Success or not? Only time will tell... (got a Versa Note 5spd to replace Ford F250) - Page 3 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

bentring · 03-15-2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I'm assuming that truck had an IDI engine instead of the PowerStroke, so it would be a nice platform for experiences with veggie oils as an alternative fuel.

Diesel tax? That sounds so commie. If there were more light-duty Diesels in America, the dependence on foreign oil would be lower by a far margin, and it would be also possible to develop the usage of algae and fish liver oils as a feedstock for biodiesel. BTW the Euro-spec version of the Note is available with a 1.5L turbodiesel...

I had a friend with a 83 Mercedes that ran pure WVO in a for a while. It worked really good for him and when he moved away I bought the car and never used the veggie tank because I wasn't driving far enough to warm the engine up, swap tanks, and purge the lines. He didn't stay gone long, and we still laugh about it (he just brought it up again 2 days ago actually) because he thought at the time the only reason I got the diesel was to convert it to veggie. So he went out and found the Mercedes and converted it within 6 weeks of me getting the truck because he wanted to beat me to it.

Yes, the truck was a 7.3 IDI, which was the only diesel I would consider at the time because of their reputation for endurance, east to work on, and cheapness of parts. As for the diesel tax joke, I only say that because my whole like diesel had been lower than gas, then 6 months after I got the F250 prices started to rise, then surpass gas prices and have been that way ever since.

dirtydave · 03-15-2015, 07:17 PM

Na i was asking if any of that was stock.

bentring · 03-15-2015, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtydave

Na i was asking if any of that was stock.

Oh my mistake. Nope, this car is about as barebones as you can get. I assume that they cut every corner they could in this trim in an effort to keep the lowest priced new car available prize. I imagine the only reason it has power mirrors is because it was cheaper than making non powered ones just for this trim.

The funny thing is that's just what I was wanting.

jcp123 · 03-15-2015, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentring

Oh my mistake. Nope, this car is about as barebones as you can get. I assume that they cut every corner they could in this trim in an effort to keep the lowest priced new car available prize. I imagine the only reason it has power mirrors is because it was cheaper than making non powered ones just for this trim.

The funny thing is that's just what I was wanting.

Nobody truly makes base models anymore. I'll have to build what I want...

MetroMPG · 03-16-2015, 01:59 PM

The Micra is available as a true "base model" in Canada -- NO power accessories (wind-up windows, manual locks), no A/C.

I doubt there's a US base model car without A/C though.

PaulB2 · 03-17-2015, 11:05 AM

A very nice looking car. I like that aero contour of the roof.

Sounds like you could gear it up a bit by getting larger diameter tires when the original ones wear out. That worked well for me with my old Passat. My new Passat is geared so high, with the 6-speed box, I have no need to do that.

I agree with your "manual everything" car philosophy.

MetroMPG · 03-17-2015, 12:35 PM

Yeah -- the Note has better Cd.

Nissan says 0.298 on CVT models (presumably with the auto grille shutters) vs. 0.315 for the Micra on the same platform.

bentring · 03-18-2015, 10:49 PM

Here's a breakdown of the specifics of the different trim levels. The S is manual with no auto grill shutters, everything else has the XTRONIC CVT and the SR is the sport package with a spoiler and different grill.

I've already been considering taller tires for replacements since the gearing would easily permit it.

The S,S+,and SV have 185/65HR15 5" x 5.5" steel wheels and the SR and SL have P195/55HR16 16" x 6.0" aluminum-alloy.