Better MPG

Bear Chow · 05-07-2008, 10:55 AM

Bare with me a minute.

I saw a rail buggy on the road, and I thought to myself,

"Self I wonder what kind of gas milage that gets. No real weight, It's mostly tubing the aerodynamics can't be terrible. That would make a cool commuter car for the summar."

So does anyone know what kind of MPG they get? My other alternative is a motorcycle. I can get 45-65 depending on throttle control. But I loose the abuility to carry any kids. (That's a wife says so clause, at least not on a regular basis).

So the questions

MPG?
Can it take the abuse of a daily driver?
Can it handle a sustained 65 mph Country highways not interstates?
Is insurance outrages for these?
What am I missing, besides weather issues?

Thanks

Paul

carwash · 05-07-2008, 11:52 AM

most of them are titles as VW beetles, and if they are transferred in state, there is no vehicle inspection, and no one is the wiser at the dmv. If out of state, there is some SERIOUS inspection that is involved. They will check for things like DOT approved headlamps, turn signals, e-brake, etc... most never pass.

they don't get as good a mileage as you would suspect. Usually poorly jetted and ill-running carb. If you stay with a 1600 DP motor and a stock sedan trans, you may get up to 30 out of it if you baby it, but i doubt it.

cons- unsafe exposed cockpit are (road debris, etc), cop magnet, loud even with a good exhaust, no heat, no ac (but air at 65 mph keeps you cool), no power steering, etc. Light front end weight is sketchy at high speeds and in the rain especially. Complete lack of cargo area.

pros - you look like a badass,

trust me, i love rails, and often thought about a street legal one. Anything i found that was even close to something i would drive on the street and felt safe putting my kids into, i was into 7-8k +.

If yer looking for vw power, find a Baja beetle or a well built manx-style fiberglass one with a soft top.

just my $.02.

Bear Chow · 05-07-2008, 01:13 PM

No, I'm just looking to decrease my fuel usage. Those are some really good points, I had not considered road debri at all. I can really see where a very light front end could be problomatic.

Oh well, I guess I will continue to look at motorcycless. My commute is 19.5 miles each way, it's too far for me to ride a bicyle. So, I'm looking for alternatives I just put $52 into a VW golf, the things the size of a golfcart.

Thanks

94Dodge Truggy · 05-07-2008, 02:50 PM

I have been contemplating a motorcycle due to $155.00 fill ups every 4 days with the truck. Interesting facts on the rail scenario.

RuffedUpXJ · 05-07-2008, 04:03 PM

Go bike its even better MPG with a lower price tag for an older used one.

jfiscus · 05-07-2008, 04:05 PM

What about making a two-person rail buggy that's powered by a bike motor?
How legal would that be anyways?

There is actually one sitting in my back yard right now, but it's a friend of a friends and it's never been tagged for road use...

05-07-2008, 10:55 AM	#1
Bear Chow Jeepless Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oxford, Oh Posts: 302	Better MPG Bare with me a minute. I saw a rail buggy on the road, and I thought to myself, "Self I wonder what kind of gas milage that gets. No real weight, It's mostly tubing the aerodynamics can't be terrible. That would make a cool commuter car for the summar." So does anyone know what kind of MPG they get? My other alternative is a motorcycle. I can get 45-65 depending on throttle control. But I loose the abuility to carry any kids. (That's a wife says so clause, at least not on a regular basis). So the questions MPG? Can it take the abuse of a daily driver? Can it handle a sustained 65 mph Country highways not interstates? Is insurance outrages for these? What am I missing, besides weather issues? Thanks Paul

05-07-2008, 11:52 AM	#2
carwash pimpin' IS easy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Union, KY Posts: 3,344 Images: 605	most of them are titles as VW beetles, and if they are transferred in state, there is no vehicle inspection, and no one is the wiser at the dmv. If out of state, there is some SERIOUS inspection that is involved. They will check for things like DOT approved headlamps, turn signals, e-brake, etc... most never pass. they don't get as good a mileage as you would suspect. Usually poorly jetted and ill-running carb. If you stay with a 1600 DP motor and a stock sedan trans, you may get up to 30 out of it if you baby it, but i doubt it. cons- unsafe exposed cockpit are (road debris, etc), cop magnet, loud even with a good exhaust, no heat, no ac (but air at 65 mph keeps you cool), no power steering, etc. Light front end weight is sketchy at high speeds and in the rain especially. Complete lack of cargo area. pros - you look like a badass, trust me, i love rails, and often thought about a street legal one. Anything i found that was even close to something i would drive on the street and felt safe putting my kids into, i was into 7-8k +. If yer looking for vw power, find a Baja beetle or a well built manx-style fiberglass one with a soft top. just my $.02. __________________

05-07-2008, 02:50 PM	#4
94Dodge Truggy EX-Vice President Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairfield, Ohio Posts: 3,048	I have been contemplating a motorcycle due to $155.00 fill ups every 4 days with the truck. Interesting facts on the rail scenario. __________________

05-07-2008, 04:03 PM	#5
RuffedUpXJ On XJ 2 Now Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield Twp. Posts: 314	Go bike its even better MPG with a lower price tag for an older used one. __________________ 88 XJ - 5" lift - 35" BFG's - Bumpers - Rock Rails - Homebrewed OBA - Roof Rack - Tube Doors - Trimmed - Dented 87 XJ - D44 - Disco D30 - 235's - 231TC - Stock for now

05-07-2008, 01:13 PM	#3
Bear Chow Jeepless Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oxford, Oh Posts: 302	No, I'm just looking to decrease my fuel usage. Those are some really good points, I had not considered road debri at all. I can really see where a very light front end could be problomatic. Oh well, I guess I will continue to look at motorcycless. My commute is 19.5 miles each way, it's too far for me to ride a bicyle. So, I'm looking for alternatives I just put $52 into a VW golf, the things the size of a golfcart. Thanks

05-07-2008, 04:05 PM	#6
jfiscus Terrain Stomper Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crittenden, KY Posts: 633	What about making a two-person rail buggy that's powered by a bike motor? How legal would that be anyways? There is actually one sitting in my back yard right now, but it's a friend of a friends and it's never been tagged for road use...