I have a 160 mile daily commute. Moving is not an option so I am going to buy a better mileage car. But I want to get some use out of it (hauling or fun factor). Any recommendations? Is anyone elese commuting this far?
I have a 160 mile daily commute. Moving is not an option so I am going to buy a better mileage car. But I want to get some use out of it (hauling or fun factor). Any recommendations? Is anyone else commuting this far?
06-05-2001 2000 KIA SEPHIA now with 27,000 miles recorded recent interstate highway trip of 3592mi. Paced the traffic for 50% of trip; other 50% my wife added reasonableness. averaged 38.2mpg; consistently 33mpg highway miles around home. 5speed, no air, no power steering. April 2000 investment of $8600 including tax & title.
I purchased a 2001 Toyota Echo four door with manual transmission back in late December. It had 55 miles on the odometer when I bought it and now it has around 7500.
My driving is varied between city and highway and short trips (under 7 miles) and longer. Lately, I have had to use the air conditioning almost constantly.
I wonder what my gas usage would be if I did not have to use the air conditioning. As it is, I consistently have been getting over 40 miles per gallon.
I am not trying to get into a discussion about the Echo versus the Sephia, but I am just curious how and where did you come up with a price of $12,701 for the Echo?
I thought maybe someone gave that as a price, but I do not see where anyone on this board who has an Echo gave the amount of what they paid. I know I didn't.
How was the Echo equipped besides the air conditioning? Was it a coupe or a sedan?
06-06-2001 Majorthomecho: Echo pricing obtained from Edmunds new cars utilizing the following input. 2001 4dr sedan zip code 54914; white; 5spd tranny; air conditioning. These are the features which include what Sephia has and in addition the air which reduced your mpg. Would one pay $4600 for air conditioning & +7mpg??
If I had a 160 mile commute, therefore needing both economy and comfort, I would consider something like a Jetta TDI. This depends, of course, on where you live (they're not available in California for instance) and whether you have a reliable supplier for diesel fuel. The car will give you mileage in the mid 40's. I haven't driven one (I live in California) but I have heard that they are quite lively and remarkably quiet. I have driven Jettas, and consider them great road cars. The other consideration, of course is that they cost about $18K.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
If your 160 mile commute is mainly highway, I would not get a Toyota Prius. It returns wonderful figures in city driving, but goes down in highway driving (if there are few starts and stops) which is the opposite of a conventional all gasoline vehicle.
I put in one of those K and N air fitlers. Didnt do crap for the acceleration but greatly improved the fuel economy.
City: 33 mpg Highway: 40mpg
However, I am one of the lucky ones. A lot of Elantras are bad on gas so choose wisely. I think a TDI Jetta or Golf would be up your alley. A guy I work with travels from (if you are in the New Jersey area) Jackson to Bernardsville, which is a good 60 miles each way. Has a TDI Golf. He likes it
The EPA has a site about fuel economy. The address is www.fueleconomy.gov. You can do fuel and greenhouse gas emission comparisons between any two vehicles they list. You can compare sedan to sedan or sedan to SUV if you wanted.
I will not make any editorial comments as to who is the better car, but I wanted you to know what the EPA says about the Sephia as compared to the Echo in terms of fuel efficiency and greenhouse gases.
The Sephia I used was a 2000 with a manual transmission and the Echo I used was a 2001 with a manual transmission. I customized the highway/city percentages to 75% highway and 25% city. I figured that would be a good split for anyone who has to commute 160 miles. Anyway.
The Sephia got 23 city/29 highway with 27 miles per gallon combined. The customizer changes the combined driving figure. The Sephia emits 7.1 metric tons per year.
The Echo got 34 city/41 highway with 39 miles per gallon combined. It emits 4.9 metric tons per year.
The Echo gets 12 miles per gallon more in combined driving and if gas costs $1.70 per gallon, it would cost you $290.00 less than the Sephia. This is based on driving 15,000 mile per year.
As a numbers geek, this is a pretty fun site to work with. The site is not as nice and smooth as some in bringing up the information though.
