What is considered "good" gas mileage?

[1BGDOG]

So I am starting to look for a cheap DD. I honestly don't know what "good" gas mileage is. Yes anything is better than a YJ with 35's. I think my F-250 gets good mileage for what it is, but I drive close to 500 miles a week and diesel is starting to get silly.

TIA :beer:

Now to throw another wrench in the plans! Under $3000!!!

[Oscar]

Good gas mileage is what you are comfortable paying for

[1BGDOG]

Good gas mileage is what you are comfortable paying for


See i already get that concept, but is 24-27 good?

[Matt]

I'd say mid-30's, great would be mid-40's.

[Snotty]

Look for a used 2000 + Diesel VW. If it was taken care of, you can still expect to see 35 mpg in town and 40ish highway. Which is still better then most gassers that aren't hybrids.

[sonofmayhem]

2000 Tacoma, supercharged, 33s, stock gears, 5spd. I can hit 18 in town, 20 on the freeway.

If I play with it, it is 16mpg.... I love my truck and consider it good for a truck, seeing as my F150 got 11/22, Old 4runner got 11/17 :D

I am thinking about buying a bike, to spend about 20 on gas every month, unless I go wheeling:D

I only travel about 12 miles a day to the gym/work/home for lunch/ home

[Xtremjeepn-Cole Ford]

2000 Tacoma, supercharged, 33s, stock gears, 5spd.

Well if you haven't changed the gears and you are running bigger tires then all your other calculations are going to be off. Your 33s are covering more ground than your odometer is picking up. (so technically you are probably getting better mileage)

[Jeffro600]

Look for a used 2000 + Diesel VW. If it was taken care of, you can still expect to see 35 mpg in town and 40ish highway. Which is still better then most gassers that aren't hybrids.

Almost every new econo 4 cylinder(non hybrid) on the market gets that...and regular is on average a dollar or more cheaper than diesel...

You do the math... :shrug:

[Colin]

35-45 in town. 50 on flat highways. Just hope its warm out :P



http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=8804&stc=1&d=1211785926

[Matt]

Best gassers (all in the 50mpg range)
Honda VX
Honda CRX HF
Geo Metro

[Snotty]

Almost every new econo 4 cylinder(non hybrid) on the market gets that...and regular is on average a dollar or more cheaper than diesel...

You do the math... :shrug:

He said used, not new.

Based on vehix.com. I compared a 2002 2.0 golf manual with a 2002 1.8 tdi manual.

mpg ratings: 2.0: 24/31 vs. 42/49.

Even with diesel costing more, you get better fuel economy and would pay less annually with the tdi.

is that enough math?

[mikee_357]

38 2007 honda civic automatic

[Mcstiff]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3854826

[el-cheapo]

Can't drive my scout at this gas price, so I drive a geo metro:shrug:

[Snotty]

And here is an Edmonds report using new models. But they also tossed in a 2005 1.8 TDI Jetta. Make sure to look at the numbers.

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/126370/article.html?mktcat=gas-sipper&kw=best+mpg&mktid=ga47875593&gclid=CMTCi-qmxJMCFQsiIgodvHdqCw

[1BGDOG]

Updated OP, must be under $3000!! That knocks the wind out of a lot of cars. I have been on craigslist, and people want a lot for 10 year old POS's. Granted a lot of them are riced out junk that means nothing to me.

[otisdog]

Honda Fit bought last December. 1.5 VTEC. Getting 30 in the city. Haven't had it out on a road trip yet.
Jim

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/otisdog4/Other%20Stuff/Fit1.jpg

[otisdog]

After buying this Fit we gave our Grandaughter our 97 Geo Metro. 78K - ace shape. Had we not given it to her it would have been for sale here on the forum for $2K OBO.
Jim

[1BGDOG]

Otis
Would a tall cat fit in a Metro? I mean Longboy tall (6'6")

[otisdog]

uhhh - I think for the mileage you would. Ours was the Metro LSI 4 cylinder Suzuki 1.3L. never had a problem with that thing in 10 years besides regular maintenance.
Jim

You can sorta see it here years ago next to my ol YJ
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/otisdog4/My%20Jeeps/DCP_0014Medium.jpg

[1BGDOG]

uhhh - I think for the mileage you would.

LOL good point!

[Snotty]

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/14271.shtml

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/694884344.html

[Digger]

I have a 97 Honda civic ex, 1.6 liter. commute from lakewood to silverthorne every day of the week nets me 30 mpg. Took it to NY a couple of summers ago, 35-38 mpg depending on how heavy I was on the throttle.

[Colo.TJ]

I dumped the 01 Dodge Cummins about a year ago for a new Corolla. Although the Dodge got great mileage considering it weighed over 8000lbs. Had slightly oversized tires(33") and was 4wheel drive, Dodges sit pretty high from the factory, and had full time hubs it still avg. about 18mpg.

The Corolla avgs. 35mpg. from the day I bought. Had a low of 30 and a recent high of 38. Ins. is cheaper as well. I don't need a case of oil for oil changes or fuel filters.

