Hey all, I’m a newbie to cars and have only had my license for a year or so. I’ve been running a ‘97 Si as my daily, which I’ve been trying to Hypermiler for better fuel economy. I’ve not been able to break 45 MPG on average, and I’m starting to realize this probably isn’t the best civic to use for this purpose. This thing is also clapped out beyond belief from the previous owners which I’m sure doesn’t help.

Ive been waiting for another civic to show up, and I seem to have found a decent one. 1993 CX hatch, manual trans with D15B7. Its not a VX or HX but it’s clean and bone stock, with very little rust.

Good choice? What do you guys think? I could wait it out for a VX hatch but I think that’s gonna be some serious waiting, lol.

 

Sounds like you are in Canada. The VX is a very elusive beast or expensive one if you are in Canada. Or both.

The D15B7 is the same as the US DX/LX so still isn't quite as fuel efficient and will probably be about the same as your Si being you are grandma driving it for fuel efficiency and not really using the vtec.

I had to spend a premium for a beat to **** VX here in BC. What normally would have been a 1100-1500 car I had to drop 2200 bones and I have had to rebuild the transmission as well as I still need to rebuild the motor. The transmission will net you a bit better fuel economy. But it too is a rare beast and will cost you a premium if you find it.

 

You bet! I’m down in Manitoba. I’ve found some HX coupes but I was wanting a hatchback for the space. Never could find a VX yet.

Just how much much of a MPG difference is there? I am using modifications and full hypermiling techniques yet I only get maybe 35-40 MPG at best. I feel like there’s something wrong with the drivetrain if I’m only getting these numbers while using all-out fuel saving techniques. I know for sure that it’s clapped out beyond belief.

This one is listed for $3500, but the guy can go lower as well. I was gonna lowball him for $2500.

 

If it's in good shape you prolly won't get it for under 2800.

I'm averaging 37-40 mpg with the D15B7 and VX tranny on a hatch with no hypermiling mods and normal all highway driving. Before the tranny I was averaging 33-37 mpg. With the VX engine the 2 tweeks I drove it I was hitting 40-45 mpg on super hilly terrain. All of this is with a predominately stock hatch.

I should note too, I tend to stay with the flow of fast lane traffic which doesn't help my economy. 120-130 KPH tends to be less economical.

 

Those are some great numbers for average driving. I’m uncertain if I should sell mine and get a more economical one or if I should try and swap the engine/trans. It’s an SI body so I feel like it would be more respectful to the car to fix it up and sell instead of the dumb mods I have planned to save gas. I drive between 90-100 KM/H on the highway and between 40-50 KM/H in town. Average out to 39-40 MPG. Good, but considering all the modification and techniques, as well as lower speed, seems low. I wonder if an engine cleanup and tune could get me closer to VX numbers.

Overall just uncertain if I should keep and mod it or sell it. Pretty clapped out, but it’s an SI, so could be sold for a decent amount.

 

confused....

 

Yeah, I too have a full VX swap in an SI and 40mpg is about what it would pull on regular driving around.

Larger wheels and tires brakes, full interior, stereo, AC and PS. Oh and cruising up near 80mph. Did not try for any hypermiling techniques. Not worth it to me, was pulling 35mpg with the B18C1 with power for passing.

Go find a first generation Insight. Brilliant little cars and capable of 70mpg. I was getting 55mpg out of mine with no IMA battery.

 

Almost snagged a first gen Insight for $2300 a while back, but it turned out the car had been rebuilt three times and flooded twice...sheeesh.

Otherwise, no luck. I’ve not been able to find many and the market is so inflated rn that people ask $4000+ for a clean one. I do need storage space, though, and the 1st gen doesn’t really have that. Just enough for my bike is all I need.

 

Keep in mind, the majority of my driving is highway (freeway) and very little in town driving for that "average"