What should I do with this car? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

atomicradish · 07-08-2008, 07:48 PM

I'm unsure what to do with my 94 Eagle Vision. It's my first car, so I would rather not sell it. It has 168,000 miles on it, and the paint is in really poor condition. It has a nice interior with leather seats, cd player, overhead console, etc. Only minor work is needed on the interior. The problem is, it has a big engine 3.5L 6 cyl, and only gets an epa rated 16/26/19. Another problem is the car only came with a 4 speed auto in all 5 years of its production. Same with the Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler Concorde, which have interchangeable parts.

I can't decide what to do with it. It's starting to accrue a lot of surface rust from the paint coming off in huge chunks and I have nothing to store it under. The FE is pretty dismal, and with the auto 30 mpg looks like a stretch. Should I try to give it a $50 paint job, put some aero mods on it and drive it? Or just keep it parked until my current car dies on me? I don't know... I probably wouldn't care if it weren't my first and favorite, but I do.

SVOboy · 07-08-2008, 08:00 PM

I'd prolly just sell it, if it were me, unless you can transfer some of the stuff you like to a car that is a little bit more FE-friendly.

socalsuperhero · 07-08-2008, 08:14 PM

depends on what you are looking for. As basic transportation it sounds like it fits the bill. The only case where it would make sense financially to sell it and buy something else would be if you planned on putting a LOT of miles on it.

That being said, I'd be stoked if I could get that kind of mileage out of my explorer.

Tango Charlie · 07-08-2008, 08:55 PM

If I'm hearing you right, this is not strictly a monetary/FE dilemma. It's a question of sentimentality. It's your first car, dude. There will never be another (first). I wish I had my first car back. 1985 Ford Tempo. Don't laugh. Cybil was the best car I ever had. I was stupid for getting rid of her.

whokilledthejams · 07-08-2008, 09:10 PM

I miss my first car too, but if you don't drive it, and it's not actually useful, it's time to let go. Take some pictures, and keep the happy thoughts.

Then, part it out and cut up what's left for scrap, because it's probably worth more that way.

Also, I sort of recommend the 2nd gen LH cars. My girlfriend has an 00 Intrepid, and she loves it. Decent highway mpg (we did 28mpg on a 3000 mile trip to TX last winter, with three people, a week's worth of luggage, not driving that gently, and xmas gifts). It gets low-20s in town-- pretty decent for a 3500lb full-size car. The 2.7 has a sludge issue that Chrysler won't acknowledge, but frequent oil changes and synthetic oil are supposed to avoid that fate (so far, so good!). That, and you can get a solid, clean Intrepid for practically nothing.

Zukibot · 07-08-2008, 10:14 PM

You can probably save money by having multiple cars on your insurance policy, but only get comprehensive for the Eagle if you are not driving it. I like the idea of painting it too. You should go for it. Maybe get a cheap tarp to put over it.

Johnny Mullet · 07-08-2008, 11:08 PM

With that kind of mileage, it's pretty much spent. It is your first car, so maybe hang on to it for sentimental reasons.

ebacherville · 07-09-2008, 12:05 AM

i always like having a extra car around if i have problems with my others.. but i dont insure my extra cars, if i need to drive it i just call my insurance and transfer coverage over to the other car..

jesse.rizzo · 07-09-2008, 01:17 AM

What's all this about keeping first cars? I totaled my first car (1990 Camry) twice. That's how you get your use out of a first car. Drive it for a bit, wreck it, and learn your lesson not to drive crazy anymore.

RH77 · 07-09-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesse.rizzo

What's all this about keeping first cars? I totaled my first car (1990 Camry) twice. That's how you get your use out of a first car. Drive it for a bit, wreck it, and learn your lesson not to drive crazy anymore.

Yeah, if I still had my '77 Cutlass Brougham 350 Sedan, I'd be broke from gas.

Soft Top -- Oh Yeah

But I do miss the pillow-top brown plaid interior -- comfy. I spun out on a gravel road and took out an S-10. No damage -- seriously, a tank. But the transmission started acting up...

My favorite car -- '99 Civic Si Coupe 5-speed. Perfect and hypermilable. Darnit I miss that car.

OK -- advice regarding nostalgia. If the car means a lot to you, clean it up and have it as a backup ride -- use it for an as-is beater. I'm hanging on to Teggy as long as possible for personal family reasons, so I can sympathize (plus it's a darn good car).

RH77