[*MURDOC*]

I've been toying with the idea of trying to build a vehicle that will get me some sweet mileage while still being able to drive on the highway.

I was thinking of maybe a Geo Metro or something since I've seen a few around here for sale (real original I know), but I wanted to see if you guys had any good ideas first.



And if you want, you can post what you would put together yourself if you wanted a super-mileage type of thang.

I guess I'll add that I don't want to spend sh*tloads of money as well.

This post has been edited by *MURDOC* on Sunday, Mar 11 2012, 00:42

[Garfield 2]

Golf TDI.

[*MURDOC*]

Cool story bro.

[leik oh em jeez!]

I've been having similar thoughts. Except I don't want to give up on it being a full size truck. Or 4x4. Or being easy to work on and find cheap parts for. A guy has a '73 GMC Jimmy on craigslist for $650 I was looking at, I was considering dropping a 6.2 in it some sort of 6-speed manual, thinking it would be fun to beat on and easier to hypermile than the Suburban when I'm low on cash.

By no means mad mileage, but ~20mpgs for a what would basically be a sub $1000 beach truck doesn't seem too bad.

This post has been edited by leik oh em jeez! on Sunday, Mar 11 2012, 03:42

[Lurch]

QUOTE (Garfield 2 @ Saturday, Mar 10 2012, 18:14)

Golf TDI.

Golf TDI's just aren't that cheap here compared to other fuel miser beaters. Mark 1 and 2 Rabbit NA diesels get about the same mileage as a 1st gen 5 speed Metro (actually worse than a Metro xfi) but the price of fuel makes gives the Metro the definite dollar per mile edge. Purchase prices are more or less the same for the two but it's a lot easier to find Metros that aren't total rust boxes.


The Metro XFI is by far the hypermiller king in the US.








The halved one averages 75 mpg and the white one with some minor aero and breathing mods averages 62 mpg. That's amurikan mpg not the lesser wimpy british mpg.

[visionist]

Miles Per Gallon are irrelevant next to Smiles Per Gallon.

My next car will do less than 20MPG combined cycle, Goddamnit.

[*MURDOC*]

QUOTE (visionist @ Sunday, Mar 11 2012, 12:21)

Miles Per Gallon are irrelevant next to Smiles Per Gallon.

I know where you're coming from, but that's not really the point of the thread.

Thanks for the actual replies guys.

Lurch, I was thinking something like the white Metro, I could fairly easily craft my own aero bits.

[sivispacem]

Old-style Suzuki Swift. 1.0 injection petrol version, not the 1.3 in GTi or carbed form. Totally gutless, but geared short 1-3 and long 4-5 so can overtake without issue (well, not quite, but you get the point). They're also pretty aerodynamic for a little hatch, dirt-cheap and nigh-on indestructible.

[Lurch]

QUOTE (sivispacem @ Sunday, Mar 11 2012, 13:20)

Old-style Suzuki Swift. 1.0 injection petrol version.

Basically more or less the same thing as our Metro.

[trip]

Get yourself an old school style Honda Civic


My '82 Civic went past 300,000 miles and got over 30MPG city driving - more on the highway of course.

[*MURDOC*]

I love that Civic, but they're a pretty rare sight recently.


There's a gutted one up the highway that is structurally sound, but it's basically a shell.

[trip]

QUOTE (*MURDOC* @ Sunday, Mar 11 2012, 16:22)

I love that Civic, but they're a pretty rare sight recently.

Every once in awhile I need to stop and remind myself that 30yrs ago doesn't equal last week. Please excuse my retarded post.

Trying to stay current:
Just don't get too hung up on the MPG stuff. If I ever catch you driving a Smart car I will punch you square in the head.

I know you live close but I'm not sure where. Do you have access to Zip Car or PhillyCarShare? Free gas with those puppies and the whole deal is pretty good - can't smoke in 'em though.

[*MURDOC*]

We don't really have those services around here, plus I was going for something like this as part efficient transportation, part project/challenge, since I'd like to see just how much I can squeeze out of it without breaking the bank.

And for the record, you won't see me in a Smart unless it's powered by something around 1300cc's and revs real high.