The new eco-ride...

[cfg83]

Oval_Overload -

For the bumper, you could also go to a junkyard and try to find a matching bumper cover. Then you could work on it at the convenience of a table instead of 8 inches off the ground. When you're done, just swap them out and keep the original in the garage. I stopped by a shop that has 1000's of used bumper covers stacked up. They told me I could get a used one for about $60, but it was doubtful that the color would match. I'm guessing a junkyard would be even cheaper.

EDIT: Here's a Richpin video on removing a bumper cover on the sedan :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcXOZFKPudY

CarloSW2

[Christ]

LOL - THe bumper covers aren't even "fastened"... they're held on with slip pins. (Not the right name, but that's what I call them.)

[MadisonMPG]

40mpg wow! Pretty good from a car that isn't a dinky Geo.

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by Oval_Overload

I do need to do something about those fake ducts, but I don't want to screw up the bumper

Shipping tape while you figure out something more permanent? I've got shipping tape over some rust through-holes on my Subaru, and it looks ... passable.

[Oval_Overload]

Well guys... I've run into an unexpected problem.

This car is way too much fun

I pulse-and-glide my way home from work, but the next day, I'll be flying around corners like maniac.

Scarlet has a power to weight ratio nearly identical to a Mazda Miata, which sure doesn't help my hypermiling efforts, and the guy I'm dating is a race car driver, which just continues the assault on efficiency from all fronts.

At least with all my childish and irresponsible driving, my numbers are landing smack dab in the middle of the 29/40 EPA rating. My last tank netted 35 MPG, and my numbers have been improving from 31 MPG as I've gotten more skilled driving a stick.

Have a lovely morning,
~Jimbo

[Oval_Overload]

The mods:

Yesterday I removed the spoiler, changed the plugs and wires, cleaned the EGR valve, SeaFoamed the gas, and replaced the gas cap.

Ok, so the only real mod is the spoiler, the rest was just maintenance. Between the EGR cleaning and new gas cap, I've managed to rid myself of two of the three codes the car has been throwing for as long as I owned it. Next up is the Idle Control valve.

I have to talk to my cousin about fixing the paint on the boot. The spoiler must have vibrated at speed because it wore the boot lid down to bare metal in places. I'm really glad I pulled the spoiler off, because one Minnesota winter would have turned the lid into a rusty mess.

[alohaspirit]

34 mpg is a great first number

and i can totally understand what you mean by driving is fun


i whip my crx at rare times
but mostly neutral coast everywhere
its fun to drive fast(er) and get better mpg than what you were getting

[Oval_Overload]

Its fun to see that driving my new car like a jacka$$ yeilds far better FE than ecodriving my old car

[alohaspirit]

well, i dont drive like a jackass


but sometimes its fun to pass people for once

[cfg83]

Oval_Overload -

I will contaminate your MPG aspirations some more (to make my MPG look better, no less) :

SixthSphere.com

But ... Ask not for who the Diff-Pin tolls, it tolls for your transmission!!!!

CarloSW2