You have to choose compare side by side and then select the year for the first vehicle. You then have to scroll down to find the button to go to the next screen which is make. You then have to scroll down after each choice to click on the forward button. After you have brought up your first vehicle choice, you have to scroll to the side to hit a button so you can select your 2nd vehicle. Selecting the 2nd vehicle involves selecting the year and scrolling down to push the button, then selecting the make and scrolling down, and so on.
Like I said, a good site to use, but not easy to use immediately.
I was not doubting what you were getting. Just saying you were getting a lot better mileage than what the EPA says. I also get better mileage than what the EPA says also. But then again, some cars get worse than what the EPA says, too.
I get around 23 city and 29-30 on the highways[mostly on the hills of maine,new hamphire guess if i stop climbing hills and drive on a flat highway probabily i get more millage].i will try on this trip to new york.i have 80 miles commute on the busy boston traffic and get around 25 mpg.By the way i drive at around 70-75mph consistenly for couple of hrs to get this milages.i always have a/c on ? well i put a car started that guy messed up the wiring i guess it never switches off. My car miles now is 18000 miles
It just dawned on me that in Supreme's comparison between the Echo and the Sephia, he gave the MSRP for the Echo, but used his purchase price for the Sephia. That makes it an apples to oranges comparison and not fair. Who knows how much another person will have to pay for a vehicle? I know I did not pay MSRP for my Echo.
Stating the price I paid for my Echo would not do any good because my Echo came with a lot of stuff. Simply deducting the cost of the individual items that my Echo has, but your Sephia lacks would not be right. It might drop the cost of my Echo way down and that would not be fair to you. About the only things I did not get were ABS, side air bags, alarm system with remote control, and alloy wheels.
The best thing would be to compare MSRPs with them comparably equipped.
Also, the fairest thing would be to compare the EPA mileage numbers no matter how badly out of touch with reality we have shown them to be.
800 miles so far. 33 on first tank of mostly highway. 27 next tank of mixed highway and suburban. 36/37 on third tank of pure highway. All with A/C on virtually all of the time. 27 tank had 2 people in the car most of the time. Holding speed below 65 and varying rpms during break in period. Drive with a light foot. Suspect that when it is all said and done, the 01 EPA numbers for the automatic of 24/33 will be accurate. Anticipate getting lows around 20 and highs in the mid 30s. If this car got 40 mpg on the highway and did a little better in the city, it would blow everything off the road for the money. Then again, it weighs nearly 3,000 pounds and has a DOHC 4 banger. Given the ride and comfort level, really can't complain.
I had been getting over 40mpg, but this last time I dipped down to 39.27mpg. I think it is due to the constant use of the air conditioning and the higher percentage of street driving I did this tankful.
My car is a 2001 Toyota Echo with five speed manual transmission.
6-20-01 TO 7-18-01 REPORTING PERIOD 29,693-27,846 = 1847MILES TRAVELED 49.9 GALLONS 87 OCTANE 37.0 MPG now thats real world fuel mileage (reference #128)
My 2001 corolla s 5 speed with 7600 miles on it now has had a low of 34 mpg & a best tankful of 47 mpg with no tankful being strictly hwy driving. My usual weekly average is 38 mpg with it being 50% city/50% hwy driving. On the second tank of gas after purchasing car new & with only 600 miles on it, I got 46 mpg on a mostly thruway type drive. The 47 mpg tank was on a trip with 2 adults & traveling luggage for both. The car had approximately 6000 miles on it at this point. I can live with that!
All city driving and cruising, about 13 1/2 mpg. Maybe 2,000 miles a year.
390 V-8 (6.4 liter) with 2 bbl. carb., 3 speed auto, and 3,800 lbs of road hugging heavy duty steel and glass.
However, when a tune-up costs $20 for parts, a water pump $22, and fuel filter $3, and a snap to work on yourself, overall it is a cheap ride to own. I'll pay the gas to be able to fix it myself.
Supercharged V6 Overall for 4 years of driving (42000 miles) Average mpg = 21.25 Winter city driving under 20 Summer city driving over 20 Highway between 25 and 30 depending on speed
My driving is to and from work (6 miles one way) in city with a large part at 30+ mph.
