thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

[JasonB]

I've been mulling something over lately. Here goes.<br /><br />When I was 16, I had a 1986 Ford Tempo, 3spd auto, no overdrive, witha old style 2.3L 4cyl. That car had a whopping 86hp ina smallish mid-size car. Had enough umph to do about 105 -don't ask how I know that- and got a great 36mpc consistently, adn I didn't exactly baby teh throttle. at 165k miles 8 years later, it still got a consistent 34mpg. With a 5spd, these cars were supposed to get over 40mpg.<br /><br />My Wife has a 2000 model Contour, which replaced the Tempo. It has an auto with a 2.5v6 and is having a great day if it gets 26mpg. I understand the 2.0L 4cyl only gets 30-32. <br /><br />Is it just me or is it nuts that we now have to buy something the size of a Corolla or Civic to get over 35mpg? My old Tempo was a decent size car that was comfortable. nothing againt Corollas and civics. I know chevy makes the cavalier that is still in that general size range and gets 38 or so mpg which is great.<br /><br /><br />On the other hand, back then I think trucks were doing good to be in the mid teens for MPG. I have a 5000lb F-150 with a V8 that gets a consistent 20mpg, so I guess some gains have been made there at least.<br /><br />I commute 60 miles round trip each day in my Ranger V6 that gets about 22-24mpg. In looking at "commuter" cars to replace it with in a couple years, I'm finding that "inexpensive" commuter cars are rare. My old Tempo only had 2 options from the factory over a base model, Auto and A/C. Even came with a genuine AM radio! Ok, anyone younger than me may scratch their head on that one... That was all I really needed, except I added a decent radio, and could have done without the auto. Is it possible to find a car that is inexpensive, reasonable sized (Toyota's Echo is definetly OUT), gets great economy, and doesn't cost out the ying-yang? I woin't buy a new car when the time comes, but I also don't need a commuter that has lots of buttons or leather. That's what I have my 150 Lariat for Seems to me, in the 80's and early 90's, there were lots of cars like these???<br /><br />Sorry just a tangent I've been on and mixed with a bit of a rant. Back under my rock.....

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

My Elantra fits that bill. New, in 01, I gave 12,900 for it. It has a am/fm cass, air, ps,pb,pw and pl. It has a 2.0l 4 cyl with 5 spd man. I get on average 28-29 mpg. I drive this car hard, no breaks. It amazes me the mileage I get with the way I drive it.<br /><br /><br />Regarding your older cars and mileage. My dad had a Omni. I know it got several votes as an ugly car but it was a great car. It got about 40-45 on average. It had roughly 250000 on it when he sold it, still ran like new.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Did your Escort have power steering, power windows, power locks, was it quiet inside, would it holdup in a crash, and did it have airbags? Did it have to carry around all the electronics that are required on modern cars?<br /><br />These are the reasons for the lower economy with modern cars. <br /><br />DO you remember how long it took for the Escort to get up to 60 mph? People want horsepower more than economy these days. Auto makers tune the car for power, not for economy.<br /><br />Also, automakers have been having trouble balancing emmsions with economy. The reformulated gas doesnt give quite as good economy as before.<br /><br /><br />Ken

 

[achris]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

J,<br /><br />Fuel economy also has to do with fuel quality. Back then you got more bang for your buck out of a gallon of petrol (gasoline if you live between Mexico and Canda )<br /><br />Fuels today are nothing short of rubbish. Back then the octane number was around 96, now you're lucky to find much over 87, unless you like paying for premium. Bottom line, you gotta burn more of it to make the same power. Yes, I agree that engines now should be more efficent, but then the oil companies wouldn't be happy with the auto industry would it. <br /><br />How do you spell 'conspiracy theory'?<br /><br />Chris............

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Originally posted by achris:<br /> Fuels today are nothing short of rubbish. Back then the octane number was around 96, now you're lucky to find much over 87, Chris............

Yep, ain't that the truth.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[roscoe]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Ford Focus ain't too bad, can't remember what my friend gets for mileage, but it is decent, over 30. She runs it 45 miles to work.<br /><br /><br />Here's a cool site:<br /><br /> http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

 

[tcube]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Thanks Roscoe - that's a useful site.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

my dads 86 chevy sprint with a 3cyl suzuki and a 5 speed got 50-56 mpg on the high way and when he traded it had just over 300K on the clock. it still got over 45mpg then. but what a car almost as noisey as the Aveo I rented.some times ya had to kick all the sqiurrels to wake them up

 

