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Old 04-18-2011, 01:13 PM   #4 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,519

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 52.48 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,076
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Before I got into Metroids, I knew that a Civic VX would have suited my driving style & patterns best (predominanty rural cruising & highway use, where lean-burn shines). But the VX's have long been distant, rusty memories around here.

The interesting thing is if I choose to not to refurbish the Insight's pack and use it as a non-hybrid instead, it is essentially a sweet VX successor: lean-burn, 3-cylinder with tall gearing. Of course the Insight is also lighter, more aerodynamic, and has an even more efficient ICE than the original VX. (Though 2 fewer seats & less cargo room.)

(I'll likely refurb the pack though. Matt wrote up a good DIY on the subject - http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ems-13610.html - and InsightCentral is obviously a trove of info.)

One other bonus about the car is the aluminum construction. Don't have to worry about it turning to swiss cheese beneath my feet.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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