What is your fuel efficient DD?

SmokeShow

Well-known member
Nov 30, 2006
6,818
34
48
43
Lawrenceburg, KY
E350 is gas, correct?

I love my VW Passat TDI, but can't pass up the VW 'Buyback Program' as I will be walking away with $15k in profit that can be used as a down-payment on another vehicle. 45 mpg has been great.

I've been looking at used Benz E250 Bluetec, BMW 335D, Audi A3 TDI or A6 TDI. Not too many diesel options out there unfortunately.

What is VW doing with the cars they're buying back? Surely they aren't crushing all those cars are they?!?! :(
 

ALLY Fox

Old Man Truck
Dec 14, 2010
434
0
0
Oregon 7S5
'63 supercharged Gran Turismo Hawk, gets 16 mpg on 100LL avgas...if I'm not mashin' the skinny pedal. If I just need to get someplace in the rain, I drive my wife's 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid that gets about 44 mpg on reg gas......
 

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Mike L.

Got Sheep?
Staff member
Vendor/Sponsor
Aug 12, 2006
15,681
232
63
Fullerton CA
'63 supercharged Gran Turismo Hawk, gets 16 mpg on 100LL avgas...if I'm not mashin' the skinny pedal. If I just need to get someplace in the rain, I drive my wife's 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid that gets about 44 mpg on reg gas......

I love those Hawks. Used to build transmissions on them back in the '60s.:D
 

DAVe3283

Heavy & Slow
Sep 3, 2009
3,727
296
83
Boise, ID, USA
I roll in a 2013 Chevy Cruze ECO, stock save for a tune (can't leave anything alone :baby:). Has 60k miles on it now, can't say the nicest things about the build quality of the interior, but the powertrain is decent. Wouldn't buy the new one, they are butt ugly.
Don't forget to turn off the air conditioning, that's good for about 10 HP at the light...:rofl:
That's why I stick a tune on my car. Makes up the HP and then some, and now I don't have to turn off the A/C!

If you really want to save money on your daily commute, buy something super cheap and junk, and spend the $20k you just saved on fuel. At 15 MPG vs. say 40 for a new car, and $5/gallon, the break even point is 96,000 miles. If gas stays at or below $3/gallon, the break even point moves out to 160,000 miles.

Edit: to run these calcs for arbitrary values, use this formula:

Miles to break even = {cost savings over new car} * {new car MPG} * {junk car MPG} / {cost of gas} / ({new car MPG} - {junk car MPG})
example:
Miles to break even = $20000 * 40 * 15 / $5 / (40 - 15) = 96,000 miles
 
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NC-smokinlmm

<<<Future tuna killer
May 29, 2011
5,203
363
83
At Da Beach
E350 is gas, correct?

I love my VW Passat TDI, but can't pass up the VW 'Buyback Program' as I will be walking away with $15k in profit that can be used as a down-payment on another vehicle. 45 mpg has been great.

I've been looking at used Benz E250 Bluetec, BMW 335D, Audi A3 TDI or A6 TDI. Not too many diesel options out there unfortunately.

Yes, its gas. Diesel isnt worth it in a MB unless you drive Alot. The gassers have lots of power so thats not a problem.
 

clrussell

pro-procrastinator
Sep 23, 2013
5,928
399
83
I daily what ever I can barrow that'll make it to work.. Until I get my truck done


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lts1ow

Needs moar PAH!
May 14, 2012
1,598
0
36
NJ
Truck is my DD, and car is one of those put gas in and never look at mileage it gets.
 

clrussell

pro-procrastinator
Sep 23, 2013
5,928
399
83
Truck is my DD, and car is one of those put gas in and never look at mileage it gets.



I've had those.. Checked it one time for giggles.. More smiles per gallon than miles


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lts1ow

Needs moar PAH!
May 14, 2012
1,598
0
36
NJ
I've had those.. Checked it one time for giggles.. More smiles per gallon than miles


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I think if I stay out of boost and just be gentle leaving lights etc, it will crack 13-14 mpg, maybe more if its all highway.

For the most part though, its hitting wastegate more than not :rofl:
 

Burn Down

Hotrodder
Sep 14, 2008
7,092
28
48
Boise Idaho
01" ford focus that I paid 1200 bucks for. 27-30 mpg depending on how much it idles in the winter. Heater and stereo works:thumb: Blue truck sits most of the time, 11 years old with 95K on her:rolleyes::D
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,611
1,868
113
Mid Michigan
Fuel efficient?!? Whats that? :roflmao: My truck a-l-m-o-s-t gets the same mileage as my Aurora.
But the Olds is a smoother, quieter, more comfortable ride back and forth to work. ;)
 

02greysixer

Active member
Jun 4, 2011
1,829
7
38
North Central FL
My worn out lly averages like 14mpg on my 10 mile commute. Best tank ever was a whopping 17.2mpg. All flat highway @ 65-70mph. She has issues

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