98 Accord EX v-6 auto: 28-30 all highway driving 98 Duratec Taurus: 22-25 80% highway, 20% city 00 Nissan Altima: 24-27 80% highway, 20% city (bit of a disappoointment , frankly) Recently had a 2 week long rental of a 01 Chevy malibu v-6... got 32 mpg in all highway drive (a portland to spokane round trip run) was pretty impressed with the fuel econ portion, shame the car doesnt light me up
4 liter V8 engine Overall for 30000 miles: 21.5 mpg Trip mileage varies from 25 to 30 mpg To and from work (6 miles-city): over 20 in summer under 20 in winter
This car has a Driver Information Computer/Trip computer. The DIC will keep track of average MPG but this seems to be based on the last 30 gallons of gas used or so. Also keeps track of gas that goes through the fuel injection system. However, some fuel goes through the evaporative emissions system (charcoal canister) and this fuel is not measured. It amounts to about 1/2 to 1 gallon per tank. More in summer, less in winter.
It has 200,100 miles and is still getting 36 to 38 MPG (all highway @ 70 MPH). My commute is 59 miles one way and all New Jersey Turnpike. I have gotten 40 MPG several times by keeping my speed at about 60 MPH.
On a recent 1,100 mile round trip to West Virginia, averaging about 74 mph with the A/C off, the trip computer showed 35.2 mpg. Normal driving with a mix of city and highway, I average just over 25 mpg.
1.9L I4 67,500 miles Mixed driving Quoted EPA mileage was 23 city/31 highway
Early on I confirmed the accuracy of the trip computer recording each tank fill and mile driven, including odometer error.
Combined mileage rarely dips below 31, but always greater than 30, even in Ohio winters.
Long trips (700 to 3,000 miles round trip) vary between 33-36, depending on speed, AC, headwinds, etc. Most recently was 35.8 from Cincinnati, OH to Gettysburg, PA and return traveling 70 - 75 predominantly except on PA winding hills 2 lanes. Highway miles split evenly among strong head winds, strong tail winds, and calm to side winds.
Better than ever anticipated on our BMW 318ti (see earlier post.) But disappointed in our Sable
127,500 miles 3.8L V6 EPA 19/28.
Have rarely been able to reach the 28 highway when going real world speeds. Usually get something between 26 & 27 mpg highway. Average combined mileage is usually in the range of 20-23. Haven't noticed any change with age. Could be worse!
My Echo, now with 16,000 miles after ten months, consistently delivers close to 40mpg with the low having been slightly above 39mpg. The exact figure is mentioned in post #131.
On my most recent tankful, I got slightly over 41mpg. Predominately more highway than city driving this time, but still using the air conditioning a lot.
Comments
SF area commute (70% city or bumper-2-bumper FWY): 33 mpg
90mph FWY: 35mpg
80mph FWY: 37mpg
65mph FWY: 42mpg
Toyota Celica?
Acura Integra & RSX?
Honda Civic EX Coupe?
VW Jetta/Golf 4-cylinders?
Nissan Sentra SE-R?
Average about 21-22MPG in mixed stop-and-go driving.
On the open highway at a steady 65mph will get about 28MPG.
2000 KIA SEPHIA now with 27,000 miles recorded recent interstate highway trip of 3592mi. Paced the traffic for 50% of trip; other 50% my wife added reasonableness. averaged 38.2mpg; consistently 33mpg highway miles around home. 5speed, no air, no power steering. April 2000 investment of $8600 including tax & title.
My driving is varied between city and highway and short trips (under 7 miles) and longer. Lately, I have had to use the air conditioning almost constantly.
I wonder what my gas usage would be if I did not have to use the air conditioning. As it is, I consistently have been getting over 40 miles per gallon.
2001 echo @ $12701 + t&t w/air @ 40 mpg
2000 sephia @$8600 incl t&t wo/air @ 33mpg
ivanapee check em out!
I thought maybe someone gave that as a price, but I do not see where anyone on this board who has an Echo gave the amount of what they paid. I know I didn't.
How was the Echo equipped besides the air conditioning? Was it a coupe or a sedan?
Thanking you in advance for your reply.
Majorthomecho:
Echo pricing obtained from Edmunds new cars
utilizing the following input. 2001 4dr sedan
zip code 54914; white; 5spd tranny; air conditioning. These are the features which include what Sephia has and in addition the air which reduced your mpg. Would one pay $4600 for
air conditioning & +7mpg??
