What are the hypermile "sleepers"

[kstruve]

I used to have a 1987 Mazda 323 DX 1.6L hatchback. I got about 34 around town and 40 on the highway. And this was with a bone stock car and no hypermiling techniques. I really liked that little car. Kinda wish I had one again. I put about 270K on it before the costs of maintenance finally got too high.

[spotaneagle]

Saturns Cause Theyre Cheaper To Buy And Last Forever If You Check The Oil Alll The Time 42 Mpg Or So At 70mph(44-45mpg At 60-65mph)here With A Few Mods, Wai, Disconnect Daytime Runners, And A/c, Handling Upgrades, (never Downshift On Exit Ramps),aerodynamic, Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil

Also 1999 Twin Cam Motors Had Their Pistons/motor Revamped To Give An Extra Mpg Stock 1999 Sl2 5pd Here
Did I Say 45 Mpg? (combined Cities/hwy 39mpg) Hybrid Kiss Arse

[FrugalFloyd]

I'm with JanGeo re: the Scion xB. I've got a lifetime 45.0 mpg average with mine. I just finished a cross-country trip, and got 51.5 mpg over the last 1213 miles from Gallup NM to the Bay Area. Everyone expects small cars with small engine displacement and manual transmissions will be good fuel-efficient vehicles. Few expect something as big-looking as the xB to be a fe vehicle.

[lowglow]

If someone can make a Toyota Tundra with a 5.7 engine get 30 MPG, I would be very impressed. and that would be what I'd call a sleeper.

[jcp123]

Ford Escorts with the 1,9 and 2,0 SPI motors do really well, as do Foci with the same 2,0l SPI. 1,9 SOHC Saturns are good and I have a hunch that Cavaliers with the 2,2 and 5-speeds could turn out pretty decent as well.

[thecheese429]

Originally Posted by theholycow

People with 4th generation Camaros (1993-2002) in both v6 and v8 commonly report 27mpg. I suspect, owned and driven by an experienced hypermiler, it could reach 35mpg.

I read an article once about a team that rebuilt a 70s camaro, and with a bowtie 350 V8, they claimed 25+ mpg. Not sure if that's true or not. I'd believe it.

EDIT: Here's the link to that project: http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...46.html?page=2
So its a 68, not 70s, and 20-25, not 25+ so there's a classic case of the mind making something better than it is.

Originally Posted by oneinchsidehop

But we want a hypermiler sleeper, you know, cars that most people wouldn't think of being FE, but really doing a darn good job.

If you mean one that looks like a sports/muscle car but is built for FE, just get any old car (that you like) and put in a custom [small] engine and [manual] tranny. I'm researching getting a small diesel (prolly TDI) for my truck.

Good luck!

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

Originally Posted by thecheese429

I read an article once about a team that rebuilt a 70s camaro, and with a bowtie 350 V8, they claimed 25+ mpg. Not sure if that's true or not. I'd believe it.

LT1s, LS1s get pretty amazing mileage in practically anything... but I'd not really pick a 70s Camaro, I think although they look kinda sleek the cD is way up there... non too light either as I recall. However, anything is better than some of the motors they came with back then, particularly late 70s, I have great fun occasionally leaving them standing in Marvin and Wile-E, as much fun as some of the V6 Mustangs, until they got some poke in more recent years.

[OldCorolla]

the early to mid 90s corollas are pretty decent for fuel mileage but I must recommend mid to late (75-79) corollas. the styling on these isnt to everyones liking and they are rear wheel drive but with the right touches anything is possible.

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

Then there's that Chevy Nova that was based on the JDM upmarket Corolla... a dude with the TC motor was telling me he gets 40+ on the highway.

[OldCorolla]

there was a 2tc(1.6) and a 3tc(1.8) , I have had two 3tcs and was only able to squeeze 25 mpg out of the one that was bone stock with a 3spd auto and 3.90 gears. good thing was that was in town.