Hi. New member in Bay Area, CA

[bigchelis]

Hi all,
I have a 2012 Wrangler 4x4 with 35in tires which I been filling up with $68 tanks every 3 days or so. My work commute will not change and I finally been looking at a high MPG car I can get for under $3K.

In my car I just want a simple radio and AC. The rollup windows and a 5speed stickshift is a must.

Mercedes 190d---diesel, 5spd, 4 doors,
Honda hatchback 1992 ~1998
Geo Metro 94~99 hatchback

I like the novelty of diesel cuase the claim is more MPG's but these lil hatchback hondas and Geos can be just as good. I drive alot and just want something reliable and I am pretty good on working on my own car maintenance.

Thank you all,
bigC

[jeff88]

From a fellow San Jose resident, welcome.

I don't know about the MB, but the other two will definitely be a good starting point for high MPG. Is there a minimum MPG figure you're looking for?

What would you say the split is for highway/city driving for you? Could play an important part it the type of car you actually get.

[bigchelis]

Originally Posted by jeff88

From a fellow San Jose resident, welcome.

I don't know about the MB, but the other two will definitely be a good starting point for high MPG. Is there a minimum MPG figure you're looking for?

What would you say the split is for highway/city driving for you? Could play an important part it the type of car you actually get.

I want at least 40MPG, but if I hit 50MPG it would be huge bragging rights..lol


90% Freeway driving of which 50% of that is slow stop and go traffic in the morning. In the afternoon I leave work early and usually zero traffic.

[bigchelis]

I been trolling this site for some time now and it just sounds too good to be true, but I am happy to be here.

Mods I plan to do:
Front bumper cloroplast
Passenger mirror delete
Antena relocate and plate cover
Underhood cover out of aluminum or whatever I can screw/ziptie into place
Smaller and lightest tire I can find
drive like a grandma (which I do now since my Jeep is slow)

thanks,
bigC

[NachtRitter]

hey bigC,

Welcome to the site! I'd recommend a Mk4 VW TDI like my Jetta (yes, I'm biased), but unfortunately finding one in decent shape that is in the $3000 range would be very difficult. Having had a Honda hatchback (with which I've gotten some pretty good FE) and now having the TDI, I (personally) would never go back. The torque of the Diesel is awesome, and the ability to apply performance modifications which ALSO improve FE just seems too good to be true (and yet it is true!).

Of course just about anything you find will probably get better FE than the Jeep!

Oh! Just realized... I am looking to sell my VX in the next week or so... PM me if you think you might be interested.

[bigchelis]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

hey bigC,

Welcome to the site! I'd recommend a Mk4 VW TDI like my Jetta (yes, I'm biased), but unfortunately finding one in decent shape that is in the $3000 range would be very difficult. Having had a Honda hatchback (with which I've gotten some pretty good FE) and now having the TDI, I (personally) would never go back. The torque of the Diesel is awesome, and the ability to apply performance modifications which ALSO improve FE just seems too good to be true (and yet it is true!).

Of course just about anything you find will probably get better FE than the Jeep!

Oh! Just realized... I am looking to sell my VX in the next week or so... PM me if you think you might be interested.

Hi,
Do you have pictures of it?
Would save me time and energy since yours I take it has cool eco mods.


Thank you,
bigC

[jeff88]

Originally Posted by bigchelis

I want at least 40MPG, but if I hit 50MPG it would be huge bragging rights..lol

90% Freeway driving of which 50% of that is slow stop and go traffic in the morning. In the afternoon I leave work early and usually zero traffic.

I think if 50-60% of your driving is city (I consider stop and go as city), then you should look into a hybrid. Even if you spend a little more than your posted budget, you will be happy in the end and every week-and-a-half or so at the gas pump. A few options, regardless of price:

*1st gen Honda Insight (ask people on this site)
*Early 2000's Honda Civic Hybrid
*Honda Accord Hybrid
*1st gen Ford Escape Hybrid (I'm guessing you like the SUV platform, 2nd gen would work, but more expensive)
*Toyota Camry Hybrid
*Toyota Prius (not necessarily the cheese-wedge version)
*Toyota Highlander Hybrid (same as Escape, if you like the SUV, but pretty expensive comparatively)

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by bigchelis

Hi,
Do you have pictures of it?
Would save me time and energy since yours I take it has cool eco mods.


Thank you,
bigC

Sent a PM with pics & info

[UltArc]

1st Gen Insight. My 5 mile commute in this weather is netting me 67.2 MPG, which would be MUCH better if I didn't have to go from 0 to 60 once, then back to 0, or if my engine could actually warm to temperature. Paid 3k for it, not too hard to find. I have a friend who is waiting to get one, and I pretty consistently send him links from here:

Buy/Sell Insight-Related Items - Insight Central: Honda Insight Forum

For me (with modifications) it is near impossible to get UNDER 50 mpg. Even with 30~psi in the tires, and cycling the battery and completely abusing it, I netted 54 lol

[bigchelis]

I will on weekends occasionally drive with the family and need it to fit at least 4 people.

The Geo Metro would be a great choice since they cost less.
The Civic is hard to find a clean condition one.

The Jetta TDI with 1.9L is significantly more expensive but needeless to say it would be an amazing alternative.

bigC