Re: Engine Size

From: Mike Crumley (mcrumley@airmail.net)
Date: Wed Sep 23 1998 - 12:35:34 EDT


At 02:52 PM 9/22/98 , you wrote:

>Why do you say the 318 sucks ? Not that there is anything wrong with that ,
>but I am just curious as to why you think so . Only thing I can think of
>would be the very minimal difference in gas mileage .

Hey, I never used the word "sucks", OK? But then again, if you've ever put
your hand over the TB while the engine is running--it really does suck :)
On the other hand, if you take a look at my sig you'll see that I actually
have a V-6. That post was just a tongue-in-cheek attempt to head off the
flood of "Get a V-8" posts that always pour forth whenever this subject is
brought up. As far as the "minimal" difference in mileage that some on this
list have brought up lately, I have come to the following conclusion.
Having been on the list for about a year, my (informal) estimate is that
the V-8s get about 11-13 mpg city slightly more hwy (again this is just a
rough average, some get more, some not as good). The V-6s average about
16-18 mpg city. This works out to about 5mpg difference. If we round it off
to 20 gallons burned between fill ups, the V-6s can go 100 miles farther
than the V-8s before filling up. Or, the V-6s can go the same distance as
the V-8s on 5 gallons less gas. Or the V-6s can go the same distance as the
V-8s for $5 less money. Or...well, you can work out all the combinations.
Now, whether this amounts to a "minimal" difference, or whether really adds
up over the course of a year or the lifetime of the vehicle is, I suppose,
a matter of opinion. Some would rather have the power and don't care about
the mileage. I'll wave at them as I drive by the gas station :)

--
Mike Crumley  mcrumley@airmail.net
97 RC 3.9L V6   3.55 Auto  Rhino Liner
Bug Shield  Mud Flaps  DDBC

"I believe people would be alive today if there were a death penalty" -- Nancy Reagan



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