We still have the 05' Cummins but that will go if the RV ever sells.

My list for you;

Corollas have been built for many years and have a incredible reliability record.
Tercel, Metros were rebadged Tercels.
Civic, same as Corolla.

It seems that all of these gas misers are getting a premium right know but that is to be expected.

[otisdog]

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/14271.shtml

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/694884344.html

That Jetta don't lok too shabby.
Jim

[JR4X]

What can you see your self getting away with driving? Would you feel "gay" in a metro/festiva/aspire? IMO the festiva/aspires are the better choice and here is my case. My brother had a 93 festiva that averaged 50 mpg and since its a 4 cylander instead of 3 WILL waste a 3 cyl geo for power. My father in law had a 98 metro 3 cyl that averaged 48 mpg at that time and the festiva would run circles around the metro on the highway/hills. We now have a 93 festiva our selves that gets 40 mpg with the a/c off and 32 with the a/c on. We got it for $170 bucks and I dont care what I look like in it getting 40 mpg. I would wear a pink shirt and lip stick in it to not have to pay what it costs to daily drive my jeep! I found an aspire on ebay last week that went for about $1000 bucks and those were the same car as a festiva but reskinned like a jelly bean or egg. My grandma has a new buick lesabre and it gets 35 MPG and is a huge very nice car. But was also in the 20K range.

my 2 penny's.

Edit: more penny's. It does not make sense at all to go out and finance something else to drive for better fuel econmy. Once making car payments and full coverage insurance less cost at the pump will only be a fleeting good feeling. We thought about buying a car for the wife to drive instead of my truck. After doing the math it actually cost more to drive than it would save and now we would have one more payment and one more full coverage vehicle. My point is that unless you have something getting less than 8 mpg it wont save money or the enviornment to finance and operate another car.

[Colo.TJ]

I think he will feel "gay" no matter what he drives. I mean if the shoe fits and all.;)

[1BGDOG]

I think he will feel "gay" no matter what he drives. I mean if the shoe fits and all.;)

Jerk!! LOL:flipoff2:

[Leon Phelps]

Toyota: Tercel, Corolla
Honda: Pick ANY with a 4 banger. Change the timing belt, will run for ever.

All of the above will net 30+mpg, especially if you get a 5 spd.

I'm sorry, diesel proponents. I cant justify the increased maintenance cost and the high as hell cost of fuel currently, for outside of a TDI Jetta, marginal gas mileage numbers.

I do understand ya'lls pain though for having to run premium daily, but 4.50+ a gallon is ***kin ridiculous.

[OlBlueCJ7]

Look for a used 2000 + Diesel VW. If it was taken care of, you can still expect to see 35 mpg in town and 40ish highway. Which is still better then most gassers that aren't hybrids.

If a TDI only gets 35-40 mpg, it's not worth it. My Civic EX consistently gets upper 30's mpg. ON GAS. Not only will a TDI command a higher premium when originally purchasing the vehicle, but you're also paying 25% more at the pump.

Matt, I'd say upper 30's mpg is what you should be expecting. My neighbor picked up a newer (can't remember the year) Sentra here the other day for like $4,000, and it get's like 38 or 40 mpg.

I'd love to get my hands on the Canada only Pontiac Firefly: essentially the same body as a Metro, but with a turbocharged 3 cylinder, 1.0L engine. 120mph stock, and 45mpg. :cool:

[CapnCrunch]

I dont care what I look like in it getting 40 mpg. I would wear a pink shirt and lip stick in it to not have to pay what it costs to daily drive my jeep!

My 93 Geo Metro convertible. MPG in the 50s, so I'm willing to put up with its...er...uh...look. :barf:

http://www.fivethirty.com/images/metro-a.jpg

[TwoDogs]

What?? 15 MPG (down hill, with tail wind) in my TJ is bad??? :flipoff2:


Yes, I do know it's bad. But it's all I got right now.

[Haire Ball]

70 MPG!
$6.40 to fill up!
(at $3.79/gallon)

I bought this in Cali since I couldn't see myself in a silly scooter. I liked it a lot more than I thought and brought it home.


http://a590.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/42/l_be4d538d0ee3dbe34e895d3746ae65ad.jpg

Somewhere East of Phoenix (in December)
http://a764.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/1/l_1e12a33f4dbfda655b5ea94a7c07dc63.jpg

http://stonemountainhd.com/wp-content/gallery/2008-buell-blast-black/dscf2648.jpg

It will still do 80 on the highway (barely), I can take the GF to Estes Park, and it made it all the way home from Cali.
Not for the big guys though.

ALL FOR AROUND $4000 BRAND NEW
With these gas prices it pays for itself in a year!


More info:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/1268541.html
http://www.epinions.com/reviews/2002_Buell_Blast

"As a willing participant in shaking things up, the Blast makes snaking through city traffic, ripping through the twisties or cheating for a parking spot downtown that much more interesting."
- http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersguide/Buell-Blast.htm

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6IpKuznlLs

[Haire Ball]

And it doesn't look like this:

My 93 Geo Metro convertible. MPG in the 50s, so I'm willing to put up with its...er...uh...look. :barf:

http://www.fivethirty.com/images/metro-a.jpg

(I had to :flipoff2: )

[CapnCrunch]

And it doesn't look like this:



(I had to :flipoff2: )

That's okay. I don't blame you.

