Getting Started

[OWL]

Hi All.
I've been reading this forum for years. Don't think I've ever posted.
I commute 180 miles daily. My Camry gets 42mpg hi way "according to scanguage". It gets 29 average. I'd like to get a car to modify for the hiway.
What make and model would be best? I'm in no hurry. The camry is comfortable and paid for. May look for a wrecked car. Any suggestions?

[OWL]

[Hill That would be the Honda Insight? What year? Any others?


B][/B]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Some VERY general "rule-of-thumbs" for maximum fuel economy are:

1) Smallest physical size car for minimum weight.
2) Smallest physical size car for smallest aerodynamic "footprint."
3) Smallest practical engine displacement for lowest fuel consumption.
4) Manual transmission for optimum engine-rpm vs. road-load control.
5) Low axle ratio (eg: 2.00-3.00) for low engine-rpm at load.
6) Tear-drop body (ie: fastback) body shape for minimum aero drag.
7) Tall, narrow, tires for reduced "rolling resistance"
8) 40-50psi in those tyres, but do not exceed sidewall specs.
9) Minimum mechanical "parasitic" loads (no A/C, power steering, etc.).
10) Minimum electrical "parasitic" loads (no boom-box stereo, halogen lamps, etc.)

[93tracerwagon]

I'd be very careful about a teardrop shaped body. Most create a lot of rotating turbulence unless the rear angle is only about 15 degrees. For older standard body shapes the best body is... and its hard to believe... a station wagon. The drag of the rotating turbulence is greater than the big drag at the back of a wagon. This is based on the aero book by Hucho. This is why some many cars are not bustle backs.

[Natalya]

The 2000 to 2006 Honda Insight is the best car for MPG, but why not save money and just modify the Camry?

[OWL]

Originally Posted by Natalya

The 2000 to 2006 Honda Insight is the best car for MPG, but why not save money and just modify the Camry?

What can be done to a 2001 camry? It's an auto. The first thing would be the transmission right?

[OWL]

I need the Camry working till I get something else.
I see several insights in the tri state region.

[Natalya]

No first thing would be to pump the tires up higher, probably to the 40's.

Second, drive slower if possible, but on a commute that long I can understand why you wouldn't want to add to its length. But if you know the cruising speed you like, you can always try accelerating up to that speed a little more slowly and then when exiting the highway start coasting like a little bit before the off-ramp, don't burn fuel going into a stop.

Aeromods are number three. They usually look silly, but they help. Easy ones are to shroud the rear wheel wells with coroplast. You can also block the grills and maybe make an air dam up front, or cover up the bottom of the car. Moon disk covers for the wheels are also helpful.

[OWL]

This may be a good one. What questions do I need to ask?

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5664549260.html

[mcrews]

increasing tire size (as discussed in several theards) would lower rpm at cruise speeds.
Pump up the tires (as per Natalya)
Maybe a belly pan.

A Camry is a sweet ride

[Natalya]

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5665403205.html

Aggressively use assist in this one on a test drive. If the IMA light shows get him to drop 500 off the price. Regarding the one you linked at 1500, I wouldn't pay more than $500 for a car that won't start.

To make sure you are using lots of assist just shift immediately when the indicators tell you to and go hard on the accelerator right after making each shift.