What car? 30 mpg, Rear Drive, 3+ seats

I don't know if this one has come up before. Sorry, if so.

I've been thinking a lot and what it really boils down to is that I want a daily driver (can be a beater) that gets 30mpg (highway), is rear drive, and seats 3+ occupants (Driver and two or more passengers).

I'm having a hard time figuring out what would do that.

If my '90 323 was rear drive, it would fit the bill nicely. Think of that as a benchmark...a rear drive 323-like vehicle.

I have a feeling one answer might be "put a modern engine in a rear drive Corolla" and I'd actually be interested in that. I think I'd have to fly somewhere to get a corolla worth having...but it would probably be a good one (I daily drove a rear drive corolla wagon for several years...it didn't get 30mpg, though)

The E30 325 won't get the mileage I want. Will a 318? I'm not sure if it will (real world).

What else is there with 3 or more seats?

Standard trans is, of course, preferred...but I don't imagine that will be an issue.

For the record...I'm probably not going to run out and buy one...but would like help coming up with ideas of what to keep an eye out for.

Thanks for looking,
Clem

The E36 318 was rated at 19 city and 26 hwy so it's in the ball park. I've seen an E36 325 with a E46 6-speed swap get 30 hwy.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/9696.shtml

ClemSparks wrote: I don't know if this one has come up before. Sorry, if so.

Yep. Fairly recent too.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/what-car-mission-impossible-edition/46687/page1/

When gas prices were VERY high... I have gotten 36mpg in my 318ti.. usually I hang about 28mpg in mixed city and back roads

What's the budget? My first suggestion is an LSX swapped 318ti. Second suggestion is a GTO. Third suggestion depends on how uncomfortable you want your passengers to be. If, "pretty cramped and uncomfortable" is your answer then I suggest a 240SX.

I don't think I can name a single RWD car rated at or over 30 mpg highway

Zetec swapped into a preferred chassis. It could be done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oeFO1uKkhE&feature=related

ProDarwin wrote: I don't think I can name a single RWD car rated at or over 30 mpg highway

2011 V6 Mustang?

In reply to espz28:

Yep, but in automatic only (manual gets 29mpg hwy, 3.31 rear end 27mpg hwy). The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T also gets 30mpg hwy. Both the V-6 and I-4 models are supposed to get a mpg (and hp) bump with the 2013 models. I'd expect the Scionbaru to also get over 30mpg hwy.

What about early '80s RWD Corollas?

My ti averages 30-33, and I don't drive it gently. And it's an auto trans....

Miata with a lawn chair bolted to the trunk?

I see a consistent 30mpg in pure highway driving (cruise set to 65-70) in my E39 525i; it was rated at 29. The 530i was actually rated at 30 due to a lower rear end ratio. Any M50-series engine BMW with a manual should be capable of getting close to your target, with the more modern iterations having a better chance at actually hitting it.

RexSeven wrote: In reply to espz28: Yep, but in automatic only (manual gets 29mpg hwy, 3.31 rear end 27mpg hwy). The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T also gets 30mpg hwy. Both the V-6 and I-4 models are supposed to get a mpg (and hp) bump with the 2013 models. I'd expect the Scionbaru to also get over 30mpg hwy.

Good call. So currently 1 car out there rated at 30mpg highway? 2 if you count the Automatic Mustang V6?

Older diesel mercedes, W124?

I get 30+ on the highway and you can run veggie oil! How about under $200 a year for fuel????

ClemSparks wrote: I've been thinking a lot and what it really boils down to is that I want a daily driver (can be a beater) that gets 30mpg (highway), is rear drive, and seats 3+ occupants (Driver and two or more passengers). I'm having a hard time figuring out what would do that. If my '90 323 was rear drive, it would fit the bill nicely. Think of that as a benchmark...a rear drive 323-like vehicle. I have a feeling one answer might be "put a modern engine in a rear drive Corolla" and I'd actually be interested in that. I think I'd have to fly somewhere to get a corolla worth having...but it would probably be a good one (I daily drove a rear drive corolla wagon for several years...it didn't get 30mpg, though) For the record...I'm probably not going to run out and buy one...but would like help coming up with ideas of what to keep an eye out for. Thanks for looking, Clem

93EXCivic wrote: What about early '80s RWD Corollas?

The "cheap" answer is find a 1985-1987 AE86 GT-S coupe (tend to be less $ then hatch, and hatch not as rigid as coupe) When I owned mine, I could get about 31 mpg @ about 65... engine speeds much above that trigger TVIS (a crude intake management system), which could mean 28mpg @ 70

The expensive answer is to build something like this....

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/2130/ - 1983 Corolla sport coupe with 170hp 4AGE that gets 31.3 mpg @ 70-75 mph

05-up Mustang GT with a flip chip and one of the tunes is a pure economy tune.

A miata is a better track car

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..

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/ctd/2896767031.html Not quite 30mpg but damn close

"rare" 1985 BMW 5.24td - $3500 (Stockbridge)

Date: 2012-03-11, 4:41PM EDT Reply to: xqzbs-2896767031@sale.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I had this car since early 1987, I am still driving it to work daily and taking it on trips to South Carolina. My reason for selling it ; I have too many vehicles and need to sell one. It has low mileage tires, good brakes and gets good mileage in town and on the open road even better. Gets outstanding fuel mileage from 25 MPG in town to 29 MPG on the road. The AC needs a new compressor, a rebuilt BMW one for diesel engine costs $ 512.00 on line.

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

RA64

Wow, somehow that looks familiar.

ClemSparks wrote: If my '90 323 was rear drive, it would fit the bill nicely. Think of that as a benchmark...a rear drive 323-like vehicle.

Well, what you just described is a Starlet.

But it's getting hard to find a good one.

I thought he described a GLC:

But it's getting hard to find a good one.

JamesMcD wrote: I thought he described a GLC:

Ooooh. Good point. I just assumed he would want Toyota goodness. But, you know, Mazdas are fine too. I guess. Ooh, ooh! I know! Cosmo!

But a good one got hard to find a long time ago.