Gerdes Hypermiling Phenomenon
Like a wallflower at a dance, economy cars in the United States have seemingly been left behind while the
spotlight goes on more expensive vehicles. But keen shoppers who view cars merely as transportation see the value
in these low-enders. Less expensive cars, of course, are not what they were years ago as they were giving quiet better
Gerdes hypermiling.Years ago, a low-end car was called a stripper, meaning it had no extra equipment. Even in the '70s and early '80s, there were vestiges of the days when strippers were commonplace. Such cars might have just a radio.
Years ago, so-called economy cars had good fuel economy as a distinct advantage, but even that distinction has been blurred because larger cars deliver nearly as much mileage as smaller cars. The bottom line is that today there are no strippers. Every car is equipped with, at the very minimum, dual air bags and anti-lock brakes. All have power steering and power brakes and a stereo, and rare is the new car today without air conditioning.
Chevrolet
Cavalier. Chevrolet revised the Cavalier's appearance for 2000, but underneath the sheetmetal buyers will find the
same 115-horsepower 4-cylinder, or optional 150-horsepower 4-cylinder engines. Available as a coupe, sedan or convertible,
the Cavalier includes as standard air bags, anti-lock brakes and air conditioning. If you want a ragtop, get it early,
because they're being discontinued.
Metro. This truly is an economy car. It can be purchased for about $10,000, and if driven carefully, it will deliver
extraordinary gas mileage. Of course, the Metro is a circus-car size, and the standard engine is a 1.0-liter with 55
horsepower. If you want a little more zip, you can go for the 1.3-liter with 79 horsepower.
Prizm. Essentially the same as a Toyota Corolla, the Prizm has been all over the lot in recent years in terms of trim and
accouterments. But now Chevy has settled for a sedan that brings a medium-level of comfort with available equipment
such as power windows and door locks. The engine is a 1.8-liter 4-banger delivering 125 horsepower.
Daewoo
Lanos. The smallest and least expensive of three Korean-built Daewoo cars, the Lanos is available as a hatchback
coupe or sedan, both with a 1.6-liter 105-horsepower engine. Even so, the Lanos includes as standard on the upper
trim level models of both the hatchback and sedan power windows and door locks.
Nubira. A step up the ladder, the Nubira is available as a sedan and coupe, and it too includes standard anti-locks,
power windows and locks on its wagon and uplevel sedan model. The only engine is a 2.0-liter 129-horsepower 4 cylinder.
Leganza. This is the top-of-the-Daewoo-line and can easily reach the $20,000 mark. Its engine is a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder
producing 131 horsepower. Because this is Daewoo's most luxurious car, it's fully equipped. And provides the best
Gerdes hypermiling.
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