But at least I can put the top up and drive mine in a snow-storm or a torrential down-pour wearing only shorts, T-shirt, and sandles and still be quite comfortable. :flipoff2:

And my car was cheaper than your bike (http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=123834). :D Your bike looks a lot more fun, though. :(

[Haire Ball]

That's okay. I don't blame you.

But at least I can put the top up and drive mine in a snow-storm or a torrential down-pour wearing only shorts, T-shirt, and sandles and still be quite comfortable. :flipoff2:

And my car was cheaper than your bike (http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=123834). :D Your bike looks a lot more fun, though. :(

Touché
and
Touché

The 1 wheel drive doesn't do so well in the snow.

[CapnCrunch]

The 1 wheel drive doesn't do so well in the snow.

Well, my Metro isn't exactly a snowcat either. If it gets that bad I'm driving the 4x4 anyway.

[Colo.TJ]

http://www.fivethirty.com/images/metro-a.jpg[/QUOTE]





They don't call it a "metro" for nuthin'. I bit ahead of their time I guess.

[Scott@Rockstomper]

I miss my first-gen MR2.
40mpg, fun to drive, cheap to maintain (in parts), but tough to work on (my hands aren't small enough).

Mine gave up at about 200k, ate the end of the crank where the balancer goes on. New crank = new engine = more $$ than another non-used-up MR2.

Shoulda kept it and done an electric motor conversion... :kickingself:

[starbreaker666]

My 04 Monte SC/SS will get 31 if I be nice to it.... Not bad. Run on premium though...=(

Looking at 49CC scooters either this weekend or next.

[CapnCrunch]

They don't call it a "metro" for nuthin'. I bit ahead of their time I guess.

LOL!

[Jeffro600]

mpg ratings: 2.0: 24/31 vs. 42/49.

Even with diesel costing more, you get better fuel economy and would pay less annually with the tdi.


Ok, new really doesnt have anything to do with it...your comparing a volkswagon to a volkswagon...which have never been known for their great gas mileage in regular gasoline engines anyway. Compare that to a 2000 or so base model civic or other jap equivalent that gets 40+ MPG and your fuel cost savings dont add up...especially with diesel at 5+ bucks a gallon :shrug:

[sonofmayhem]

Well if you haven't changed the gears and you are running bigger tires then all your other calculations are going to be off. Your 33s are covering more ground than your odometer is picking up. (so technically you are probably getting better mileage)

FAWKING SWEET! Didn't even think about that.

I will be buying a bike though. Mainly for commute and weekend excursions.

[Mcstiff]

Ok, new really doesnt have anything to do with it...your comparing a volkswagon to a volkswagon...which have never been known for their great gas mileage in regular gasoline engines anyway. Compare that to a 2000 or so base model civic or other jap equivalent that gets 40+ MPG and your fuel cost savings dont add up...especially with diesel at 5+ bucks a gallon :shrug:


What ~MY2000 Honda is getting 40+ MPG? The 2000 Civic 3 dr HB is rated at 32 city/37 hwy a 2001 TDI Jetta GLS is rated 42! City/ 49!! Hwy! Compared to the Civic the Jetta has a ton of options and is a larger car.

Sure you might be able to soft foot a Civic with the windows up and the AC off to crest 40MPG hwy but if you did the same in the TDI you would be getting 50+ MPG AND you have the option to run BD or WVO with the TDI.

MG, for 3k you could pick up a 90's Diesel Passat or a old MB 300 a la Nate ( :D) Pretty much any small car would be a savings over your truck though.

To be fair the MP$ for 40 MPG with fuel @ $4 vs 50 MPG and Diesel @ $5 is the same 10 MP$. If prices raise at the same rate the ratio stays the same. It does not matter what the price is, the same would hold true if gas was $2 and Diesel was $2.5. Over time I think you will be able to find fuel for a Diesel easier and cheaper.

[Snotty]

Based on current numbers: http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=fuel&story=mpgBest&subject=fuelList&referer=&aff=national

And the year 2002. I just picked a year...

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/47000/article.html

The Volks TDI would still be #3.

Also, I am not using any numbers but the governements ratings that were handed out with the vehicles. You can't use someone else's "real world" numbers as vaild data in a question such as this. Because there are way to many varibles.

[Mcstiff]

So the #1 IC only engine option.

[Wally]

That car would look perfect in Al's driveway next to his gay jade TJ :lolly:

My 93 Geo Metro convertible. MPG in the 50s, so I'm willing to put up with its...er...uh...look. :barf:

http://www.fivethirty.com/images/metro-a.jpg

[al24]

That car would look perfect in Al's driveway next to his gay jade TJ :lolly:

How's that new job werking out for ya?




:flipoff2::flipoff2::flipoff2::flipoff2: