Auto vs Manual for fuel efficiency?

[bravozero]

Hi folks, I am in the market for a secondary vehicle to drive everyday as a commuter vehicle, and I chose to go back to a Civic as I did own a 99 VP that my father gave me, great car and got great gas mileage even at 200k miles.

I sold the car about five years ago and have owned a few since. I currently own a 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, for those who don't know it's basically a baby EvoX, with a smaller turbo and the AWD system from the EvoIX. I love this car but the crappy gas mileage with my mods and the fact of using premium kills me financially, and I'd like to have a small, cheap Civic to drive to work and back everyday while knocking my Ralliart back to a "pleasure" type insurance to save more money.

My question is simply this... with this generation Civic, what will get the best fuel economy? I've mostly driven autos in my seven years of driving, and have owned a manual vehicle before and I can drive one. Although, I've never perfected it and it's been at least five to six years since I've last driven one on a normal basis. However, I've read that the manual transmissions for this generation are geared too short for maximum fuel efficiency compared to the autos. I don't plan on getting an EX, even though there's not really a huge difference between the D16Y7 and D16Y8 in miles per gallon, two maybe. I'm just trying to keep the cost of insurance down and getting the most MPG's out of the car. I wish I could find an HX in CVT, a coworker has a 97 HX coupe in CVT and he says he gets about 40mpg.

Any opinions? Thanks!

-Russ

 

[speedygonzales]

the hx and I believe dx both have a very long geared transmission because they were supposed to be the economical of the economical cars and should net you around 35-40 mpg (I know my bro's 95 dx hatch gets around 40 mpg and the transmission is gearing is a long as fawk compared to my 98 ex). As far as the automatic goes the "weak" feeling y7 will feel even weaker because its sapping its already meager power and because of that you'll be getting on it more to make safe merges and what not. IMHO I think that whenever possible buy a car with a manual transmission, they will more often than not be more reliable, last longer, get better gas mileage and "more fun" (especially if your gonna be switching from a "baby" evo). Just my .02 cents

 

[bravozero]

My Ralliart is a twin-clutch transmission, similar to the Nissan GTR, so it's not a true manual, yet not a true automatic. I always drive it in manual mode though.

I know exactly what you mean by the Y7 being very weak, that VP I had took forever to get up and go but once it did, it just cruised along without me really getting on the gas which was nice. The other thing I need to consider is this... my commute after I move this summer will be at most 15 miles one way, and won't really hit more than 65 mph at any given time. BUT... I do plan on using this car as an errand car as well, my only problem with that being if my girlfriend wants to drive it she needs to learn how to drive a manual, which I don't have much confidence in... lol.

 

[JohnS.]

In my opinion, get whatever you can afford but at the same time is in good condition. My 99 ex with 225k miles still gets 35-37mpg when I take it easy and a few less when I have more fun. 30+mpg is 30+mpg IMO.

Like speedy said, an HX or DX will probably net slightly better gas mileage but at the end of the day, you're still getting GREAT gas mileage. And a manual transmission will yield slightly more.

 

[cgpEJ6]

Your best bet would probably be a manual transmission Civic CX hatchback for pure MPG but I wouldn't get too caught up in the 2-3 MPG difference between models. Get the car that is in the best condition and you'll probably have the best luck. I was getting 31-32 city and 35-37 highway in my 97 LX sedan with 155K.

 

[bravozero]

Thanks folks. I'm in the process of securing a 1997 LX sedan with about 114k miles and in excellent shape. It's a little more than I want to pay but in the end, I have to keep in mind that this will be my permanent commuter car for a long time, so I want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth and that the car is in the best shape possible. I don't plan on modding it at all, just maybe a drop-in K&N filter and all season tires. I might do some audio work as I have a brand new Kenwood 5-channel amp sitting in my living room that I've decided not to put in the Ralliart, so I'm either going to sell it and use that money for mods on that car, or throw it in the Civic with a decent audio system.

 

[cgpEJ6]

Thanks folks. I'm in the process of securing a 1997 LX sedan with about 114k miles and in excellent shape. It's a little more than I want to pay but in the end, I have to keep in mind that this will be my permanent commuter car for a long time, so I want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth and that the car is in the best shape possible. I don't plan on modding it at all, just maybe a drop-in K&N filter and all season tires. I might do some audio work as I have a brand new Kenwood 5-channel amp sitting in my living room that I've decided not to put in the Ralliart, so I'm either going to sell it and use that money for mods on that car, or throw it in the Civic with a decent audio system.

Sounds like a great pick up. Post some pictures when you get it and don't be a stranger.

 

[bravozero]

Sounds like a great pick up. Post some pictures when you get it and don't be a stranger.

Absolutely, hopefully they'll still have it on Saturday when I have the opportunity to drive out and look at it, the sales guy and myself exchanged phone numbers in case he sells it beforehand.

I appreciate the help!

 

[emerican]

tuned in for pics of the civic i hope you can get it man.

 

[bravozero]

Just doing some research ahead of time...

I'm used to driving an AWD vehicle and it's been a while since owning a FWD. I plan on driving my Ralliart in bad weather because it has the AWD advantage with UHP all-season tires, but I'd like to get a nice set of all season tires for my upcoming Civic. Something that will last a while yet helps with keeping good fuel economy. Any suggestions?

 

[taluzer45]

If you are driving in the rain, with a good set of tire on the civic, I would have NO issues driving it!, it might not handle as well, but than again I don't belive you will be going fast enough to need the AWD, by the way I love the Lancers... There sick!

 

[bravozero]

Finally picked up a car after searching and not finding any good deals, or finding a car in good shape.

Drove down to Fredericksburg, VA, to a small family owned used car dealership and got a used 1995 Civic del Sol in red, auto, only 140k miles, for a little over $2,000 with no processing fees. Car is in good shape with some minor scratches and dings, but the engine is strong and the suspension is still nice and firm for the age. Needs a good tuneup as well as a full alignment and wheel balance. Not an Si or VTEC model so nothing special. Overall great purchase and I'm happy with it, my girlfriend calls it my "clown car", haha.

 

[mylovehx]

Lemme buy your seats!!! Good pic up

 

[95CTR]

let her call it the clown car all she wants, cause its saving you money, everytime you drive it, its paying for its self a little at a time lol

also enjoy the pop top, its awesome during the summer a buddy had one and id always barrow it and let him drive my integra he made fun of me cause as long as it wasnt raining no matter what the temp was i had the roof off and all the windows down

and i know you said your not going to mod it sense its a DD but have you considered a tiny drop, with some OE honda or acura wheels instead os steel whees,

and a nice quiet axle back exhaust to get rid of that tumor on the sols right butt cheek lol

just my thoughts

like the car its clean