Comments on: Super Cheap High MPG Cars: 1978-1981 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/ where gas mileage matters Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:49:26 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Alan http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-3466 Alan Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:09:56 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-3466 Agreed. The 70s and 80s economy cars could get away with high MPG because they were not saddled with emissions and safety gear. Legislated by our wonderful US government, mind you. If a new Corvette can get 30mpg highway, why does an Aveo get only 34? It is ridiculous. Agreed. The 70s and 80s economy cars could get away with high MPG because they were not saddled with emissions and safety gear. Legislated by our wonderful US government, mind you. If a new Corvette can get 30mpg highway, why does an Aveo get only 34? It is ridiculous.

]]> By: Rick http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-3445 Rick Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:36:33 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-3445 I have owned a 1983 Honda accord 5spd since May 08 and routinely get 36+ MPG in mixed driving. I am not a real conservative driver, so I could probably even get a bit better if I really tried. Compared to my 1990 Chevy 2500 work truck's 13mpg, I have saved $$$$ over the last 1.5 years. Some of these numbers may be a bit inflated, but driving habits play a huge role in actual mileage. Just read some of the comments from peoples actual #s. Recently we bought a 76 Datsun 620 pickup for my son. It is a 2.0L automatic and still needs some work before it is road worthy. Do you have any idea what kind of mileage #s we could expect once its tuned up and ready to go? I have owned a 1983 Honda accord 5spd since May 08 and routinely get 36+ MPG in mixed driving. I am not a real conservative driver, so I could probably even get a bit better if I really tried. Compared to my 1990 Chevy 2500 work truck’s 13mpg, I have saved $$$$ over the last 1.5 years. Some of these numbers may be a bit inflated, but driving habits play a huge role in actual mileage. Just read some of the comments from peoples actual #s.
Recently we bought a 76 Datsun 620 pickup for my son. It is a 2.0L automatic and still needs some work before it is road worthy. Do you have any idea what kind of mileage #s we could expect once its tuned up and ready to go?

]]> By: mpg-o-editor http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-3422 mpg-o-editor Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:09:41 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-3422 @Lance - Were you driving VW diesels or conventional gassers? The diesel-powered cars delivered much higher numbers than the conventional gas-powered versions. @Lance – Were you driving VW diesels or conventional gassers? The diesel-powered cars delivered much higher numbers than the conventional gas-powered versions.

]]> By: Steve http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-3416 Steve Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:09:06 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-3416 The mileage is way too optimistic for the Dodge DeTomaso. I bought a 1980 new and drove it over 150,000 miles for over 21 years. 35 mpg was the absolute highest it was capable on the highway and it could not do that consistently. The mileage is way too optimistic for the Dodge DeTomaso. I bought a 1980 new and drove it over 150,000 miles for over 21 years. 35 mpg was the absolute highest it was capable on the highway and it could not do that consistently.

]]> By: Lance Jones http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-3413 Lance Jones Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:38:50 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-3413 I don’t know what the folks who put together the MPG table have been smoking, but the mpg claims are fantastically silly. I have had considerable experience with VWs of that era, having owned a 1978 Rabbit four-door, a 1980 Scirocco, a 1981 Rabbit two-door, and a 1982 Rabbit convertible. My day-in, day-out driving, when I was commuting 250 miles a week to and from work, was about 50-50 highway and suburban. I consistently got 27 mpg. In straight highway driving my mpg was in the low 30s. Both of those figures are consistent with the EPA ratings. I had several friends who also owned Rabbits. None of them ever claimed to get anywhere near 40 mpg. I also had friends who owned Omnis and Horizons. The claims that those cars got 50 mpg on the highway are just as silly (unless you’re talking about driving a steady 40 mph) – their mpg was comparable to what I got with my VWs. I don’t know what the folks who put together the MPG table have been smoking, but the mpg claims are fantastically silly.

