08-30-2018, 11:18 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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FNG
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: West Seattle
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Need advice for next car
Hi,
I am the proud owner of an ‘86 CRX HF AND a ‘94 Civic VX. I love both rides, but want to upgrade, for a couple of reasons. Here in the PNW, my carbureted HF sometimes ices up, leaving me stranded until the carb thaws out. It is a one-owner car (prior to my ownership) with about 185k on it. My VX is also a one-owner car, however, I just recovered it after it was stolen 5 months ago. Interior stripped, 2 stock wheels gone, unknown damage/abuse. Started right up in the mini storage unit where it was found. Had it towed to the house, but haven’t delved into it yet.
So, in the summer, the HF gets 48+mpg with NO hypermiling techniques. That is fantastic, however, once the winter gas and the cold temps arrive, 38mpg is more the norm. Plus the uncertainty of carb ice.
I bought the VX to replace the HF, but never really got the mpg numbers I was hoping for. Need to pull the intake, clean the PCV ports and all that jazz. Just never got around to it. I was renting a garage across the alley. The new tenant wanted it, so I was out. 2 weeks later, the VX was but a memory. Until last weekend, that is!!
Long story short, I recently got a new job with significantly better pay, and would like to find something less old, less fiddly, more economical. Don’t want a Prius, but it may be my best option. Have been thinking about a Corolla; I’ve never owned a Toyota, been a Honda guy my whole life.
So, I’m looking for options. If I could get low- to mid-40-mpgs, with cruise and maybe even AC, I would be interested. No 3rd-gear-P&G, no aero, just not my cup of tea.
Please enlighten me, oh wise ones.
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Today
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08-31-2018, 12:10 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Urbana, IL
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If you can get by with 2 seats, I would get a 1st-gen Insight. They're not that expensive, they won't rust (not that that's an issue in the Northwest...*sigh* now I'm homesick), and it seems like they run forever, functioning hybrid system or not.
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08-31-2018, 02:49 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Victoria, BC
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Got a budget?
Only things that come to mind are the Prius and maybe the Mirage....unless you're looking for 20 year old cars that will come with their own issues after so long.
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08-31-2018, 04:44 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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(:
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
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Silverado. Or if you are into Duggaring, Subdivision or Expedition.
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08-31-2018, 05:33 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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Too many cars
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York State
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Biscuits
been a Honda guy my whole life.
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Honda Fit!
__________________
2000 Honda Insight
2000 Honda Insight
2000 Honda Insight
2006 Honda Insight (parts car)
1988 Honda CRXFi
1994 Geo Metro
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08-31-2018, 09:43 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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Thalmaturge
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: The edge of nowhere
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For new cars:
If you're a Honda guy and just want to save some cash, just go with a Fit.
If highway MPG is the most important to you, get a hatchback Civic 6 speed.
If you can do with a sedan, and don't mind to lose your manual transmission (and have more of the monies), then get a new Insight.
For used cars:
I'd still check out a Fit, Honda guy or not.
Or a second-gen Insight, which is basically a hybrid Fit+.
Or a Ford Fiesta ecoboost.
Side note: I hate not having a hatchback.
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08-31-2018, 12:13 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: KY
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Look around and find the nicest, cleanest G1 Insight or HCH1 you can find... 50-60+mpg easy, and the manual trans variants WILL drive with a dead IMA pack...
__________________
My current Ecotec project...
My last Ecotec project...
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09-01-2018, 01:48 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: na
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My most recent purchase I choose a 2017 off lease Elantra, after doing a month or 2 worth of research. I would have went with a Volt if my daughter who is driving it for the next couple years had a place to plug one in, same money about same miles just a couple years older.
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09-01-2018, 02:40 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
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$5000 fuel-injected three-door. Stancing it is just an adjustment. I recommend 165-50/15s on the front on artillery-spoke wheels:
Else what Frank Lee says....
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.Without freedom of speech we wouldn't know who all the idiots are. -- anonymous poster
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.Three conspiracy theorists walk into a bar --You can't say that is a coincidence.
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09-01-2018, 11:29 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Somewhat crazed
Join Date: Sep 2013
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And they are all trunk.....
$5 grand? Seriously? They used to be one owner babied for $500
__________________
casual notes from the underground:There are some "experts" out there that in reality don't have a clue as to what they are doing.
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