What type of car to get?

k_semler · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:35 pm Post subject: What type of car to get?

Given the ever increasing price of fuel, (now up to $2.839/gal 89 octane), it is now to the point that I must downsize my vehicle. I would like a vehicle that gets 30+ MPG, but I have a few requirements.

1. The vehicle must be heavy enough to plow through 2 foot drifts easily.
2. Preferably 4wd.
3. Must be able to go 65 up the Lewiston hill, (7% grade for 10 miles).
4. Preferably automatic w/ OD transmission
5. Must be under $2500

Does anyone have a vehicle in mind which would suit my needs? Or am I stuck with my 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Coupe?
_________________
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July 04, 1776 - June 23 2005

Epitaph: "The Experiment Is Over."

Rest In Peace.

Eminent Domain Was The Murderer.

hoplite · Heavy Crude Joined: Oct 22, 2004 Posts: 300

your vehicle has not been invented yet...ie; 30mpg and 4wd are mutually exclusive methinks

Dukat_Reloaded · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 1009

Isn't buying a car rather like buying a dodo bird cage?

1. The vehicle must be heavy enough to plow through 2 foot drifts easily.
Yeah, a heavy vechical uses more fuel.

2. Preferably 4wd.
4 wheel Drive cars use more fuel than 2 wheel drive cars

3. Must be able to go 65 up the Lewiston hill, (7% grade for 10 miles).
The faster you drive the more fuel you will use up in relation to miles. If you drove at 40mh you would get better fuel economy.

4. Preferably automatic w/ OD transmission
Automatics use more fuel than a manual car, approx 10% more.

5. Must be under $2500
Don't you mean "Must be under $2500 and a piece of crap."

Good luck trying to save gas money.

meekoil · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 11, 2005 Posts: 120

I suggest something like this.

k_semler · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:17 pm Post subject: Re: What type of car to get?

Well crap, it seems like my "dream" car hasn't been invented yet. Damn it. How about with the exact same qualifiers, but 25 MPG instead? It MUST be heavier than my old 1989 Ford Mustang LX. If it drifted a foot, it got stuck. What I am pretty much looking for is my car now, but much better gas mileage. That is the only area that I am now lacking in. (Well, I do have 148,950 miles on it too.)
_________________
Here Lies the United States Of America.

July 04, 1776 - June 23 2005

Epitaph: "The Experiment Is Over."

Rest In Peace.

Eminent Domain Was The Murderer.

Dukat_Reloaded · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 1009

Instead of buying a heavy car, why not buy a light one and when you need it to be heavy, fill the boot up with rocks or bricks.

k_semler · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:38 pm Post subject: Re: What type of car to get?

More steel = more protection = more weight = easier handling
_________________
Here Lies the United States Of America.

July 04, 1776 - June 23 2005

Epitaph: "The Experiment Is Over."

Rest In Peace.

Eminent Domain Was The Murderer.

arretium · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:42 pm Post subject: Re: What type of car to get?

You could buy new -- Get a Toyota Sienna AWD.
You'll need another 27.5K though. ;(.

k_semler · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:47 pm Post subject: Re: What type of car to get?

And there comes the difficulty. How much power does a Chevy Sprint have? How much do they weigh? And how many MPG does it get?
_________________
Here Lies the United States Of America.

July 04, 1776 - June 23 2005

Epitaph: "The Experiment Is Over."

Rest In Peace.

Eminent Domain Was The Murderer.

I_Like_Plants · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:54 pm Post subject: Re: What type of car to get?

Those subarus are kick in the ass fun to drive too, I can testify.

strider3700 · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:51 am Post subject: Re: What type of car to get?

I drive a 1995 suzuki sidekick 4dr with the 1.6 engine. I get 29 MPG average, 31 mostly highway

1. The vehicle must be heavy enough to plow through 2 foot drifts easily.
No problem with snow so far

2. Preferably 4wd.
Yep. I have manual hubs but auto's are available

3. Must be able to go 65 up the Lewiston hill, (7% grade for 10 miles).
It'll hate you but yeah you can put her in 4th and do it, why not slow down though?

4. Preferably automatic w/ OD transmission
I drive a 5spd and really need it with the 1.6 to get any performance out of her. Besides the mileage is better with a stick. I wish it had a higher final gear though, 65 would be about 3400 rpm in 5th, it might be better with the auto.

5. Must be under $2500
Yeah I think you can find one like mine for that much, I paid $4500 cdn 6 months ago, so $3000 US should be easy,
_________________
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The_Toecutter · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jun 18, 2005 Posts: 1736

Suzuki Sidekick/ Geo Tracker would be your best bet, although they are damn ugly and oh so very slow. You may have trouble maintaining 65 mph up a steep grade with one, but they meet all other criteria.
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bentstrider · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 3:24 am Post subject: Re: What type of car to get?

skyemoor · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:01 am Post subject: Re: What type of car to get?

papalegba · Tar Sands Joined: Jun 22, 2005 Posts: 82

Mid-80s Toyota Tercel 4WD wagon. High-30mgps on the highway, reliable and over 250K on an engine. Holds a ton of stuff in, and on a rack.

Has a be-low gear, but two-foot drifts is probably asking a bit much...