Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post

veloman · 08-13-2015, 07:13 PM

I've been posting for a bit here, mostly relating to two wheelers. Though I think I've finally crossed that point where I want a car again for most of my travel. I drove a 97 auto civic for 8 years, then sold it last year because I have been building and riding my own ebikes and e-motorcycle. I can get by without a car, but there is just too many reasons against it for some of my circumstances.

An important goal is traveling cross country on these least fuel. Though that may be a rare trip. The higher my mpg, the more likely I will actually do such a trip.

I think an older hybrid is what I am focusing on. I have lots of lithium batteries from my projects that I can't sell, but could use on a car to extend it's efficiency. About 6kwh total. 4kwh is my battery I use on the motorcycle I converted, made from Nissan Leaf modules.

Price: I live a frugal life and don't want to spend more than $3500 or so. I sold my civic for $2500 and believe I was lucky to get that. (183k miles)

My biggest fear is having to spend sizeable money on serious mechanical issues with a car. I am fairly mechanically inclined (worked as an ebike tech and converted a motorcycle to electric power). But I'm not very confident about doing big repair jobs on a car.

Manual or auto: I have no problem shifting a standard motorcycle, but in the past was not good with a manual truck. A lot of my driving could be urban and in heavy traffic. So I lean towards an auto. I know my civic would lock the torque converter once I reached a steady speed, so as far as efficiency, that's just as good as a manual on the highway.

I'm an efficiency nerd. That's why I'm here. I hate the idea of my engine burning fuel at a stoplight. I am willing to do moderate aero mods.

Air conditioning is a must have option. I have techniques to minimized it's use if it's just me in the car. But the car must have AC or it's useless to drive my wife or dogs. It's over 100 degrees most of the summer here in Austin. on top of that, one of the big reasons I want a car is so I can keep the cabin closed and the air pollution out. I hate breathing it in on the bikes. So I can't get by with just leaving the windows down in traffic most of the year here.

Size - enough for two adults, two medium dogs and a disassembled bicycle/luggage. This is what kills the first gen Insight idea.

So I'm looking for advice on what car I should be looking for. I'm not in a rush, so I have time to be picky.

If I get a full gasoline Civic or Corolla, I know I'll be racking my brain trying to find a way to add one of my electric motors/wheels and hating being stopped in traffic.

It's looking like a 2nd gen Prius with higher mileage is my best option. Thoughts?

08-13-2015, 07:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
veloman EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Austin TX Posts: 72 Thanks: 19 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Advice on what car I've been posting for a bit here, mostly relating to two wheelers. Though I think I've finally crossed that point where I want a car again for most of my travel. I drove a 97 auto civic for 8 years, then sold it last year because I have been building and riding my own ebikes and e-motorcycle. I can get by without a car, but there is just too many reasons against it for some of my circumstances. An important goal is traveling cross country on these least fuel. Though that may be a rare trip. The higher my mpg, the more likely I will actually do such a trip. I think an older hybrid is what I am focusing on. I have lots of lithium batteries from my projects that I can't sell, but could use on a car to extend it's efficiency. About 6kwh total. 4kwh is my battery I use on the motorcycle I converted, made from Nissan Leaf modules. Price: I live a frugal life and don't want to spend more than $3500 or so. I sold my civic for $2500 and believe I was lucky to get that. (183k miles) My biggest fear is having to spend sizeable money on serious mechanical issues with a car. I am fairly mechanically inclined (worked as an ebike tech and converted a motorcycle to electric power). But I'm not very confident about doing big repair jobs on a car. Manual or auto: I have no problem shifting a standard motorcycle, but in the past was not good with a manual truck. A lot of my driving could be urban and in heavy traffic. So I lean towards an auto. I know my civic would lock the torque converter once I reached a steady speed, so as far as efficiency, that's just as good as a manual on the highway. I'm an efficiency nerd. That's why I'm here. I hate the idea of my engine burning fuel at a stoplight. I am willing to do moderate aero mods. Air conditioning is a must have option. I have techniques to minimized it's use if it's just me in the car. But the car must have AC or it's useless to drive my wife or dogs. It's over 100 degrees most of the summer here in Austin. on top of that, one of the big reasons I want a car is so I can keep the cabin closed and the air pollution out. I hate breathing it in on the bikes. So I can't get by with just leaving the windows down in traffic most of the year here. Size - enough for two adults, two medium dogs and a disassembled bicycle/luggage. This is what kills the first gen Insight idea. So I'm looking for advice on what car I should be looking for. I'm not in a rush, so I have time to be picky. If I get a full gasoline Civic or Corolla, I know I'll be racking my brain trying to find a way to add one of my electric motors/wheels and hating being stopped in traffic. It's looking like a 2nd gen Prius with higher mileage is my best option. Thoughts?