I'm liking the 318ti option. It's one I had not considered.
However, a quick scan of craigslisteses show exactly one of them for sale within 200 miles of me. On the other hand...it would probably be worth a flyanddrive if I had my heart set on one some day.
ClemSparks wrote:fast_eddie_72 wrote: RA64It's possible I'll get to test your theory out on this one. I have a chance at a sub$1K ~84 Celica (nonGTS) with 22re. I just assumed that a 22r/e would not get much over 20-25 mpg range. I still think that...but hope I can be proven wrong. ClemWow, somehow that looks familiar.
I averaged 25mpg highway in my '84 liftback GT
ClemSparks wrote: I'm liking the 318ti option. It's one I had not considered. However, a quick scan of craigslisteses show exactly one of them for sale within 200 miles of me. On the other hand...it would probably be worth a flyanddrive if I had my heart set on one some day.
In my experience, the 318ti hatch will be hard to find cheap because they have a following being a rare bmw hatch and when you do find one it will be overpriced and automatic.
Not a lot of 318ti's were made either.
Less of a following will be the lowly 318i sedans. Many more were made and they do not seem to have the high desirability of the 2 door BMW's or the 6 cyls.
If I were you, I might look into this one:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/2894909176.html
There's a starlet on KC CL right now...needs a clutch, but it looks pretty clean otherwise. No asking price, just "make offer"...but it looks like a Clem kinda car.
m4ff3w wrote:ClemSparks wrote:I averaged 25mpg highway in my '84 liftback GTfast_eddie_72 wrote: RA64It's possible I'll get to test your theory out on this one. I have a chance at a sub$1K ~84 Celica (nonGTS) with 22re. I just assumed that a 22r/e would not get much over 20-25 mpg range. I still think that...but hope I can be proven wrong. Clem
That's much closer to what I would expect. Not bad, but not good enough, unfortunately. with a 50 mile round trip commute...30+ becomes all but necessary (for me).
Clem
psteav wrote: There's a starlet on KC CL right now...needs a clutch, but it looks pretty clean otherwise. No asking price, just "make offer"...but it looks like a Clem kinda car.
Email sent. Thanks!
Sammy, turbo sprint, or Tracker engine + Sammy trans + Opel Kadett = <1800lbs (150-200 less than stock) and should be good for 30+ all day. Go Chevette if you can't find an Opel locally. Go with the Acme adapter and a VW TDI if you want real mpgs.
Or, go for a diesel Chevette. Or LS1 Chevette.
LS1 Gremlin?
AWD ok? Subaru Justy?
I always got high 20's low 30's with my '78 Corolla sedan, and it was an auto. My Mom got better in her 3TC '81 wagon. I would think ith very little effort one of those could do the job easily.
ClemSparks wrote: That's much closer to what I would expect. Not bad, but not good enough, unfortunately. with a 50 mile round trip commute...30+ becomes all but necessary (for me). Clem
Quit yer bellyachin. That's not a commute.
ClemSparks wrote:psteav wrote: There's a starlet on KC CL right now...needs a clutch, but it looks pretty clean otherwise. No asking price, just "make offer"...but it looks like a Clem kinda car.Email sent. Thanks!
Oh crap. What are you gonna trade for it?
psteav wrote:ClemSparks wrote: That's much closer to what I would expect. Not bad, but not good enough, unfortunately. with a 50 mile round trip commute...30+ becomes all but necessary (for me). ClemQuit yer bellyachin. That's not a commute.
Mine is 60. I'm hoping that the Bitrouble can get 20mpg with megasquirt.
The X1/9 is getting 27
I have wished for years that there was a taller 5th gear swappable into the Miata. I think that would be perfect if I could get my '90 Miata's 1.6L to rev at 2,100 rpm at 65 mph. This would take some of the spirit out of the top end but for me, much of the driving was in 2nd gear in parking lots for 50 second intervals.
jrw1621 wrote: I have wished for years that there was a taller 5th gear swappable into the Miata. I think that would be perfect if I could get my '90 Miata's 1.6L to rev at 2,100 rpm at 65 mph. This would take some of the spirit out of the top end but for me, much of the driving was in 2nd gear in parking lots for 50 second intervals.
Makes me wish the Gear Vendors Overdrive was cheaper. As much as I drive, though, it would probably pay for itself after a year or two.
If I turbo mine, I'm probably going to try to go to the 3.636 rear end if I can find one. Taller tires helped me out a lot, too, although anything bigger than 16"s on an NA looks goofy and gets to be too much unsprung weight.
psteav wrote:ClemSparks wrote: That's much closer to what I would expect. Not bad, but not good enough, unfortunately. with a 50 mile round trip commute...30+ becomes all but necessary (for me). ClemQuit yer bellyachin. That's not a commute.
