New here with an '03 Elantra and a Wrangler

PILL · #1 05-14-2008, 09:43 PM

So I drive a Hyundai Elantra, but will buy a Wrangler in the near future. Because my sister will end up driving the Elantra I will drive the Jeep most of the time except for my trip to school every day.

I am wondering what I can do to increase the crappy mileage I will get on the Wrangler and the Elantra. BTW, there will be gas wasting mods on this thing but I value those more than MPG's.

Vooch · #2 05-15-2008, 09:12 PM

don't get the Wrangler if you can help it - in a few years when gas is $5 a gallon - you'll wish you bought aomething else

Ophbalance · #3 05-15-2008, 10:24 PM

Actually, I've been getting much better mileage with my Elantra since I've
a) I Slowed down. A lot. I'm now doing 60-62 (so says the GPS) in 65 zones.
b) Coasting... do it as much as possible.
c) Follow the advice you find here.
d) Try to avoid idling for long periods

The last two tanks have been in the mid 30s since I've started following the advice found here. I usually averaged in the 28-29 MPG range. I'll be interested to see what I can do once I get a scanguage in.

PILL · #4 05-15-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vooch

don't get the Wrangler if you can help it - in a few years when gas is $5 a gallon - you'll wish you bought aomething else

When i do I'll sell the thing. Wranglers hold their value better than any other modern car on the market.

laurieaw · #5 05-15-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PILL

When i do I'll sell the thing. Wranglers hold their value better than any other modern car on the market.

well, except maybe a couple brands of hybrids, and some older civics......

PILL · #6 05-16-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurieaw

well, except maybe a couple brands of hybrids, and some older civics......

Are you sure, because I've found most older civics to be really cheap, and hybrids haven't been out for too long. I see Jeeps that are 10 years old sell for 9K regularly when they cost 20K new. I haven't found any other cars that hold their value this well. Could you site some specific examples?

laurieaw · #7 05-16-2008, 08:36 AM

this is one example. i am afraid you will find that anything that gets less than stellar mileage is going to lose a lot of value. there are couple of current threads about people being unable to sell their SUVs for even the cost of the remaining loan value.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/11/Autos/used_prius/

http://www.epinions.com/content_235689315972

http://www.automotive.com/used-cars/...ght/index.html

Kinder · #8 05-16-2008, 09:19 AM

Pill,

This is a case where a new Wrangler does have a fantastic residual value, so I'd lease the Jeep rather than buy it, especially in the face of potential superspikes in the price of oil... let Chrysler roll the dice on long-term value of a sub 20mpg SUV but I sure wouldn't do it personally. I do have an old 4x4 for getting to the Nevada outback once or twice a month, and they can be picked up for a song these days. As far as pure resale value, the top three last I checked were the Mini, the Prius, the 1st gen xB.