New Kei car owner, wants better mpg.

[Honda100]

I'll be honest, I'm very surprised at how well the car held up. It did it's job.

As for me though, I'm still going automatic. It's Cambodia, I have to. However I'll at least get something with converter lockup next time, and preferably diesel.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

If you wouldn't object so strongly to a manual transmission, I could suggest you to get a Diesel Corolla with the 2C engine. BTW have you ever messed with those aftermarket automatic clutch atuators usually fitted in vehicled adapted for disabled drivers? That could be a good way to improve the comfort somehow...

[Honda100]

Something like that probably wouldn't even be known. I've seen a few in BMW race cars for disabled racers, but here, I doubt anything like that exists.

I actually like manual transmissions for the most part and back in the states most of my cars were manual. Here though it's a completely different story. It's stop and go 80% of the time regardless of where in the city you are. I had a 4A-FE Corolla before the Atoz and even a light clutch like that was very tiresome after 20-30 minutes.

I have seen 1C auto Camrys that are swapped here, so I may have to check it out. Or maybe I could buy a front clip of another Atoz and begin a diesel swap! We'll see.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Honda100

I actually like manual transmissions for the most part and back in the states most of my cars were manual. Here though it's a completely different story. It's stop and go 80% of the time regardless of where in the city you are.

I don't mind to shift gears manually, altough I'm not so excited about having a 3rd pedal. In heavy city traffic or some maneuvers it really makes me angry.

I have seen 1C auto Camrys that are swapped here, so I may have to check it out.

I knew some narrow-body Camrys were factory-fitted with the 1C, and the 2C was offered with automatic transmission in many JDM Toyotas, from the Corolla to the Corona/Avensis, and also some station-wagons and minivans. I wish I could legally import a second-hand AWD Corolla with the 3C and an automatic transmission back here in Brazil...

Or maybe I could buy a front clip of another Atoz and begin a diesel swap! We'll see.

Tuning the stock automatic transmission of the Atos to be bolted to a Diesel would be the hardest part. I'd suggest you to take a look into those side-by-side ATV's with 3cyl Diesels and CVT as a possible donor vehicle if you ever go into this project