I just thought i would throw out my history as an ecodriver and the conclusions i have drawn from it.
1st: 1990 Ford Escort Lx auto 3 spd 1.9l sohc engine(cfi).
EPA rated-26 overall
My return-32 average
Notes: With this car i drove the speed limit, accelerated slowly(is there any other way?), upshifted by lifting my foot off the pedal, tires at 32psi, and that's about it. Windows always open because the a/c didn't work and i still got 32mpg. Now my bro drive it.
2nd: 1995 Geo Metro manual 5spd, 1.3l sohc engine(cfi).
EPA rated-35 overall
My return-44 avg
Notes: With this car i shifted at 2k, accelerated slowly, tires at 35psi, coasted with engine on alot, safe drafting, windows open. Unfortunately the frame broke at the front pass nuckle to frame connection(factory defect). That was a sad day.
3rd: Girlfriends 1999 Chevy tracker auto 4 spd, 2.0 dohc engine(mfi), 4wd.
EPA rated- 21 overall
My return-26 avg
Notes: This thing was a gas hog
. She had bought it long ago and still drove it. It drove the same no matter how you tried to drive it because it was horribly under powered(the escort was more plesant). Just tried to drive it nicely and got ok returns, but the thing liked to violently downshift at the slightest incline so that was painful(for me and mpg). Just not a good car...
4th: 2003 Honda Civic Si(EP3) manual 5sp, 2.0 dohc i-vtec engine(mfi)
EPA rated-25 overall
My return-34 avg
Notes: Coasting, shifting at 3k, windows normally up, accelerating slow, driving slow, Valves just adjusted. Good car, have had a few problems, but in illinois it was one of only 11 cars to make the epa's smartway certification for emissions. Even the prius didn't make it because of NOx emissions, but the i-vtec system substantially lowers acid rain emissions as well as keeping the CO2 fairly low as well.
5th: Girlfriends 1997 Chevy cavalier auto 4spd, 2.2l ohv engine(mfi i think)
EPA rated-25 overall
My return-32 avg
Notes: Still figuring this one out. Shifting is squirley with the torque converter and all. Seems kind of under powered even though it's a 2.2L, i think it's the gearing. Basically just go slow.
So I have found that i like sohc cfi engines the best i think. They are simple(1 injector) and last forever. Also all you have to do is keep the rpm's down to get good mileage. Dohc's seem to have a sweet spot, especially those with vtec, for shifting. I Do like the civic because it has eps and that eliminates a pulley on the belt and keeps the loss of power to 12.5% and also when i turn the wheel all the way it doesn't fight me or squeal. I loved the metro the most even though the quality of materials wasn't quite there. I would love to get an xfi or civic with the variable displacement. Cfi seems to be better for mpg than mfi, but i have read that dfi is even better. Manuals are nice because they allow you to adapt for any conditions(i hate unexpected down shifting in autos) also they take the guess work out of shifting.
Thanks for reading, i hope to eventaully break 40mpg in the civic, but i'm not sure if i will until i get a sg or something else to help me find where the mpgs are in this car. Post up your history as i find it entertaining lol.