Opinion Requested: Best & Most Fuel Efficient Older Clas

[captvik]

Greetings:
I am new to the forum and am looking to purchase a used B. My budget will only allow me to buy one older than 2000. I have read advertisements claiming that some of the subject B's were averaging between 15-20 MPG. Is this just nonsense or do some of the older B's really get that kind of mileage. Can any of you owners tip me off as to which units get the best mileage, and have the highest quality workmanship. I am looking forward to the collective wisdom of the group.
Thanks,
Mike

[Cornbread Red]

My choice would be anything built on the Toyota truck chassis. One manufacturer I remember is Dolphin, and there are several others.

The Toyota 22R engine is very well-made, and while I've never owned one, I've heard they commonly get 22mpg.

Chip

[Big Ying]

I have tested my 1990 Ford Falcon on the highway at 60 MPH on Cruise Control and it definitely gets 15-16 mpg under those conditions.

[g1g]

I have a 95 Dodge and I get 15-16 mpg. I really haven't tried to see what I can get as I only have had it for a year and haven't had the time to go much. My lowest was 14.5 mpg with old gas in it.

[Ferzyx]

We have a 1995 Great West Van on a Dodge B3500 chassis. It has the small block V8 engine with 99000 KM on it. Over three long trips this year so far, that includes city driving as well as steady highway driving, we have averaged 17.87 MPG. Keep in mind that these are Canadian Imperial gallons , which are larger than American ones.

[Whiskyecho]

[quote="captvik"]

"..I have read advertisements claiming that some of the subject B's were averaging between 15-20 MPG.."

Just so you realize it, here are some $ figures for different mpg (4000 mile trip at $4 per gallon at 12,14, 16, 18 & 20 mpg):

12mpg = 333gal/$1332
14mpg = 285gal/$1140
16mpg = 250gal/$1000
18mpg = 222gal/$ 888
20mpg = 200gal/$ 800

NOTE (for what it's worth):

there is a $532 diff between 12mpg and 20mpg for a 4000 mile trip - but - suppose now that those 4000 miles are spread over a 4 week trip - the additional cost of $532 equals less than $16 per day.

or - if the RV is used for everyday driving, that would be about 1/3 of a year's worth of usage.

[Joe]

I have a 1996 Dodge Explorer. I only get 11 miles to the gal.

[lefty]

There's more to this than just make of vehicle ! You have to consider weight , trans gearing , rear diff gears , and motor size . Hills , even tires make a difference . Are you towing anything ? Is your rig shaped nicely to cut into the wind , or is it an old box shape , preventing any decent drag co efficient ? If you can research a little, you can beat the odds just by first getting these points in your favor , and then drive without a lead foot , you might realize decent gas mileage . example : a 360 Dodge properly geared will allways beat a 318 that is forced to turn 3000 rpm's at 60 miles an hour . If you can keep the rpm's down , you win in the heat + wear department as well !