Posted on 01/26/2009 1:23:38 PM PST by Hazwaste
Now that the Obama administration is reconsidering California's plan to increase the fuel economy of cars sold in the Golden State and 13 others to 35 miles per gallon by 2016, we wondered how close the automakers are to getting there.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
So basically you won’t be able to buy Corvette or a muscle care? I assume they have to make a truck allowance....
Seems like they should be close. I get 30 mpg on the freeway in my 2005 PT Cruzer. Now it is a 5 speed, which does give you a bit higher mileage.
My old neighbor has a Prius and he only gets 40 and the car is a slug.
“Everybody enjoy driving your new Toyota Priuses (Prii?).”...
Yeah!....Those Priuses should hold up real well when runover by Mexican semi-trucks with bad breaks....
Nothing I ever want to drive...
Is this the same California who in 1990 mandated that 10% of all cars sold in that state be Zero Emission Vehicles by 2003?
I bought some 2005 VW Jtta TDIs. They get just slightly less than 50 mpg and are fun to drive and useful, though small. All of this 35 mpg stuff is laughable. I would get 44 mpg in my 1997 Neon on the highway in the summer. The domestic industry is a joke when it comes to fuel economy.
Wouldn’t it be easier just to repeal the laws of physics?
A VW Jetta/Golf diesel gets 32/41, that has to be better than 35 combined.
I’m getting 30-38 MPG ( real mileage ) in a 2006 Honda Civic and it’s not a hybrid.
I don't understand this nonsense about not being able to come up with fuel efficient cars. The 1989 Geo Metro got well over 35 mpg, in fact some models were up to 75 mpg.
Now as to whether or not very many people would want them, that is another matter. Chevy / Suzuki someone, make a better built Geo. It just might sell.
Assuming that the average car now gets 25 MPG combined, this would be an increase of 10 MPG. If the average miles driven in a year is 12000, that would mean a savings of 138 gallons per year. If the car is owned for 5 years, that is a savings of 690 gallons of gas. The article states that the changes will add at least $3000 to the price of the car. If the car is financed for 5 years at 8%, that is a total price increase of $3649.00.
Therefore, in order for the owner to recover the additional cost of the vehicle, the cost of Gas would have to average $5.29/gallon for the 5 year period...
I get 35 mpg highway if I set cruise control at 62 mph in a Pontiac Vibe (Toyota Matrix clone). I’ve gotten as much as 30 mph in town when I follow all the rules about accelerating slowly, coasting to a stop, timing the lights, etc. Problem is I’m too impatient to drive like that very often and going 62 on Texas highways when they’re busy will get you killed.
The Toyota Starlet version that debuted in the US (early 80’s)...rear-wheel drive\electronic ignition 38\52 MPG
Yes, that 3 banger sucked. Some of the guys at the mine had the 45 mpg 4 cylinder which they liked for commuting except the quality of construction wasn't there. I'm just saying there is something to work from. I'm waiting the see what Honda comes out with in a diesel but wish there was competition.
Had to rent a Metro one time. Okay around town, but on the highway it felt like I was screwing a sewing machine.
Better get used to your one cyclinder Briggs and Stratton.
I looked at the Prius, but it was too dramatic of a change for me.
Burned on my final Ford - bought my first Toyota (Corolla) last year and I get about 35MPG normally - if it’s all highway, I can get almost 40MPG (not a hybrid)
My 2002 Saturn SL has been averaging 35mpg since the time I bought it. 10 gallon gas tank, usually 340-360 miles between fillups. 5 speed manual transmission. Saturn had a 1.9 liter 4 cylinder in 2002. They upsized it to a 2.2L for the Ion line which replaced the SL. 160K miles and counting!
I’ll buy a newer car when I find one that compares
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