Affordable cars that are good on gas

[wankel7]

Originally Posted by janb

Cheap economical transportation???
Look in your Neighbor's Briar patch for a VW Rabbit, I've found several that way, have bought many for under $100, and buy my tires at the junk yard for $5. Pretty low cost of transportation, Fuel is free waste veggie oil.
Biodiesel Appleseed Reactor Plans
I use a "snowbear" trailer and haul everything from firewood to human corpses (2,000 miles for burial... long story)
Only get 42 - 44 mpg towing, but usually 46-52 just hauling me around.

oil changes, $3.80 for a MANN filter and $25 for 5 qts synthetic that last me 20,000 miles - timing belt $7.95 every 80,000 miles

RE:


The CARB states don't allow NEW diesels to be sold, you can buy / bring in a used one with 5000 miles.

The issue is not the vehicle, but ...US fuel has too high of a sulfur content for modern diesels emission controls, Sulfur was to be reduced in 2006, but.... friends of BIG OIL got that delayed. I think 2009 will bring ULSD to the pumps, then there is a flock of diesel offerings coming, including Honda and Subaru.

Bio-Diesel is a direct diesel fuel replacement with 80% less emissions. No special equip needed on cars built after 1993 (no butyl rubber in seals and fuel lines), earlier versions, like the 1980 Rabbit / Dasher / Vanagon you fetch from your neighbor can use Viton fuel lines ~ $20 upgrade.

Veggie oil is fine for diesels, as long as it is clean and viscous. Some systems just preheat to 140F. Bio-Diesel and Veggie oil does not have to compete in the food for fuel battle....

Soy Bio-D was promoted in USA by the cattle feed industry that had a lot of soy oil going to waste after pressing seeds for cattle feed. Canola is a better feed stock, but it goes to Europe, where they pay $8./gal for fuel. ALGAE is potentially the best feedstock, and it can be grown in ponds at coal fired power plants to clean stack emissions. Look for this in the future. (Soon I hope).

I think you will find driving a beater diesel on Bio-D or grease has far less "impact" on ecology and your pocket book... and no hazardous batteries to dispose of, replace, or to fry the rescue worker trying to extract you.

50 mpg since 1976... Where have you been... VW Diesels, no dinosaurs or OPEC required

ULSD is already here and it is what helped to push diesel prices higher than petrol.

I am so glad I can help the enviroment by paying more for milk and bread. Where is my tree to hug?

[CortlandGirl79]

I know everyone makes fun of the Chevy Cobalt, but they have just introduced a new manual version that supposed to get 36 mpg.

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE - Car News/Latest News & Reviews/Car Shopping/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver

As such, the Cobalt XFE squeaks past its competitors in fuel economy, but just barely. The EPA rates manual versions of the Focus at 24/35, the Toyota Corolla at 27/35, and the Honda Civic at 26/34. We’ll have to see if the drivability suffers as a result, but then again, who cares?

I'm not a big fan of small cars, but if you are looking for an American car (which many people on this board aren't looking for) the car is stamped and assembled in Lordstown, Ohio and the engine is made in Tonawanda (sp?), New York.

Plus, someone must be buying these things........they produce 1200 of them a day.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by CortlandGirl79

I know everyone makes fun of the Chevy Cobalt, but they have just introduced a new manual version that supposed to get 36 mpg.

I prefer the version with 260 HP.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by wankel7

ULSD is already here and it is what helped to push diesel prices higher than petrol....

Actually according to EPA...

""Diesel retailers may choose to sell Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (550ppm) instead of ULSD fuel (15ppm) until December 1, 2010, when only ULSD fuel will be available for highway use. ""

Thus auto / truck manufacturers are reluctant to release their 'Clean' Diesels (many have particulate filters that will foul) into US market, until all 'on-road' fuel is ULSD... and still... the USA ULSD is 15ppm, and most of Europe is below 5ppm... causing potential problems with emission components. The majority of China and Russia is burning 2000 - 5000ppm sulfur content diesel fuel, and we are 'down-wind'...

BTW, There are plenty of trees around here for you to hug, and it is near Arbor Day, so good thought ! My business is 'deforestation', and I provide "Defensible Space" services to those living in the forest/urban interface. I will be careful to see that you are not hugging one before I run my shredding machine into it

Sorry about the bread and milk prices, Since it is an election year...I'm of the opinion that diesel is higher priced than gas, because more "voter's" drive gas vehicles, and few truckdrivers have time to vote. I do feel the pain, since I used to pay $0.12/gal for diesel when I began farming, During harvest I use 300gal diesel per day... that'll set me back... but, I still live on $10/week spending money, as I have since I left home at age 16. (I'm eating less bread and drinking less milk) When Arby's gets Wendy's, I'm sunk.

For an economical car, I have several friends still driving "GEO Metro's", but I think the 35 mpg Honda civic's might make the most sense for most 'non-wrencher' folks.

or... I see you can buy a 35 mpg Ford Focus for under $10,000

[Lacerta]

Since you are looking at used also, I will mention that I drive a 98 Saturn SL1 and still get about 30-35 around town. I never have to add oil between changes, as it has no leaks whatsoever. Great car. I've had low maintenance costs and almost no repair costs in 10 years. I'll drive mine at least another 10 years, waiting for an affordable, sensible, fully electric.

[flburgos]

this is very simple......just drive to your local toyota or honda dealer and get the compact 4cyl you like the most.I's that easy.

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

OMG... didn't know Chevy sells these hideous rebadged Korean cars in the US, too

To the OP: In the light of fuel efficiency, did you ever think about a diesel powered car? I currently drive a Merc C220 CDI and I am very happy.

Chevy Aveo, not only ugly as sin, but a remade Chevy Metro. I would buy any car over that ugly thing. korean or not. I test drove a 2008 Kia Rio, and suprisingly it was a pretty decent little car.