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Old 01-14-2009, 06:19 PM   #3 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
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I seem to remember a thread like that. But weren't they saying something like it got improved fuel economy with the covered junk up top? I didn't put much stock in what they were saying.

Lowering the rack is a good first step. If you HAVE to carry stuff on the roof (do you? What about a rear hitch style box?) take the same steps as designing anything else for good aero:

- minimize frontal area
- round the leading edge
- enclose with a shape that approximates a tear drop
- taper in plan and profile at the rear if possible

Sorta like this:

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
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has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
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