I have to buy atleast 1 car, and will either upgrade my other car, or buy a 2nd new car. I definetly want to improve my FE and the FE in my wife car, if I can drive it enough. I will probably begin using Fas in 2008, once I kill this first tank.
My main goal right now is to boost up the Matrix's mileage. Number one it gets worse mileage than my Paseo. Number two is that it gets driven a LOT more than the Paseo. On average my wife fills it up every 3-4 days! So, I really need to find ways of increasing fuel economy on it more than my Paseo.
Keep working on reducing my car's aero drag and fuel consumption while I wait for the car companies to finally produce a 4-seater that will equal or exceed my car's highway mileage. The Aptera Typ-2 (Project X) seems like the most promising candidate if it mirrors the performance of the Typ-1h.
Improve my mileage - isn't that a given? New car - I'd love to trade the Odyssey for something less thirsty, but that's my wife's car. Doubtful it'll happen.
I checked going to Hybrid Fest and participating in hypermiling events. I also checked fuel economy since I seem to be slacking in that area lately. To go to HF I may have to get "creative" with my employer since it will only be ~3 weeks after we return from our summer shutdown.
I'd like to make the hike to HybridFest this year, improve my FE, and possibly buy a new car, although that may have to wait for next year's models!
I'm up for upgrading my vehicle. I plan on getting a full tune-up. To me, I consider that to be a significant amount of work for the 'rolla.
5 of 8 for me - all but "Go to HybridFest" (mutually exclusive with the Great Race ), and significant upgrades/buying a new vehicle. Unless there's a cost breakthrough this year in a PHEV upgrade, that is.
Get average fuel economy up to around 15mpg in the Mustang Ride bike as much as possible - 40mpg beats 15mpg... Keep Mustang show-ready clean Some significant upgrades to come - seat and pipes for bike, some glasspacks, sequential turn signals, clutch fan, and maybe a manual choke for Mustang.
New (to me) vehicle: selling the 22/29mpg (per EPA) Outback and buying a 42/49mpg Golf TDI. If I can beat the EPA with this car, as I have done with the Sube, we're talking 50+mpg. I'll have to relearn some of my hypermiling techniques as I adapt to the unique requirements of this car. I will probably need to make some mpg upgrades to the Golf as well. The Bridgestone G009 tires currently on it are reportedly very high RR, so they may have to go. I might also look into a 5th gear swap.
My goals in 08 are to pay some bills. Bolster my retirement some more. And be ready to purchase a CR-Z if it meets my spec in there second year of production.
For the New Year I've resolved to boost my MPG by 10%+. Looking to go from about 40 MPG/tank to 44 MPG/tank. I need to concentrate more on the road, accelerate slower, and up my tires to 50 PSI. Here's to 2008!
I fixed an old bike that I don't mind leaving outside the store, and plan on using that for short drives. At least, when possible. Louis B
