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So, like many others, I have been reading and spending lots of time on this website over the past six months or so. Over the past year or so (since I've graduated from college) I've really reduced my impact on the environment. I was commuting an hour each way to my job until I moved. Now I ride my bicycle the 5.5 miles each way nearly every day. Basically, I avoid driving the same way a hypermiler avoids the brakes. But I have improved my mpg's from about 25 to 33mpg in just a couple of tanks in my '94 Olds Cutlass Supreme. I have to calculate my FE the old school way (by filling up) as my car is too old for a ScanGauge. I have driven that car for the past 8+ years and it isn't in the best shape so I was looking to upgrade before the winter comes. I have been hesitant to go out and purchase anything with the slumping economy but will probably bite the bullet in the next 4 months or so. Any recommendations? I'm young, single, no kids, and don't drive off road. I test drove a smart ForTwo but can't justify the small (compared to Yaris, etc.) fuel savings at expense of only having two seats.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who "gets it" and drives rationally, whether it be because of the price of gas or impact on the environment.

Here's to living sustainably in simplicity and happiness....

Matt

You get 33 MPG in a Cutless - thats incredible


If you haven't been posting a log on this site please do so - we'd enjoy seeing what this machine is capable of.


Welcome

... Any recommendations? I'm young, single, no kids, and don't drive off road. I test drove a smart ForTwo but can't justify the small (compared to Yaris, etc.) fuel savings at expense of only having two seats.
Matt

Matt, If you're happy with the GM car you're driving now, and you want to stay with GM, there are a few options available. The midsize cars - Saturn Aura, Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6 - Are available with 4 cylinder engines and can return mid 30s MPG. My V6 Maxx easily hits 35mpg without advanced techniques, and it'd get closer to 40 if it had the 4-banger. If you want something smaller and don't mind a manual transmission, the Cobalt XFE is a good choice that should hit the mid 40s without much effort. The Cobalt automatic's EPA numbers are quite a bit lower than the manual-only XFE, and at that point, the midsize cars listed above make more sense. These cars are not "Best MPG options", but they are among "Best in Class" in achieving great FE numbers with very low cost of ownership (much lower purchase price, no expensive timing belts to replace, etc).

The Toyota Yaris/Corolla/Matrix, Scion XB/XD and Honda Fit/Civic and excellent choices, but beware of any sport-package versions sitting on dealer lots that have larger engines or lower gearing that will return lower FE. Usually, the high-MPG versions fly off the lots and the dealer wants to get you into what they have left on the lot. In those instances, the Ecotec GM cars cost much less and get the same (or better) real-world FE numbers.

If used cars do not bother you, you can find an excellent HCH 1 around 15. with the pa mountains i drive i am getting 48-49 mpg's (and i am only into HM with 2 tanks so far) with that, it has lots of room family of 3, with a little one. Keep the car in excellent shape and it could last you 8 more years. Best of all; HM like you are stealing the oil mans money. Peace and good luck.

You get 33 MPG in a Cutless - thats incredible
If you haven't been posting a log on this site please do so - we'd enjoy seeing what this machine is capable of.
Welcome

Vooch, yes, incredible, but also common for anyone who drives these GM mid-sizers and drives 'em easy. Years ago, I had a '90 Cutlass Supreme (3.1 V6, 4sp auto) that had the instantaneous FE display, and I'd get 44mpg at 44mph in that thing. I replaced that car with a '95 GrandAm - same powertrain - and got the same FE numbers. And the Maxx I have today - with an updated version of the same setup - gets about the same, too.

GM, until recently, used those old-school pushrod V6 engines that generate all their grunt just off idle. They geared the cars to keep the engine at that low speed. This makes them the best kept secret on the road. An engine running at half speed uses half the gas, and that's GM's strategy to get out-of-this-world FE numbers from fairly large cars. As mentioned, my two Maxx hatchbacks have a newer generation version of the same powertrain. At 50mph, the engine is loafing at 1300rpm and I get 40mpg. The average FE numbers, from tank to tank, are in the 31 to 36 range, with a fair amount of urban stop-n-go.

They're not the most efficient way to get from point A to point B, but if you need a larger car and you want the best FE possible, these midsize cars are hard to beat.

Yeah, I have the same engine (3.1L V6, auto). I inflated the tires, changed the oil (kept the manu recommended 5W-30 weight though), emptied the trunk, DWB, DWL, coast in neutral, avoid going through drive-thrus etc. Most of my driving now is city, but I have the route pretty well timed so I never stop. I'm sure someone more experienced could get better FE, I'm still learning. (It's amazing that no one ever teaches you this stuff!?!?!?)

I bought the car used when I turned 16 and I am satisfied with it, but I am not only looking at GM vehicles. I have no caveats about used vehicles, haven't seen many hybrids for sale around here though.

Thanks for the quick replies!

Hi Matt, two good articles for you to check out:

What if you cannot afford a “new” fuel efficient automobile? (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=665)

The 10 most fuel-efficient new automobiles available in America (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9350)

Good luck,

Kirk