[JasonB]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Ken, the Tempo actually shared little with the escort, but point taken. I had to buy a better stereo to drown out the road noise, and yup, she had powers teering, power brakes, etc. No power windows or locks. Didn't want them. The 2.3 wasn't too much of a slouch. My friend had a 2.5 S10 and he could get a couple truck lengths in the 1/8th, but I would blow his doors off after that point. I just couldn't touch the CM cars with the "Quad 4" engines, except in trips to the pump.<br /><br />My Mom had a Horizon, twin to the Omni. Hers got a consistent 32mpg, but was a carbed one. Ugly, yes, but practical little car. A set of 70 series tires made it fun to drive as a kid.<br /><br />I hadn't thought about the fuel angle either. That would explain much. Just hit me the last few days how I remember many 4cyl cars getting 32+ mpg on average.<br /><br />If I can find one I like, the Focus will likely be my first choice since I bleed blue anyways.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

The "BICYCLE"!!!!!!!! <br /><br />Or like in China the motor scooter!!!!!

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Rodbolt, I call those little cars "skates" !<br /><br />Ford Fiesta<br />Geo Metro<br />Chevy Sprint<br />Dodge Omni<br /><br />Those things are scarry to drive here in Houston (a.k.a. land of the oversized SUV).<br /><br />Ken

 

[KM2]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

I have a focus for a commuter car. Get around 30 MPG and it's not a bad little car. I think a 5 spd and the less powerful 2.0 engine gets 35 mpg. Fairly cheap too.<br /><br />My ultimate commuter car would be a volkswagon jetta with TDI. 45 mpg and nice car compared to focus, tempo etc.

 

[DJ]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Some points of fact.<br /><br />NEVER, confuse EPA estimates with REAL fuel economy. Anyone ever read the EPA book availible at ANY dealer?------didn't think so.<br /><br />The EPA tests a unit in a lab at speeds NOT exceeding 45 MPH. The fuel economy test does NOT include, cold starts, speeds over, 45 MPH, or typical (TODAY) stop and go driving.<br /><br />Outdated, IMHO. They (EPA) should assign, IMHO, another numbering factor.<br /><br />For real numbers, here's some of mine.<br /><br />2005 F-150 4X4 (5.4 Triton) Average, 16.2<br /><br />2005 Escape (AWD). Average 23.8<br /><br />2004 Ranger (2X4, 3.0L) Average 17.6 (teenager driven-exclusively)<br /><br />2005 Mustang (V-6) Average 20.1

 

[Stratosfied]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

I know its been refered to in another post as a 'chick' car but my daily driven 91 Miata gets 33 mpg when driven normal, 29 mpg when you drive like you stole it!

 

[JasonB]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

DJ, I'm used to:<br /><br />1992 Ranger 2x4, 3.0, 5spd, 3.45 gears - 22 if I drive it hard, 24+ if I take it easy when accelerating. That's mixed city, interstate, etc. This one was rated by the EPA at 20-24<br /><br />1999 F-150 SC, 2x4, auto, 4.6 Triton- 18-20, EPA 16-20<br /><br />2000 Contour, 2.5 v6, auto- 26-27, EPA 24-27

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Maybe some of you guys need to enrol in a fuel-economy course. I did one over here for driving the trucks paid for by the government. It made a real difference. Since then:-<br /><br />Fiesta 1.8diesel, 50mpg @ average 75-80mph<br />Fiesta 1.1 petrol 56mpg @ average 65mph (and thats thrashing it hard)<br />Isuzu Trooper 2.3td 39mpg@average 70mph-27mpg in town<br />Nissan 720 jacked up 4x4 2.0 petrol no difference (what a surprise!)<br />Ford mondeo 1.8td 48mpg@average 80mph, 40mp round town<br />Daihatsu 2.8 TD Fourtrak 25mpg towing a 21' empty boat trailer, 29mpg without.Average 65mph.<br /><br /><br />It's knocked my fuel bills down on average by 20%.<br />It helps as an incentive that our gas is the equivalet of $7 a gallon here...

 

[ae708]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

My Passat gets high 20's in daily driving and 32 on the highway at 75-80. And has room for 4 comfortably..5 if the back seat people are friendly. Good ride, quiet, quick, airbags galore... great car.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

ae708 is that the passat with the 1.8 8v engine?

 

[JasonB]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

If only small Diesels we as available here....

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: thoughts on Fuel economy and "effecient" vehicles

Its all down to gas prices. Here it costs around $7 a gallon so people want cars with good economy and manufacturers supply them. <br /><br />Drive a BMW series 1 2.0d and get 50mpg + 0 - 60 in 8 seconds and top out at 134mph. <br /><br />Landrover Discovery 3 2.7td V6 with 30mpg. Thats a 2.7tonne 7 Seat SUV that will happily pull 3500kg. 0 - 60 11secs and top 112mph. <br /><br />But one things for sure good economy comes from modern new designed engines not old big V8's. Did see a Hemi that has come overhere where it shuts down some cylinders when not required which is good innovation.