And someone has one... Re: Virus Alert !!!

Hmm, Cold engines is major emssions problem and do poorly on mpg while it's running rich to assist cold engine operation. Your car should get better MPG on highway, 20 to 24 is what you should see, recheck your driving habits and do full tune up, get emissions up to snuff and change that themostat are suggested. 18 mpg city is not bad, highway not. My brother owns 20+ yr old heavy car w/ V8 and he said he can get 24mpg highway in that thing, btw it does have carb because I grew up w/ that nanny's, now his car. Oh remembered that, my other friend with a '89 caravan LE w/ V6 3.0L 3spd auto get that in city driving and bit better on road. Another friend has '90 caravan 2.5L n/a, 3spd auto got that terrible MPG too when O2 sensor was bad and no tune up till we did it. Actually, the torque went up, HP much less for given engine types but MPG *went* down and still is in '01. The fault is in weight have risen due to more options and safety stuff that is needlessly added for *no reason*. N.american big 3 didn't bother to develop more efficient enegines with latest stuff more especially on MPG and give us vehicles with less weight. Also Big 3 makers I think quit making small and compact vehicles. And didn't address the new vehicle cost. 24,000 is still much for same thing. Which I consider this a big must to survive this gas price crunch. Toyota, honda and VW and few other did their homework 20 years ago and still doing it now. For example, VW 1.8TDI get very good MPG and compareable HP compared to Chrysler's 2.5L turbo or 3.0 V6, both has less MPG and already 14 years old, same n/a 2.4L but it's still doesn't give good mpg, my brother car w/ v8 beat it that. There's more examples but I will leave this one alone for you to consider. I know I'm bummed for comparing gas to diesel but honda, toyota and others does produce efficient gas engines as well. This is my view because I'm keeping my eye on mailing lists and on newsgroups, websites so I'll be aware when looking for first vehicle of my own when I land job. I'd prefer to have a reliable bit-crunchy vehicle with seatbelt and manual stuff in it, leave computer alone just for that engine, and manual tranny, 40+MPG and bit nimble if I have to avoid accidents. I cannot find this in most vehicles for last 8 years. You can see I'm not looking at Honda, Hyraduai, KIA, I'm looking at older VWs, older 4 cylinder Chryslers, many Toyota and Nissan. Cheers, Wizard