new (to me) crx owner

[mikehallbackhoe]

I would think with 28 years, that 1.3 should be lighter , more powerful, and more fuel efficient. . surely the new hybrid must also be more aerodynamic than the crx.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by mikehallbackhoe

I was conidering doing the alternator delete, but now I don't think so. what gets me. is that the new honda hybrid has a 1.3 liter engine, plus an electric motor and a bunch of batteries, and gets 48 mpg. why don't they drop that electric motor and heavy batteries, and just run the 1.3 like they did in 84? if honda could build a 1.3 in 84 that could get over 50 mpg, surely they could improve on that concept 28 years later.

The EPA numbers for the insight are the newest numbers, if you look at the 1984 CRX EPA numbers you see that it "only gets 38mpg" just like the insight "only gets 48mpg" yet people get 70+mpg out of the insight.
pretty sure that the "special" alternator is that it cut out under high engine load, same way the carburetor cut off the fuel when you let off the accelerator while in gear.

[mikehallbackhoe]

the two ratings in that chart are 41mpg combined city and highway, and 39 mpg city and highway. how do you get 38? the highway epa is 45 and 47. these numbers, from everybody I have talked to, seem low. regardless, the hybrid is only 44 on the highway. and remember, honda has had 28 years to improve these numbers. the crx could be purchased for 6200.00 in 1984. the honda hybrid base price is 24,050. the crx won't have to buy an expensive battery pack down the road. imagine what a 1.3 fuel injected, modern day, stream lined crx would be able to achieve.

[Ryland]

CPI Inflation Calculator

says that the CRX today would cost $14,834 and that is a car with a steel body, no battery pack and lots of cast iron parts.

You said the insight only gets 48mpg, that is the insights in town mileage, the in town mileage of the CRX 1.3L is 38 or 36mpg if you have the CA model, all Insights are CA models... so a 36mpg CRX to a 48mpg Honda Insight, when compared on a level playing field, when using the same testing figures and same smog standards... for the year built.

[mikehallbackhoe]

I was wondering what a new crx would cost. of course it would also need air bags. I live in the country, so city driving doesn't really apply to me. most of my driving will be mountain roads. the epa rating for the insight on that same site was 44/ 44. if you factor in fun , looks, and initial cost, I would take a new crx over an insight any day. my daughter is grown up, so it's just the wife and I. the crx has plenty of room for storage, and two seats, all I need. and no seat for my mother in law, another plus

[mikehallbackhoe]

did my first fill up since initall fillup. 262.1 miles, 5.594 gal, =46.85 mpg. not bad considering a mixture of city and highway. replacing the 175 70 13 tires with 165 70 13 tires on monday. hope that helps mpg. weather has been cold and wet.