Not as bad as I thought.

[Fat Charlie]

Well, the Spaulding Bobsled is on it's way to scrap camp. She's tired and creaky, has plenty of electrical gremlins and has some serious engine issues. Then the clutch started going. I could ignore or compensate for a lot, but I can't convince a clutch that isn't there to do its thing. It's not worth throwing money a the clutch without digging into the rest, and for a daily driver with 207,000 miles I just can't see sinking the money into it.

So I've been in the old Xterra this week and just about crying because I've only been geting 16-17 mpg out of it. Then yesterday I topped off because I mistakenly zeroed my odometer and wanted to get a baseline tank ASAP, and I calculated over 20 mpg. Then I realized that the UG was still calibrated to the Bobsled and I had told it the Albatross had a 3.5 instead of a 3.3.

So things aren't as bad as I thought, even though they're 20% worse than a dying Subaru. What it really means is that I don't have to buy a car this weekend. I hate getting stuck with whatever happens to be on the lot that day, and I can look around. When you insist on a manual, that makes a world of difference.

[Daox]

What are you looking/hoping to get?

[Fat Charlie]

It's got to be a 4 door (2 kids) hatchback (dog). I want one that starts out with decent mileage and has a manual. Versa, Focus, Civic and the like.

[Daox]

I can vouch for the Matrix/Vibe. Great car. I had a 2003 before I got the Prius. 35mpg and my wife drove it (non hypermiling) most of the time. She just took it easy. Put a ton of miles on it too in the time we had it. Here is the fuel log:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-l...?vehicleid=499

[MetroMPG]

Having a backup vehicle, even if it's a beater/gas hog, is definitely a nice position to be in so you can take your time and find the right next car.

Happy hunting! Please post back here when you snare something.

[NachtRitter]

As a fellow Legacy GT Wagon owner, I'm sad to hear that your Subie has failed you. You got some amazing FE out of her. Whereas I don't even get close, I still find my Roo to be one of the best vehicles I've ever owned, combining (my kind of) fun and utility in a way few other vehicles can.


Good luck finding a replacement that fulfills your needs.

[Fat Charlie]

She didn't fail me, she just ran her course. 207,XXX is a great accomplishment for a machine that got rode hard for 6 years and hypermiled harder for another 2.

Browsing yesterday I saw a new Chevy Spark for 12k. The only two downsides are that it's yellow and doesn't appear to have RKE: I don't like standing out from the crowd and I love my key fob.

[MetroMPG]

If you're willing to get a new/ish Spark, I'd say hold off a couple of months to look at the new Mirage. Pretty sure they'll be better equipped (keyless entry) for the same/less money. Much better mileage and warranty. You may or may not like it, but it might be worth waiting to have a look.

[Fat Charlie]

DOH! I thought one of the pics I had seen showed a 2 door, so I wasn't really considering it. Yeah, I'd rather have a Mirage than a Spark.