I Feel Stupid...

[Cory Wolfe]

Why, may you ask? Well, it's because my Millenia really was bad purchase.

Oh no... It still runs great and has been problem free thus far, but it is such a gas hog. I only get about 23 mpg average and it is really annoying. The highest I've gotten has been 26 mpg and that was only once. Now, for a 2.5L V6 engine with only 170hp... I'd expect alot better. Being that it takes Premium makes it worse. Between the V6 and the automatic... I really am regretting buying it. I knew I should have stuck with "4cyl, manual" for buying a car. But I was getting slack from you guys to "open up my options" and not be "picky" since I "just need a reliable car". Well, I'm stuck with one now... and it's a gas hog. Just grrrrreeeeaaat.

So yeah... I think it's time to see how much I can get out of it and trade it in.

[the_yellow_dart]

You really think the money you're going to lose in the tradein / re-registration process is worth the few dollars you'll save on gas?

I agree you should have bought a more efficient car in the first place, but I don't think trading it in at this point is the right way to go.

[Cory Wolfe]

Over time... yes. Few dollars? I'd save almost $5 each time I fill up if it took regular, not to mention the savings going to a car that gets over 30 mpg. I'm going to get about $2-$3k out of my Millenia and I don't plan on getting a car worth more than that. So yes... It will be worth it.

[Croc]

[Robert Hall]

I wouldn't consider 23-26 mpg a 'gas hog'..that's great mileage for a largish car.

[FAPTurbo]

You've had this car for like 2 days and you're thinking of getting rid of it already?!

Maybe be creative and save money in other ways. I have a diesel V8 so gas mileage ain't too great, so I bike a lot... to work, sometimes friends', etc... The truck is there when I need a vehicle. But I've used a barrel or two less on oil and made zero emissions. Plus, I've saved a bundle on fuel and bought a new bike with some saving from work!

But I guess if you have long distances to travel everyday, biking is not practical unless you're a Tour de France competitor like Neil Armstrong.

Edited August 1, 2006 by Captainbooyah

[Drew Dowdell]

Why, may you ask? Well, it's because my Millenia really was bad purchase.

Oh no... It still runs great and has been problem free thus far, but it is such a gas hog. I only get about 23 mpg average and it is really annoying. The highest I've gotten has been 26 mpg and that was only once. Now, for a 2.5L V6 engine with only 170hp... I'd expect alot better. Being that it takes Premium makes it worse. Between the V6 and the automatic... I really am regretting buying it. I knew I should have stuck with "4cyl, manual" for buying a car. But I was getting slack from you guys to "open up my options" and not be "picky" since I "just need a reliable car". Well, I'm stuck with one now... and it's a gas hog. Just grrrrreeeeaaat.

So yeah... I think it's time to see how much I can get out of it and trade it in.

174337[/snapback]

If ya'd quite driving it like you stole it, driving it 30 minutes to DuBois to spend an hour at the mall, and driving it just to drive it, you wouldn't have these issues.

I fill up both of my vehicles exactly once a month, usually on or around the 27th. The Cadillac gets about 18 around town and the Avalanche gets about 14.

I am a substantially busier person than you, so if I can do it, so can you.

[Croc]

If ya'd quite driving it like you stole it, driving it 30 minutes to DuBois to spend an hour at the mall, and driving it just to drive it, you wouldn't have these issues.

I fill up both of my vehicles exactly once a month, usually on or around the 27th. The Cadillac gets about 18 around town and the Avalanche gets about 14.

I am a substantially busier person than you, so if I can do it, so can you.

174355[/snapback]

quoted for truthiness

[z28luvr01]

23-26 is pretty darn good for a mid-90s large car. For a free MPG upgrade, try these tips:

- no hard starts or stops. Use the throttle gently at all times and keep the RPMs low if you can help it.

- on the highway, keep the windows up and use the A/C. Around town, drive with the windows down

- try not to drive too much faster than 65mph. Cars are basically calibrated to get optimum MPG at 55mph. Once you go past 65, fuel economy can start to drop drastically (depending on your engine)

- don't let the car warm up for more than a minute, if you do so.

