[V6-12v] Re: car shopping

[James4ihl at aol.com]

Yeah, I've found my AAH engine pretty economical, especially for its size. In 
fact, feeding into the current octane debate, I've found that its false 
economy to use even 95 octane gas in it, as it seems to use it up quicker. This 
makes sense if you think about it because the 98 octane has a better power 
delivery with each stroke of the engine, so you're having to use the throttle 
proportionately less to attain/keep the same speeds. So I've found its better to pay 
the couple of pence more per litre for superpremium (98) than premium (95) as 
the tank lasts longer. Also, I swear I can hear the difference as well as 
feel it.

Interestingly, there's a big surge of interest over here in 'super' fuels 
(Shell Optimax - 98.6 RON, BP Ultra - 97 RON). I've even tried it on a couple of 
occasions when my cars been in the garage and I've used Mum's car for long 
trips (2000 Golf GTi 1.8 Turbo). This is telling because the recommended fuel for 
that (much more modern engine) has fallen to 95, with the minimum being 91. 
However, you really notice the power increase when you stick some 98 in the 
tank, believe me! Also, like the owners manual states 'a higher octane fuel is 
always beneficial'. 

Hey, when you're paying almost £1 a litre for petrol, it really makes sod-all 
difference whether you buy premium unleaded at 83p/litre, or super unleaded 
at 86p/litre :)

In a message dated 24/6/04 2:07:31 pm, kentmclean at mindspring.com writes:


> I thought about a Dodge Caravan, just for the room
> and the fact that almost anyone can fix them. But
> then I thought "being a sales rep is brutal and you
> need ..." a decent place to sit and a nice car to
> drive.  The Caravan just wouldn't cut it. With the
> 100 S Avant, all my samples fit in the back, with
> some room to spare (for new product lines).
> 
> Mileage: I don't know what it is yet, but on day 2
> I put another 300 miles on the car. Over 2 days, I
> drove from Concord NH to Westport CT and back, then
> down to Westfield MA on one tank of gas. I think I
> can get about 500 miles on a tank.  I'm real happy
> with that.  The boss puts about $50/DAY!!! into her
> Chevy Trailblazer with Thule roof pod.  She carries
> more stuff, but that's a steep gas bill.
> 
> Kent
> '89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy"
> '94 100 S Avant, 2a