m4ff3w wrote:Fit_Is_Slo wrote: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/2889947699.html 1983 isuzu i-mark diesel needs glow plugs but engine runs perfect. 180,000 miles, new starter, new alternator, new tires, 48 mpg possible trades..berkeleyin atlanta
I need to step it up down here since the duke is in ohio now lol 
My BMW e39 528i always gets 30 mpg on the hwy and 26 mixed. It is an excellent choice for a sporting family car.
i had a bone stock 86 caprice with a 305, 700r4 and 2.56 gears that would average 28mpg at 80mph on the interstate with the AC blowing ice cold.. it did that on a few different occasions.. for some reason, i never checked the mileage when i drove it to work and what not so i can't say what it did in regular driving, but it was damn good and it was like you were driving the most plush couch you've ever sat in down the road..
I had an '84 Volvo 245 Diesel that got 33 around town and 40 on the highway. Was it fun? No. But it was RWD, sat 7, and towed 3300 lb. (very slowly).
Fast, cheap, good. Pick any two.
Find a 4 cylinder pinto with a manual trans, swap in a Zetec and a 5 speed from a Xr4ti.
When I saw 3 seats I immediately figured a McLaren was perfect.
Perhaps a price range is in order, since we are suggesting cars from $300-30,000.
Dudes, yall always miss the obvious answer:
RWD Mid engine 3 seater 30mpg
m4ff3w wrote: Dudes, yall always miss the obvious answer:
I don't know what that is but it look very cool.
I always wondered about a mk1 Capri with the 1.6 Kent, updated with modern FI & ignition and a light pressure turbo, and a five speed manual behind it. Little aero work, car should weigh in under 2600 pounds easily, some 3.08's in the Atlas and I bet it'd be there if not closing in on 40mpg on the highway. Right?
My stock E36 328is gets 30 on the highway at 70-85. More like 31-32. Same as my wife's 4-cyl '05 Accord. I know it shouldn't break 30, especially since I get more like 26 in my Miata at the same speed, and around town my jackass tendency to use WOT all the time gets me more like 21 mpg, but it does great when cruising.
I had a 99 W210 E300TD. I consistently averaged 30+ on the highway, but a heavy foot or over 70 mph would drop that number to more like 28. Loads of class, great car.
What about an S10 or similar? I was able to eke out 28 mpg in my Sonoma V6 with 3.73 gears and an auto. LS1 swaps are simple, and many swappers report 28 mpg if set up right.
My dad got 29 mpg at 80 mph in a 2004 Infiniti G35 6 speed sedan.
curtis73 wrote: I had a 99 W210 E300TD. I consistently averaged 30+ on the highway, but a heavy foot or over 70 mph would drop that number to more like 28. Loads of class, great car.
I've heard that these can be modified cheaply in such a way to get 40+, is it true?
Was the Talbot ever sold new in USA?
The Murena wasn't ever sold here, there are a few here and probably a few more Bagheeras.
m4ff3w wrote: Dudes, yall always miss the obvious answer:
The problem with those is that you either get 30mpg or decent performance - for the former you want/need the 1.6L, for the latter you want the 2.2L, preferably in the slightly tweaked version.
They're cool though and I still regret not buying one when I had the chance.
pres589 wrote: I always wondered about a mk1 Capri with the 1.6 Kent, updated with modern FI & ignition and a light pressure turbo, and a five speed manual behind it. Little aero work, car should weigh in under 2600 pounds easily, some 3.08's in the Atlas and I bet it'd be there if not closing in on 40mpg on the highway. Right?
The 1600 was only available in early MkI Capris - pre '73. Those were a good deal lighter than 2600 lbs. More like 2200. But if I were doing a four cylinder Capri, I'd go with the 2000. Way easy to make power with that engine. Best bet is a '71. Compression went down a tic in '72, but my old '72 2000 was a blast to drive.
ClemSparks wrote: The E30 325 won't get the mileage I want. Will a 318? I'm not sure if it will (real world).
It will if it's an eta car. My 86 sees 27.5 around town consistently, and a little more if I watch it (5k rpm isn't much, but that I6 still sounds cool!).
I've easily gotten 30mpg or above on the highway.
Nobody seems to like the eta cars though....
In reply to fast_eddie_72:
I don't think 2000cc is really required with the light pressure turbo, 1.6 is plenty, 120hp tops is all I'd need based on my '73 2600. Nothing easily found in the Ford family that size and I think the Kent with a fully rollerized valvetrain would have lower operating friction than the Pinto 2.0. The problem is, the Kent seems to be a rare and costly beast anymore. Mazda Miata's should do better so I don't really have interest in a BP for this, the Honda stuff all turns the wrong direction / no easy RWD bits, maybe something from Mitsubishi? There's always a VW TDi swap backed by a Getrag out of a BMW or maybe the Suzuki Samari....
I've put way more thought into this than I should, if that isn't already obvious.
Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote:m4ff3w wrote: Dudes, yall always miss the obvious answer:I don't know what that is but it look very cool.
It's a Matra Murena. Someday...
OldGray320i wrote:ClemSparks wrote: The E30 325 won't get the mileage I want. Will a 318? I'm not sure if it will (real world).It will if it's an eta car. My 86 sees 27.5 around town consistently, and a little more if I watch it (5k rpm isn't much, but that I6 still sounds cool!). I've easily gotten 30mpg or above on the highway. Nobody seems to like the eta cars though....
Well, heck...I have one of those ('85 325e). I'll be driving it a bit this spring and will have to check the mileage (oh wait...the speed o meter is broken like they all do). I just assumed they wouldn't do much more than 25. My commute is ~65mph though, so that helps.
Clem
fast_eddie_72 wrote: RA64Wow, somehow that looks familiar.
It's possible I'll get to test your theory out on this one. I have a chance at a sub$1K ~84 Celica (nonGTS) with 22re.
I just assumed that a 22r/e would not get much over 20-25 mpg range. I still think that...but hope I can be proven wrong.
Clem
RossD wrote: Find a 4 cylinder pinto with a manual trans, swap in a Zetec and a 5 speed from a Xr4ti.
I very much like this idea...as well as the early Capri idea. I keep my eyes open for pintos, but good ones are not to be found for cheap anymore. Actually...good ones are not to be found anymore is a more accurate statement. As for early Capris...I've only ever seen them at autocrosses (many years ago). I have exactly zero hope that I'll find one of them in salvageable condition. Too bad, they're neat.
Otto Maddox wrote: Perhaps a price range is in order, since we are suggesting cars from $300-30,000.
I didn't state a price range because I don't care. I'm not shopping for a new DD. I just want to know what to keep my eyes out for. When a good deal comes along, I'll snag something. I don't care if it's a 30k car (though not likely) or a scrap value one, personally.
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