Best used car to modify for hypermiling? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

spiffy2389 · 03-05-2012, 01:42 PM

Howdy, all!

I'm in the market for a used car, and am looking for the best "foundation" car upon which to build my hypermiler. Of course, small tradeoffs might be made to sacrifice a few MPG for immense gains in comfort. (I'm 6" tall)

So far, the only stellarly-mileaged car I've driven is a 1998 Saturn SC2, with 28/38mpg stock. (I really liked it, but there are precious few for sale)

What cars should I keep an eye out for, and why?

samwichse · 03-05-2012, 01:45 PM

Geo metro... any year, 3 cylinder with a manual transmission.

cfg83 · 03-05-2012, 01:51 PM

spiffy2389 -

I think any late 1980's/early 1990's compact has "good" aero + lightweight. The Geo Metro is an excellent representative of this. That would lead to these possibilities :

Geo Metro
Honda Civic
Honda CRX
Nissan Sentra
Saturn S-Series
Toyota Corolla

What else are you looking for in the car? Will it be a commuter-only or will it have to fulfill other purposes?

CarloSW2

spiffy2389 · 03-05-2012, 02:04 PM

It will be all all-purpose car, but I will rarely carry passengers or cargo.

(I'm not much of a stickler for looks, but the metro makes me want to retch! Saving gas is awesome, but if possible, I'd rather not look like the poor father of 36 children when I cruise up to work in a 1985 Metro

)

I've read (on ecomodder) that the Saturns (which you drive, CarloSW2!) are good base cars, especially with a warm air intake mod and maybe a fuel heater!

Thoughts?

Kincurd · 03-05-2012, 02:38 PM

If you're willing to go that extra mile, hands down, a motorcycle chassis with a reverse trike built around it, or even just a scooter with a nice aero shell is the way to go. Those kinds of vehicles are highlighted on the front page, of course. Being in Texas, it should be a lot more feasible for you than it is for me.

I'm currently modding an '02 Corolla, slowly but surely, and I've been in-between bikes for awhile. I will probably get a scooter with cash when I have the money.

My main criteria for a scooter is that it must be fuel-injected and bought locally, so I can have it serviced under warranty or what have you. It'll probably be brand new unless I can find the one I want used.

oil pan 4 · 03-05-2012, 03:31 PM

Something with a VW TDI engine.
Most of their modles are good for 40MPG+ in factory configuration.
They have plenty of power too and can burn alternative fuels like waste vegetable oil cut into their diesel fuel with little to no modification.

cfg83 · 03-05-2012, 04:38 PM

spiffy2389 -

The #1 and #2 mods on my car are the economy 5th gear and tires one-size-up from stock :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...swap-2779.html
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ires-2642.html

The S-Series also have a fantastic support group at saturnfans.com.

CarloSW2

bestclimb · 03-05-2012, 05:05 PM

just about any car with MPFI, less than 2 liter engine, manual gear box. Add instantaneous fuel consumption gauge, a kill switch, and decent tires. drive it well and 50+mpg is a very realistic goal.

avoid the "sport" versions as the gearing (fixable) is often not that great for mileage.

avoid AWD as you will pay a mileage penalty for the extra drive train.

Hondas are a good bet, as the stock bits can often be had cheaply after ricers "improve" their cars

My wife consistently gets 39mpg with our bone stock ford escort "sport" by just driving easy.

If you are not going to have cargo or passengers the 2 seat versons may be a decent idea, as the lower weight and perhaps better aero may give you an edge.

Daox · 03-05-2012, 05:18 PM

Best commuter available would be a 2001-2007 Honda Insight with a 5 spd manual transmission. Nothing else can touch its mileage (without plugging in).

larrybuck · 03-05-2012, 09:13 PM

I think a CRX would be good. The passenger seat is SUPER easy to take in/out.
it handles well, is fun to drive, and to me; doesn't have an econo look!

I am bias towards 1st gen.,, the 2nd gen fat lady rearend disturbs me to no end.
I am 6 4" w very long legs, drive in my socks, and have used it as a mini motorhome!

Don't buy a ricer, look for unmolested.

You should let us know what your anticapated budget toward a car might be.

PS. my best is 62.9 mpg stone stock except pass. seat out, w/o any further mods, except adjustment of the nut behind the wheel!