved a new ride..

Could not agree more!
Don't have the time to figure out how to post a pic again. Sorry.

But here is the link to the whizzer moped (I need the exercise)
Oh did I say excuse? With 99% of my driving this days in town at ten mpg
and this gets 120 mpg.. ok I just want it!
http://www.whizzermotorbike.com/NE5Images.htm

Link

 

[MikDee]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Could not agree more!
Don't have the time to figure out how to post a pic again. Sorry.

But here is the link to the whizzer moped (I need the exercise)
Oh did I say excuse? With 99% of my driving this days in town at ten mpg
and this gets 120 mpg.. ok I just want it!
http://www.whizzermotorbike.com/NE5Images.htm

Link

Wow, That's pretty Wild! Go for it! But, you better keep your eye on it, and lock it up when not in use

 

[avenger79]

Re: Bought a gas saver

Phillip, we own the CX-9 Sports edition with a lot of extras. It sucks as a tow vehicle though... It won't be long until I have a truck but can't fit 6 family members in them legally.

The only compliant I have with it is that the seats get uncomfortable after about 1.5 hours in them. I have googled and found many other's with the same issue.

I have six seatbelts in my supercab F150. Just have to get one of the later models to get that many in. I have had 6 adults in it but it's cramped.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Bought a gas saver

When I saw the title I thought you bought yourself a bicycle but checked to make sure it wasn't one of those scam fuel savers....Nice LITTLE ride there Gary ....parts are pricey but most are reliable.....keep the oil clean and do compression checks before tuneups