Best used economy cars

[Dargo]

I have a 7.3L F350 SRW Crew Cab 4x4 with an 8 foot bed that I usually get 20.5 mpg. In the summer I get to 20.9 frequently and I did make it across 21.x. ONCE. That takes a light foot and 55ish mph. During the winter the mpg drops to 19.5-20.0. This is all hand calculated.

My '06 PSD 4X4 crew cab DRW is completely bone stock with no modifications at at all; not even a different tire size. Running with cruise set right on 72 mph for just over 300 miles on the interstate with A/C running netted me 14.45 MPG. It has since repeated this mileage several times. I know that dual rear wheels lower fuel economy some and I've never taken any long trip where I've plugged up traffic on an interstate running 50 to 55 mph, so I don't know exactly what I'd get at those speeds.

However, I do have some major reservations in swallowing some of the fuel economy numbers being touted by some running heavy diesel pickups. Something tells me that running about 200 RPM less on the road with a pickup that is even remotely similar to mine will most certainly not more than double my current fuel economy. I rode to a car show that was about 200 miles away with one guy who made such claims. When we stopped for fuel I wanted to ask him what happened to his truck because I could clearly see the trip odometer as well as how much fuel he pumped back into his tank (since we split the fuel costs) and his realized economy on our trip was right at half of what he tells everyone. Believe me, I wanted to say "Wait a minute! Why are you having me pay for ALL of the fuel cost on this trip? Knowing the miles we've driven and the fuel economy you tell everyone your truck gets, it's clear that you're charging me for 100% of the fuel costs or something smells of a fish." But, alas, I didn't say anything. What would it accomplish anyway?

I only mention this because I know for a fact that someone looking for an economy vehicle would be making a major league mistake by purchasing a full sized 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pickup. They may be a lot of things, but an "economy car" they aren't. Now a small diesel powered VW car would be a different story.

 

[RobJ]

I looked some this morning on Craigslist here in Houston. Yep good deals to be had on the Escort and other small American cars. You can get a good car for under 3k. this is 1999, 2000. 2001. The big surprise was they had low mileage AND were in real good condition.

I was looking for the typical civic/accord/corolla when shopping for my daughters 98 v6 mustang. All were high price, high miles, and were beat up. I remember one we really liked, 98 civic, auto, 180k, right rear passenger door dented in, dent on the front fender. Dude wanted 3450. I drove it and it was ok. I offered 2900 if I recall, says he might come down $50. High miles are still high miles, I like looking for lower miles. I guess he eventually sold it.

But her mustang has some bumps and bruises, had body damage but still looks decent and drives well. Ok she'd rather have a stang to. But all the other cars were a piece of crap. Dents everywhere.

 

[dmccarty]

I only mention this because I know for a fact that someone looking for an economy vehicle would be making a major league mistake by purchasing a full sized 3/4 or 1 ton diesel pickup. They may be a lot of things, but an "economy car" they aren't.

Especially with the price of diesel.

Given what has happened to the mpg on the new trucks with the new emission controls I suspect my truck will be the last new diesel burner I buy. The truck sites I was reading last year were reporting low MPG on the new trucks. Add the high price of fuel and its painful.

My truck has a 3.73 rear end, its a single rear wheel axle and a six speed. Not a dualy. My old 6.5L Chevy with a 4.10 and a five speed I don't think ever got out of 17 mpg.

If I push the truck up to 75ish the mpg drops like a rock. I don't have my log with me but keeping it at 55mph in the summer gives me 20.5 to the record of 21.x. 65 mph driving will drop the mpg to the 19s. 70 mph goes to 18s and if I push to 75 mph the mpg goes to the 17 mpg range.

Later,
Dan

 

[ScottAR]

Dmccarty, I get similar numbers at similar speeds driving empty. The 7.3/6spd apparently really has a sweet spot and your either in it or your not.

This mileage is the only reason I haven't parked this truck and bought an econobox. At the worst prices, it was about break even. Since the price has started down a little, it's back to being cheaper to buy fuel.

 

[RobJ]

Especially with the price of diesel.

Oh you mean the price of diesel oil. Remember the new 6.4l is a $7000 option. The 2000 7.3 was a $5000-$5500 option. The 6.0 was probably a bit more.

 

[alchemysa]

, I think Mitsubishi is probably the most underated car maker out there.

I'm with you on this Eddie.

I've had two 4x4 Pajeros (I think you call them (monteros or something like that). The first was an 84 2.6 litre 4 cylinder. Would run all day in 100 degree heat. Had about 350,000 ks on the clock when I sold it. The second is a 92 V6 that has about 260,000 ks on the clock. I cant remember any problems with either. They were both made in Japan.

I also have a 99 Magna wagon. (I think you call it a Diamante). This now has 220,000 ks, with no problems other than a loose idler pulley nut. Its reasonably economical and nice to drive. This was built in Australia, and I think they have a good rep for build quality over here. I don't know how the export models stacked up. Whats a good used Diamante worth in the US?

 

[Skyco]

I too am amused by the fuel mileage claims of others My dad used to be active in a group of retirees with motorhomes. One guy was always claiming about 25% better fuel economy than the others. On a trip one time my dad watched his pump when they'd all stop to refuel...yep he was right there with the others but still continued to claim superior mileage.
Same thing with diesel pickups, some pretty outlandish claims out there about mileage. Personally I think it is a testosterone thing for some guys to claim their mileage is so high. Sort of like asking a guy how long his member is- exaggeration is the norm, proven by a study one time I saw that did just that, actual measurements vs reported measurements

Getting back to cars- I have a 96 Honda Civic DX 5spd that gets an honest 38 MPG in mixed city/highway. Unfortunately right now it needs a fender, hood, bumper and AC condensor, son fell asleep while driving, works the night shift and was always sleep deprived it seemed. Trying to decide whether to keep and fix or fix and sell it, or just sell it as is. From what I observe I can put $1k in body work and sell for probably $2k more than I'd get with it damaged. Given the current fuel prices I may just fix it and use it to run around instead of my 14mpg 9000 lb+ diesel F350 or our 20mpg Honda Pilot...the Civic is driveable, just looks like crap and the AC is dead- supposed to be over 100 today here

 

[dmccarty]

Oh you mean the price of diesel oil. Remember the new 6.4l is a $7000 option. The 2000 7.3 was a $5000-$5500 option. The 6.0 was probably a bit more.

Yep, I meant both.

Funny thing is, the 1995 6.5L diesel was about $2,500 extra. Them oil burners are getting expensive to buy and run...

Later,
Dan

 

[Housten]

RichZ,

Our family likes the Toyota Corollas. Ours have been averaging 32-35 mpg of mixed (actual) driving. So far, the only repairs have been for maintenance. I used Consumer Reports as a guide as to my car buying decision. I looked at the "button" ratings over a lengthy period of time (10 years?) which came from car owners rather than CR's opinion about a particular car.

hope this helps,
Housten

 

[Eagleview]

Mitsubishi Pajero's and Magnas with the V6 engine have a bad habbit of throwing off the harmonic balancer . The crank snout is only 40mm into the hub which is about 70mm long , the key is only holding by 10mm at it's end . The rest of the balancer and all the pullies are hanging out in mid air . I have a Pajero in my front yard as i type with the balancer hanging out of the radiator .