Quote:
Originally Posted by some_other_dave
34 MPG is not exactly very good mileage. My brand-new MINI gave me 50 MPG on a highway trip with cruise set at 55 MPH.
-soD
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Well, yeah...circa 2012 tech will do better than circa 1998 tech. The other side of that coin is that a new MINI has a MSRP of $20,000, and a '98 Escort should be acquirable for <$4000. Then, at current gas prices, a 34-MPG Escort would burn around an extra 4c/mi relative to the MINI--that's a 400,000 mile road to "break even."
Also, the Mini is simply too short for a full boattail fairing without considerable superstructure assembly. Something like a compact wagon (Escort or other) would make a great starting point for someone with a Sawzall and not afraid to use it. (Also, are you really gonna cut up a brand new car?)
My advice: beater compact wagon+full aero+used diesel engine+MT=WIN.
(P.S.: doesen't the Mini require premium fuel? If so, push break-even out beyond the half-million-mile point.)