I guess I did and I am very happy. Glad to see you are evidently enjoying your vehicle too, Supreme.
By the way, many people with Echos are reporting much better gas mileage than what I got.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
If your 160 mile commute is mainly highway, I would not get a Toyota Prius. It returns wonderful figures in city driving, but goes down in highway driving (if there are few starts and stops) which is the opposite of a conventional all gasoline vehicle.
I put in one of those K and N air fitlers. Didnt do crap for the acceleration but greatly improved the fuel economy.
City: 33 mpg
Highway: 40mpg
However, I am one of the lucky ones. A lot of Elantras are bad on gas so choose wisely. I think a TDI Jetta or Golf would be up your alley. A guy I work with travels from (if you are in the New Jersey area) Jackson to Bernardsville, which is a good 60 miles each way. Has a TDI Golf. He likes it
I will not make any editorial comments as to who is the better car, but I wanted you to know what the EPA says about the Sephia as compared to the Echo in terms of fuel efficiency and greenhouse gases.
The Sephia I used was a 2000 with a manual transmission and the Echo I used was a 2001 with a manual transmission. I customized the highway/city percentages to 75% highway and 25% city. I figured that would be a good split for anyone who has to commute 160 miles. Anyway.
The Sephia got 23 city/29 highway with 27 miles per gallon combined. The customizer changes the combined driving figure. The Sephia emits 7.1 metric tons per year.
The Echo got 34 city/41 highway with 39 miles per gallon combined. It emits 4.9 metric tons per year.
The Echo gets 12 miles per gallon more in combined driving and if gas costs $1.70 per gallon, it would cost you $290.00 less than the Sephia. This is based on driving 15,000 mile per year.
As a numbers geek, this is a pretty fun site to work with. The site is not as nice and smooth as some in bringing up the information though.
You have to choose compare side by side and then select the year for the first vehicle. You then have to scroll down to find the button to go to the next screen which is make. You then have to scroll down after each choice to click on the forward button. After you have brought up your first vehicle choice, you have to scroll to the side to hit a button so you can select your 2nd vehicle. Selecting the 2nd vehicle involves selecting the year and scrolling down to push the button, then selecting the make and scrolling down, and so on.
Like I said, a good site to use, but not easy to use immediately.
FWIW, the EPA site says the 2000 Elantra with manual transmission will get 24 city and 33 highway while the automatic gets 22 city and 31 highway.
2000 Kia Sephia, 5spd, 5/4/01 to 5/12/01 documented 3592miles
94 gallons ; 38.2mpg. EPA take note.
Again, good job on the fuel mileage.
My car miles now is 18000 miles
M/T
Last tank with 800 mi on the odo, 19 mpg.
It seems that with every tank of gas, one being all city, the rest being mixed, mileage has been a consistent 19.
EPA rating is 17/22
majorthomecho:
$8600 incl t&t 2000 Kia Sephia new, white, 4 dr sedan, 5spd, rear defogger (purchased 4/28/2000)
??????? 2001 Toyota Echo new (discount your features above rear defogger & 5spd.)
The best thing would be to compare MSRPs with them comparably equipped.
Also, the fairest thing would be to compare the EPA mileage numbers no matter how badly out of touch with reality we have shown them to be.
Majorthomecho:
REAL WORLD FUEL MILEAGE. Maybe we're straying too far, but 38.2mpg & 33mpg av @ $8600 incl t&t takes the crown for me.
13,602 miles
24.8 MPG
mostly semi-highway driving
RWFM/REAL WORLD FUEL MILEAGE
2000 KIA SEPHIA
6-4-2001 TO 6-20-2001 REPORTING PERIOD
27,846MILES - 26,777 = 1069 MILES TRAVELLED
28.3 GALLONS 87 OCTANE
37.78 MPG now thats real world fuel mileage.
Highway - 30-34mpg at best with 90%+ highway on long trips in summer, averaging 65-80 mph. With AC on about half the time.
I normally drive with a somewhat heavy foot.
All with normal gas, 85/86 octane or thereabouts in the Mountain West.
My car is a 2001 Toyota Echo with five speed manual transmission.
