Retired the 1991 Civic Wagon

[Gasoline Fumes]

I never made a build thread, so I'll make a retirement thread instead! I guess the "Nut Wagon" is a success story. And a lot of the regulars here probably know most of the story by now. 256,890 total miles. Almost 3/4 of those miles put on it by me and my parents. Original engine, suspension, starter, injectors, and hoses. I adopted it from my parents about 11 years ago. And it slowly accumulated ecomods over the past decade while I simultaneously refined my hypermiling. 22 tanks over 70 MPG and one over 80. I think with a few more mods and ideal weather and traffic, a 100 MPG tank could've happened.

I kept it going much longer than any sane person would. 28 years is a long time for a Honda in New York State. As far as I know, it only missed one salty winter. I think I emptied 4 cans of expanding foam into the body to keep water and exhaust out. It helped, but the carpet was always wet. It was barely passing inspection for its last few years. Finally the guys who will pass just about anything that rolls into their shop wouldn't put a sticker on the windshield anymore. They didn't like the broken and poorly repaired front crossmember! I drove it another six months with an expired inspection sticker. Now I drive a 2000 Insight. A fraction of the cargo space, worse handling, and about the same fuel economy so far.

https://ecomodder.com/forum/emgarage...vehicleid=3248
https://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-...vehicleid=3248

[Gasoline Fumes]

How many cars can brew tea?

[Gasoline Fumes]

Got on Google Street View too!

[Ecky]

Pretty amazing economy from that car. They don't make 'em like they used to.

I bet an Insight could eek out a few extra MPG without such stringent emissions requirements. Honda definitely made some compromises to hit that super ultra low emissions vehicle target.

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Is the Nut Wagon going to retire in your backyard or are you planning on getting rid of it completely?

Pretty insane numbers you were getting from it considering how much of a brick it was. I have always been amazed by its fuel log.

I predict you will hit that 100 MPG tank though in one of your "new" Insights.

[Gasoline Fumes]

I'm not sure what to do with it. I might just pull the CRX HF trans and a few other parts and then scrap it. I thought about keeping it for storing car parts, but it's not watertight. And it'll just end up full of mice and wasps. Is there an EcoModder museum to put it in? There should be!

I was always amazed by its MPG too! It got a lot of attention for both the fuel efficiency and just for being a Civic Wagon.

I know I'll eventually get a 100 MPG tank in an Insight, I just assumed it would be easier.

[Handsome Jack]

That Civic Wagon was a true legend...

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I'm not sure what to do with it. I might just pull the CRX HF trans and a few other parts and then scrap it. I thought about keeping it for storing car parts, but it's not watertight. And it'll just end up full of mice and wasps.

Had I been on your shoes, I'd be quite tempted to try some ways to fix its body and eventually using it as a Guinea pig for some more unorthodox experiences. IIRC you even lurked about making a Diesel hybrid drivetrain a few years ago...