Automatics, do they suck? Or just sort of?

[Gracecardriver]

I've been looking to replace my '91 manual recently and the options are either rustyrustlords, overpriced manuals or.....the automatics. There is a seller that's telling me he has one that is getting 40 mpg, but I'm skeptical. I know that they generally get better than what's listed on the fuel economy site (and folks post their actual mileage with each model, but there's not much to show for an '89, and I've never driven one, so I don't know. fuel economy site says 26city/27/hwy29. Does anyone have any feedback? I also just generally loathe driving automatics, but may be willing to try it if I still get decent mileage, there's not much holding on the rear axle of my car at this point, so I'm getting less picky....sort of.

[clphipps79]

Automatics are alright, if you're with a hit to MPG's. Most people here get around 31 or so a gallon. The harder you drive one the worse it gets. Remember their only 3 speed automatics. If you or anyone has driven one and the cluster was replaced with one that has a tach, you can first hand see how much higher the RPM's are say around 55-60 vs a 5 speed. My first Festiva as an automatic and I never fully realized how I was using so much gas. That was until I got the cluster with Tach and compared it to my moms car at the time a 92 Probe GL. My festiva was close to 3000 rpm at 55 where as her probe with the 5 speed was closer to 2100

[Advancedynamix]

My 89 automatic was only getting 25mpg. Also, the 89 auto is a strange car because a lot of the fuel injection parts are specific to that year automatic Festiva. It can be difficult to find certain parts.

[bolokid]

Automatics are alright, if you're with a hit to MPG's. Most people here get around 31 or so a gallon. The harder you drive one the worse it gets. Remember their only 3 speed automatics. If you or anyone has driven one and the cluster was replaced with one that has a tach, you can first hand see how much higher the RPM's are say around 55-60 vs a 5 speed. My first Festiva as an automatic and I never fully realized how I was using so much gas. That was until I got the cluster with Tach and compared it to my moms car at the time a 92 Probe GL. My festiva was close to 3000 rpm at 55 where as her probe with the 5 speed was closer to 2100

I recently installed a tach/speedo cluster in the 91 with an auto and was also surprised. 4000 rpm = 78 mph. Running 75-80 mph the Festiva averages about 30 mpg, holding a steady 60 mph mileage can be 40+ mpg.

[jfd64]

I pick one up tthis year.dropped a motor in and drove it for a month and passed it on.i was surprised i liked it and how much lower mpg i got

[TominMO]

Driving in the city with some hypermiling techniques, I could see one getting ~40 MPG. At 40 MPH there is no wind resistance that matters, and the RPMs are still low in 3rd gear. That would be the ideal use of the Festy 3-speed auto tranny. Think pizza delivery or mail delivery, or just general city use. It might even be true that smaller-diameter tires would be actually better, because they would get the tranny into 3rd at a lower MPH. Ideal might be alloy 12" Festy rims, for their lighter weight when taking off.

[Larry Hampton]

My black GL is an auto, wife drove it mainly in town, got a best of about 36mpg, tops speed around 50mph.

[bhazard]

My 89 automatic was only getting 25mpg. Also, the 89 auto is a strange car because a lot of the fuel injection parts are specific to that year automatic Festiva. It can be difficult to find certain parts.

I average that in the BP/auto, not being nice to it. Something is wrong there. Besides you being racecardriver

http://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/festiva/1991/bhazard/301518

Driving in the city with some hypermiling techniques, I could see one getting ~40 MPG. At 40 MPH there is no wind resistance that matters, and the RPMs are still low in 3rd gear. That would be the ideal use of the Festy 3-speed auto tranny. Think pizza delivery or mail delivery, or just general city use. It might even be true that smaller-diameter tires would be actually better, because they would get the tranny into 3rd at a lower MPH. Ideal might be alloy 12" Festy rims, for their lighter weight when taking off.

You'd be surprised how much aero still plays a factor at 40 mph. But yeah low speed is the key in the auto.

My black GL is an auto, wife drove it mainly in town, got a best of about 36mpg, tops speed around 50mph.

Sounds about right. My only experience in a stock B3/auto was mid-30's average.

[sketchman]

You'd be surprised how much aero still plays a factor at 40 mph. But yeah low speed is the key in the auto.

This. I was getting 37 consistently in mixed driving with a 3 spd auto in a 2400lb car with a 130hp 2.0 in it. No mods but a MUCH more aero stock body. And that was doing 65-70 quite a bit. It is amazing how much aero plays into it.

[F3BZ]

have had 2 autos. biggest drawback was pulling up long hills on the interstate. in 3rd the engines too weak to maintain 70+mph. kicking down to 2nd produced a lot of noise and RPM. a constant back and forth battle. AT car would be fine in a flat area.

[bhazard]

have had 2 autos. biggest drawback was pulling up long hills on the interstate. in 3rd the engines too weak to maintain 70+mph. kicking down to 2nd produced a lot of noise and RPM. a constant back and forth battle. AT car would be fine in a flat area.

Engine swap will help that tremendously. It's not like you're gonna lose a lot of mpg's.

[old yellow]

Haven't calculated my MPG but I use almost 1/4 of a tank in 3 days driving with my automatic.... but then again it has a .40 over aspire engine in it....

[1990new]

I just checked several fill ups in my log and the range is between 31 and 35 mpg for my 89 automatic.
I have a tac and the RPM is about 3100 on level ground doing 55 vs 2400 on the 5 speed (only hills around where I drive are the ramps going up to bridges).
Most of my driving in Trixie is just around town at speeds less than 55 with max rpms around 2800.

If you plan to do a lot of interstate highway driving, the 5 speed is definitely the thing to have.

[Movin]

Our 89 is durable!! Best car ever on the daughters paper route. Mileage doing papers beats all the other delivery people. Around town if you are not in a hurry there is no real difference between the 4sp, the 5sp or the auto. When you drive it like you stole it the 4 speed in town and the 5 speed in the country would be preferred. I have not put the auto in the back country but it would probably be the best off highway, all else the same. They are all great cars and each are the best at something, figure out what you like, want and need!

[Studebaker]

I drove a auto. It was a great car for the city. Got 35 mpg. I did use P155R80/13's which was a little taller tire. Added just enough load to the engine so as not to be screaming when doing 55mph. I did swap in a 5spd. Which I liked much better.