MGB: What used economy car would you buy right now?

With gas still hovering at $4/gallon, I can't help but remember fondly my wife's 1985 Honda Civic hatchback - 55 mpg on the highway! Even when we lost compression in one cylinder at 120,000 miles, it still got over 40 mpg. Love to have that baby back.

If I went looking now for fuel economy + sportiness, I'd get a Honda CRX. The 5-speeds were fast & fun, and they got 45 mpg on the highway.

At the moment, I'm sticking with my B, and my Ford Escape. Both get around 21 mpg. The Escape has been paid off for years, and is in excellent condition. I'm going to drive it as long as it lasts. It's an '01 with 115,000 miles. I'm hoping to go 200k at least.

I think I'd try and find a Ford Festiva. Cheap operating and tough as nails.

10kpharo Wrote:

Quote: "
With gas still hovering at $4/gallon, I can't help but remember fondly my wife's 1985 Honda Civic hatchback - 55 mpg on the highway! Even when we lost compression in one cylinder at 120,000 miles, it still got over 40 mpg. Love to have that baby back.
"

I love the car comercials which show you "Fuel Efficient 22 MPG (highway) with the fine print "18mpg highway as tested".

What have the car companies been smoking the last 10 years?

Whatever it is they've been blowing the smoke up our asses about their gas mileages for far more than 10 years.

As an aside: I view the Ford and Toyota pickup truck advertisements as TBS, Total Bull Shit. Hauling heavy loads isn't a drag racing thing or stopping like an F1 car thing. It's a making the grade without downshifting thing and thay totally ignore that aspect. Ever notice that Ford, Toyota, and GM always compare to each other, but never compare themselves to a Dodge with a Cummins Diesel. There's a good reason for that, they'd put themselves in a bad light.

I miss my old Civic too, great car. If I were buying now I'd look at the last gen Civic hatch or maybe a Insight.

I still say my 24 year old BMW out handles anything I've ever driven and still averages over 27 mpg in my mostly around town driving.

I would try to get a VW diesel. I would use an 80 - 20 mix of used cooking oil and diesel. I know a guy who does this and saves ALOT of money!

Honda 600 Coupe? :)

1985-90 BMW 318i. My son's got an honest 42 mpg on the highway doing his usual 75 mph.

My neighbor in Canada had a VW Diesel PU. He worked at a VW dealership as a mechanic. He drove it on used vegetable oil from some French fry stands, and home heating oil. It always sounded like it was going to self destruct. Never did, and he drove cheap.
David

My car !!
MG Metro.. 1275 A+ engine (basiclly a classic mini underneath, with modern body (ugly).
saftey........we don't need no stinkin saftey stuff...hence 1650lbs.
emissions....we dont't need no stinkin emissions...hence runs awsome.
42mpg city 55mpg highway.

mike

Michael,

How did you get an MG Metro over here?

10kpharo Wrote:

Quote: "
With gas still hovering at $4/gallon, I can't help but remember fondly my wife's 1985 Honda Civic hatchback - 55 mpg on the highway! Even when we lost compression in one cylinder at 120,000 miles, it still got over 40 mpg. Love to have that baby back.
If I went looking now for fuel economy + sportiness, I'd get a Honda CRX. The 5-speeds were fast & fun, and they got 45 mpg on the highway.

"

I remember looking at a Honda Civic for fun back in the late 80s that was supposed to get 45-50 mpg. Until this post I figured I dreamt the whole thing up. Why don't they still make that Civic model? Why all the hype over the Prius when they had a high mileage car in the 80's?

x2 bring back the CRV HF

Not going to happen though. Too much safety equipment required now. The Honda Fit is the next best thing currently.

If we could find a nice '82 or '83 Scirocco locally, I'd buy it.

Honda CRX HF - 36 City/44 Hwy
Geo Metro XFi - 43 City/51 Hwy

notcmartin Wrote:

Quote: "
x2 bring back the CRV HF
Not going to happen though. Too much safety equipment required now. The Honda Fit is the next best thing currently.
"

Of course it's not just safety stuff. There's a ton of insulation and noiseproofing; Electric windows; luxury and convenience features, and a lack of tolerance for what would be considered an 'underpowered car'

I bought a used Toyota Echo about 3 years ago, (kinda saw this coming). It's a just fine little car, gets about 42 on the highway, 36 around town, and is downright peppy [108 hp, 2100 lbs.] compared to the Ford Escort wagon it replaced [88hp, 2300lbs]. I wouldn't mind having a 1977 Datsun B210 for fuel economy and funk factor :)

I'd get another 1996 Nissan 200sx SE with a 5 speed. 35 to 37 with the AC and 37 to 40 without. Usually 38 to 39 as along as I keep my foot out of it.

My 1985 Camry gets 30-35. Comfy car too.
Late model Geo Metro for max fuel economy.

Bought a 93 Metro a few months ago. Am currently kitting it out with H&R lowering springs, leather Grant steering wheel, XFi camshaft, custom cockpit, and a *few* aero mods.

A ZB Magnette if I can find one.

MudSnow Wrote:

Quote: "
Bought a 93 Metro a few months ago. Am currently kitting it out with H&R lowering springs, leather Grant steering wheel, XFi camshaft, custom cockpit, and a *few* aero mods.
"

A hot cam in a Metro? I didn't think they made 'em.

Not "Hot". Different. The XFi had 48hp (vs 55hp) but more torque, allowing it to pull the higher gear ratio the XFi also had.

Bryan

I got my Metro here from England because it's over 25 years old (1982) so it is exempt from emissions,dot restricions etc.

Mike

'92 Dodge Colt.....laugh.....but the darn thing got great mileage, and was darn peppy.