Luxury car hypermiler... Olds Aurora? - Page 3 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

jpgmtech · 02-20-2009, 12:17 PM

I've found seats to be a very subjective topic - what one person loves another person hates... best one's I've ever had long-trip were in a 2000 Buick Lesabre, and they definitely fit the description of well-cushioned. I have a 2007 Grand-Prix has excellent seats for sport-driving, but they don't let me move around at all. That restricts my comfort level significantly on long trips. The same held true of the Toyota Celica AWD Turbo that I owned - excellent seats for thier purpose but just not good for me on a long trip.

BTW, that Buick returned a best of 6.6l/100kms on a warm-day, overinflated tire trip to BC, 60mph average. It was typically around 7.0 on highway trips and it had a 3800.

hypermiler01 · 02-20-2009, 01:07 PM

I got a Lexus IS300 seat for my Geo Metro. 50+ mpg with Lexus comfort!

jpgmtech · 02-20-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypermiler01

I got a Lexus IS300 seat for my Geo Metro. 50+ mpg with Lexus comfort!

That's cool! I like that idea...

Had a Chevy Sprint once, rigged with kill-switch and all... but I felt beat-up after driving it for an hour. A little sound-dampening and a high-grade seat... maybe less work than an Aurora project...

I still like the idea of taking a good size car and seeing what could be done.

Big Dave · 02-20-2009, 09:32 PM

I think it is a project with merit, and I think 35 should be easy. I used to have a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (supercharged 3.8 and I think it has the 4T80. If I kept my foot out of it, I could nurse 30 out of it on the same circuit I now drive and didn't hypermile at all.

I always thought the Aurora (or Buick Riviera) had great aero potential. Being front drive, a belly pan should be easy. I alwayswished those cars came with a stick.

Unforgiven · 02-23-2009, 05:10 PM

Interesting idea on installing the v-6 into the Aurora. I know the later years had a 3.5L v-6 option but most came out with the v-8. For what its worth, the 3.4L v-6 in my 2004 Impala can do a good highway run of 37 mpg. Now to just spend time at home so I can drive it and get the fuel economy numbers up again!!!!

Have thought about installing a manual, but the installation would be a nightmare with all the cutting and fabrication that would have to be done. Tinkered with the idea of one of the new 6sp autos GM came out with for the Saturn line and now have in the Pontiac G6 vehicle... but again, fabrication of adapter plate and the electronics of it make me pause. As well as the top gear ratio is actually .74 instead of what I have now .70

randerson0248 · 02-26-2009, 01:47 PM

Back in 1997 I drove a 96 Olds 88 with 3.8; on highway at 85 mph got 28.5 mpg on the tank.

Next trip a week later was at steady 90 mph at 29 mpg for the tank.

This was all totally flat highway. Zero city.

jpgmtech · 02-26-2009, 01:54 PM

That's pretty good FE for bookin' it like that...

I never go more than 70 mph...

Frank Lee · 02-26-2009, 01:57 PM

The question is, did he make it there on time???

1337 · 02-27-2009, 02:29 AM

I agree 100% with MazdaMatt. I regularly hop in my Protege and drive 8 hours straight on the highway, usually with one fuel stop and one pit stop. I'm always completely comfortable at the end of the trip, and I feel like I could go an other 8 hours. I'm averaging about 33mpg in the winter, though I think I could use a new air filter and some new spark plugs.

As far as room, I did a road trip with 4 friends and their luggage, no problem. Proteges also depreciate quickly compared to Honda and Toyota competitors, so you can snag one cheap.

I wish I could think of a way to make the Aurora into a 30+mpg car, but I wouldn't bet my hard earned dollars on it.

Intrigued · 02-28-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randerson0248

Next trip a week later was at steady 90 mph at 29 mpg for the tank.

Huh. In CA they all drive that speed... until those cars with the lights on top show up. You'd actually have to TRY to not get some help drafting in the parts of the state I have been in.

My Intrigue has the 3.5 quad cam engine, and after a little work on it I'm thinking I'm back to a 30+ mpg tank, about 1/3 city miles. Part of that may be due to winter-to-summer gas transitions, though...

Anyway, it sure is one comfortable car for the hour-plus trip to Springfield once a week to the university!

...and as tall geared as it is, it probably doesn't get to it's most efficient rpm until 90 mph!!!