Hi, My name is Chris and I'm new to the forum. I live in Shelby Township, MI and go to school at the University of NW Ohio in Lima. I'm in their auto/hi-po motorsports program. I come home on weekends, and it's about a 180 mile drive mostly highway. Right now I drive a 99 Buick Regal (Love the car) and get about 26-27 MPG @ about 70 MPH. I think thats pretty decent for a fullsize, but something that gets better mileage would suit me better right now. I'm not a Mpoar guy (Bowtie), but I like the looks of the older Avenger, and the I4 with a 5 speed seems like it should be able to get better mileage than my Buick and be alot sportier.
I've got a few questions about these cars. What kind of mileage should I expect to get from a 5 speed I4 Avenger in good running order? Other than what you'd look for in any used car, what specifically should I keep my eye open for? What are common issues with these cars? I'm sure I'll have more questions for you guys but I gotta start somewhere. Thanks in advance.
Any Avenger I4 5spd (A578 transmission btw) that is near 145K miles should have or should be very near a clutch replacement.
Mileage...... will probably be about the same Handling.... MUCH better. Buicks are more luxury and are "floaty". they drive like boats at times. If i'm not mistaken the Avenger/2dr Sebring has Maserati origins on the chassis design.
Taken From AUTOTRADER.COM
Recall Number 1
Manufacturer Recall Information
NHTSA Recall Number: 00V421002
Manufacturer Recall Number: 967
Component Affected: SUSPENSION:INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM:LOWER:BALL JOINT
Number of Vehicles Affected: 393796
Manufactured From: Jul 01, 1994
Manufactured To: Feb 28, 2000
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Consequences: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Corrective Action: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
Recall Number 2
NHTSA Recall Number: 99V066003
Manufacturer Recall Number: 827
Component Affected: SUSPENSION:INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM:LOWER:BALL JOINT
Number of Vehicles Affected: 165857
Manufactured From: Jun 16, 1994
Manufactured To: Jun 30, 1996
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.
Consequences: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective Action: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
I hope this helps you. Lets put it this way, I owned a 99 Avenger ES V6 (auto [A604] by default). With a cold air intake (CAI) on it, Fully synthetic oil (Mobil 1 5w 30), I was getting 24-27 MPG average. on the interstate (from Calhoun to Savannah- 9 hour drive) i got the 27. I currently own a 97 Avenger ES I4 5spd and once I get the speed sensor replaced (going on 4 months now lol) I'll be able to measure my MPG.
No, not supercharged I don't think going from that to a 4 cylinder anything would be a wise idea. My Regal is no slouch in the torque department, it'll spin the tires from a dig all day long, but I've ridden in a few modded supercharged 3800 cars and they've got enough torque to turn the world over. Should 30+ MPG be expected from an I4 5 speed Avenger assuming average speed was about 70-75 MPH?
« Last Edit: March 21, 2007, 03:42:59 PM by Chris »
I don't know why, but i should be doing about 3k rpms around 80 and i don't think i am (that would put me in the same RPM range as the V6). i think i'm doing like 3700-4000 for 80 (got a ticket for 73mph and i was doing 3500ish rpm). my speed sensor is broke. Now, when I had my 99 (V6) I got the SAME gas mileage at 100 that i got at 60. Everything in between (mph) was less (mpg).
Since Nykon has an Eclipse, the only difference is probably the premium factor (Eclipses are set to run on it).
Hey Nykon, I bet that's why they accelerate better. The premium factor.
yes you can get ~33-34MPG on highway easy, unless u r constantly "brake then floor it"
and also add to those Recalls, they will reporgram the computer and remove a small part from exhaust assembly for emissions and put a cap at the end. Dealership will do it all for free.
Ummm also when you look around cars, if it has close OR over 100k miles, find out if water pump and timing belt were replaced. Its is HIGHLY recommended to replace both of them around 100k... or they can just fail on you at some point (happened to me).
And a leaking head gasket will be the most common problem with our engines. Its not a huge problem, but it will leave some stains where you daily park and you will have to add some fresh oil from time to time.
And a leaking head gasket will be the most common problem with our engines. Its not a huge problem, but it will leave some stains where you daily park and you will have to add some fresh oil from time to time.
That is the main thing i would look at on the I4 models, mine went at about 100k. But seeing that you are an auto student you should have no problem replacing that if need be. Also like what was mentioned is the ball joint recall, that will be replaced for free from the dealership if it has not been done yet. As for anything else to look for nothining really comes to mind its a pretty solid plateform maybe the dreaded paint cancer(bad clear coat causeing paint to fade)
good luck on whatever you go with
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7psi on a stock bottom end with a atx, check mate.
o btw, that was going 65 mph. my current avenger is terrible on mileage...so far i've been getting 25 on the highway...NOT COOL MAN! ill have to bring it to the dealership so they can do all the work that needs done..since its under warranty..that's gonna be good.
The first day I got my avenger I drove straight through from Kansas City to home.Completly stock,I-4 5-speed driving 80-85 and averaged 32mpg.I've made the trip since with larger tires,CAI,header,bosal catback and lowered 3inches.My average dropped to 29mpg.I did stop twice on they way down and back on the second trip.
I'm guessing it's the two stops I made on the second trip.Could have had something to do with the temps outside also.I think It was cooler temps on the first trip,oh I forgot I did have two passengers on the second trip.That's an extra 300#'s.
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I don't think going from that to a 4 cylinder anything would be a wise idea. My Regal is no slouch in the torque department, it'll spin the tires from a dig all day long, but I've ridden in a few modded supercharged 3800 cars and they've got enough torque to turn the world over. Should 30+ MPG be expected from an I4 5 speed Avenger assuming average speed was about 70-75 MPH?
