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

Markmysite · 08-12-2008, 02:02 PM

Hello all. I've been lurking on this sites for months now (just joined 3 weeks ago) and figured it was time to say hello.

I did a lot of research before buying a smaller car. It was a hard decision for me to make because I haven't been driving fuel eff. vehicles for years. My other cars are a 2001 Durango (13-15 mpg), and a 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT8 (425hp, 0-60 in under 5 seconds ... about 18-20mpg HWY).

Although the 300 SRT8 is an amazing car that is a blast to take to the drag strip, it just wasn't cutting with gas at $4 a gallon. It was time to suck it up and go for something that could get better gas mileage.

So, I found a 2007 Pontiac Vibe base model with 7,062 miles for only $11,800!!! It was a great price since most around me are going for $15-$16 for an '07 with over 20-30K miles on them. I had to drive 3 hours to get it, but it was worth it. I thought I'd hate driving it compared to my 300, but it turns out I LOVE THIS CAR. It's fun to drive, holds a lot, and is perfect for what I need.

Here is a picture of what it looked like when I got it 3 weeks ago:

Here are some pics of what it looks like now:

I hope to learn a lot more from you guys here. Any tips on other things I should mod for improved MPG, or any other mods in general are appreciated (although I want to keep a stock look, and I don't want to cover up my rims).

I will put up a post with some pics of the aluminum grill block and under belly I made.

08-12-2008, 02:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Markmysite EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Indy Posts: 44 EcoVibe - '07 Pontiac Vibe base 90 day: 38.14 mpg (US) Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	new EcoVibe says hello Hello all. I've been lurking on this sites for months now (just joined 3 weeks ago) and figured it was time to say hello. I did a lot of research before buying a smaller car. It was a hard decision for me to make because I haven't been driving fuel eff. vehicles for years. My other cars are a 2001 Durango (13-15 mpg), and a 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT8 (425hp, 0-60 in under 5 seconds ... about 18-20mpg HWY). Although the 300 SRT8 is an amazing car that is a blast to take to the drag strip, it just wasn't cutting with gas at $4 a gallon. It was time to suck it up and go for something that could get better gas mileage. So, I found a 2007 Pontiac Vibe base model with 7,062 miles for only $11,800!!! It was a great price since most around me are going for $15-$16 for an '07 with over 20-30K miles on them. I had to drive 3 hours to get it, but it was worth it. I thought I'd hate driving it compared to my 300, but it turns out I LOVE THIS CAR. It's fun to drive, holds a lot, and is perfect for what I need. Here is a picture of what it looked like when I got it 3 weeks ago: Here are some pics of what it looks like now: I hope to learn a lot more from you guys here. Any tips on other things I should mod for improved MPG, or any other mods in general are appreciated (although I want to keep a stock look, and I don't want to cover up my rims). I will put up a post with some pics of the aluminum grill block and under belly I made. __________________ How to make a permanent aluminum gill block and belly pan UPDATED with full instructions and 22 pictures! Click here to view the Excel program "Secrets to Better Gas Mileage"