#TBT: 20 old-school fuel sippers we'd gladly drive today

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Sep 12, 2024 | Buyer's Guide, Fuel Efficient | Posted in Buyer's Guides , Features | From the Dec. 2006 issue | Never miss an article

Photograph Courtesy Acura

[Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the December 2006 issue of Grassroots Motorsports.]

You can’t deny the fact that today’s hybrids get a lot out of a gallon of gasoline. However, these cars are not the most exciting vehicles out there. While the Honda Insight can do a mean burnout thanks to its manual gearbox and near-instant torque delivery, most …

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Comments
JohnnyBquick
JohnnyBquick Reader
12/23/14 10:15 a.m.

Consulier GTP: 21 city/27 hwy

1992 Consulier Industries Consulier GTP, turbo 4 cyl., 2.2L, five-speed manual Stock performance: A Industry support: B Motorsports potential: B Cool factor: A

============= Really? I went across Montana last year with the cruz set at 85 and got 33 mpg in mine. At least this car was included!!!

oldeskewltoy
oldeskewltoy SuperDork
12/23/14 11:49 a.m.

Really?? I'd think the AE86 GTS might have been on this list... I can think of a few cars on this list that are significantly less.......

RATED: 23mpg in town 28 on the highway... but I know a few people who drive them carefully pulling mid, and even upper 30 mpg range

stock performance is a "C+", but all other factors are an "A"

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
12/23/14 12:17 p.m.

FRsiBee twins could be on the new list.

I think rated 22/30, but in mixed driving I always avg near 29, and regularly pull 34mpg on the highway.

jsquared
jsquared Reader
12/23/14 1:54 p.m.

I could get just a hair short of 30 mpg highway in my S2000, I probably would have if I had driven slower Day-to-day (mostly city) was ~23-24mpg

mtn
mtn UltimaDork
12/23/14 1:59 p.m.
z31maniac wrote: FRsiBee twins could be on the new list. I think rated 22/30, but in mixed driving I always avg near 29, and regularly pull 34mpg on the highway.

34 highway... what speed, and manual or auto?

captdownshift
captdownshift GRM+ Memberand Dork
12/23/14 2:25 p.m.

FX-16, so many smiles per a gallon. Caymans aren't bad either.

Jerry
Jerry SuperDork
12/23/14 3:02 p.m.

Scion xA took me by surprise. But yes, with some TRD goodness I'll bet it's fun. (Miss my '06 xB still somedays.)

MINIzguy
MINIzguy Reader
12/23/14 3:20 p.m.

I test drove a Scion xA and found it soulless. Couldn't get myself to purchase it, even with the thought of getting some aftermarket goodies. I test drove a 318ti afterwards and did end up purchasing that. Way more fun to daily drive and commute in.

itsarebuild
itsarebuild GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
12/23/14 3:31 p.m.

My e30 pulls better than 20 mpg and I'm almost always in stop and go city driving. I've definitely recorded 29 on the highway too.

airwerks
airwerks Reader
12/23/14 4:32 p.m.

I was pleased to find the Swift GT on there.....

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