A ride in the ricer

[Unit 5302]

Chronologically my cars:

1977 Ford Mustang II Fastback 302 V8 - Auto
1988 Ford Mustang LX Hatchback 2.3L I4 - Auto
1988 Ford Mustang LX Hatchback 2.3L I4 - Auto
1988 Ford Mustang GT Hatchback 5.0L V8 - Manual
1991 Dodge Shadow Hatchback 2.5L I4 - Auto
1985 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe 2.3L I4 - Manual
1991 Ford Escort GT Hatchback - 1.8L I4 - Manual
1987 Ford Mustang GT Hatchback 5.0L V8 - Manual
2001 Ford Mustang GT Coupe 4.6L V8 - Manual
2002 Ford Mustang GT Coupe 4.6L V8 - Manual
1996 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0L V6 - Auto
2002 Nissan Pathfinder LE 3.5L V6 - Auto

The best fuel economy I got from any of those vehicles was the 1987 Mustang GT. On average 19/28. The worst fuel economy I got from any of those vehicles was the 1977 Mustang. On average 16/??. I think it might have been able to pull a 20mpg freeway run out, but I never used it for that. The next worst fuel economy vehicle I have is the Nissan Pathfinder. It gets about 16/19. I ran it hard on the freeway back from Dallas, TX to Minneapolis, MN. I'll get another chance to test it out from Minneapolis to my new home in Denver, CO soon enough. The little Escort GT with it's DOHC 16v I-4 and variable intake runners with all that jazz got about 20/23. So what's my point? The point is that high powered little engines generally spin at much higher rpms on the freeway so their fuel advantages drop through the floor at 70mph. The bottom line is that if you're interested in fuel economy with performance, you should be riding a motorcycle, like one of the two bikes I have now.

Buying American is not buying American anymore. It hasn't been for years. Domestic auto manufacturers don't assemble a bin full of American made parts anymore. There is little, if any, difference between the component points of origin and assembly of domestic and foreign autos these days.

As for the ricerphobia I've come to expect and witness on sites dedicated to domestic automobiles, I think a lot of people need a reality check. Big scoops, big wings, and fancy air cleaners were invented by domestic auto manufacturers. Remember the Superbird or the Grand Torinos? Even the old Mach 1's came with pretty good sized rear wings. Big air cleaners that screamed "Ram Air" or "427" with racing flags, etc. Mach 1 hood scoops. How about those scoops, spoilers, and big snake on the hood of the late 70's Mustang II King Cobras? Maybe those giant 1950's vintage tailfins added power? I know, it was the jacked up leaf spring rear ends that were popular in the 70s that added power. Domestic manufacturers and domestic owners started it all. "Ricers" are just carrying on the tradition of modifying their cars. I can respect a car that runs 11's but sits in primer with a little rust and dome dents. That doesn't mean I'm all that impressed by it. What impresses me is somebody that has invested time and effort into making their car what they wanted it to be. I don't have any respect for people that don't recognize effort and time spent on customizing or improving performance on cars because the subject car is made by a foreign auto manufacturer or doesn't involve making the car faster. There are modifications that I think look like crap or are done cheaply. Reflective stickers all over the place instead of paint, chrome curb feelers, suspensions dropped down without having the caster camber adjusted, peeling paint on dashboards, and tires rubbing on the inner fender. Bascially cheap ass hack jobs.