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This is actually my first post on ecomodder. I found this interesting because I am definitely the type of person that finds just as much enjoyment out of getting the best possible gas mileage I can even though I have always enjoy racing also.
Until recently I've owned a couple old BMW's (E30). I've always driven them for maximum gas mileage from a more average consumer viewpoint when I'm not racing, but even then their fuel economy is only mediocre when compared to cars on this forum (I got 31 mpg with a long gear ratio). With the older fuel injection, RWD, and a bad drag coefficient I was still impressed, but it wasn't anything to brag about.
Recently I bought a 99 Suzuki Swift for $500 with only 78k miles on it. Now I find myself enjoying doing things like finding ways where I can drive 40mph instead of 55mph, shutting off the engine going down hills, etc. I can't wait to start doing aero mods; I plan to use it for my senior project to finish my engineering degree. We're getting a wind tunnel at my school so maybe I can even do some testing there.
Let's be honest: even if you like driving fast, most of the days you are just commuting anyways, so why not save money for your weekend race car. Now that I have the Swift, it didn't bother me to put my 4.10:1 final drive back in my BMW (I originally was running a 3.25) because I rarely even drive it anymore.
I've always had an appreciation for modest people that don't need to drive their hobby car everyday. A couple of my friends have big jacked up Toyota pickups that get 15 mpg, but drive Corollas everyday instead.
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