Why I'm Choosing a Civic Over a Metro

[c0da]

My civic is a 5speed auto and I can hit above 40's. Wish you could go for the 8th gen civics. Gotta love the new transmissions coming out with 6speed!

[Arminius]

A number of use are driving relatively new Civics with auto and beating 40mpg. My last tank averaged 43, and within a few weeks I'm pretty sure I can top 45 with a little route research and a few more mods.

I bet I can beat 40+ mpg in any Corolla that is running properly.

[superchow]

Originally Posted by Arminius

Is this is Civic in this video?

Citroen Saxo - very popular little car in Europe back in the late 90s early 00s.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

Originally Posted by Arminius

Is this is Civic in this video?

I thought it was a Mazda 323?

[Will]

I had the same decision to make... Civic vs. Metro. The funny thing is that I went for the Metro for a lot of the same reasons (not safety of course). I know the new EPAs are poor for the Metro, but they are a load of crap too. I have tried to get my Metro down to the new EPAs and could not do it, sorry for the mpg sin, but I had to try. I went with Metro due to the simple construction methods, and how simple they are to work on. I am reminded of the TV commercial that says "after 36,000 mi you are the warranty". I had no problems at all doing a complete engine rebuilt with no advanced tools, and I am not a mechanic.

[bryn]

wayneburg, have you thought about a corolla/prizm? hard to beat toyota for reliability. tons spare parts. really cheap to buy.

my dad, sister, and a couple of my neighbors drive mid 90s models. they get between 30 and 38 mpg. 3 autos, two manuals. in the last ten years or so, the only repairs i can remember have been rust related (upstate ny salt)

they dont look as nice as an xa or a civic hatchback, but thats nothing some wheel skirts and a fastback cant fix.

[Crono]

I get about 30/32 in an 1987 automatic Tercel that's in pretty half ass shape which my mom drives half the time. (read: 2-3mpg lower when she drives)

[Tourigjm]

Originally Posted by Arminius

I bet I can beat 40+ mpg in any Corolla that is running properly.

its possible, but difficult to get 40 with the 3 speed auto. so yea, not a huge claim there. I'd like to see someone get 50 out of my car

[bryn]

Originally Posted by Tourigjm

its possible, but difficult to get 40 with the 3 speed auto. so yea, not a huge claim there. I'd like to see someone get 50 out of my car

all the corola/prizms i've driven lately have had o/d i didn't realize they had made the three speed since the early 90's

[Higelac]

I've got a '99 Ford Escort that's automatic. Best I've seen was 38-39 and all I did was go on a long trip and force myself to drive 60-ish mph (no cruise). Normally run 70-80 mph and get 30-32 MPG. I don't really practice any hypermiling techniques and don't yet have any FE mods. I think 40 MPG is definately do-able in this car with a little more effort, and without even having to go any slower.

My question is shouldn't an automatic be able to match the HIGHWAY MPG of a stick shift if you could modify the final gear ratio to match? I mean at constant highway speed, the torque converter should lock up. Then your FE would be all up to gear ratio's.