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payne171 · 03-17-2010, 01:39 PM

I currently own a 2001 Saturn L300 with a v6. I have taken good care of the mechanicals and have managed 27 mpg (29 summer, 25 winter), I am starting to get the sneaking suspicion that the transmission will be the first major breakdown, nothing concrete, but I would like to trade it in before it dies on me.
I like the size of the car, but my commute puts about 25000 miles on a car per year. If I want to stay about that size and save money on fuel and maintenance, I figure that leaves me the Accord Hybrid, a Passat Tdi, or a four cylinder. I don't mind a manual transmission, but I prefer being able to pass someone without raising my blood pressure.
My preliminary favorite, as you might have guessed, is the Accord Hybrid. I feel like it offers what I want, and I think I could stay in 3 cyl mode a lot with disciplined driving and the right mods.
Thoughts?

PS-Aero is a good mod. Do you think a slightly lower profile tire would help keep in 3 cylinder mode or fail and hurt mileage due to functionally shorter gearing? (Yes I know the speedo would be a little off. Might help me avoid tickets)

03-17-2010, 01:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
payne171 EcoModding Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: central Ohio Posts: 122 Gray Jellybean - '00 Honda Insight 90 day: 62.76 mpg (US) Thanks: 2 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Thoughts on Accord Hybrid I currently own a 2001 Saturn L300 with a v6. I have taken good care of the mechanicals and have managed 27 mpg (29 summer, 25 winter), I am starting to get the sneaking suspicion that the transmission will be the first major breakdown, nothing concrete, but I would like to trade it in before it dies on me. I like the size of the car, but my commute puts about 25000 miles on a car per year. If I want to stay about that size and save money on fuel and maintenance, I figure that leaves me the Accord Hybrid, a Passat Tdi, or a four cylinder. I don't mind a manual transmission, but I prefer being able to pass someone without raising my blood pressure. My preliminary favorite, as you might have guessed, is the Accord Hybrid. I feel like it offers what I want, and I think I could stay in 3 cyl mode a lot with disciplined driving and the right mods. Thoughts? PS-Aero is a good mod. Do you think a slightly lower profile tire would help keep in 3 cylinder mode or fail and hurt mileage due to functionally shorter gearing? (Yes I know the speedo would be a little off. Might help me avoid tickets)