My Mirage gets 40MPG and cost me $1600, why don't they make more cars like this? (vehicle, manual transmission)

[mikejj2004]

2 years ago, I bought a 98 Mitsubishi Mirage for $1600. It gets 33/40MPG and has like a 92HP manual engine but is 4 doors normal car. I drive 200 miles on half a 10 gallon tank. It seems to me if you want good mileage all you need is a small engine with a manual transmission. However to my knowledge there arent any cars made today with less than 100HP, why? My car is very responsive, even sporty. It isn't slow and can handle any speed I want to put it at. I mean seriously? People pay $20k for a MINI that gets 28/37 or $22K for a Prius that doesn't even do 50MPG?

[Omaha Rocks]

Yours must be the 1.5 liter engine. It's rated at 36 mpg highway - so you're doing great!

Fuel Economy


I think the real problem is that the majority of American demand to drive huge, heavy vehicles with unlimited power. And you can't have everything.

[oakparkdude]

Another factor is changing market tastes as today's consumer places a greater emphasis on good crash test protection, resulting in heavier cars. A lot of those economy cars from the 1990s get 40-50 miles per gallon, but would be death traps in a collision.

[mikejj2004]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

Yours must be the 1.5 liter engine. It's rated at 36 mpg highway - so you're doing great!

Fuel Economy


I think the real problem is that the majority of American demand to drive huge, heavy vehicles with unlimited power. And you can't have everything.

I looked at that site fueleconomy.gov and I don't think they have my model.

This is my model:
1.5L I4, 12 valves, 92 hp @ 5500 rpm
5 speed manual transmission
33 mpg city / 40 mpg hwy

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage DE Sedan - Yahoo! Autos

Its rated 40MPG, and thats what I get.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by mikejj2004

I looked at that site fueleconomy.gov and I don't think they have my model.

This is my model:
1.5L I4, 12 valves, 92 hp @ 5500 rpm
5 speed manual transmission
33 mpg city / 40 mpg hwy

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage DE Sedan - Yahoo! Autos

Its rated 40MPG, and thats what I get.

Very cool.

Have you modded it in any way, to get a little more punch and/or mileage?

[mikejj2004]

I finally have figured this out. I always saw the mileage as 33/40 but on the EPA site its 28/36. Apparently they changed MPG standards to be more realistic and account for AC and faster driving and acceleration. However I do a little hypermiling type driving, usually I put it in neutral and coast when I can, accelerate slowly and brake well in advance.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by mikejj2004

I finally have figured this out. I always saw the mileage as 33/40 but on the EPA site its 28/36. Apparently they changed MPG standards to be more realistic and account for AC and faster driving and acceleration. However I do a little hypermiling type driving, usually I put it in neutral and coast when I can, accelerate slowly and brake well in advance.

Yeah, that makes perfect sense.

I don't hypermile, but I do my best to get good mileage. For instance, I'm amazed by how much better your mileage is if you just slow down. Every vehicle I've ever driven has a much lower mpg if I'm driving 75 mph on the Interstate than if I'm driving 55 mph down a highway.

I also use (in most of my vehicles) synthetic oil. It's not significant, but it decreases oil drag.

I also know some guys who install over/under pulleys on their vehicles. They say it makes a significant difference, but I've never been able to justify (in my mind) spending $150-$175 to get 1 mpg better mileage.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Another factor is changing market tastes as today's consumer places a greater emphasis on good crash test protection, resulting in heavier cars. A lot of those economy cars from the 1990s get 40-50 miles per gallon, but would be death traps in a collision.

Not merely today's consumers, but today's regulators as well. Which is why it's so infuriating to have those same regulators then turn around demand higher fuel economy. First they mandate heavier vehciles, then they mandate higher fuel economy. They seem to have no conception of tradeoffs.

[Drew303]

IIHS-HLDI: Mitsubishi Mirage
Thats why.

[mikejj2004]

Originally Posted by Drew303

IIHS-HLDI: Mitsubishi Mirage
Thats why.

Whats your point? That report just gives a rating of "P" leg/foot.