97-09 SC1, SW1 and SL1's are on my short list. The 2000's are kinda the sweet spot in the line it seems. But considering the short trips I've been kind of wondering if there is something else that does better in that kind of environment (besides having to learn some new techniques for driving in town).

The 3cyl Metro Wagons seem to be the best. I want to say the little Suzuki and Fits but they just don't seem to be posting numbers to match their size (and I have no idea why).

Oh, and the bike? That's why I moved to town, :D my backyard now abuts the bike path... which leads to work in one direction and downtown in the other... all right along the lakefront. It's groomed for XC skis in the winter, and my studded bike tires really mangle the trail for the skiers, so I try to stay off it during their season.

The occasional long trip to MallWart or Burlington lets me play and do some Hypermiling for numbers, but right now I need to figure out how to optimize the day to day hauling kids and groceries around.

Hey VMF

Where are you in VT? It's good to hear a local voice in the fray.

Why? Yeah, I admit the politics are in there under the surface, but the major is saving a buck. Since moving the miles really have dropped... but I've also cut my shopping (for socks, and anything more than that) to once a season to save gas. (We can buy lumber and hardware locally, but the closest real shopping is @70miles from here. I would really like to make the trip more often (and have a fookin' life beyond this dear little province).

The cost of parts on Escorts is a really important note: and well appreciated. I wonder how they compare with Saturns/Toyotas/Nissan/Hondas in that regard. My local mechanics tend to like "domestics" best. Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, because there are dealerships in town and guys that have been factory certified to work on them, so they can ask questions and get help from each other. Me? A Rabbit/Golf/whatever-it's-called-now sounds sweet, as I had one and LOVED it, but local mechanics are less than enthusiastic when one rolls in the door.

Compare curb weight, horsepower, displacement, etc. It's tough even for Honda to compete in modern times (i.e. 2004) with the FE golden age (i.e. 1994).

I looked at your gaslog...you drive more miles than I guessed from the first post in this thread. You must do a LOT of little 5 mile trips every day.

Yeah, it's worth making fuel economy a bigger priority than I thought.


Maybe someone else remembers the thread, I can't find it, but IIRC some good evidence was posted that the Escort had the cheapest parts cost.

It's got a few quirks that I hate, but I mostly love my 2008 Rabbit. It definitely is great for hypermiling potential, take a look at my gaslog...

I'll pick on ya again...but I'll try not to say "California" this time...

I looked at your gas log. Looks like, if that is your typical driving habits, you are traveling <10k miles a year.

10k miles @25mpg=400 gallons. About $1200/year at current prices.
10k miles @40mpg=250 gallons. About $750/year at current prices.

Savings per year (assuming stable gas prices)=$450. Years until you make back in fuel cost savings what you paid for higher mileage car: @$3000/car, 7. @$4500/car, 10.

Unless I missed something, there is no intrinsic problem with the Subaru. So, unless it no longer meets your needs (you need to haul hay bales, you do a lot of yard saleing, your family has outgrown your car, etc.) seems that you would be money ahead to just keep the Subaru.

Now, if you just WANT a different car, then the world is your oyster...

EDIT...I just realized that I had missed some of a post...I guess there are some major issues with the Subaru...So maybe it does make sense to replace it.

Yeah, the Subie's sick. shocks/struts, transfer case (or rear transmission or whatever it's called) tires, brakes... and daylight through the sheet metal. It won't pass inspection without about $3-4K of work that I can't do. Hanging on to it for the past 3 years has put me money ahead... much of that isn't reflected in the gas log. The reason that the posts are old is because I pretty much cut out the driving after I moved into town.

But I love driving, I love going places, I love driving as an art. (my brothers and I played with Formula Vee, Formula Ford, Formula Continental... I was the driver in the family) And I miss having a car that responds to the driver's input. In my case, that means milking "x" amount more out of a gallon via driving technique; for me, that's where the fun is.


But you are right on the point of economics: as it is I'm spending less than $35 a month on gas... (and that's sub 20mpg-- I've cut my driving a lot) that sure beats a car payment and having to carry full coverage on whatever it is. So the issue is saving money... because it's fun for me. If I enjoyed driving a full size truck or SUV, that'd be one thing. But for me it's like driving a fork lift around Watkins Glen... no matter how great the course is, there's just not much in it for me.

Besides, I can't drift the Subie. I've tried and tried but it just won't kick out, can't pull chicks these days without the bid D. :cool:

Er, ok, if your gas bill is $35/month (I see, your gaslog is old) then the TCO calculation (or the TCO guess) can be done without figuring in gas at all...purchase price, repair costs, and insurance.

To be honest, I say buy what excites you and fits your budget. It's really not a demanding application.

Now to me that sounds like fun...especially with a load...maybe a spotter on a motorcycle...

**coffee through the nose**
ok now, that's there's funny

I dunno if this is true. A 5th gen civic VX has less hypermiling potential than a 5th gen Civic DX. That is, a DX is easier to get a high percentage over the EPA rating than a VX.

Edit: get a car that is stick shift that has no power steering or power brakes. This way you can EOC like the dickens and save mad fuel because the engine uses so much fuel when warming up. You'll want to do longer trips now and then to keep the battery from running down tho, ('specially in winter) My pick would be 5th gen Civic VX, DX or CX

Could also be a good idea to invest in a battery charger to charge the battery up every few days if you are doing predominantly less than 5 mile trips.