It's actually done for different reasons, but the addition of ethanol to the mix (typically about 10% in big cities here) reduces mileage significantly.
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Cool cars with good gas mileage >30mpg
- Thread starter einmusiker
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It's actually done for different reasons, but the addition of ethanol to the mix (typically about 10% in big cities here) reduces mileage significantly.
Not always possible. I do about 20k a year (not as much as the OP but still above average) and I can't drive less. Public transportation in St. Louis is a joke, and I've got to get to work, do errands, and still have a life.
I've found my GTI to be a nice balance between fun and economical. If I drive like a granny, I can easily do 36 MPG. Or I can have a bit of fun and still get low 30s. It takes premium gas which sucks, but it's worth it. I recently completed a 200 mile trip, at about 75 MPH most of the way (Okay, I may have exceeded 80 at one point) with windows and sunroof open (which, according to Mythbusters, is worse for MPG than A/C at highway speeds) and still got 31 MPG. Not too shabby.
I feel like Im in a mini grand prix when I go to St. Louis. If 270 is 55 mph( never seen it otherwise) people are going 70. If 44 is 55, people are doing 80.
My vote is for the Chevrolet Cobolt SS manual. VERY fun to drive, gets anywhere from 25-40MPG depending on how you drive it and where your driving it.
My understanding is that EU emission standards are also lower as a consequence of their comparatively very high fuel taxes.
That there aren't any.
At 30k miles a year I'd be looking at diesels and with what's currently available in the States I'd probably look at a Golf/A3 diesel.
It's rated 24/29 mpg. Only way it will see that is if it's driven everywhere in the highest possible gear. High teens to mid twenties for combined use is more realistic.
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Ford Fiesta?
It has the best fuel economy in its class (6.8L/100km city and 4.9L/100km highway) and I think it looks pretty good. Ford has gone a long way in quality and making nice cars these past few years.
It has the best fuel economy in its class (6.8L/100km city and 4.9L/100km highway) and I think it looks pretty good. Ford has gone a long way in quality and making nice cars these past few years.
In addition to the difference in gallon size, the 320d has a 2.0L diesel, but the only BMW diesel car available in the US is the 335d with a 3.0L turbodiesel.
Move closer to work.
I wish it were an option. My drive isn't as bad as some folks on here (around 65 miles/day round trip), but moving closer isn't an option. It's 10 miles or so just from the edge of the land surrounding my workplace to the front gate and another mile or two to my office building. 125k acres of woodlands surround the place.
I would rather have the Focus. It's larger and more comfortable, and only gives up 1MPG city to the Fiesta. They are the same rating on the highway.
My vote goes to the Mini also. Got the Clubman for a little more room.
39 MPG. Safe car too and REALLY fun to drive on the mountain roads.
Heh, the speed limit on 270 (at least the stretch between 40 and 55) is 60, but 70 is the norm. There's a construction zone between Gravois and 44 with the limit reduced to 45, but if I slow down to 60 going through it, people practically run me over. 44's speed limit is also 60, but again, at least 70 is the norm, just watch out in Webster Groves, their cops like to set up speed traps there.
But St. Louis also has plenty of drivers who do 10 under the speed limit in the fast lane. We have the worst of both worlds.
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It may not be the fastest car in the road but my Honda Fit gets 38-40mph easy and is a lot of fun to drive.
It may not be the fastest car in the road but my Honda Fit gets 38-40mph easy and is a lot of fun to drive.
Yeah, I love those new engines in the Mustangs. 300HP and 30MPG from a V6 is amazing, especially considering that the old 4.6L V8 only had slightly over 300HP (I think 315 in its final form) and much worse mileage. The Camaro is also amazing with 312HP and 29MPG highway in its V6 form.
Threads like these remind me why biking is so great. I get ∞mpg on my bike. If we're talking about water, I get about 80mpg. I carry a 24oz bottle and refill it every 15 miles or so.
Until your legs fall off...
I kid.I like the Hyundai Veloster... really considering getting one... it's pretty cool looking. does 40mpg highway and is said to be pretty fast... no reviews out for it yet though.
Well most hot hatches are a bit crappy yes but on legal roads its more than agile enough for a bit of fun. On a track I'm sure its pants compared to a Gallardo lol.
How the hell do you yanks only get 305bhp from a 4.6L V6? It baffles me. If its for 'better mileage' use a smaller engine lol.
Mine (Seat Leon - basically VW Golf) is a 1.8 (turbo admittedly) and it gets 210bhp lol.
TVR used to make 4.2 litre Straight 6 that stumped up 440bhp non turbo.
Admittedly though the specs you post 312bhp and 29mpg is pretty good.
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The fuel in the USA tends to be lower grade than in Europe. This lowers engine power and fuel efficiency.
Hmm... ok but it still seems a LOT less power.
Yeah, there is probably more to it than just fuel quality. But that is one factor at least.
Doesn't explain why American engines still make terrible power when run on European petrol. What does is the expected service life and service intervals. You and I might well be happy getting our cars serviced every year/20000 miles (whichever comes first). Hell my Elise was getting serviced every 3000 miles. American engines are built more for huge service intervals which invariably means running in a lower state of tune.
For real power efficiency for size without using forced induction (turbos or superchargers) you have to be willing to rev very high (see the Honda F20C engine that revs to 9000rpm and produces 240bhp from a 2.0l or the BMW S54 which revs to 8000rpm and produces 343bhp from a 3.2l). This places a lot of stress on engine components which means frequent servicing (and makes the engines expensive to produce as the tolerances have to be far tighter).
Move closer to work.
I wouls still have to drive to my other jobs
and then it would be more oftenIm liking the mini cooper ideas and am looking at a few audis with decent mileage currently