- make sure your air filter is clean and your spark plugs are good. If you didn't tune up the car yet, do so.

- make sure the tires properly inflated. Check them frequently.

[GMTruckGuy74]

I guess BV's point that everyone is missing is that he has to buy PREMIUM GAS for his Mazda. He's paying more at the pump than he wants to and feels that if he had a small, more fuel efficient car that took regular he'd be saving on both ends.

[the_yellow_dart]

Once a month???????

How do you people drive so little?

I'm lucky if I pull off only getting gas once a WEEK.

The Cobalt will be one year old at the end of this month, and I just turned 40,000 km last night. (~25,000 mi)

[Drew Dowdell]

Once a month???????

How do you people drive so little?

I'm lucky if I pull off only getting gas once a WEEK.

The Cobalt will be one year old at the end of this month, and I just turned 40,000 km last night. (~25,000 mi)

174365[/snapback]

I have two vehicles. I get about 300 mile range in each. 600 miles a month.

I dont have any building rehabs going on right now <too hot>, but even when I do, the buildings are usually less than 3 miles from my house.

The consulting gig I am doing right now is in downtown Pittsburgh and I have door to door bus service available. $60 a month for a bus pass.

[Cory Wolfe]

Why do I even bother anymore? I can't say anything without getting criticism...

Okay, for one, my Millenia isn't a large car. It's barely midsize. Have any of you actually ever checked one out before? They're not all that large. It only weighs 3200lbs. Two, I dont drive it like I stole it. Jeesh, I tell you guys of a few things I've done and suddenly I'm this horrible driver that drives like a bad out of hell. Three, I dont hang out at the mall, thank you. I hang out with my friends, most of which happen to live in Dubois. Sorry for having a life. Four, I live out in the country so biking is largely out of the question. Five... I already go by those tips.

Anything else that needs cleared up?

[Cory Wolfe]

I guess BV's point that everyone is missing is that he has to buy PREMIUM GAS for his Mazda.  He's paying more at the pump than he wants to and feels that if he had a small, more fuel efficient car that took regular he'd be saving on both ends.

174364[/snapback]

*ding* *ding* *ding* I do believe we have a winner!

[Drew Dowdell]

Why do I even bother anymore? I can't say anything without getting criticism...

Okay, for one, my Millenia isn't a large car. It's barely midsize. Have any of you actually ever checked one out before? They're not all that large. It only weighs 3200lbs.

Anything else that needs cleared up?

174374[/snapback]

A 2000 Lumina is 3300lbs. and that's definately considered midsize if not almost fullsized. Oh yea, it gets 20/30 and uses regular, and has 175hp.

A 1998 Grand Am GT is 3000lbs. V6 so no Quad-4 troubles to worry about.

A 2000 Century is 3300lbs.

A 1995 Century is 3000lbs

All midsized, all get better than 30mpg highway, all FWD, all take regular fuel.

So.. yeah, that Millenia was definately top of that pack.

Edited August 1, 2006 by Oldsmoboi

[the_yellow_dart]

That's the problem with DOHC - they're gas hungry for their size.

[Intrepidation]

As I recall, you were being "criticized" for wanting a BMW, there wasn't any criticizm reguarding a 4 cylinder w/ a manual.

I also agree that 23-26 mpg is great for a big car, and that you might get even better gas milage if you drove it like a sane person.

[Flybrian]

I average 19-22mpg and not only must I fill my tank with premium, I have to fill my 20 gallon tank with premium. I also drive a whole lot for both work and pleasure and use the a/c constantly, unlike many of you who can afford not to 9 months out of the year. A full tank for me costs $61.00 and that goes by in a week and a half - if I'm lucky. A car requiring regular unleaded saves me $4 per tank. I think I can not spend $4 a week somewhere. $4 isn't even a value meal anymore. Its barely a kids meal.

