Super Cheap High MPG Cars: 1978-1981

119 thoughts on “Super Cheap High MPG Cars: 1978-1981”

1. @Karl – Thanks for your input! As far as this site being filled with it, hey we’re only conveying the official numbers. Many of these early government ratings were optimistic, little doubt about that. I owned a Pinto. Holy cow, it was the worst car I’ve owned, hands down. I could never calculate MPGs with it back then … either I couldn’t afford to fill the tank or it broke down. Thank heavens it was light, because I pushed that thing home a couple of times. It’s amazing that you owned ten of them. I hit my thumb with a hammer once. After that I learned. 🙂

2. @Karl: I drive a mostly stock Pinto now, with a 2.3 and a 4 speed. I get around 25 city and 28-29 highway. I got over 300 miles in the 11 gallon tank in a highway trip this summer. And this is with the car running a little rough.

   And it’s been reliable as hell for a car that hadn’t been driven for years before I got it. I had some charging system issues early on, but now that those are resolved it doesn’t give me any problems. Aside from it marking its territory that is, haha.

3. I’ve got to say the Pinto is my favorite out of all of the vehicles I’ve had, it’s really fun to drive even though I’m stuck doing 55-60 on the highway when the speed limit here is 65.

   I had a gas 87 Isuzu P’up about 2 years ago and I was getting about 35mpg highway. No muffler, and it backfired every time I threw it in 3rd and stomped the gas pedal. It’s a shame the frame was too rotted and I had to get rid of it.

4. Has anyone thought about the gas they are selling us today? It’s not the same as it was 30 years ago. Why allow consumers to go the ‘extra mile’ when it comes out of your (gas producers) pocketbook. They figured it out and fixed it. Those numbers do seem high though. I drove a 99 Saturn 1.8L and it was a great GREAT highway car. Topped out around 41mpg at 70mph. Faster it would only drop to 36mpg. At 46-52mph with a tail wind 48mpg.

5. @Wil – You hit two key points …

   1) Today’s gasoline is different, no doubt about that. An E10 (10%) Ethanol blend provides less fuel economy than “pure” gasoline. One of our goals in 2012 is to test “pure” gas vs E10 in a number of different vehicles.

   2) Highway speed has a significant effect on fuel economy. The faster you drive, generally speaking, the lower your MPGs. There was a national speed limit thirty years ago …

6. You missed the best ones of all- the Mercedes diesels. My 61 190Db has a mileage chart in the drivers manual which shows 40 mpg at 60mph and 68MPG at 40- I have proven both. My 84 190D-2.2 has averaged 42MPG for the last 5 years in a mix of 75MPH Highway and city driving with an accurate documented best of 54MPG on a hot day with a tailwind on the highway. And all in comfort and style! My bit old 84 300SD only gets 30mpg (In a HUGE 4000lb luxo sedan). And they are all reliable as an anvil and easy to maintain.

7. A VW Jetta is bigger than a VW Rabbit but gives more MPG using the same engine????? C’mon research dept..

8. I think the MPG’s in above table were from EPA data. Years ago the EPA estimates were way overrated. In past couple decades the EPA finally adjusted their system so estimates are much closer.

   On the other hand, 1972 Datsun 620 pickup weighs about 2300 lb, 170 inches long, 98 HP carburetor motor. I used to easily get over 30MPG combined. The smallest pickup you can get today is the Tocoma, 190 inches, 60% more HP, weighs 900lbs more. I want a pickup to occasionally carry sofa, wheelbarrow, big table, push lawnmower, etc. Everyday use is to commute to work. Don’t need that HP, length, weight. It would suit me just fine that if I load it up with 500 lbs of lawn products on the weekend that I would have to accelerate slower.

9. This summer I will pick up my grandmothers 1980 chevette. I have understood that these cars are UGLY but get good gas mileage and last forever (this one has 56k because it has been parked since 85). I drove it around and its a dog (no power at all) so I was wondering what mods can be made to pep up the power which wont hurt gas mileage? So far Ive been told to replace the carb to manifold gasket with a gasket without a screen, drill holes in the air cleaner housing to increase air getting to the filter, and disconnect the smog pump. Can you add anything?

10. If I get one of these and replace the old engine with a newer injected four cyl, will it get even better mpg?

11. the chevy luv does not get anywhere 53 mpg highway. i drive a 1980 chevy luv and i average 30mpg highway driving at 55mph, i have electronic ignition, and aftermarket more efficent carb and have never seen over 32mpg with it. do not expect anything over 28 combined mpg from one.

12. @Joe – I’d reckon your Chevy Luv is a gasser, not a diesel?

13. I had a chevy vega actually liked it. But u had to check the gas and fill the oil when u stopped at a gas station.

14. Yes! You’ve read right folks. 7 years after this was published and I’m commenting to add that I recently picked up my 1981 Datsun 210 2 Dr sports coupe. Just a stock rebuilt A15(s) with a manual 4 speed. Can’t say much about it yet but Im a die hard jdm follower and I know what I have (; the body has 300k on it and the motor has about 1k on the rebuild( so I was told). But even so, she purrs like a kitten and I’m about $2,500 in after a rebuilt carb ($565).. Damn you carb. But anyways call me a fool if you like, but I’m loving my ride. 40+ mpg, rare, stylish, a freeway neckbreaker, and she gets loose haha what more ya need??? Anyways later guys I’m off to drift 😛 *Shakotan*

15. @Dorian – Cool! The 210 has always been a favorite of mine. Best of luck with the project! 🙂

16. Considered many cars, along with the Datsun B210, back then. Almost bought a Volvo Sport at the time or Saab(good buy), but finally bought a Subaru.The only car of the bunch that was any good was the B210……oh, well.

17. This list is totally inaccurate. I have owned many of the cars listed. If you take off at least a good 10 miles per gallon it would be somewhat accurate. Very misleading !

18. @Doug – The numbers on this list are straight from the original EPA ratings. Did they estimate high? Survey says: Yes. =)

19. The 1977 Datsun 210 MPG was the winner hands day as Road & Track tested it for a winner with the 1977 Honda Civic FE. People don’t know this but the EPA does not test any vehicles for MPG ratings, the manufacturer does the testing. But with an highway MPG of 49 for the Honda, the Datsun stripped down MPG had no arm rest and 50 MPG. R&T tested each when warm on a 1 gallon test tank and Honda reached 52.3 MPG and Datsun came in at 54.2 MPG. It had a blinking light on a hand sized computer under the driver seat. If both LED’s were blinking the car was warm and high MPG mode. I worked there and worked these for Pre Delivery Inspection or PDI and saw the magazine article.