Mini Cooper

[0gravity]

Originally Posted by freekengo

...Now on the other hand, if your engine only requires 87 octane fuel, you would gain absolutely nothing by putting in higher octane fuel.

Maybe that's what the NPR car guys were talking about.

[AKmoney]

Originally Posted by Shu

The diesel version in Europe get 65+mpg....if they can do it there why not here?????

You gotta drive a ton of miles for diesel to make economic sense. Diesel fuel costs 20% more than regular gas. Sure, the cars themselves are 30% more efficient so that's a 10% net gain, but they also cost more to buy. The exhaust catalysts that go on diesels in order to meet US standards cost big bux.

Yeah, I'm a nerd, I'm studying all this... trying to figure out what to get next myself

[.8down]

Originally Posted by AKmoney

It's definitely not opinions. Some cars are tuned to run on higher octane. This includes almost anything with a turbo. The last car I had required premium gas. One time I took it in for service on an empty tank and they filled the tank up. I could tell right away they put regular gas in it. It pinged like a mofo and it was WAY down on power. The ECU will adjust after it hears the pinging via the knock sensor, but it will always attempt to add ignition timing back in. The result is constant pinging and lower power.

When regular gas is $4.60 and premium is $4.80, that's less than a 5% cost increase. Put in the good juice and sleep soundly knowing that when you need to flog it, you will get maximum go!! But only do this if the car's owner's manual and/or gas cap says so. Otherwise yes, anything higher than 87 octane is a waste.

I had not facts to back one claim or the other, hence they were opinions. its the internet what can you do...for the record I do put 91 in my Turbo'd car.

Originally Posted by AKmoney

You gotta drive a ton of miles for diesel to make economic sense. Diesel fuel costs 20% more than regular gas. Sure, the cars themselves are 30% more efficient so that's a 10% net gain, but they also cost more to buy. The exhaust catalysts that go on diesels in order to meet US standards cost big bux.

Yeah, I'm a nerd, I'm studying all this... trying to figure out what to get next myself

how do you feel about the Hybrids? Ive been trying to figure it out as well. I was going to wait fro the VW diesels, but the MPG numbers are back and forth from 60+ to 30, and as you said its 20% more per gallon....at this rate I may end up just getting a Honda Civic, which is 6K less then the hybrid, and still gets 36(claimed)MPG.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

with the price of gas, I've been running regular gas in my WRX with little/no issues for several months.

I've only had a few tiny amounts of "pinging" at high RPMs.

then again, the car does run much smoother with 91, for what it's worth.

remind me not to buy a car for slowSSer!

BTW, I run 91 in my Matrix XRS. It sucks, but that's baby's drink of choice.

[AKmoney]

Originally Posted by .8down

how do you feel about the Hybrids? Ive been trying to figure it out as well. I was going to wait fro the VW diesels, but the MPG numbers are back and forth from 60+ to 30, and as you said its 20% more per gallon....at this rate I may end up just getting a Honda Civic, which is 6K less then the hybrid, and still gets 36(claimed)MPG.

Dude I work with has a Prius. It gets 40+ mpg under all circumstances. It's roomy inside and has tons of cargo area to haul our bikes. Downsides are a huge wait at the dealer, MSRP+, and appliance-like driving dynamics. Think SLOW.

Also, I just got a warning from my IBM T60 laptop today that says "Irreparable damage to the battery has been detected. Replace the battery with a new one." I looked under battery properties and it said it was down to 50% original full charge capacity. This thing is only a couple years old. Now imagine a whole car full of batteries. I dunno...

I don't think you can ever go wrong with a standard issue 4-banger Civic!

[.8down]

Originally Posted by AKmoney

Dude I work with has a Prius. It gets 40+ mpg under all circumstances. It's roomy inside and has tons of cargo area to haul our bikes. Downsides are a huge wait at the dealer, MSRP+, and appliance-like driving dynamics. Think SLOW.

