Geo storm or suski swift 1999? (Update: got a Civic VX!)
 

Both 3 speed automatic, both around the same condition and price, plan on doing full boat tale and aero modding here, which one would you recommend? keep in mind most of my driving is city driving. Know automatic isn't the best for mpg but kind of slim pickings here.

Seriously, keep looking. Find a 5-speed manual.

In my humble opinion, it's just not worth putting the work into a 3-speed automatic with no lockup torque converter. You aren't going to be happy with the fuel economy.

I agree with MetroMPG, if you are serious about fuel economy, an automatic will never make you happy. I spent 4 months browsing vehicles, and close to one month searching high-and-low for a manual trans Yaris with reasonably low miles on it. It was difficult, but worth the wait. Just keep at it for awhile.

Been looking for awhile with no luck, all the time my 10mpg whale is killing my wallet >< even with areo mods are 3 speeds automatics really that bad? only showing around 9 less mpg than manuals (thats crappy, but still with a boat tail should i still be able to get in the 60-70mpg range?)

And if you're looking for an automatic because you don't know how to drive a manual, it's time to learn. In a lifetime of driving manuals, you'll save a HUGE amount of fuel if you're willing to learn.

Sorry to not directly answer your question. But manual is the way to go.

If you insist on wasting more fuel than you need to, at the very least, you need to find something with a 4-speed automatic with a lock-up torque converter.

Yes, they're really that bad. Don't do it. 60-70 isn't very realistic at all, even modded to the teeth.

10 MPG! Well that changes things.

If it's really that hard to find a manual, get the 3-speed for now, but don't spend time modding it. Spend your time continuing to look for a decent manual-equipped car, then sell the 3-speed.

Then mod the good car. :)

10mpg on premium non the less lol and actually trying to get good mpg too, oy.

Alright well i'll keep looking hard to find anything decent for a good price though, looking for geo metro (ultra rare it seems), geo storm (only found 1 in automatic), suski swift, crx, Toyota paseo,

Woohoo! Dodged a bullet there.

Let us know what you end up with.

1994 toyota tercel m4 a good base to start with? doesn't seem like it's got the best mpg wise, but it is pretty light.

Most Fuel Efficient Cars; Comprehensive List: 1984-2013
 

1984-2008
2001-2011
2012-2013

Keep searching. Besides, aeromods aren't really going to help in the city anyway.

They will help, it just won't be as pronounced as at highway speeds.

Even at just ~30 mph, about half the energy a typical vehicle is using is overcoming aero drag.

A Toyota Tercel is an alright vehicle, definitely better than your 10 MPG. I guess it depends on your price range, but other vehicles to consider are 90's Civics, Toyota Echo or Yaris. My max price range was 13k, my car was just under that. With my trade-in I'm only financing $6,800. If you haven't run some budget numbers, you should. I calculated it out both before and after I bought my car, and found that my "before" calculation was quite conservative. I went from 16 MPG to 40 and made my car payments plus bought gas PLUS saved $100. It's entirely possible you could do the same.

Found a 94 Honda Civic VX, though oy driving manual after like 8 years was quite interesting lol. Though does need a ton of work,need to get it back in shape before i can start the mods.

You bought a VX???

The VX is just about as efficient as you can find in an old beater - best suited to sustained cruising though, where light load lean-burn mode knocks the MPG out of the park.

But even in city driving, a VX will beat the snot out of a 3-speed automatic Metro/Swift.

Mission accomplished: bullet dodged!

Yeah it's a salvage title and been modded a bit(lowered , exhaust, etc), but drive pretty good as long as i don't keep messing up gear changes lol. Though thing was near impossible to find.

Lowering can be good for fuel economy.

The key question is: does it still have the lean burn engine? I forget the engine model... d15z, I think. Ricers are famous for getting VX's, then yanking out that engine to put in something more powerful.

Anyway, there are lots of members here with VX's who can help you figure it all out. If you've got questions, they've got answers.

he said he was getting like 36mpg, though there is a custom chip (P28), i'll have to see about returning to stock.

You might also look at returning the exhaust to stock as VX's with non stock exhausts seem to wear out the $300 o2 sensor a lot faster then normal.
If you can post photos you might start a new thread and post some under hood photos and photos of any other part of the car that is in question.

For the two cars in question from the original topic:Compare Side-by-Side

City mileage is 26mpg for the metro and 22mpg for the storm

Know if there are any aftermarket o2 sensors? engine pulsing at idle and throwing o2 sensor codes, don't really have the budget for 300$.

Denso 234 5052 O2 Oxygen Air Fuel Ratio Sensor Honda Acura 5 Wire 02 Sensor | eBay

is the same sensor as my brother just bought for his VX and even tho it's sold in a Denso brand parts box, the o2 sensor is an NTK brand part because the civic VX is pretty much the only car that takes that exact sensor.

Walker O2 Oxygen Sensor Pre 92 95 Honda Civic VX 1 5L | eBay

is half the price and they say it's the right part but I suspect it's not going to be an NTK made part so you have to figure out if you want to risk having to buy a 2nd one if this half price one fails.

ouch, got to buy 2 as well ><