03-22-2015, 12:45 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Looking for a used car and need suggestions
Hello all,
I think this is my first post, I'm not sure :-/ But I've been a member for quite a number of years. I stayed a member cause you include the bicycle and other forms of moving around and don't strictly rely on being a cager.
When I first joined I was doing ~hypermiling. I had a Mazda Protege that I was getting 40 mpg city or hwy driving. I was cool with those figures. I got into a car accident with the car a long while ago (6yrs), and I'm thinking about getting behind the wheel again. BTW, the accident wasn't my fault and no one got hurt, but the cars were totaled. I decided at that point to give using my bicycle and public transportation a shoot. I live 2 miles from downtown and the light rail station is a 1/2 mile away. That's worked good and really I wouldn't mind keeping at it, but I do want to somewhat be on top of my homework.
I'd like to find out what is available out there with these parameters. I got to be able to get 40 mpg or better, I got to have a manual tranny, a station wagon or hatchback is a plus, and it needs to be fairly reliable. I'm thinking something in the $3k area? I'm pretty patient and really can afford to wait for the right one at the right time. Really I'd like to just start exploring.
Thanks for reading this and I hope I posted this in the correct forum.
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03-22-2015, 01:35 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Cyborg ECU
Join Date: Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allan Alessio
... I got to be able to get 40 mpg or better, I got to have a manual tranny, a station wagon or hatchback is a plus, and it needs to be fairly reliable. I'm thinking something in the $3k area? I'm pretty patient and really can afford to wait for the right one at the right time. Really I'd like to just start exploring. ...
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Manual, 34 mpg hwy EPA, reliable, and old enough to maybe be available at a price point near $3k, a Honda Fit from '08:
Mild hypermiling and low key mods will get you over 40mpg.
James
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See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.
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03-22-2015, 02:46 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Too many cars
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Fits are great, but I'm not sure if any are in the $3k range yet. I'd be looking for a Civic or Corolla.
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2000 Honda Insight
2000 Honda Insight
2000 Honda Insight
2006 Honda Insight (parts car)
1988 Honda CRXFi
1994 Geo Metro
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03-22-2015, 09:57 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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2003 toyota echo
A 3k Fit? Wouldn't be much left of that.
regards
mech
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03-22-2015, 04:37 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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5 pin sensor
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__________________
Current: 1997 civic lx
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OG lean burn member
My civic thread
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03-22-2015, 05:54 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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A Vibe or a Focus would probably the most common at that price.
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03-24-2015, 02:45 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Something like a Vibe, Fit or Mazda5 would fit nicely for what I'm looking for. Finding a Mazda5 that's manual is like trying to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Any tips on what to look for or ask when you see a car that has a salvage title?
Anyone on the site here with a Mazda5? Getting anywhere near 40 mpg? Anyone getting 40 mpg with a Vibe? With a Fit for that matter?
(BTW, I'm not getting any notices of post on this thread, so sorry for the late reply.)
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03-24-2015, 03:19 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Administrator
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The Matrix and Vibe will not get 40 mpg just cruising. They'll get mid and possibly upper 30s under ideal conditions. If you P&G you'll get more. Same with the Fit (booo short gearing).
Your best bet is probably a Civic HX or Insight. The Echo is probably another one that would work well.
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03-25-2015, 01:54 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox
The Matrix and Vibe will not get 40 mpg just cruising. They'll get mid and possibly upper 30s under ideal conditions. If you P&G you'll get more. Same with the Fit (booo short gearing).
Your best bet is probably a Civic HX or Insight. The Echo is probably another one that would work well.
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I've seen the term P&G mentioned a few times here. What is P&G? Pedal and gravity?  |
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03-25-2015, 01:59 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic
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BTW, I threw out offers I was seeing on the Fits on CL and there were no nimbles or anything! I was just offering 3k for anything up to 4.8k. It's a good mark to shoot for, but we'll see.
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