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Any RWD economy cars?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1slow95
  • Start date Start date Sep 13, 2005
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1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Sep 13, 2005
#1
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #1
I've been thinking about trading my truck for something that gets 30+mpg, but Im not too fond of wrong-wheel-drive cars. Anybody know if there's any NEW cars that are RWD and get around 30mpg? I can't get a Miata or MR2 because they wouldn't be practical for work.

Right now Im considering a Mazda3. Anybody know anything about these cars?
 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,849
0
46
Tampa Florida....USF!!!
Sep 13, 2005
#2
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #2
Mazda 3's are rear wheel drive? How much mpg does your truck get?
 

CManT1914

New Member
Feb 5, 2004
3,172
2
0
Killeen, Texas
Sep 13, 2005
#3
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #3
You could always do a Red/Green conversion setup.
 

xr8d302

I bought a 27" monitor to compensate for my lack o
Apr 29, 2004
1,113
0
36
Medicine Hat, AB
Sep 13, 2005
#4
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #4
I was driving one for a while, incredible gas mileage on them. The center console is too busy. On the automatic, the sport shift option is nice, but completely uneffective if you think it'll help you get anywhere quicker. It's very quiet inside, no outside roadnoise. The factory stereo is nice, but I think they can be blown fairly easily. That's what I know about them. I would say do it.
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Sep 13, 2005
#5
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #5
BlueOvalStangGT said:
Mazda 3's are rear wheel drive? How much mpg does your truck get?
Click to expand...

No, but that's about the best I can find out of the FWD cars. Im getting 22mpg on average from my truck, 23-24 on the interstate.

Chris, what's the Red/Green conversion? Is it from the Red Green show? I havn't seen that for a long time, I'll have it try to catch it sometime now.

Aaron, it sounds like a good little car! I'll definitely be going with a 5-speed, and if the factory radio can be swapped out I have a nice system I can put in it.
 

CManT1914

New Member
Feb 5, 2004
3,172
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0
Killeen, Texas
Sep 13, 2005
#6
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #6
Low-5.0 said:
Chris, what's the Red/Green conversion? Is it from the Red Green show? I havn't seen that for a long time, I'll have it try to catch it sometime now.
Click to expand...

yep, they took a FWD van, and basically just moved the steering and gas pedal and all that to the other end of it, lol. I haven't seen that show in so long.
 
B

bimmertech

New Member
May 3, 2005
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merriam, ks
Sep 13, 2005
#7
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #7
Low-5.0 said:
I've been thinking about trading my truck for something that gets 30+mpg, but Im not too fond of wrong-wheel-drive cars. Anybody know if there's any NEW cars that are RWD and get around 30mpg? I can't get a Miata or MR2 because they wouldn't be practical for work.

Right now Im considering a Mazda3. Anybody know anything about these cars?
Click to expand...
you could get a stripped down 02-05 BMW 3 series for around 20-30k.
 

Scott_95GT

New Member
Oct 8, 2004
387
0
0
Sacramento
Sep 13, 2005
#8
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #8
I was thinking about the idea of a beater 4-banger with the prices of gas being what they are. It would keep the miles on the stang down also.

Don't 2wd, 4-cyl 5-spd rangers get decent mpg? The utility factor of a truck would also be nice.
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Sep 13, 2005
#9
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #9
Scott_95GT said:
I was thinking about the idea of a beater 4-banger with the prices of gas being what they are. It would keep the miles on the stang down also.

Don't 2wd, 4-cyl 5-spd rangers get decent mpg? The utility factor of a truck would also be nice.
Click to expand...

My cousin gets about 25-28mpg from his, but he's always complaining about how slow it is.
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Sep 13, 2005
#10
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #10
bimmertech said:
you could get a stripped down 02-05 BMW 3 series for around 20-30k.
Click to expand...

Just checked those out online, and it's waaaayyy out of my price range. Im looking for a NEW car for under 20K, preferably in the 17K-18K range.

They are sweet cars tho.

Edit: Looked up some used one's on autotrader and they're much more affordable. Couldn't find any good one's tho.
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Sep 13, 2005
#11
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #11
Should I look at the hatchback or sedan Mazda3's?


 

Swarzkopf

Member
Sep 23, 2004
973
0
16
Pittsburgh
Sep 13, 2005
#12
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #12
Uh....4-cylinder Mustang!
 

CManT1914

New Member
Feb 5, 2004
3,172
2
0
Killeen, Texas
Sep 13, 2005
#13
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #13
Get a civic and drive in reverse all the time.










Sorry, I'm just being and not actually contributing anything am I?
 

ROLLIN5.0

New Member
Nov 19, 2004
135
0
0
Tulsa, OK
Sep 13, 2005
#14
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #14
Definately the hatch. You do know that it is basically the same car as the Focus, right? I'm not sure about the stereo, but it is really clustered in there. I think the stereo may be tied into the climate control much like the RX8. I'm not sure though.
Branbon
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Sep 13, 2005
#15
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #15
Or I could buy a focus and swap in my old 5.0.

I just don't think I would trust that as a daily driver tho.
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Sep 13, 2005
#16
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #16
ROLLIN5.0 said:
Definately the hatch. You do know that it is basically the same car as the Focus, right? I'm not sure about the stereo, but it is really clustered in there. I think the stereo may be tied into the climate control much like the RX8. I'm not sure though.
Branbon
Click to expand...

Im not a big fan of the focus, I think the 3 looks muuuch better. Plus it comes with a 50K mile warranty standard(100K mile warranty if I buy it from Ricart's in Columbus )

I saw one on cardomain with an aftermarket stereo so I know it can be done. I just don't know how much work it would be to do it.
 

S/CBlack95GT

New Member
Apr 6, 2003
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0
Tampa Palms, FL
Sep 13, 2005
#17
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #17
The V6 Lincoln LS gets 26+. You could get one on the Family Plan.
 

xr8d302

I bought a 27" monitor to compensate for my lack o
Apr 29, 2004
1,113
0
36
Medicine Hat, AB
Sep 13, 2005
#18
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #18
Mike, I would go with the sedan if anything. The hatch doesn't seem as appealing to me, but that's just my humble opinion
 

1slow95

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
1,797
3
48
ohio
Sep 13, 2005
#19
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #19
S/CBlack95GT said:
The V6 Lincoln LS gets 26+. You could get one on the Family Plan.
Click to expand...

I'll check into it, but Im looking for a 5-speed and I doubt those are offered with a manual.

Edit: Starting at $32K! I could get a BMW 3 series for that!
 

94-302-vert

Active Member
Aug 16, 2004
1,947
2
36
NE CT
Sep 13, 2005
#20
  • Sep 13, 2005
  • #20
I know I drove a mazda 6 wagon and a mazda 6 coupe last monght... it handled horribls so I doubt the mazda 3 is much better... before you buy get on the highway and sway the wheel man... dealers loved when i did that.. especially at 75mph... but you gotta know what you are getting into before you start right?
 
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