Mid-20s is not a gas hog by any means. I don't know what exactly you're expecting for a decade-old car with that many miles on it, 30mpg? 40? Check the plugs, clean out your throttle body, clean your air filter, follow Z's tips, and that's all you can do. I forgot how much you got that car for, $1500? An 'economical' car in good condition would've likely cost twice that. You saved almost 500 gallons of gas over a $3000 car that is likely not going to return much more than 30mpg given the way you - and most of us - drive.

How much did your Grand Am get? Likely not that much more. And what do you enjoy more?

There's your answer.

[Drew Dowdell]

I also agree that 23-26 mpg is great for a big car, and that you might get even better gas milage if you drove it like a sane person.

174380[/snapback]

folks, I think we've found the problem. :AH-HA_wink:

[ShadowDog]

That's the problem with DOHC - they're gas hungry for their size.

174379[/snapback]

Weeeell, that may not be necessarily so in all cases. My 3.4 DOHC in the Monte Carlo averaged 24 - 26 MPG overall (120K kms total). I'm thinking the 3.1 was about the same for the LS.

Nevertheless...uh...in this case for BV...er...sucks to be you? I don't know what's worth replying to in this case.

[Cory Wolfe]

A 2000 Lumina is 3300lbs. and that's definately considered midsize if not almost fullsized. Oh yea, it gets 20/30 and uses regular, and has 175hp.

A 1998 Grand Am GT is 3000lbs. V6 so no Quad-4 troubles to worry about.

A 2000 Century is 3300lbs.

A 1995 Century is 3000lbs

All midsized, all get better than 30mpg highway, all FWD, all take regular fuel.

So.. yeah, that Millenia was definately top of that pack.

174377[/snapback]

And I could only afford one of them, of which I will always refuse to buy no matter what.

As I recall, you were being "criticized" for wanting a BMW, there wasn't any criticizm reguarding a 4 cylinder w/ a manual.

I also agree that 23-26 mpg is great for a big car, and that you might get even better gas milage if you drove it like a sane person.

174380[/snapback]

Uh... you're going back to far. I once said that I wouldn't consider anything other than compact coupes with 4cyl and manual transmission... And yes, I was criticised by some for it.

I've already explained that my Millenia is not a big car. It's barely midsized. It's the smallest bit bigger than my Grandma's Cobalt. It's just a luxury car with lots of luxury features.

Finally... I drive like a sane person.

I average 19-22mpg and not only must I fill my tank with premium, I have to fill my 20 gallon tank with premium. I also drive a whole lot for both work and pleasure and use the a/c constantly, unlike many of you who can afford not to 9 months out of the year. A full tank for me costs $61.00 and that goes by in a week and a half - if I'm lucky. A car requiring regular unleaded saves me $4 per tank. I think I can not spend $4 a week somewhere. $4 isn't even a value meal anymore. Its barely a kids meal.

Mid-20s is not a gas hog by any means. I don't know what exactly you're expecting for a decade-old car with that many miles on it, 30mpg? 40? Check the plugs, clean out your throttle body, clean your air filter, follow Z's tips, and that's all you can do. I forgot how much you got that car for, $1500? An 'economical' car in good condition would've likely cost twice that. You saved almost 500 gallons of gas over a $3000 car that is likely not going to return much more than 30mpg given the way you - and most of us - drive.

How much did your Grand Am get? Likely not that much more. And what do you enjoy more?

There's your answer.

174381[/snapback]

Yeah... My tank's 18 gallons, so I'm not far behind. And being that premium is a good 30 cents more than regular up around here... I'd save $5.40 a tank. And at Long John Silver's an L2 is $3.99. Ponder this... I only average 22-23 mpg per tank and this is for 3200lbs sedan with a 2.5L 170hp V6. Yes, I atleast expect 30mpg especially since it takes Premium. I already follow most of the tips Z posted and the Millenia has gotten a tune up already. As for finding an economical car for that much... they're all over the place around here. For that much, there's a Neon, Tiburon, few Cavvies/Sunfires, Accents, Escorts, Jettas, GAs, etc. And for the last time... I usually dont drive with a lead foot. When I was driving my Millenia for the soul purpose of enjoying, I did... and I got about 20 mpg.

