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Old 03-02-2009, 04:05 PM   #6 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,519

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: 52.48 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,076
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
Seems pointless to me (if I understand it). People buy automatic transmissions because they're either too lazy to shift, or too uncoordinated to learn how. So why would they want an automatic that they can shift themselves?
Remember, we're not talking about people here (as in the general public). We're talking about fuel economy, um, enthusiasts.

Would the rest of the automatic driving sheeple want one? Of course not. But who cares? It will be an interesting project for the assembled peanut gallery, and will probably save fuel in the hands of a motivated driver (vs. the stock setup).

If I was stuck with an automatic, for whatever reason, I'd definitely want to be able to control shift points, particularly torque converter lock-up.
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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.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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