Depressed

[RoboMike]

Dear MPG Forums,

8 years ago I bought my "fun car" Jeep Wrangler. Now with gas over $4.00 and my long commute (70 miles/day), my inner geek (Aerospace Engineer) wants to puke when he watches the gas tank needle move lower by 1/16th tank each way of the commute.

I'd like to buy a new car, but I'm not sure I would love it when the new cars came out. So my inner geek was thinking of 3 options.

1) Buy a used Honda Civic (or Similar) and Aero Mod (improve the aerodynamics). It would look similar to the Civc on this page http://ecomodder.com/ which currently gets 95 mpg.
Now, mine wouldn't look crappy, and my inner geek thinks I can get beat the Aero Civic.

2) Aero mod my jeep. The only way I can describe the modification is that - I would have a aircraft canopy on the front of my jeep that was clear lexan and went from the top of the winshield down to the front bumper.
This has never been done before, but I could probably get something better than the 14 MPG i get now; since aerodynamic drag is the biggest thing affecting the wrangler.
I'd even make it "removable" so that someone could take it off before hitting the trails.

3) Just by a newer car now, and trade it in - in 6-9 months when the newer cars come out.

or do nothing and write this bitch report daily. I'm lost at this point....

I'm happy to hear your thoughts.

mike

[Nikki]

Welcome Mike! Start by reading the article "Beating the EPA" http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510
Press your tires up to the max sidewall and slow down on the hwy. All of that will help you get better MPG today while you think about what do about your car situation.

BTW basjoos of AeroCivic fame is on this list too.

[RoboMike]

Hi Nikki,

Thanks for the info! I've been trying lots of things like slowing down, tire pressure, and even trying to draft behind 18 wheelers. I'm still filling up every 4 days.

basjoos is here? Awesome! I'm actually a big fan of his work and might be motivated to spark a little competition.

[laurieaw]

welcome. my suggestion would be a used civic. they are very fuel efficient to start with, and run forever.

it will be hard to find a hybrid right now, and buying new and trading in a few months is an iffy gamble. you would take a hit on the depreciation and then have to start over with another new car payment.

just my thoughts.

[Nikki]

Please don't close draft behind the big trucks. This forum is opposed to that practice. It's not safe.

[RoboMike]

Hi Nikki,

I think that the aerodynamic effects from the big trucks extend to both the back and the sides for some distance. So even at a safe (several car length distance) there still should be a benefit. The problem is that - well - have you ever drafted a brick?

A Civic? That's what I've been looking at all day. Actually, if I had an older one I wouldn't feel bad modding it.

[RoboMike]

hey, any bad civic years?

[laurieaw]

i am not sure about bad years. however i bought one new in 93, and my ex is still driving it, with over 200,000 miles on it. he gets close to 40 in it, but avoids hypermiling, so i am sure it has a lot more potential.

[PaleMelanesian]

95 and earlier can't use the scangauge for feedback.
92-95 CX and VX have tall gears = good for mileage
96+ EX has bad (short) gear ratios = lower mileage
96+ HX has lean-burn for better cruising mileage

Manual transmission is required if you're aiming that high.

[atlaw4u]

If you enjoy the Jeep keep it and buy a used commuter.

The good thing about Jeep is they are one of the few gas hogs holding their value. I heard a colleague complaing about his 2003 Lincoln Navigator with 34k miles. He took it to CarMax and was offered $7,000 for it. The new price was probably close to $50,000. That is some expensive depreciation.