13 cars, 50 litres of fuel. Which will go farthest?
Quote:
1st Place. Toyota Corolla
All the cars had conventional four-cylinder, front-drive powertrains.
Kilometres driven: 1,017
Average fuel consumption, L/100 km (m.p.g.): 4.9 (58)
Year after year, buyers have favoured the Corolla for its quality of construction and peerless reliability. Now they have another reason to treasure this Toyota -- outstanding mileage.
Long into the evening, our Corolla CE finally rolled to a halt at a GPS-verified 1,017 km.
For you americans, that 631.93 miles on 13.20 US gallons
2nd Civic 947 km
3rd Vibe 854 km
4th Elantra 812 km
5th mazada3 784 km
6th G5 755 km
7th lancer 754 km
8th spectra 742 km
9th Focus 742 km
10th sentra 717km
11th Golf 670 km
12th Caliber 653km
13th sx4 637km
Quote:
Our cars were all in the $20,000 range and had conventional four-cylinder, front-drive powertrains (though CanadianDriver did employ a gas-electric hybrid Ford Escape as a support vehicle) and the 50-litre gas tanks that are standard in this class. And while we avoided fast starts and other fuel-wasting behaviour, we moved at the speed of traffic and clicked on air conditioning as needed.
Frequent stops to change drivers and fill up - with coffee, that is - and the general speed-up-slow-down nature of driving on a summer Saturday helped ensure that this would be a real-world test. Gas cans in our trunks ensured that no one would be left stranded on the shoulder.
Over 4 years (at today's gas prices) the Corolla is about $500 cheaper fuel than the Civic
Over 4 years the Corolla is $1400 cheaper to fuel than the Focus.
EPA estimates be damned. It looks like in real-world driving, the Corolla with the new 1.8L is more efficient than the EPA numbers. Based on the EPA numbers, a Corolla should only get 462 miles on a full tank of gas while doing primarily highway driving.
Also FYI, they did this challenge back in 2005. The new Corolla in this challenge travelled almost 100km more than the previous-gen Corolla did back in 2005. The previous-gen Civic back in 2005 was actually more fuel efficient than the current Civic. So it looks like the Civic went backwards in fuel economy, while the Corolla went forward (in real-world driving).
Also to add, a Corolla will be roughly $1800 cheaper (at today's gas prices) to fuel over 4 years than a Mazda 3. Per year, that will be roughly a difference of $450 (at today's gas prices). As gas prices increase, the amount you save will only increase.
The bigger question is this; excluding everything else, is it worth it to drive a Mazda 3 over a Corolla *purely* based on fuel costs? I am not taking anything else into account such as personal preference, maintenance costs, features, specs, and options. Is it worth it paying $450 more per year for fuel (at today's prices) just to have more "fun" or because of personal preference? I'm not expecting any answers, this is simply a rhetorical question and is something to think about.
Personally, I believe the hype and emotion that has surrounded the Mazda 3 will continue to die down, even after the next-gen Mazda 3 is released. The compact car market is very price-sensitive, especially here in Canada. As gas prices continue to go up, the cost difference for fueling up a Civic or Corolla compared to a Mazda 3 will only grow. It will likely reach a point where for many people a Mazda 3 will become too expensive to own. Mazda will likely try and improve fuel efficiency, but Toyota and Honda won't be sitting still. They too will continue to improve fuel efficiency. As an example, for the month of May (in Canada) the Corolla reclaimed it's spot away from the Mazda 3 as the #2 top seller among passenger vehicles.
The bigger question is this; excluding everything else, is it worth it to drive a Mazda 3 over a Corolla *purely* based on fuel costs? I am not taking anything else into account such as personal preference, maintenance costs, features, specs, and options. Is it worth it paying $450 more per year for fuel (at today's prices) just to have more "fun" or because of personal preference? I'm not expecting any answers, this is simply a rhetorical question and is something to think about.
That really depends on how much the person in question likes driving. If the highlight of your day is driving your car, then the answer is an easy yes, sacrifice some money to be happier. Those who see driving as a chore would think its bonkers to waste $450 doing the same thing. I'm actually surprised the Mazda3 managed to be in the top half since I thought it was the one of the worst in fuel efficiency in its class, I'm a tad bit surprised as to why the Caliber isn't dead last.
If you don't get why that is important to small car buyer, it can't be explained to you.
Fan
This is the truth. If VMax were running GM, they'd be Chrysler - essentially on lifesupport. This lack of knowledge about the NA buying public is shocking in its narrow-mindedness. That such a mentallity has never left the 90s brings some understanding to how the detroiters got caught so unaware by the shift in buying patterns.
GM once the largest business in the world now has a market cap smaller than Mattel. The word 'inconsequential' comes to mind.
That really depends on how much the person in question likes driving. If the highlight of your day is driving your car, then the answer is an easy yes, sacrifice some money to be happier. Those who see driving as a chore would think its bonkers to waste $450 doing the same thing.
Well put, V. I'm a gasoline addict, myself. The positive therapy that comes from driving close to WOT in a car that could just as well get me around with half the horsepower is something I choose not to do without. When I feel the need to get thrifty on gas I just take the bike.
Ans yeah, my girlfriend thinks it's bonkers.
This is the truth. If VMax were running GM, they'd be Chrysler - essentially on lifesupport. This lack of knowledge about the NA buying public is shocking in its narrow-mindedness. That such a mentallity has never left the 90s brings some understanding to how the detroiters got caught so unaware by the shift in buying patterns.
GM once the largest business in the world now has a market cap smaller than Mattel. The word 'inconsequential' comes to mind.
Wrong again Spiderman. If I were running GM, there would be no need for life support, they would need a mortician. You see, I, unlike you self-proclaimed automotive mfr experts that are nothing more than wannabe internet CEO's (or in your case, a Toyota salesman), do not claim to be an expert and am in no way qualified to run a company, especially one the size of GM. At least I am not too arrogant to admit that, are you?
Wrong again Spiderman. If I were running GM, there would be no need for life support, they would need a mortician. You see, I, unlike you self-proclaimed automotive mfr experts that are nothing more than wannabe internet CEO's (or in your case, a Toyota salesman), do not claim to be an expert and am in no way qualified to run a company, especially one the size of GM. At least I am not too arrogant to admit that, are you?
Wow, dude he was using hyperbole to emphasize how wrong he thought you were.
Yet you reply stating why you couldn't possibly be running GM. Thanks for the laugh.
Fan
Last edited by toyotafanfan; 07-05-2008 at 01:09 PM.
$10.41/month is substantial? Damn I am glad I don't make your salary.
I happen to agree...$10/month shoulnd't even enter your mind when buying a car. (Buy what you like) But reality is I've seen many people make decisions on much less then that.....ie $30 on a lease payment is quite substantial in entry level car.
^Geez guys, lighten up, money is really tight for some people. And think, if every single driver in America spent 124.92 less on gas each year (10.41 a month), and spent it on something else, that would probably help the economy as that would ad up to billions of dollars.
Why am I not surprised that as soon as Vmax got involved this went from a nice discussion to a bunch of people being a-holes. Seriously V, you need to be a little less of a douche.
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