close to giving up....

[d0sitmatr]

no roof bars on mine
but yes, that is pretty much what it looks like.

the only aeromods Ive done to date is a partial lower grill block and foglamp covers.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Very interesting. Thanks. How did you come across these?

An intellectual education.

A definition of what's constitutes literacy is [10] books per year not concerned with ones livelihood, nor cookbooks, self-help, etc. Literature, in other words; science, history, etc. I tend to read 4-5 books per week. And have for closing in on 40-years.

When one reads an influential book (say, Hedges on the liberal class) and the bibliography consists of books one has also read it tends to make for associations, that, over time (and many, many books) lead one to other fine writers and authors one might once have ignored. Even familiar ones read in a new light. Hope you enjoyed those two above as I have.

Mortimer Adler makes the arguments much better than I. The book here referenced should be the basis of any beginning education as an adult.

What to read is not nearly so important as how to read. With that, much is illuminated from the minds older crevices: a recent essay and one recalled from long-ago college. The mind is a more capacious tool than we recognize.

While on that note, the Fuel Crisis Pinto from C&D Magazine, IIRC, was one I read as current way-back when. The great thing about a forum such as this is to recall those older tidbits and re-learn attitudes towards driving plus express the genuine admiration for the DIY work seen here. The citations of Hucho, et. al. starts to get beyond me. But, with help, even guys like me will benefit.



.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by d0sitmatr

no roof bars on mine
but yes, that is pretty much what it looks like.

the only aeromods Ive done to date is a partial lower grill block and foglamp covers.

We got this one as the 323 - there is a review here.

If you want to go mods there was a 1.5 and a Diesel but I wouldn't bother as you may have issues with AC which I would think would be mandatory where you are

[d0sitmatr]

I have no issues not running AC myself, but yea, my wife might take umbrage
the trans for the diesel is the trans I want to import, but the problem is actually finding one. really hard to search Europe for one here in the states. but someone on the mazda forums was able to find one for $550.0 shipped, which is a heck of a deal.

[d0sitmatr]

I feel better now.
last tank netted me 31.5mpg avg, I must attribute it all to the tires being @ 40PSi.
I didnt even do a lot of hypermiling this tank due to the frustration of the last tank.
now Im hoping that the new set of tires Im putting on (thinner than the ones on it now) couple with some solid hypermiling is going to allow me to see some 33mpg avgs

[Arragonis]

Thats a good tank - Now your "mojo" is back, set a target - say 35 and go for it. It may mean not going for the front of the queue or always overtaking on the backroads but then again think of the money saved and what you could do with that - maybe a meal out at the end of the month with the Mrs (woo), or a day in a playpark for the kids or something maybe your and Mrs D0s were saving for.

All more important than going fast IMHO.

I would give the mods a miss TBH, although if you want I (or indeed 320, or any of us Europeans with our free healthcare and lazy lifestyles...) could see if we could find what you need. I have to say 323s of that vintage are rare here because of rust - we salt our roads in winter.

Good luck.

[SentraSE-R]

I looked at the OP's mention of 1/2 tank @65 mph, and immediately thought, "there's a lot of low-hanging fruit to be picked." 65 mph? Really?

[d0sitmatr]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

I looked at the OP's mention of 1/2 tank @65 mph, and immediately thought, "there's a lot of low-hanging fruit to be picked." 65 mph? Really?

uhm... huh ?
you have completely lost me on that comment

[larrybuck]

We are wondering why you are choosing to drive at 65mph, instead of a more dignified 50-55mph???

[Sven7]

Exactly. That's easily 800 RPM over what, a couple hours? Slowing down 10mph on a 2 hour drive will only cost you 20 minutes. Going fast is not worth the gas.

How much are you using P&G and EOC? Especially in the city, when you're not accelerating, pop it into neutral and coast. It cuts your revs in half easily, and on longer coasts you can EOC with effectively infinity MPG.

Also, block up that top grille! The top one will get you better gains than the bottom because you want the air to go over the top of the car easily. Maybe think of getting an OEM front lip.

I'd skip all the trans mods and whatnot because they aren't going to save you much money considering the cost of the mods. I'm driving what's essentially a Mazda MX6 and consistently getting 38MPG and 400 miles with a little effort. It's mechanically stock, but with a few aero mods. Have you removed the rear seats, or do you need those for the little one(s)?

Pop that baby out of gear and save some MPG's.