Associate Editor Jason Sands' California Driving Log:
Where'd all my horsepower go? Going from a 300hp Dodge to a hopped-up lawnmower engine is just no good at all, although the fuel gauge seems to be permanently glued on "full." The car actually does a decent job of keeping up with traffic as long as you let the engine wind up (apparently the little 1.8L Isuzu makes power all the way up to 5,000 rpm!). The transmission that was installed feels old and clunky because it is, and there is a healthy grinding noise that accompanies the First-to-Second shift. The brakes and suspension feel as good as any new car, and we have to attribute that to the previous owner replacing the brakes, springs, tires, and steering rack. Believe it or not, there's also enough room for a pretty big guy to drive or ride in it, although the back seat only has enough space for legless dwarves. Honestly, we're more than happy with the car's acceleration, ride, and handling-we figured a 51-horsepower car would be painfully slow, but it doesn't feel all that horrible, mostly thanks to its 2,210- pound curb weight. It'll do 0-30 mph in about four seconds, which isn't too bad, but it takes an agonizing 17 more seconds to "accelerate" from 30-60 mph, giving a 0-60 time of just over 20 seconds. The lesson? Stay in the city with this car. Once you're up to speed, the car does OK-it was even able to keep above 55 mph on a six-percent grade. Another cool aspect of this car is that you can actually idle along in First gear at about 2 mph, making it perfect for stop-and-go Los Angeles traffic. Final summation? This is a killer commuter car-just don't ask it to do anything it wasn't designed to do (like passing). Besides, we doubt we could find another reliable (we hope!) car that could exceed 50 mpg for $2,500. DP
 The trick hubcaps are off...  The trick hubcaps are off of a Chevy Citation. We're thinking of trading them in for a set of Kragen spinners. |  Many people couldn't believe...  Many people couldn't believe how clean our little Chevette was. We kept trying to tell people it was a classic, although we're not sure if they bought it. |  Chicks dig fuel-efficient...  Chicks dig fuel-efficient vehicles. Don't believe us? Here's the proof! |
What Really Matters - Chevette Fuel Log:
MILES DRIVEN: 239 MILEAGE: 43.8 mpg
NOTES: Some city traffic, but mostly 65-70 mph on the highway.
MILES DRIVEN: 196 MILEAGE: 42.7 mpg
NOTES: Small town city driving, some freeway, mostly 35-65 mph, hardly any sitting in traffic.
MILES DRIVEN: 239 MILEAGE: 44.3 mpg
NOTES: Constant 70-75mph freeway speeds. No city driving.
MILES DRIVEN: 106 MILEAGE: 59.1 mpg
NOTES: 55 mph, coasting down hills, drafting behind semis, anything to get the best fuel mileage possible. Could be a fluke, will try to duplicate.
MILES DRIVEN: 215 MILEAGE: 37.2 mpg
NOTES: Back and forth to work, sitting in traffic for at least two hours a day, score one for L.A. gridlock.
MILES DRIVEN: 261 MILEAGE: 56.2 mpg
NOTES: Constant 55 mph, coasting down hills, second 50-plus mpg reading!