The highest my Grand Am got was 32 mpg... and yes, that was with that cruddy Quad4. As for enjoyment... well, the GA was more fun to drive. It was just a piece of &#036;h&#33; with not many features. But I wasnt expecting much out of it being that it was a Grand Am and was... well... cheap.

[Cory Wolfe]

Nevertheless...uh...in this case for BV...er...sucks to be you?  I don't know what's worth replying to in this case.

174388[/snapback]

Yeah... it does. I'm stuck with a gas hog and I get criticised if I complain about it.

[Satty]

Ummm.....get a job (or two) where you work a f@#k-ton of hours. First thing it accomplishes is getting you $$ to pay for premium. Second thing it does it consume your time so you're not using gas.

[z28luvr01]

What, you were expecting all of us to agree with you? :wink:

I forgot to add, you may want to buy a bottle of injector/fuel system cleaner (~$5) at the gas station and dump it in at your next fill-up. I think STP makes it - it's a blue bottle. On a car with mileage that high I'm sure there's some crap in there that needs to be set free. It can't hurt.

RE: your correllation between premium gas and better milage - there is none, really. Since your engine has a displacement only marginally larger than your average 4cyl, I'll bet it's running a pretty high compression to make that kind of power. Therefore, you need premium just to run normally.

Other than that, rather than engage in an argument, I'll leave it up to you as to what to do with the car.

[CSpec]

Yeah selling the car doesn't make any sense at this point. Not only are there are a lot of hidden fees that will come back to bite you, but there are costs in the looking and worrying process (it may not come out of your wallet directly, but they're costs nonetheless).

[Bimmer325]

If I remember correctly, you got your Millenia for well under $2k.

Considering the shape it's in, it sounds like you might be able to make a few bucks selling it. If it means anything, Milennias with 180k miles and more are going for damn close to $4k around here. Just a thought.

[Drew Dowdell]

If you save $10 per fillup, you'll have to have 100 fillups to save $1000.

Assuming you use 1 tank per week, you're talking 2 years of fillups at about 400 miles a week or about 21,000 miles per year.

that's a *lot* of freaking driving for someone with no commitments like a job or school.

[Drew Dowdell]

I only average 22-23 mpg per tank and this is for 3200lbs sedan with a 2.5L 170hp V6. Yes, I atleast expect 30mpg especially since it takes Premium.

174397[/snapback]

interesting, since it was only ever rated 27mpg highway when new.

[sciguy_0504]

The main reason why I traded in my Grand Prix for the xB. And that was when gas was around $2 a gallon.

[Flybrian]

Speaking for myself, the big thing here is your disgust over it being a "gas hog" when it really isn't. You bought this car a few months ago when gas wasn't that much cheaper, you knew it took premium, and the mileage you're getting for a car that type/age is pretty in line.

Maybe it uses too much gas for you, in which case that dinky little Metro you poopooed may have been the ideal choice. It would be difficult to get less than 30mpg.

Also, Z is right. Premium fuel in a car like that doesn't mean extra gas mileage; it means meeting specified performance.

[Drew Dowdell]

run it with the next octane down and see what happens

edit: Chas's Passat "requires" premium and he never fills up with anything but regular....

the car runs just fine.

Edited August 1, 2006 by Oldsmoboi

[ocnblu]

Viper... *deep breath*... you sound just like me when I was your age. And I'm only marginally better now. I always wanted a new toy. My truck is only 2.5 years old with 37k miles, and I am ready to trade it in with no remorse.

The gas mileage thing sounds like an excuse I would have used to cover up... boredom.

A non-riced Civic hatch would suit you, if I may make a suggestion. Buying a stock one is the way to go because then you could make it your own from a clean start.

When it comes to vehicles, I am guilty of thinking with my heart and not with my head.

[pow]

At least premium in BVille isn't $3.69/gallon...

