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Old 12-17-2009, 04:35 PM   #32 (permalink)
bestclimb
Smeghead
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Central AK
Posts: 933

escort - '99 ford escort sport
90 day: 42.38 mpg (US)

scoobaru - '02 Subaru Forester s
90 day: 28.65 mpg (US)
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Why the straw man with a 747? You seem to miss the line in there about where I stated that a metro is better for a light load.

How about we run those numbers with two people rather than a full load

180x2 at 45mpg 16,200 pounds per mile per gallon for a metro
180x2 at 15mpg 5,400 pounds per mile per gallon for the suburban, ouch pretty much why I don't drive one. If I had a bunch of people and gear to haul from time to time I would consider keeping one around (though for most a van may be an even better option). Seems to me if the mission is two people on clear, good roads a FE car is the way to go (throw in some snow and poor traction and AWD could make some sense). If the mission includes moving a fair bit of weight a larger rig may be worth looking into. A utility trailer is an excellent idea for most. In the next few months I will be hauling my own trash, and a fully enclosed utility trailer I can pull with the civic will be very high on the list.

The rule of thumb for aircraft tends to be get enough plane for 80% of your mission, rent the last 20% I would think that getting enough car to be useful 90% of the time then rent or keep parked a vehicle that can handle the last 10% would be effective for most people, but I sure would not dictate that logic to anyone else. About the most I could do is look at someone wasting their buck on too much ride and shake my head.
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