RWFM/KIA SEPHIA
2000 KIA SEPHIA
6-20-01 TO 7-18-01 REPORTING PERIOD
29,693-27,846 = 1847MILES TRAVELED
49.9 GALLONS 87 OCTANE
37.0 MPG now thats real world fuel mileage
(reference #128)
RWFM/KIA SEPHIA
2000 KIA SEPHIA
7-18-01 TO 8-19-01 REPORTING PERIOD
31,767-29,693=2074 MILES TRAVELED
56.88 GAL/87 OCTANE
36.46 MPG REAL WORLD FUEL MILEAGE
Avg. 24.5 - 25.5 in 90% city driving.
Avg 31.0 mpg highway.
Figures are from trip computer but are supported by observation. A/C used 65% of the time.
Found a Gulf station selling 87 octane regular at $1.37 per gallon. Probably full of dirt and water but the Elantra likes it....
390 V-8 (6.4 liter) with 2 bbl. carb., 3 speed auto, and 3,800 lbs of road hugging heavy duty steel and glass.
However, when a tune-up costs $20 for parts, a water pump $22, and fuel filter $3, and a snap to work on yourself, overall it is a cheap ride to own. I'll pay the gas to be able to fix it myself.
Overall for 4 years of driving (42000 miles)
Average mpg = 21.25
Winter city driving under 20
Summer city driving over 20
Highway between 25 and 30 depending on speed
My driving is to and from work (6 miles one way) in city with a large part at 30+ mph.
It has a 1.9, 8 valve four banger with 100 hp) certainly not overpowered, but just enough for most situations with a stick.
98 Duratec Taurus: 22-25 80% highway, 20% city
00 Nissan Altima: 24-27 80% highway, 20% city (bit of a disappoointment , frankly)
Recently had a 2 week long rental of a 01 Chevy malibu v-6... got 32 mpg in all highway drive (a portland to spokane round trip run) was pretty impressed with the fuel econ portion, shame the car doesnt light me up
Overall for 30000 miles: 21.5 mpg
Trip mileage varies from 25 to 30 mpg
To and from work (6 miles-city):
over 20 in summer
under 20 in winter
This car has a Driver Information Computer/Trip computer. The DIC will keep track of average MPG but this seems to be based on the last 30 gallons of gas used or so. Also keeps track of gas that goes through the fuel injection system. However, some fuel goes through the evaporative emissions system (charcoal canister) and this fuel is not measured. It amounts to about 1/2 to 1 gallon per tank. More in summer, less in winter.
Best Regards
Shipo
67,500 miles
Mixed driving
Quoted EPA mileage was 23 city/31 highway
Early on I confirmed the accuracy of the trip computer recording each tank fill and mile driven, including odometer error.
Combined mileage rarely dips below 31, but always greater than 30, even in Ohio winters.
Long trips (700 to 3,000 miles round trip)
vary between 33-36, depending on speed, AC, headwinds, etc. Most recently was 35.8 from Cincinnati, OH to Gettysburg, PA and return traveling 70 - 75 predominantly except on PA winding hills 2 lanes. Highway miles split evenly among strong head winds, strong tail winds, and calm to side winds.
127,500 miles
3.8L V6
EPA 19/28.
Have rarely been able to reach the 28 highway when going real world speeds. Usually get something between 26 & 27 mpg highway. Average combined mileage is usually in the range of 20-23. Haven't noticed any change with age. Could be worse!
On my most recent tankful, I got slightly over 41mpg. Predominately more highway than city driving this time, but still using the air conditioning a lot.
21-24 city
24-28 highway
This is pretty consistent with other old Saabs I've had, except the automatic 900S (MUCH worse, as are most 3-speed automatics).
Averaging 35 MPG in lead-footed, mostly airconditioned commuting.
43 MPG on my most recent interstate jaunt from northern Virginia to Hilton Head.
Approx. 3700 lbs.
31k miles
23-24 MPG commuting 75% rural highway, a few stop signs & some heavy-footed passing. With or without AC on.
26-27 MPG interstate cruising at 80-85 mph, also w/ or w/o AC.
2000/Ford Contour SE Sport/V-6/mostly CITY/18.5/28.0/31.0
2001/Toyota Highlander/V-6/mixed/18.0/21.0/22.7
2002/Nissan Altima 2.5S/4-cyl/Highway/to new/32.8/33.8