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Midsize Sedans 2.0

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 910 of 1817

#9082 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [targettuning] by thegraduate

Mar 12, 2008 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: targettuning (Mar 12, 2008 4:54 am)
Why does everyone inflate their fuel economy number here, well not everyone because you didn't. Then if someone reports true numbers that don't meet some imagined fantasy number there must be something wrong with the car or they blame an aggressive driving style. Folks, the lower to middle 30's is Civic territory and in no way will a twice as powerful, much heavier car approach that unless one chooses to put their life at risk by driving 50 mph on an interstate.
 
Quite a double-standard you are bringing to the table, isn't it? You accuse people that are actually happy with mileage (getting old EPA claims, for example) of lying, saying we're inflating our numbers, when it could just as easily be you smearing Honda because of the problems you claim to have with your Civic.
 
My last beach trip (75 MPH through hilly Alabama) returned 37 MPG in my Accord with 166 horses and an automatic. I've had 2 trips on the same route (I-65 from Birmingham, AL to Bay Minette, AL then US Hwy 59 from Bay Minette to Gulf Shores) where I saw 40 MPG (39.96 and 40.92). I run with 35/33 PSI in my tires (F/R) and have no modifications on my Accord that just clicked to 30,000 miles. For the record, I meet (pretty much on the nose) the old EPA standards in my 1996 Accord LX (2.2L 130hp 4-sp Auto) that now has just under 180k miles. 30-31 MPG is normal in my 21mi hwy/5mi suburban commute. When doing more driving in the metro, I drop to 27 or so, since I still have a 12 mile drive into the city. My air filters stay clean (change them every 30k).
 
Just because you didn't achieve the numbers, or your car didn't deliver numbers at or above the old EPA standards, doesn't mean that others do not.
 
Calling other posters liars (which is exactly what you are doing in your post) is unwarranted and just plain childish, as far as I'm concerned.
 
TheGrad
 

#9083 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [thegraduate] by elroy5

Mar 12, 2008 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 12, 2008 2:32 pm)
Chill grad It's hard to believe, until you see the numbers for yourself. I can definitely relate.

#9084 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [elroy5] by thegraduate

Mar 12, 2008 (3:17 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Mar 12, 2008 2:54 pm)
Still, being called untruthful is something I don't care to tolerate, thankyaverymuch!
 
Until you have experience with the car being talked about, it's probably best to not say you don't believe another owner's experience, true?

#9085 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [targettuning] by busiris

Mar 12, 2008 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: targettuning (Mar 12, 2008 8:54 am)
Thought I would add my 2 cents....
 
I had a 2005 Chevy Aveo hatchback, and consistantly got 25 MPG town and 31 MPG highway... less than the EPA estimates. On the Edmunds Aveo forum, there were folks claiming to get 41+ hwy and in excess of 30 MPG city. Some on that site would accuse folks like me of driving like "Lead-Foot Larry", but in my case, I also had a 06 Toyota Carolla that did approach 40 MPG hwy and the upper 20's-low 30's in the city, very close to the estimated mileage.
 
I replaced the Aveo with a 08 Altima 2.5SL and consistantly get 27 mpg city and over 31 hwy...better that the EPA estimate, I believe. Since I didn't change my driving habits, its obvious to me that there is a certain variance within models as it relates to mpg, and I also suspect that there are a few people out there that simply don't know how to work a calculator, even though I think they are few and far between.
 
Frankly, if I was an automobile manufacturer, I would seek out folks that claim incredible gas mileage, certify that it was indeed correct in a controlled environment, and then use those examples in advertising. With gas at all-time highs, it seems that it would be a very effective method of selling cars...Since no one has done that, it tends to make me wonder about incredibly high mileage claims...

#9086 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [busiris] by backy

Mar 12, 2008 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Mar 12, 2008 4:26 pm)
I would not be surprised if there were some laws prohibiting carmakers from touting the FE of their cars using examples from the public. And consider all the grief Toyota (Prius) and some other manufacturers got from some people just for posting the (old) EPA numbers on their window stickers!
 
It is possible to get far above EPA estimates for FE, and there are the so-called "hypermilers" who know all sorts of tricks for achieving those kind of numbers. IMO many of those techniques are unsafe or at best discourteous of other drivers, so I won't use them. But I've found over the years that just by doing some easy, simple things like anticipating stops, using a light foot on the gas, obeying speed limits, reducing idling time, coasting as much as possible, keeping the car in tune and tires properly inflated, I can regularly achieve over EPA estimates--even the old ones. What I find more curious is when someone says, for example, "I only get 18 mpg in my Civic on the highway." Then I have to wonder about what speed they're going, and if they know how to calculate mpg.