Also, I just got a warning from my IBM T60 laptop today that says "Irreparable damage to the battery has been detected. Replace the battery with a new one." I looked under battery properties and it said it was down to 50% original full charge capacity. This thing is only a couple years old. Now imagine a whole car full of batteries. I dunno...

I don't think you can ever go wrong with a standard issue 4-banger Civic!

those were the issues I faced.

Battery life, reported in Canada(were they use em as taxi's) to have gotten 240K miles on one battery, good news, but if you get a lemon, its like 4-5 K for a new Batt, all though I hear in CA we get a 100K miles/8 year Warranty on all hybrid parts.(the Toyota no clue about the Civic). Slowness is no big thing, I want to drive slow, Ive changed my driving habits so much since gas went up and it makes a difference.(I still have a turbo for the speedy stuff)

second issue:

the cost difference, a base Civic still is around 15, base Prius is 21 plus...if you make caluclations, I think it will take you 6 years to get the difference back, in gas money, BUT if gas goes up that gap shrinks....tough call...

[BrewMaster]

depends how much you drive. with gas going up this fast, ROI will be less than 3 years.

[sailcalifornia]

I do love all the car talk, but back to the topic, any specific experience with problems with car?

[BrewMaster]

PM bighit8. He inspects cars for a living and can give you honest feedback.

[duke777]

I also would vote for civic. Simple, roomy, comfy, stylish and great on gas. What more do you want. Even a base Civic comes with sooo much, side air bags, traction control...........

[Keith B]

Problem with Civics and the Mini for that matter is that you cant really put a bike inside them unless you want to put on a roof mounted rack or rear rack - in which case you may as well drill a small hole in your fuel tank such is the drag.

[Fired Yo Momma]

Listen to AKmoney he is smart as hell. Thats why I like riding with him because his logic rubs off on me.

[pinoiryder]

have you seen the new VW GTI.. 200hp.. with turbo, six speed tiptronic.. 25/36 on gas mileage.. standard 18 inch rims.. fast small car.. plenty of space..

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by Fired Yo Momma

Listen to AKmoney he is smart as hell. Thats why I like riding with him because his logic rubs off on me.

He's going to have to dry hump you daily to rub off enough logic to make any difference.

[.8down]

Originally Posted by pinoiryder

have you seen the new VW GTI.. 200hp.. with turbo, six speed tiptronic.. 25/36 on gas mileage.. standard 18 inch rims.. fast small car.. plenty of space..

I do not see this GTi u speak of on VW.com, the onlyone is rated at 29 highway, would you happen to have a link?

[Keith B]

Originally Posted by pinoiryder

have you seen the new VW GTI.. 200hp.. with turbo, six speed tiptronic.. 25/36 on gas mileage.. standard 18 inch rims.. fast small car.. plenty of space..

And it'll take a bike in the back too. 2 bikesif you take both wheels off.

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by pinoiryder

have you seen the new VW GTI.. 200hp.. with turbo, six speed tiptronic.. 25/36 on gas mileage.. standard 18 inch rims.. fast small car.. plenty of space..

i want a 5dr one... they're pimpin

[L8 APEKS]

They drive pretty well. Interiors are WAY to cheap and plasticy to warrant the prices though, especially on the S-trims.

I consider them the "Neon" of the 21st century.

[katonk]

Originally Posted by Keith B

Problem with Civics and the Mini for that matter is that you cant really put a bike inside them unless you want to put on a roof mounted rack or rear rack - in which case you may as well drill a small hole in your fuel tank such is the drag.

I put my bike in my Civic. I just have to fold down the back seats and take the front wheel off and put the bike in on it's side. I wonder if you could do the same with a Mini?

[.8down]

Just got an email from my Contact at Toyota Irvine,

Thai,

All dealerships are selling the Prius for a $4,000.00 - $6,000.00 premium. We are impossing a $4,000.00 dollar mark up at this time and will most likely be doing this for the next 6 months to a year.


Nice!!!!