No kidding... I haven't had a 50 mile commute in the past 16 years...
If I were 25 miles from work, I wouldn't care about fuel mileage - since I'd ride my bike as often as possible. 
Trust me...I'm the guy that looks for houses close to work...in case all my cars won't start at the same time, I can walk or bike. I've done 200 mile daily commutes before. 25 each way is NOT bad...but a good fuel-mileage-getting commuter can pay for itself pretty quick with gas at close to $4 a gallon.
Carpooling helps too...thanks Singleslammer.
Your welcome. If Clem doesn't take that starlet I might!
psteav wrote:jrw1621 wrote: I have wished for years that there was a taller 5th gear swappable into the Miata. I think that would be perfect if I could get my '90 Miata's 1.6L to rev at 2,100 rpm at 65 mph. This would take some of the spirit out of the top end but for me, much of the driving was in 2nd gear in parking lots for 50 second intervals.Makes me wish the Gear Vendors Overdrive was cheaper.
This reminds me that I want to someday look real close at a Volvo overdrive and see how adaptable they may be to other transmissions. Could be very (with machined adapters) or not at all.
Clem
ClemSparks wrote: This reminds me that I want to someday look real close at a Volvo overdrive and see how adaptable they may be to other transmissions. Could be very (with machined adapters) or not at all. Clem
I've had these apart. The input shaft of the OD is the output shaft of the mating transmission, which also serves as the bearing support. The design and function is basically the same as the Gear Vendors unit. Input shaft has a cam on it that drives a piston that creates hydraulic pressure to make the wet clutch operate with the solenoid is activated.
While I'm sure it could be made to work, you would need to output shafter from the donor transmission and then custom machine it to mate with either an input flange or a u-joint yoke. Then you would need to machine an input housing to support the modified input shaft. By the time all of this is done, the Gear Vendors unit would probably be cheaper.
ClemSparks wrote:OldGray320i wrote:Well, heck...I have one of those ('85 325e). I'll be driving it a bit this spring and will have to check the mileage (oh wait...the speed o meter is broken like they all do). I just assumed they wouldn't do much more than 25. My commute is ~65mph though, so that helps. ClemClemSparks wrote: The E30 325 won't get the mileage I want. Will a 318? I'm not sure if it will (real world).It will if it's an eta car. My 86 sees 27.5 around town consistently, and a little more if I watch it (5k rpm isn't much, but that I6 still sounds cool!). I've easily gotten 30mpg or above on the highway. Nobody seems to like the eta cars though....
Actually, my speedo works. Well, like 99% of the time - on rare occasion I drive somewhere and notice it's not working. r3vlimited or e30tech had a fix for that, IIRC.
Besides, who needs an odo. Take the gas down to the warning light, put a couple gallons in, and drive known distances until you hit the light again.
If you get less than 30 on a highway commute, your car isn't running right. It's ridiculous the mileage these cars get. I don't think I ever averaged better than low 20's on my Z-cars.
Besides, with lowering springs, euro bumpers, and the right wheels, they look cool.
ClemSparks wrote: 25 each way is NOT bad...but a good fuel-mileage-getting commuter can pay for itself pretty quick with gas at close to $4 a gallon. Carpooling helps too...thanks Singleslammer.
This. The Accent we paid $2k for 4 years ago and it paid for itself with $2.50/ gallon gas in the first 18 months. the last 2 and a half tyears have been money in the pocket
Alfa Romeo GTV6 was EPA rated 31mpg highway, revised 28mpg highway according to this: http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Fuel/1982/Alfa+Romeo/GTV6+2.5
My dad routinely gets 30+ on the highway with his '82 2.5 GTV6.
Can be found in strong running condition for quite reasonable price.
Starlet gone 
singleslammer wrote: Starlet gone
WHEW! That was close (in more ways than one).
In reply to ClemSparks:
Are you looking for a car with a 30 mpg EPA rating or is it ok if we knew someone who claimed to get 30 mpg in a certain model?
I'm looking for a no-BS 30 mpg. Your uncles first wife (et al) does not count. 
Or as they say, the plural of anectode is not the same as data. 
Frankly, my 323 gets 31 or 32 mpg while driving everywhere like I'm on an autocross course. It's not powerful, but it is fun. I'd consider it the lowest power-to-weight ratio that is fun for me.
In reply to ClemSparks:
Just out of curiosity, I had looked up a few of these cars that "easily" get 30+ in this thread and several of them are rated around 25 mpg highway.
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