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Old 07-20-2008, 11:03 AM   #9 (permalink)
gaffo
2.0 Liter Supercharged ECOTEC
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 142
Re: Most Fuel Efficient Automakers

Quote:
Originally Posted by 44 mpg by 2010 View Post
Am I correct when I say there are only 11 vehicles available from the D3 that are rated 28 mpg(US) combined average OR BETTER? If I remember correctly there are only 33 D3 machines rated 25 mpg and above.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byMPG.htm
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008b....jsp?year=2008
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008b....jsp?year=2009

The Ford FWD Escape/Mariner/Tribute Hybrid are rated 32 mpg combined average. And none get better than 32 mpg(US) combined average that I can find.

Do you know of any other D3 machines rated above 32 mpg(US) combined average?

Meanwhile, in the UK Ford and GM/Vauxhall alone have about 72 vehicles rated between 42 and 58 mpg(US) combined cycle fuel economies.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search
http://www.autocar.co.uk/SpecsPrices...AndPrices.aspx

Since I can only purchase a limited number of vehicles at one time and my interest IS FUEL ECONOMY ... I do not care what fleet average (CAFE) is!

I wish the very low fuel consumption UK/EU options were available from Ford and/or GM in the US. But since they are not ... the current "foreign" badges are the best options in the US for me!

Since I prefer something other than hybrid ... I really have no very high mpg choices within the current MY 2008/9 product set.

So, I opted for a 95 Civic CX rated 35 City 38 Combined 41 highway until something better comes along, hopefully before 2011. Currently I am getting 38 mpg combined and 45 mpg highway.

In my area of the country (the Carolinas) I am seeing the old (late 80s and early 90s) high mpg Fiestivas, Geos, Sprints, and the likes being reconditioned and put back into service in significant numbers. I am also seeing significantly more motorcycles, motor-scooters, and bicycles.

It seems clear to me that many people are "digging in" for the "long haul" until REAL fuel conserving vehicles reach the market! Also, it should be noted that the bottom has fallen completely out from under the used "gas guzzler" market.
those old cars are very effiecent - like the CRX.

if you are serious about buying a new car - you really should look the Yaris (hatch is my preference and what i have had for almost a year now).

it give me 34 city and 40 hwy. and consistant 37 mpg for 9 months now. (in winter it does drop to 35 combined).

the OLD EPA mileage number (2006/7) are the correct numbers for this car. The new number are WAY LOWER than what this car will give you. (I really do think there is some politics here - maybe Toyota wants to puch the Prius/Corrolla over the Yaris since they make zip on the Yaris and a crapload on the Prius).

Auto will give 1-mpg less than the 5-sp. i have the 5-sp.

Yaris are now hard to get and they have been marked up 1,000 bucks since the gas hike lsat spring, they are now 14K instead of 13k when i bought mine. Also they are impossible tofind and you will have to be put on a waiting list for 2-4 months most likely. Toyota just is not importing very many of them - again they don't want to sell then, they want you to buy the 2x more expensive fashion statement the Prius.

I have 25k on it now and no one issue yet.


good luck.

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oh ya, if you are into scooters check this out!!

http://www.tangotrikes.com/
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