Opinions: CRX HF, Honda Insight or Keep Suzuki Swift?

[dunhamjr]

Ok so here is the deal. I have been thinking that I want to go crazy and get a super fuel efficient hypermiling car.

Both of these cars can get really good miles. Yes, the Insight is a Hybrid so it will get better mileage but with that you get more complexity, more expensive repairs and a much higher purchase price.

The 1988-1991 CRX HF should get about 50mpg fairly easily... and there is the potential to do a budget Civic VX engine swap and get into the 60mpg+ range. The purchase price would be about $3000.


The Honda Insight would be around 2000-2002 and should get about 63mpg. With additional driving efforts and patience people have been able to get lifetime MPG ratings into the 70-80mpg range. The Insight will probably cost $8500-9500.


The other wrench in my decision. I recently bought a 1998 Suzuki Swift. Its the 1.3liter manual and is in pretty good shape. As far as a commuter goes its a pretty good car. My thing is that if I am going to have a commuter I would rather have it be a car I like visually more then I like the Swift. This car has been getting 40mpg with winter tires on winter fuel... I just ordered up a set of LRR 13's that will go on the car and I hope will get me up to 45mpg.


Also FYI...
The Insight at 62.5mpg will save me $650/yr over the Swift at 40mpg.
The CRX HF at 50mpg will save me at least $220/yr over the Swift at 40mpg.

There are 3 CRX HF's that I have my eye on between $2200-$3200...
I have seen one, very very clean but $3200.
One needs body work at $2200.
One unfortunately has a d16 engine swap, but that will just speed along the VX engine swap ... for $2900
All prices before trying to 'deal'.

[SVOboy]

Where do you live? 2200 is ridic for a CRX...

Welcome to ecomodder! I would get the insight if I could afford it, sweet ride.

[dunhamjr]

Seattle area. Everything is expensive in Microsoft land.

$3k is about the going rate for ANY CRX or Civic, much less an HF model in good shape.

[Daox]

I'd second the Insight. Especially if you don't want to really work your car to get great mileage out of it. The lean burn just hands good mileage to you.

[MetroMPG]

I'd say it depends whether your goal is high MPG or saving money. I'd wager you're capable of doing the math and figuring out the payback time of the Insight vs. either of the other vehicles. I think you'll find that it's cheaper to stick with the Swift over any reasonable time period, but the Insight is definitely one of the hypermilers' hotrods, so to speak. And not everybody makes vehicle decisions for purely rational reasons.

Is that an actual pic of your Swift? It looks lowered.

Welcome to the forum!

[dunhamjr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'd say it depends whether your goal is high MPG or saving money. I'd wager you're capable of doing the math and figuring out the payback time of the Insight vs. either of the other vehicles. I think you'll find that it's cheaper to stick with the Swift over any reasonable time period, but the Insight is definitely one of the hypermilers' hotrods, so to speak. And not everybody makes vehicle decisions for purely rational reasons.

Is that an actual pic of your Swift? It looks lowered.
Welcome to the forum!

My goal is a little of both... mpg and money, but with a little 'I like this car' thrown in. Which is why both the Insight (mpg) and the CRX HF ($ and like) are considerations over the Swift.

If it were only about getting mpgs and money, I am sure that there is more that can be done to the Swift to pull higher mpgs. In that effort I am swapping to kumho solus kr21 155/80/r13's on OEM steelies vs the 185/65r14 winter tires on alloys that are installed now. I will be selling the winter tires and alloys. Beyond that I am sure I could do some minor aero items... rear fender covers, underbody aero...etc. Maybe even a trans swap to lower gearing.

But the 'I like this car' thing makes me want a CRX HF. Its a CRX and it can pretty easily get 50mpg for fairly cheap. If I want to play with it, its a Honda Civic so there are lots of parts available. If I want more power I can do a VX swap.

As for the picture of the Swift above. Yep, that is my car. Yes it is lowered, the P.O. cut the springs all around to bring the car down a little. Wish it was a little lower yet.

And thanks for the welcome. I have been lurking for a month or two reading threads here and there.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by dunhamjr

As for the picture of the Swift above. Yep, that is my car. Yes it is lowered, the P.O. cut the springs all around to bring the car down a little. Wish it was a little lower yet.

Then I take it you don't find the ride too harsh? (I'm considering it for my car.)

[dunhamjr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Then I take it you don't find the ride too harsh? (I'm considering it for my car.)

No its not really what I would call harsh... its really a bit more floaty than harsh. It rides fairly nicely. I think that the general thought on the swift boards is to cut 1/2 coil all around and see what you think. Its trial and error since cars all have different weights and people have different tastes.

As a disclaimer my past five cars were lowered as well...
1991 Acura Integra, skunkworks coilover sleeves on tokico blue struts
1999 Jetta, h&r cup kit
2001 Golf, h&r coilovers
2003 Jetta Wagon, b+g coilovers w/adj damping
1993 Audi S4, abt springs on bilstein struts

[MetroMPG]

Thanks for the info. You put it in context with your past 5 lowered cars.

[LostCause]

In my opinion, the CRX HF w/ d15z1 is the ultimate conventional car as far as fuel economy goes. One person on GS'ers sporting a gutted version was getting 80mpg without any significant aeromods. With very extensive aero/mods, 100mpg should be within reach in conventional driving (i.e. no P&G).

Personally, I'd follow MetroMPG's advice and work out the budget before you buy. It all depends on your goals, but it will probably be cheaper to keep the Swift.

If you have the difference between your Swift and the Insight in the bank, I'd invest it in a CD or something similar. If not, then I would use the money you save by driving the Swift and build up a similar investment. When the Swift finally becomes uneconomical to own, you should have a nice sum of money to fully purchase the car you really want.

The more you change cars and/or stay in debt, the less you'll save. There's no sense in torturing yourself over a couple bucks, but if a new(ish) car is just a "nice to have" type thing, I'd hold the urge. Easier said then done, though...right?

- LostCause