[Trumpetman]

Originally Posted by atomicbartbeans Kewl! The Escort isn't particularly known for its efficiency (nor is automatic transmission), but you'll certainly at least double your fuel economy.

I understand that and had actually looked at a few cars that were subcompacts with manual transmissions and got better gas mileage. However I considered the car most likely to alter our habits as a family as opposed to just my habits as a commuter.

Originally Posted by Dorian Gray Welcome! What engine does it have? One of Ford's SOHC efforts, perhaps? I doubt it'll get great economy, though obviously it'll beat a truck. BTW, the fact that you didn't mention the engine in a post about fuel consumption, yet described the electric windows, etc., goes a little way towards explaining why manufacturers make such a fuss about minor spec details like that. People care a lot about them! I find it hilarious that big companies like Fiat are now listing "iPod connector", a $5 functionality, beside things like the engine type (a billion-dollar R&D expense).

According to the website powers that be it is as follows...

1,983 cc 2 liters 4 in-line front engine with 84.8 mm bore, 87.9 mm stroke, 9.6 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder

Also for Windswept...

Power: SAE and 97 kW , 130 HP @ 5,750 rpm; 127 ft lb , 172 Nm @ 4,250 rpm

It is interesting as you noted. I bought it because it would double my fuel mileage and for the experiment as I mentioned. I can tell you everything about every other engine in the family fleet as it were, but that is because I have to consider what it will tow. This one is strictly for driving so I guess I didn't ponder all the variables. Now I know though and so do you.

Originally Posted by Dorian Gray True. Engines still cost a lot more than $5! Though with modern mass-production techniques, the common ones are astonishingly cheap. Cars in fact are astonishingly cheap. A small aeroplane costs 10x more for a similar degree of complexity. Anyway, I'm more interested in the engine than electric windows, particularly in a thread about fuel consumption. Looking forward to seeing how much your fuel bills are reduced, Trumpetman.

I'm aiming for a savings of two hundred per month. I'll post some pics of the subsequent fill-ups. I already know that the first fill-up topped off at 10 gallons whereas my pick-up has a 25 gallon tank.

Originally Posted by Windswept Is it a four-cylinder car, and what gas mileage are you expecting to get from it? Also, I'm curious about the horsepower, if you know what that is for this Escort.

I'm hoping to get double what my pick-up gets which is 14 mpg when adding freeway and city driving. If I can get 28 mpg on average with this car I will be happy.

Originally Posted by PB PM The rims look really funny/out of place on that car! The Escort isn't a bad car, I guess. Never seen it listed as doing well on gas, but then anything is better than a truck or SUV. Then again, I've always lived by the saying that "friends don't let friends buy Fords."

If you recognize them, tell me a bit about them. Maybe I'll sell them off for some stock tires and try to recoupe the experiment costs even faster.