I have had considerable experience with VWs of that era, having owned a 1978 Rabbit four-door, a 1980 Scirocco, a 1981 Rabbit two-door, and a 1982 Rabbit convertible. My day-in, day-out driving, when I was commuting 250 miles a week to and from work, was about 50-50 highway and suburban. I consistently got 27 mpg. In straight highway driving my mpg was in the low 30s. Both of those figures are consistent with the EPA ratings. I had several friends who also owned Rabbits. None of them ever claimed to get anywhere near 40 mpg. I also had friends who owned Omnis and Horizons. The claims that those cars got 50 mpg on the highway are just as silly (unless you’re talking about driving a steady 40 mph) – their mpg was comparable to what I got with my VWs.

]]> By: SandMan0069 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-3325 SandMan0069 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:21:48 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-3325 The guy in Huntsville AL did make a Caddy get way high gas mileage by putting a stainless steel screen on the fuel line going into the carb and I know of ppl who have done this and got about 20+ more MPG. But you have to adjust a lot of things perfectly like airflow and other stuff and lose a little HP but not really noticed unless your a speed demon. And for what I was told Ford bought his patent and locked it up for future use 30 years ago. I lived in Huntsville at the time. Others have done other carb mods and got some big bucks from oil and car companies since. But I don't think there's anything left you can do without patent infringement. The guy in Huntsville AL did make a Caddy get way high gas mileage by putting a stainless steel screen on the fuel line going into the carb and I know of ppl who have done this and got about 20+ more MPG. But you have to adjust a lot of things perfectly like airflow and other stuff and lose a little HP but not really noticed unless your a speed demon. And for what I was told Ford bought his patent and locked it up for future use 30 years ago. I lived in Huntsville at the time. Others have done other carb mods and got some big bucks from oil and car companies since. But I don’t think there’s anything left you can do without patent infringement.

]]> By: joe blow http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-2567 joe blow Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:07:04 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-2567 these numbers are WRONG. i recently watched an old GM dealer's video from the 80's showing their gas mileage ratings. the estimates were WAYYYYY off-target. we've all driven these cars and NONE have gotten as high as stated. i literally laughed when i saw the mpg's listed on that video. how'd they get away with that B.S. ?! these numbers are WRONG. i recently watched an old GM dealer’s video from the 80’s showing their gas mileage ratings. the estimates were WAYYYYY off-target. we’ve all driven these cars and NONE have gotten as high as stated. i literally laughed when i saw the mpg’s listed on that video. how’d they get away with that B.S. ?!

]]> By: James http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-2564 James Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:19:37 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-2564 My 79 Datsun 620 gets about 40-45 MPG on average. It needs to be restored because of the rust (been sitting out in the weather) but the engine is still running strong. It has 120,000 miles on it, and will probably go another 200,000 before the engine needs to be rebuilt. The engine is an L20B, 1952 cc (2 liter) 95 horsepower engine. =D My 79 Datsun 620 gets about 40-45 MPG on average.
It needs to be restored because of the rust (been sitting out in the weather) but the engine is still running strong.
It has 120,000 miles on it, and will probably go another 200,000 before the engine needs to be rebuilt. The engine is an L20B, 1952 cc (2 liter) 95 horsepower engine. =D

]]> By: Charlevoixboy http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-2410 Charlevoixboy Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:34:23 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-2410 I owned a 1981 Datsun 210 (my first car - I bought from my father) and remember my road trip to Florida AVERAGING 45mpg (speed limit was 55 back then). I sold it with 178K miles - still running great - and now twenty some years later wish I had it back. I owned a 1981 Datsun 210 (my first car – I bought from my father) and remember my road trip to Florida AVERAGING 45mpg (speed limit was 55 back then). I sold it with 178K miles – still running great – and now twenty some years later wish I had it back.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/comment-page-2/#comment-2070 Kevin Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:04:08 +0000 http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/10/08/super-cheap-high-mpg-cars-1978-1981/#comment-2070 I just bought a 1979 Subaru FE which I had owned years ago. I got and get 54mpg! Interesting that all of these cars are 30 year old technology! What is wrong with this picture? If you want good gas mileage - junk the new one and restore an old one! I just bought a 1979 Subaru FE which I had owned years ago. I got and get 54mpg! Interesting that all of these cars are 30 year old technology! What is wrong with this picture? If you want good gas mileage – junk the new one and restore an old one!

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