[Cory Wolfe]

Ummm.....get a job (or two) where you work a f@#k-ton of hours.  First thing it accomplishes is getting you $$ to pay for premium.  Second thing it does it consume your time so you're not using gas.

174407[/snapback]

A job is coming soon, but I have the money to pay for premium as is. That doesnt change anything.

Yeah selling the car doesn't make any sense at this point. Not only are there are a lot of hidden fees that will come back to bite you, but there are costs in the looking and worrying process (it may not come out of your wallet directly, but they're costs nonetheless).

174414[/snapback]

If I remember correctly, you got your Millenia for well under $2k. 

Considering the shape it's in, it sounds like you might be able to make a few bucks selling it.  If it means anything, Milennias with 180k miles and more are going for damn close to $4k around here.  Just a thought.

174435[/snapback]

Exactly. I paid only $1500 so getting anything above $2k for it would be profit.

The main reason why I traded in my Grand Prix for the xB.  And that was when gas was around $2 a gallon.

174449[/snapback]

Atleast someone gets it....

Speaking for myself, the big thing here is your disgust over it being a "gas hog" when it really isn't. You bought this car a few months ago when gas wasn't that much cheaper, you knew it took premium, and the mileage you're getting for a car that type/age is pretty in line.

Maybe it uses too much gas for you, in which case that dinky little Metro you poopooed may have been the ideal choice. It would be difficult to get less than 30mpg.

Also, Z is right. Premium fuel in a car like that doesn't mean extra gas mileage; it means meeting specified performance.

174459[/snapback]

Actually... I didn't know it took premium and I wasnt expecting the gas mileage to be anywhere near where it is. Again, for a 3200lbs sedan with a 170hp 2.5L V6... You'd think it get almost 30 mpg regardless of its age and the miles (as I've said... it runs great).

But yeah, it uses to much gas for me. It's not that hard to figure that out. When I said I would only consider compact coupes with 4cyls and manual transmissions... this is why. However, people like you called me picky said something like midsize sedan even with a V6 and an auto would be fine for me. Yeah....

run it with the next octane down and see what happens

edit: Chas's Passat "requires" premium and he never fills up with anything but regular....

the car runs just fine.

174461[/snapback]

I have... There's a blaring difference in how it runs. Actually, I think running it on regular a few times made the mileage worse when I went back to premium. It does have 164.5k afterall.

Viper... *deep breath*... you sound just like me when I was your age.  And I'm only marginally better now.  I always wanted a new toy.  My truck is only 2.5 years old with 37k miles, and I am ready to trade it in with no remorse.

The gas mileage thing sounds like an excuse I would have used to cover up... boredom.

A non-riced Civic hatch would suit you, if I may make a suggestion.  Buying a stock one is the way to go because then you could make it your own from a clean start.

When it comes to vehicles, I am guilty of thinking with my heart and not with my head.

174497[/snapback]

Haha... nah... I love my Millenia... I just can't stand paying for premium and getting below 25 mpg. To give you an idea... I'm considering a Neon for christ's sake.

[Flybrian]

Serious question - how about cutting back on unnecessary recreational driving?

[NOS2006]

Serious question - how about cutting back on unnecessary recreational driving?

174585[/snapback]

Because then his car would just sit in the driveway and get infinite MPG.

[Cory Wolfe]

Haha... I have, thank you. Again, though... that doesnt make paying for premium and getting 23 mpg any better nor does it make me want to trade it in any less. So yeah, I only drive when I need to... seeing friends is a need.

[Farkas]

Hmm. I usually net 26 for my wagon. This sometimes includes some "spirted" driving. I have the 3.0 SFI Vulcan in it, which gives me a whopping 145 horsepower at my disposal.

I do agree about the pump price thing. Having to pay for my own gas, even regular can be a daunting fill-up. The wagon's last full up was for 16 gallons [i was running on fumes] and that cost me $41,00.

