[Cialug] OT: safe/reliable fuel-efficient cars.

[Dave J. Hala Jr.]

Yeah, but if you buy the TDI, you can go around begging for fryer oil
and burn that in the car in the summer, and not pay for diesel at all.




On Mon, 2009-03-02 at 08:53 -0600, Nathaniel Petersen wrote:
> Having recently test-driven a Fit (in anticipation of the new
> Insight), I can attest to the headroom.  However, if you are all legs
> (as I recently indicated), expect to straddle the steering wheel.
> Plus, the manual that I drove had the clutch peddle closer to the
> break than I am comfortable with (I have wide feet, too).
> 
> Both complaints are nothing new.  I have them for most cars and S-10
> sized trucks.  It would help if the Fit's tilt wheel went up even half
> an inch more.  I have this problem with my Elantra, so getting in and
> out is a little bit of a chore.  But there is sufficient space between
> the clutch and the break that I don't have that issue to contend with.
> 
> Have you test driven a VW Jetta TDI?  They have a six-speed manual
> transmission, and a larger gap between the clutch and the break
> (almost 4" more than my Elantra).  They have great handling, and a
> little bit more room between the floor and the console (they have a
> 'uniface' dash that is closer to the driver, making it difficult to
> straddle the steering console - so the added inches to the height are
> appreciated).
> 
> My only problem is that it starts about 5K more than I usually budget
> for a new vehicle.  By my math, I would have to drive my current
> vehicle nearly 75K, trouble-free miles more before I can save that 5K.
>  Since diesel costs roughly 35¢ more right now (and I have no idea how
> this trends out, since I can't find actuarial data on diesel), I would
> have to get at a minimum one additional mile per gallon to break even.
>  Trend data also shows that the Elantra has a lower cost per 10K miles
> over the first 150K for maintenance and repair costs (though this is
> in comparison to the 2006, non-diesel models).
> 
> I don't want to sound like I'm praising the Elantra too much, and I'm
> sorry to hear that it took so much damage in your accident, but I
> really do love mine.
> 
> Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the hatch-back version of
> the 2009.  I am actually sad to see that Hyundai put traction control
> on this model, as I can not stand to lose that control.  But that is a
> preference item, as I'm sure traction control and ABS saves lives.
> 
> http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/suvs_family_haulers/2009_hyundai_elantra_touring_short_take_road_test/(page)/1
> 
> -Nick
> 
> PS: I know it doesn't help with your purchase now, but a hybrid
> Elantra is supposed to make it to the US in 2011 (2012 model).
> 
> On Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 7:37 AM, Barry Von Ahsen <barry at vonahsen.com> wrote:
> > James Shoemaker wrote:
> >>
> >>  I was going to suggest a VW Passat like I drive, I have put 81K miles on
> >> it without putting anything but gas, oil, and filters in it.  It has a
> >> manual and gets 27-32 depending on driving/weather.  But then I checked the
> >> web-site and they don't sell the manual Passat in the US anymore.  That
> >> leaves me with a huge empty hole in what to buy to replace my car when the
> >> time comes.
> >>  My requirements are even worse:
> >> 1: manual transmission.
> >> 2: decent handling.
> >> 3: decent power.
> >> 4: decent economy.
> >> 5: room for a wheelchair and walker and 3 people.
> >> 6: enough headroom for me to sit up
> >>
> >
> > not sure which honda you looked at, but I've got a 2008 Fit sport, manual,
> > gets 30+ combined driving, and I can sit up and finish off that last bit of
> > pepsi big slam while driving.  good power, good handling (I was able to hold
> > my own as a n00b at a recent auto cross event), and the back seats fold up
> > or down to give you really deep storage (seats up) or really big cargo room
> > (backs down).  you can also fold down both the front and back passenger
> > seats to get almost 10'x4' storage - I was able to haul home my ikea
> > wardrobe, which would never have fit in my S10
> >
> > -barry
> >
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-- 
___
Dave J. Hala Jr.
President OSIS, Inc.
www.osis.us