Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Top Five available eco-mod vehicles??

offroad1994 · 07-02-2008, 07:26 AM

So what can be found for the top five vehicles that are available and can be bought any time?? Vehicles that can be worked and modified for terrific practical MPG improvements, and can always be found.

Here are my criterea (yours might be slightly different).

A) Can be bought at a dealership in the used lot, or can be found for sale by owners. Not really a high demand vehicle, but definately an undervalued vehicle.

B) Can be fixed relatively cheaply. My mechanic says that HONDA anything is well designed for fast easy repair, and parts are always available. I think some of the older vehicles might have a hard time with parts. I am thinking a vehicle at least five years old, but not older than ten years is ideal (so looking at 1998 or newer).

C) Has a fully stripped version (manual windows, NO AC, etc.); as well as a fully loaded version. Then you can decide on what you want and how that effects MPG. What are the MUST HAVE options for people? I personally think traction control is a great option, but I do not see that everywhere. Not sure about the automatic, or manual transmission choice (driving in traffic with a manual really is annoying); but obviously manual is easy to fix and saves lots of gas.

D) Well designed for getting crunched in an accident. Not wanting to buy the high MPG vehicle that is rated the lowest for crash protection.

E) Has good available cargo area. This is highly optional, as cargo space means more stuff, that has weight, that eats MPG. Bad idea, but thinking on this.

Looked for Geo Metro - and literally can not find one for sale within 200 miles (and I live near NYC area - so it is not like I do not have lots of people around). Guess they are all heading to the dump from rust out?

Looked for a Toyota Prius - and they can not be found used anywhere (people snap them up - regardless of whether they know what they are doing with them). Not sure I want one, as it is the "generic" eco vehicle now with an over priced value (for new buyers of used or new vehicle).

Looked at a Chevy S10 - they get upwards of 30MPG in manual transmission, but also can not be found. Not good for road traction either, with the rear wheel drive.

Honda Civic maybe? What model? (CRX?)
Toyota Corolla? or Yarus? or Scion xB?

07-02-2008, 07:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
offroad1994 EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 52 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Top Five available eco-mod vehicles?? So what can be found for the top five vehicles that are available and can be bought any time?? Vehicles that can be worked and modified for terrific practical MPG improvements, and can always be found. Here are my criterea (yours might be slightly different). A) Can be bought at a dealership in the used lot, or can be found for sale by owners. Not really a high demand vehicle, but definately an undervalued vehicle. B) Can be fixed relatively cheaply. My mechanic says that HONDA anything is well designed for fast easy repair, and parts are always available. I think some of the older vehicles might have a hard time with parts. I am thinking a vehicle at least five years old, but not older than ten years is ideal (so looking at 1998 or newer). C) Has a fully stripped version (manual windows, NO AC, etc.); as well as a fully loaded version. Then you can decide on what you want and how that effects MPG. What are the MUST HAVE options for people? I personally think traction control is a great option, but I do not see that everywhere. Not sure about the automatic, or manual transmission choice (driving in traffic with a manual really is annoying); but obviously manual is easy to fix and saves lots of gas. D) Well designed for getting crunched in an accident. Not wanting to buy the high MPG vehicle that is rated the lowest for crash protection. E) Has good available cargo area. This is highly optional, as cargo space means more stuff, that has weight, that eats MPG. Bad idea, but thinking on this. Looked for Geo Metro - and literally can not find one for sale within 200 miles (and I live near NYC area - so it is not like I do not have lots of people around). Guess they are all heading to the dump from rust out? Looked for a Toyota Prius - and they can not be found used anywhere (people snap them up - regardless of whether they know what they are doing with them). Not sure I want one, as it is the "generic" eco vehicle now with an over priced value (for new buyers of used or new vehicle). Looked at a Chevy S10 - they get upwards of 30MPG in manual transmission, but also can not be found. Not good for road traction either, with the rear wheel drive. Honda Civic maybe? What model? (CRX?) Toyota Corolla? or Yarus? or Scion xB?