I would just stick it out. You got the car for very little $$ and to get a new car at this point would be un grand mal de tête. French = Emphasis

[Cory Wolfe]

Not looking for a newer car... just one that I can get without having to pay any extra for thats more economical.

[Farkas]

Well, I guess then it should say: ...get a new car to you at this point...

[Croc]

Seriously...as has been said...get a f@#king job. You won't have time for dicking around in the car...you won't be bored out of your mind, and you'll get MONEY.

Since you aren't doing anything scholastic, you should get a job and work your way up. I'm not &#036;h&#33;ting you here...I've been promoted twice in two summers at Qdoba. They pay well, and as long as you do the job you're paid to do to the best of your ability, you will get promoted.

See, I started at 6.50, got bumped to 7.50 this summer (you're not supposed to get more than a 4% increase...but hey they loved me) and upper management liked what they saw and transferred me to an underperforming store in need of good people, promoted me, and are in the process of training me for shift manager which will start next summer. I don't know a manager who makes less than $10. Also, since I've been transferred, customer satisfaction has more than doubled at this store, tips went from nonexistant to filling the tip container, and I have been told by upper management that customers are specifically telling them that I am "fantastic" and "extremely polite and helpful." Now I couldn't care less about those indecisive morons who don't know the difference between a salad and a quesadilla, or don't want the medium salsa "because it's green," but if fronting nice to the customers gets more money in the tip jar and the attention of upper management for promotions then hey I'm all for it. Why? Positive attention equals more $$$ and more hours...in turn leading to even more $$$. I made overtime this week. My upcoming paycheck will be for over $500. Somehow, I can afford $700 fraternity dues as well as driving a 15 mpg premium requiring M-Class as well as spending way too much money @ A&F and bluefly.com.

You CAN have your cake and eat it too, you just have to work a little for it.

[Flybrian]

Croc is a fratass.

[Croc]

loves it

[Satty]

Croc is a fratass.

174724[/snapback]

[Cory Wolfe]

Seriously...as has been said...get a f@#king job.  You won't have time for dicking around in the car...you won't be bored out of your mind, and you'll get MONEY.

Since you aren't doing anything scholastic, you should get a job and work your way up.  I'm not &#036;h&#33;ting you here...I've been promoted twice in two summers at Qdoba.  They pay well, and as long as you do the job you're paid to do to the best of your ability, you will get promoted.

See, I started at 6.50, got bumped to 7.50 this summer (you're not supposed to get more than a 4% increase...but hey they loved me)  and upper management liked what they saw and transferred me to an underperforming store in need of good people, promoted me, and are in the process of training me for shift manager which will start next summer.  I don't know a manager who makes less than $10.  Also, since I've been transferred, customer satisfaction has more than doubled at this store, tips went from nonexistant to filling the tip container, and I have been told by upper management that customers are specifically telling them that I am "fantastic" and "extremely polite and helpful."  Now I couldn't care less about those indecisive morons who don't know the difference between a salad and a quesadilla, or don't want the medium salsa "because it's green," but if fronting nice to the customers gets more money in the tip jar and the attention of upper management for promotions then hey I'm all for it.  Why?  Positive attention equals more $$$ and more hours...in turn leading to even more $$$.  I made overtime this week.  My upcoming paycheck will be for over $500.  Somehow, I can afford $700 fraternity dues as well as driving a 15 mpg premium requiring M-Class as well as spending way too much money @ A&F and bluefly.com.

You CAN have your cake and eat it too, you just have to work a little for it.

174719[/snapback]

Haha.. thanks for the... uh.. lesson. As I've said, I can afford to pay for premium as is. That doesn't mean I want to. Anywho... yeah, I'm getting a job. My money supply can't last forever, I'm not retarded. Stubborn, but not retarded.

Still, My Millenia won't be in my driveway for long. I hate getting 23 mpg and paying for premium.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Go over to f@#king Costco and make ten bucks an hour selling a few meat logs.

[FAPTurbo]

Go over to f@#king Costco and make ten bucks an hour selling a few meat logs.

174924[/snapback]