efficient road trip car

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by freebeard

How can this be? Are Corvettes all-electric and I hadn't noticed?

He didnt look at my link to the gen i with 370,000 miles.

Just fluids and filters for sparkle to to about 320,000 miles.

Corvettes usually end with more expensive repairs around 200k when they are lucky.

Unless he is thinking gen ii volt but that isn't the subject of the discussion

[seifrob]

It looks like "road trip" and "efficient car" has different meaning in our languages.

Go and buy the corvette. Than stand up bravely like a man, saying "I decided. It was my choice." everytime you crawl up from that low bucket shaped seat shaken by few hours of driving on these low profile tyres. Just do us a favor and don't blame ecomodders.

P.S. Your heart is fighting your brain. So either choose by heart knowingly accepting all the consequences, or, if you need a spreadsheet for justification, maybe its wise to wait few weeks until the initial obsession wears off.

[Fat Charlie]

It looks like "driving" has different meanings in our languages. Drive is an active verb, it's a forceful version of pushing. Think of a cattle drive, rather than simply sitting behind a steering wheel. Driving takes something out of you.

Running a tight, responsive car that gives plenty of feedback is driving. Taking a big SUV with an anchormatic out for a spin is passenging- as far as your body knows, you never left your living room couch. If you get out of any car after several hours and feel refreshed, you were a passenger no matter what seat you were in.

I want to see the Vette. The fuel log won't be great, but I want to watch it not suck. that would be so cool.

[RoadTripRob]

Originally Posted by Saskwatchian

When is the last time you drove 200km in -40?

2 years ago, 1200km(6x the distance). Avg temp was about -38C, coldest was -43C, warmest was -35C. 14 hours, calgary-hinton-grand cache-grand prarie-dawson creek-fort st john-friends hours 150km out of town. All one shot

Electric cars(including most hybrids):
-cant drive in extreme cold
-$4000-$15,000 battery replacement every 8 years(min $500 year. reliable?)
-cant do road trips (max range 265 miles or less)
-expensive to buy (vs gas counterpart)

pick one

pure electric cars are good for some, not for me.

Originally Posted by seifrob

everytime you crawl up from that low bucket shaped seat shaken by few hours of driving on these low profile tyres.

Luckily im not old enough for that to be a problem yet

[craysus]

Here ya go Road Trip Bob...

The Corvette is not a bad package..but how about something slightly smaller..more aero friendly..lighter...with better suspension...
with effectively the same engine..generally VERY well maintained (extreme performance car, modified to suit..and very reliable..)

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?PH...&topic=24953.0

94 Chaste White LS3 FD3S

A couple of examples there...but MANY more out there in the wild if you want something a bit different, that driven sensibly will return outstanding fuel economy..but..if you wish to stand out from the crowd, and have the ability to attend a race track and WIN..it may be worthwhile..

Never thought I would post one of my favourite toy cars on an eco forum hahahaha (I have owned 5 of the above...ranging from stock to 1300rwhp..but they had the rotary engine still in them..FAR from economical!)

I like the fact your looking for efficiency, but ALSO wanting some "drivability and style"...

Widen your scope further, and you could have a look at things like a RCR SL-C with a long geared engine in it, or potentially a more mundane but still beautiful Jaguar XJ with a diesel turbo..(heres a entertaining review https://www.topgear.com/videos/top-g...s-12-episode-4 ) - that Jag..driven HARD returned around 50+mpg ...

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by RoadTripRob

Electric cars(including most hybrids):
-$4000-$15,000 battery replacement every 8 years(min $500 year. reliable?

As far as the 1st gen Honda Insight, I believe the OEM battery is around $2K brand new, a high capacity aftermarket replacement might be $4K. The 8 year lifespan is about correct, maybe closer to 10 for the insight.

Pick your car already! I picked my car pretty quick, it just took, you know.....9 MONTHS to find one for sale....

[Pryme]

I voted other. Mirage.

[RoadTripRob]

I ended up getting a fully equiped 2006 Smart Fortwo CDI.


0.8L turbo diesel
6 speed manual with electronic clutch.
3.3l/100km(71 MPG US)

I wasn't even considering it because I thought the engine would scream along at high rpm on the highway. I thought the short wheel base would make it unstable and blown around by larger vehicles. I test drove one; 2000rpm at 100km/h(miata does 3300rpm). Its stable and comfortable at highway speeds. I found the car for sale from a guy that was moving across the country and had 2 days to sell the car so I got an excellent price. Hopefully it will be reliable.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by RoadTripRob

I ended up getting a fully equiped 2006 Smart Fortwo CDI.


0.8L turbo diesel
6 speed manual with electronic clutch.
3.3l/100km(71 MPG US)

Install / use the cold weather package often, avoid short trips especially in the winter and keep the turbo clean and you should do ok.

It's too bad those are so hard to find in the US, I would have bought one instead of the Cobalt back in the day

[RoadTripRob]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Install / use the cold weather package often, avoid short trips especially in the winter and keep the turbo clean and you should do ok.

It's too bad those are so hard to find in the US, I would have bought one instead of the Cobalt back in the day

Thanks for the advice. It will be used for long trips 300km-3000km or short commutes(will have to heat the engine). Its a shame the US didnt get many of the diesels. They are really good