Mike McJilton
New member
IT IS A COMBINATION OF BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING ... I WOULD SAY 65% HIGHWAY ... 35% CITY DRIVING... HOPE THAT HELPS... MIKE
Looking for 40+ mpg , Jetta? Cruz? ??
- Thread starter Pete McMiller
- Start date
Jon Zuccolo
Active member
I never bothered getting too crazy with my fuel efficiency like you are thinking about. For me there has to be some balance, and a hybrid or even VW type car, although efficient, doesn't give me enough flexibility. When I got rid of my old truck and got my DODGE MINIVAN I went from 7mpg to 25mpg...
I will now proceed to list out why a dodge grand caravan is a great duck hunting and all around vehicle:
- I feel safe in it (no way would I drive a tiny tin can!)
- I can fit 6 passengers
- If I fold down all the seats, it fits a full sized sheet of plywood (hey does that mean its a truck
)
- fold down the back bench and it fit 3 bicycles and 2 passengers
- I can sleep in the back with the seats down (comes in handy when you pull into a lake at 2am... are you certain you have the tent poles in your tent?)
- Comfortably fit 3 duck hunters 70 decoys, a huge black lab, dog blind, guns... Hey did anyone bring shells for me
The ONLY thing that it really needs is AWD, and I think that option is available. But if you have 6 passengers and you get stuck, they could pick it up and carry it for you.
So go on, and do yourself a favor and get a dodge mini van... and put truck nuts on it
Basically, its the most practical vehicle I ever owned.
I hesitate to hit "post" on this message because I know people seem to hate minivans, but in reality the one I got is just so darn practical.
I will now proceed to list out why a dodge grand caravan is a great duck hunting and all around vehicle:
- I feel safe in it (no way would I drive a tiny tin can!)
- I can fit 6 passengers
- If I fold down all the seats, it fits a full sized sheet of plywood (hey does that mean its a truck
)- fold down the back bench and it fit 3 bicycles and 2 passengers
- I can sleep in the back with the seats down (comes in handy when you pull into a lake at 2am... are you certain you have the tent poles in your tent?
)- Comfortably fit 3 duck hunters 70 decoys, a huge black lab, dog blind, guns... Hey did anyone bring shells for me
The ONLY thing that it really needs is AWD, and I think that option is available. But if you have 6 passengers and you get stuck, they could pick it up and carry it for you.
So go on, and do yourself a favor and get a dodge mini van... and put truck nuts on it
Basically, its the most practical vehicle I ever owned.
I hesitate to hit "post" on this message because I know people seem to hate minivans, but in reality the one I got is just so darn practical.
Phil Nowack
Well-known member
Sorry.. but my VW tin can will survive accident.. or should I say the passengers will.. than in your minivan..... and mpg??? just get a truck... MANY will get 20 + and it isn't a minivan....
( I will apologize for being in a Chessie mood right now.... )
Jon Zuccolo
Active member
Thats ok, if I could sleep in a VW it might be a practical choice for me
But really, just throwing out the info in case anyone wanted to know. I might get a truck again one day (as a second vehicle), but do they really get 20+ mpg now?
Now, if someone made a full size truck with a 4cyl diesel, and a 5 speed transmission, I would be interested.
But really, just throwing out the info in case anyone wanted to know. I might get a truck again one day (as a second vehicle), but do they really get 20+ mpg now?
Now, if someone made a full size truck with a 4cyl diesel, and a 5 speed transmission, I would be interested.
Phil Nowack
Well-known member
If I baby my 3500 crew cab 4x4 cummins, I can get 22 mpg. (Hand calculated). I know people SAY that they get 20+ on their newer half ton pickups... you can go with a Ranger/Tacoma size ande get 20+ in 4x4. Might be a 4 banger... but so what.
I really want to get a Dodge Ramchager or Plymouth Trailduster (pre 1978 so it is a removable top) and put a Cummin 4bt in it... I have heard phenominal results with that combo.... even with 4wd.
You could sleep in. Jetta Sportwagon.....
I really want to get a Dodge Ramchager or Plymouth Trailduster (pre 1978 so it is a removable top) and put a Cummin 4bt in it... I have heard phenominal results with that combo.... even with 4wd.
You could sleep in. Jetta Sportwagon.....
They sell them in Europe!!!
Here is the full size Ford Transit Van our friends rented in Germany when we visited them. Easily fit 8 passengers and all our luggage, and their 3 year old Lab!
It has a 4 Cylindar Turbo Diesel engine,6 speed manual transmission (I think), gets around 25 mph and cruises at Autobahn speeds easily (70 mph).
My understanding is that they put the same engine/transmission combination in light trucks as well.
[inline FordTransitVan.jpg ]
They also sell a 4 Door Ranger, 4WD with this same engine.
In regards to the mininvan, my cousin has the same setup for pulling his boat and loves it. Just like yours, his doubles as a kid carrier, a lumber hauler and boat hauler. Also uses when he hunts. If you dont tow a heavy load and have kids, they are actually good options. We are seriously considering a minivan to replace my 12 year old F150..
View attachment FordTransitVan.jpg
Phil Nowack
Well-known member
They sell Freightliners and Mercedes in the States that look the same. The I believe they are a straight 6 Mercedes desiel. I have heard they get about 27mph.
