Hi Everybody

[larryg]

I came across the site a while back and really like it. By day I'm an engineer, I work in robotics and automation. But I've always been a car guy (my other hobby is making beer but thats another story). I've owned some really cool ones (and sadly sold them before they became popular) had a 68 442 convertible, a 67 GTO, a 64 corvair spyder, a couple of spitfires, a mini cooper and a fiat 500. It's gotten to the point that my wife will not let me go anywhere near a car lot unchaperoned. One of the cars i had was a 89 suzuki swift gti that i purchased new for my wife because i thought it would get good gas mileage. Turned out it was so much fun to drive i used to grab the keys and take it out on the back roads every time i got the chance (man it reminded me of the mini). I used it to bag my first deer on an cold November night in '91. (I wonder what caliber a Suzuki is?). These days my job keeps me on the road a lot and I probability spend 50,000 miles a year behind the wheel. A while back when gas got pretty expensive i bought a 2001 suzuki swift on ebay to use as a beater (Wife trusted me with the computer one night!). I was inspired by some of the mods you have made to your cars and the MPG you're getting, now i find myself keeping track of every gallon of gas i put in the thing and how many miles I go. Thanks for all the great info

[GasSavers_Jack]

Welcome to the site. Yep tracking every gallon and mile is the first step if you ask me.

[diamondlarry]

Welcome to the site!

[cfg83]

Well, Hello Larry (Hello Larry..)
You talk to people all day for a living (Hello Larry..)
But all those easy answers you are giving..
Are you really living your life that way?
Portland is a long way from L.A. (A long way)

Hello Larry (Hello Larry..)
Two kids to raise alone just ain't that easy (Hello Larry..)
The questions they are asking aren't that breezy
The answers you are giving don't always pay
But that's the way it is with kids today

The calls are comin'in
You better start to grin
'Cos you never know just what they're gonna say
(Hello Larry..) Hello Larry
(Hello Larry..) Hello Larry
(Hello Larry..) Well..Hello Larry!



Please forgive me ... http://www.sitcomsonline.com/sounds/hellolarrytheme.wav


.... I was going to do this to diamondlarry, but he predated my presence on GasSavers

CarloSW2

[MetroMPG]

Hello Larry. (DOH! I listened to that theme song CFG - never heard of that show before.)

Welcome to GS. Nice collection of cars, by the way.

I've never driven a Mini (original or otherwise), but I'd love to try one. When I was but a wee lad, I had a babysitter who drove one.

I also remember my dad bringing home a Mini (original) brochure from the dealership, and this will give you an idea of how long I've been in to efficiency. The only reason I remember the brochure is because it said the cars were so good on gas, "they'll run off the smell of an oily rag". (Paraphrasing.)

If you're going to stick around, don't forget to put your car's info in the garage and the gas log. Everyone likes to see how well everyone else is doing. (And what they've done or plan to do to their cars to help.)

[Gary Palmer]

Welcome to Gas Savers.

[rh77]

Welcome to GS! Your enthusiasm for cars and efficiency have found you in the right place.

So for your job do you rent a lot of cars? I drive several miles as well -- closer to 35-40K/year but not in my own cars If you do rent, there's a thread to rate your experience and Fuel Economy, or help choose that efficient model.

By the way... don't forget to keep track of those tanks in the Garage's Gaslog and check out the "Busted and Confirmed" mods section if you like to tinker.

It sounds like our wives would get along really well -- I can see mine get that "look" every time we pass the Honda dealer. In the past, I've been known to show up with a new car after work

RH77

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Hello Larry. (DOH! I listened to that theme song CFG - never heard of that show before.)

That theme song has been torturing me since 1979. It's one of those "stuck in your head" songs.

larryg -

If you are in robotics and automation, I am eager to hear your angle on mods. Are you thinking of applying "motorized mods" to your car? You could probably come up with butterfly valve controls and open/close grill block systems.

CarloSW2