OT: fuel efficiency

My car gets about 10% less fuel economy if I use gas watered down with ethanol. But it gets pretty bad gas mileage anyway. Its a dual purpose truck as I use it for work too. My next personal vehicle will get much better mileage.

That said... I am still thinking about getting one of those new Dodge Hemi Challengers. :)

It is very untrusworthy. These days manufacturers optimize their cars to do extremely well in the laboratory fuel economy tests so the cars can get tax exemptions. On the road you may experience extreme differences (up to 40%!).

--
Failure does not prove something is impossible, failure simply
indicates you are not using the right tools...
nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
--------------------------------------------------------------

Not necessarily. When I bought my Misubishi Montero Sport in 1997 it said 25mpg on the big sticker and it gets 25mpg every single time. Except when I use non-Californian gasoline, then it nets about 28mpg.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Our 2nd car is a 1995 model Corolla DX with the 1.8l engine. When I drive it the consumption is about 35mpg at 65mph. It is an automatic and with a stick shift you could likely improve that by about 10%. Also, I assume newer versions are even more economical.

If you must drive a lot check out the new VW Jetta or Rabbit Turbodiesel. Those offer fantastic fuel economy and have recently achieved pollution cert even in Calfifornia.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Last time I checked (I have to admit, it was long ago) VW had very poor reliability record. :o( I would not mind driving diesel as gas station near my house added it to the menu.

Can't say that. Many of my relatives drive Volkswagens and no problems. I had a 1987 Audi station wagon. It had to remain in Europe but our former neighbor has it now. 24 years old, never any major issues, no rust. Now if that ain't quality I don't know what is.

But it only makes sense if you anticipate a high yearly mileage for many years to come. After I started self-employed my yearly mileage went from

woldn't matter much.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Michael wrote: ...

In the 1970's, my Ford Pinto 1600CC got approx. 30 MPG. It was light, but it'd go the legal speed limit on the highway. I wasn't all that worried about safety, because I had had actual driver training, and knew how to not crash my own car.

Hope This Helps! Rich

...

Speaking of diesel, yesterday or so I saw a gas station where #2 diesel was almost a dollar more than the "premium" high-octane gas.

Makes me grateful for learning to ride a bike. :-)

Cheers! Rich

Some years ago, I had a coworker who had just bought a new VW "Quantum."

I asked him, "To get it repaired or serviced, do you take it to the Quantum mechanics?"

He didn't laugh. When that happens, I can't help but wonder, was it not funny, or did he just not get it?

Cheers! Rich

That's why Diesel engines don't make much sense in teh US unless you really need the torque. Or if you drive a whole lotta miles.

It's more healthy anyway. Except on some roads where it might shorten your life by, well, the whole remaining part of it.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Won't help much unless you also train all the guys behind you:

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

FWIW

I don't know what an Altima is, but Corolla's are "nice" - owners never complain about anything except the lack of any "statement" made in terms of performance or style. Civic's are somewhat similar but the manufacturer has expended more effort on performance and longevity (important). If you had the choice between the 2 and the cost difference was not the deciding factor, the Civic would win 9 out of 10 times. (The one time would be if a Toyota service centre is close by and no Honda centre is anywhere near and if Toyota offered a much better breakdown service)

don't be so sure, cars tend to gain in weight and size for every new version

also anything from driving style to tires and tire pressure can make big difference

and check the accuracy of the odometer

it seems everyone here want a diesel, the diesel is a bit cheaper than gasoline(because it has less tax) if it wasn't I dont see why it makes sense, a diesel car is quite a bit more expensive than it's gasoline version and turbo chargers and high pressure fuel pumps are very expensive parts when they fail

-Lasse

Indeed... I'm presently renting a Dodge Caliber, claimed as...

172 HP, EPA 26 mpg / 31 mpg

Not only is it gutless, I'm getting only 21MPG in mixed city/Interstate, carefully avoiding stomping on it, gasoline here in NY is almost $1 more per gallon than in AZ. ...Jim Thompson

[On the Road, in New York]

--
| James E.Thompson, CTO                            |    mens     |
| Analog Innovations, Inc.                         |     et      |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems  |    manus    |
| Phoenix, Arizona  85048    Skype: Contacts Only  |             |
| Voice:(480)460-2350  Fax: Available upon request |  Brass Rat  |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com |    1962     |
             
I love to cook with wine.     Sometimes I even put it in the food.

I think US carmakers are allowed to lie. My Q45 does slighly better than advertised... claimed: 4.5L 340hp, 17mpg city, 23mpg hwy. I get right around

20mpg in town, 27-28mpg at 85+ :-) ...Jim Thompson [On the Road, in New York]

--
| James E.Thompson, CTO                            |    mens     |
| Analog Innovations, Inc.                         |     et      |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems  |    manus    |
| Phoenix, Arizona  85048    Skype: Contacts Only  |             |
| Voice:(480)460-2350  Fax: Available upon request |  Brass Rat  |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com |    1962     |
             
I love to cook with wine.     Sometimes I even put it in the food.

VW TDI, 20% or more mileage for about 10% more in fuel costs. FYI, the New TDI's are very quiet.

Cheers

I looked and drove a Civic 2 years ago, I was not impressed. The electronic assist steering was sloppy, and the rear visibility from the drivers seat was non-existent. I walked away. I had a 91 Civic that was better quality and gas mileage. I was impressed with the Rabbit ( now branded the Golf), I will most likely buy a Golf over anything else.

Oh, and I dislike the Toyota's automatic cruise-control ;).

Cheers

[snip]

Altima is Nissan, midway between a Sentra and a Maxima... a nice car. I've only owned Nissan products after my 1977 episode with a Ford LTD ;-) ...Jim Thompson

[On the Road, in New York]

--
| James E.Thompson, CTO                            |    mens     |
| Analog Innovations, Inc.                         |     et      |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems  |    manus    |
| Phoenix, Arizona  85048    Skype: Contacts Only  |             |
| Voice:(480)460-2350  Fax: Available upon request |  Brass Rat  |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com |    1962     |
             
I love to cook with wine.     Sometimes I even put it in the food.

Not so much for the compact cars anymore.

Yes, I noticed that after buying Michelins the gas mileage dropped a bit versus the Yokohamas I had before :-(

In the US that's usually not necessary. You kind of have to go with a fairly even flow on the freeways no matter which car you are driving. But there's plenty of radar displays before roadworks and such that tell you "Your speed is 53mph".

Just went to the gas station, which happens about every other month. $3.60/gal or $1/liter for regular, $4.20 or so for Diesel which is $1.17/liter. Out here people only drive Diesels when they need to tow horse trailers or big camping trailers. Those are much larger than European ones and in the mountains you need lots of torque for that.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/