#TBT: 20 old-school fuel sippers we'd gladly drive today

This article was originally written in 2006.

You can't deny the fact that today's hybrids get a lot out of a gallon of gasoline. However, these cars are not the most exciting vehicles out there. While the Honda Insight can do a mean burnout thanks to its manual gearbox and near-instant torque delivery, most hybrids are as thrilling to operate …

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Consulier GTP: 21 city/27 hwy

1992 Consulier Industries Consulier GTP, turbo 4 cyl., 2.2L, five-speed manual Stock performance: A Industry support: B Motorsports potential: B Cool factor: A

============= Really? I went across Montana last year with the cruz set at 85 and got 33 mpg in mine. At least this car was included!!!

Really?? I'd think the AE86 GTS might have been on this list... I can think of a few cars on this list that are significantly less.......

RATED: 23mpg in town 28 on the highway... but I know a few people who drive them carefully pulling mid, and even upper 30 mpg range

stock performance is a "C+", but all other factors are an "A"

FRsiBee twins could be on the new list.

I think rated 22/30, but in mixed driving I always avg near 29, and regularly pull 34mpg on the highway.

I could get just a hair short of 30 mpg highway in my S2000, I probably would have if I had driven slower Day-to-day (mostly city) was ~23-24mpg

z31maniac wrote: FRsiBee twins could be on the new list. I think rated 22/30, but in mixed driving I always avg near 29, and regularly pull 34mpg on the highway.

34 highway... what speed, and manual or auto?

FX-16, so many smiles per a gallon. Caymans aren't bad either.

Scion xA took me by surprise. But yes, with some TRD goodness I'll bet it's fun. (Miss my '06 xB still somedays.)

I test drove a Scion xA and found it soulless. Couldn't get myself to purchase it, even with the thought of getting some aftermarket goodies. I test drove a 318ti afterwards and did end up purchasing that. Way more fun to daily drive and commute in.

My e30 pulls better than 20 mpg and I'm almost always in stop and go city driving. I've definitely recorded 29 on the highway too.

I was pleased to find the Swift GT on there.....

My wife's scion xA was horrible at highway speeds. Slight gusts of wind or passing cars would completely upset the car. It was downright scary sometimes.

Yes it had proper alignment, tire pressure, etc.

I too was pleased to see the Swift GT on the list, but disappointed by the lack of MK1 VWs.

We averaged a little over 34 mpg last summer on a 700+ mile roadtrip consisting mostly of hilly two lane blacktop last summer in my '76 Scirocco. I certainly wasn't driving for mileage for most of it either . That was with a tape measure alignment and the car stuffed to the brim with camping gear.

Selling my stock CRX HF was one of my biggest regrets. Ever.

Made the list. Don't make anywhere close to the listed MPGs. Huh.

I've been impressed with my '15 GTI. 37.2 (computer, but verified with pump #'s) on my last highway trip- about 75 average. EPA 25/34. I freakin' love this car.

Scion prices are starting the max depreciation point. an xA can be had in decent nick at $4k. The xB is a bit of a cult classic, and fetches a few bucks more. My 85k-mile example might fetch $6k, on a good day. Might be time to dump it before the value drops, I dunno.

The Forte fits all the requirements now. Averaging 31mpg weekly on my daily slog. Fun to drive. lots of good stuff inside.

'14 Maxda 3 stick, gets right at 40mpg on a trip with cruise set at 78mph. And runs over 35 mpg around town.

I've owned an 87 CRX Si, 92 Civic VX, and Nissan Leaf.

I can tell you, without a doubt, you would NOT gladly drive the Civic VX for any real length of time. The car's only saving grace is its frugality. It was impossible to get less than 50 mpg with it. It was also impossible to smile while behind the wheel.

captdownshift wrote: FX-16, so many smiles per a gallon. Caymans aren't bad either.

The FX-16 is in my top 5 favorite cars I have owned. I would put it ahead of an mr2 of the same vintage. I could haul more and spent less time being sideways when I did not wan't to be.

I owned a second-gen Neon while in college. I don't recall it being exceptionally great on gas, but it was better than alternatives at the time.

In reply to J.A. Ackley :

Even though I'll often partake in more spirited driving, I've never gotten anything less than 30 mpg between both Honda Fits I've owned. (Except for that time I tore a hole in the gas tank, I averaged around 8 mpg according to the trip computer.)

I think they are fun to drive in an old-school Honda sort of way, but I'm sure a few handling upgrades and maybe some additional power could make it a hoot to drive.

It's a shame Honda doesn't import them anymore, but the Fit is at the top of my list of favorite cars–even if it's just for the memories.

My '92 Ram 50 gets between 21-24 mpg in town, and that's when I'm hooning around like a teenager (Which is pretty much always).

If I drove it like the old man truck it is, I'd probably do better... but it wouldn't be any fun. 

My 1985 CRX Si has averaged 31.7 since I got it. My stock(ish) 1990 Miata is at 32.7. I don't drive gas cars enough that fuel costs matter, but it's still kinda nice.

My 2010 Cummins has averaged 12.7, but that's what happens when you've got 7 tons of trailer on the hitch all the time.