Rental Car Fleet Analysis

rh77 · 01-25-2006, 11:07 PM

While driving a lonely stretch of a Mississippi highway for quite some time, I came to a realization: I rent probably at least 75 cars a year for my job. These vehicles range from sub-compact to full-size SUV, depending upon availability. Given this range of vehicle variety and number of miles driven, I immediately decided to use the data gained from these experiences to provide a real-life picture into various model's specific fuel economy and compare it to EPA estimates. I welcome the same kind of testing in this post if you drive a vehicle that's not your regular driver. The goal is to provide data to potential buyers, renters, or to evaluate the EPA's current testing methods.

The following will be provided:

* Vehicle Make, Model, Engine, Transmission, Trim Level, and vehicle size class
* A Photo of the vehicle will be taken from Edmunds.com or Intellichoice.com (where additional information and reviews can be viewed).
* The ratio of Highway vs. City driving and top cruising speed.
* The EPA City/Highway/Combined Cycle mileage provided to the public.
* Driving Style: Economy, Average, or Inefficient ("Hurried")
* Location and Weather Conditions
* If vehicle came with automatically calculated mileage

OK, for the first entry:

2006 Chrysler Sebring Base Model: Midsize Sedan
2.4L 4-Cyl., 4-Speed Automatic
Ratio: 90% Highway, 10% City; 65 mph max cruise
Driving Style: Economy;
Location/Weather: North-Central Mississippi. Mild at 35-60F.
EPA Estimates: 22 City, 30 Highway, 25 Combined
Actual Mileage: 214 Miles per 7.781 gallons = 27.50 mpg

Conclusion: Mileage close to actual EPA estimates.

RH77

SVOboy · 06-28-2006, 08:25 AM

You'd prolly see me giving one of the dirty looks. Something about using the thought of a big honkin' pistol to sell your car puts me off a bit. I don't want to be driving a killing machine, but it does seem like lots of people very openly want this experience, *shrug*

Besides that I think it's ugly,

95metro · 06-28-2006, 09:00 AM

I'm not impressed with the Caliber's FE numbers. I think it was 37 mpg highway, but that was on the sticker at the dealer in town - which means that's 37 miles per Imperial gallon.

That works out to only 30.8 mpg US. Terrible from a 4-banger IMO. I almost bought a '98 Neon because they are rated at 40 mpg US on the highway.

rh77 · 06-30-2006, 03:16 PM

To get a second set of data on the SXT, I kept it for a long road trip in hopes that the highway mileage would increase. Here's the second look:

Avg. MPG = 22.6
Avg. Speed = 57 mph
Miles = 537
Time = 5.3 hours

Unfortunately, it just doesn't live up to the expectations. At a variety of highway speeds from 50-75, the Scangauge showed an instantaneous MPG consistently in the 25 range unless a slight hill came up, then it downshifted and the high teens were experienced. I also was really hoping that these cars were more efficient -- since they're offered as a crossover/replacement for SUV buyers.

From what I've seen in road tests, the Caliber doesn't meet expectations either, which is sad - since the Neon isn't being replaced with a frugal, compact sedan, but a bigger, heavier, guzzler. I drove a Neon recently, and loved the handling -- it has been a huge hit on the autocross scene for years, but definitely needed some refinement inside and out. Fuel economy was in the high 20's/low 30's in mostly city driving. Thumbs down to DCX.

SVO -- I don't like to think of the Magnum as a big gun, but maybe the term for a large bottle of wine: expensive to buy and you probably won't use the whole thing before it goes bad.

RH77

krousdb · 06-30-2006, 03:33 PM

My boss has the new Charger. It is a special one that has red Brembo calipers. I forget the exact name, SST or something. Anyway when you buy one you get to go to a special driving school where they teach you performance driving.

Anyway, he is boasting that if he babys it, he can get 22MPG on the highway.

It could be worse. He could have a Hummer I guess.

95metro · 06-30-2006, 03:36 PM

It would be an SXT designation as well. At least it is here in Canada.

And he boasts about 22 mpg?

Does he have any clue what you were getting in the Del Sol?

Mighty Mira · 07-02-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krousdb

My boss has the new Charger.

I just took a look at it... it's got hit with the ugly stick, big time. Looks like the grafted the front end of a Ram on the damn thing.

And looks like Detroit is manufacturing the same sort of cars they did the last time a gas crisis hit.

rh77 · 07-04-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty Mira

I just took a look at it... it's got hit with the ugly stick, big time. Looks like the grafted the front end of a Ram on the damn thing.

And looks like Detroit is manufacturing the same sort of cars they did the last time a gas crisis hit.

I agree. If you look at American cars of the early 1950's, streamlined designs were the norm. Then by the 70's, something happened and most vehicles ended up looking like a brick -- flat front end, squared edges, and still a large size with a de-tuned V-8 to meet the new emission requirements. What happened to aerodynamics? It was probably a design fad.

Oddly, DCX is taking the same route with their entire Dodge range -- the compact Caliber is bigger and more gas-guzzling; and the focus has been on throwback designs to attract older buyers and each grille replaced with a pickup truck design. I can't see them selling a huge number of any of these, with the way gas prices have become. Rumor has it that the Chrysler Sebring is up for re-design. I'm concerned that the 2.4L Mitsubishi 4-cylinder will be replaced with the 2.7L V-6 as the base engine, with a design similar to the 300.

Back to the Charger, I think some Police Departments may opt for the Dodge instead of the industry standard "Police Interceptor" / Ford Crown Victoria (if it becomes available). I would imagine the 5.7L HEMI would guzzle gas like crazy when compared to the Ford's 4.6L in fleet service.

RH77