#9087 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [backy] by thegraduate

Mar 12, 2008 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 12, 2008 4:54 pm)
It is possible to get far above EPA estimates for FE, and there are the so-called "hypermilers" who know all sorts of tricks for achieving those kind of numbers. IMO many of those techniques are unsafe or at best discourteous of other drivers, so I won't use them. But I've found over the years that just by doing some easy, simple things like anticipating stops, using a light foot on the gas, obeying speed limits, reducing idling time, coasting as much as possible, keeping the car in tune and tires properly inflated, I can regularly achieve over EPA estimates--even the old ones. What I find more curious is when someone says, for example, "I only get 18 mpg in my Civic on the highway." Then I have to wonder about what speed they're going, and if they know how to calculate mpg.
 
I know what you mean. As for me, my highway numbers are achieved with the cruise set at or above the speed limit (usually 75 mph in a 70 zone). If the numbers you get aren't keeping up with traffic, they should be considered anomolous (if they leave behind traffic or are the slowest car on the road, both apply as mileage numbers that should be given an asterisk).
 
Obviously there will be different production variances where one person would get different numbers even in the exact same conditions. If they are constantly seeing a pattern they should start looking at other reasons (commute length, tendency to let a car warm up, etc...). One example applies to my dad; on the same (same house to downtown Bham) commute in his practically identical-to-mine, yet averaged 6 MPG less. He had an obvious tendency of "pulsing" the gas pedal (accelerating to 70, coasting to 65, then accelerating back to 70). When asked about it though he denies doing it!!
 
Just something for all to think about!

#9088 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [thegraduate] by backy

Mar 12, 2008 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 12, 2008 5:13 pm)
If the numbers you get aren't keeping up with traffic, they should be considered anomolous...
 
So if the majority of drivers on a given freeway are going 75+ with a 70 limit, the guy doing 70 in the right lane is anomolous?? I'd say he/she is the only sensible one on that road.
 
Fortunately I drive in a state where a lot of people drive the speed limit. It's those who drive way under the limit, or way over the limit, that are the problem IMO.
 
When more people find out that high speed uses more gas, with gas up near $4.00 a gallon in some places, I think we'll see more people sticking close to speed limits.

#9089 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [thegraduate] by m6user

Mar 12, 2008 (5:31 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 12, 2008 5:13 pm)
He had an obvious tendency of "pulsing" the gas pedal (accelerating to 70, coasting to 65, then accelerating back to 70).
My stepmother used to drive like that. She did it unconciously and us kids used to laugh about it in the backseat sometimes. When my dad called her on it she would say he was crazy. I consistently get the old EPA mileage, both city/hwy, on my Mazda6. I drive aggresivedly once in awhile if I'm in a hurry but most of the time drive fairly conservative. Expressway driving is usually with cruise set about 5-7mph above speed limit and that puts me in about the 60th percentile I think. By that I mean that about 40% are passing me and I am staying with or slowly passing about 60%.

#9090 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [backy] by thegraduate

Mar 12, 2008 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 12, 2008 5:28 pm)
I didn't mean in an increment that small... the guy going 55 when traffic is going 75 is sort-of what I'm talking about.

#9091 of 18159 Re: Honda Accord [backy] by busiris

Mar 12, 2008 (7:56 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 12, 2008 5:28 pm)
I think I would define "sensible" as going the current speed of traffic, whatever that speed might be. Attempting to go 55 mph in a 55 mph zone while everyone else is going 65 mph is nothing but dangerous. You might not agree with what others are doing, and you might be legally correct, but the 55 mph guy is still the road hazard, and unless he is willing to go with the flow, he should find an alternate road to travel..
 
Compare our driving to Europe. Most Americans could not survive driving on the German Autobahn. I can tell you from personal experience that left lane riding is not tolerated there (while it is practically considered a "right" here), and regardless how fast you are going, there is always someone else going faster. There is a phenomenal amount of traffic on the Autobahn, but accidents are significantly less there, probably due to the much more stringent licensing standards....unlike here in the USA, where all you have to do is show up at the DMV to get a license...
 
As for high gas prices slowing folks up, don't count on it. Gas is considerably more in Europe, but they are the ones with high speed corridors. What IS different there is that they demand fuel efficient vehicles, including diesels that perform very well, with lots of HP and torque. Overall, the USA does not have the selection of vehicles that other areas of the world have access to, and that's nothing less than a shame...

Messages Page 910 of 1817

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