Life So I Bought a New Car

BigCatDaddy · 03-18-2010, 08:59 AM

From my cousin at the Kia dealership with no money down because we are waiting to get the insurance money from our other car. He told us the car gets 25/29 MPG's which is important to us since we commute to KC everyday for work. After 2 weeks the best MPG I'm getting is 20.5 and the last tank was 19.5 and we do 80% of our driving on Hwy's. So I told him that we want to take the car back and asked if he had something else with better gas mileage. He insist everbody else is getting 25-29 that he has talked to.

So he is pissed but says since we are family he will let us drop it back off asap. We thought he said we had a 30 day return option, but now he says he didn't say that. Anyways, am I in the right here? I did also email him about it after the first tank and was told it takes a while to get better gas mileage and would have returned it sooner had we not been under the impression we had 30 days. We've had it about 2 weeks.

Demonpenz · 03-18-2010, 09:01 AM

Don't do business with family ...hard fast rules to live by.

BigCatDaddy · 03-18-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

Don't do business with family ...hard fast rules to live by.

Agreed. Hopefully no hard feelings are involved.

Hydrae · 03-18-2010, 09:07 AM

There was another post recently from someone having a similar issue. It seemed like a lot of the responses were that the mileage would improve after the first 5000 or so miles. You have to break in the engine before it gets optimum milieage.

I don't know anything about this, just sharing what I read from the CP braintrust.

**Donger** · 03-18-2010, 09:09 AM

Do you have issues with patience or something? New cars do not get their advertised mileage for quite a while/miles.

BigCatDaddy · 03-18-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrae

There was another post recently from someone having a similar issue. It seemed like a lot of the responses were that the mileage would improve after the first 5000 or so miles. You have to break in the engine before it gets optimum milieage.

I don't know anything about this, just sharing what I read from the CP braintrust.

Yeah, it was me and the gas milage has gotten worse after driving it for 1000 miles and we thought it had a 30 day return policy.

jjjayb · 03-18-2010, 09:11 AM

The estimated mileage is stated on the sticker of all New cars. If it's a used car you bought you should have looked up the estimated mileage before you bought it. But keep in mind, it's estimated mileage. Some will get higher, some will get lower. When I drive my wifes car I get 3-4 mpg less than she does. I have a heavier foot, she drives like an old lady.

Sorry, but you're stuck with the car. Drive a little easier and your mileage will go up. And sometimes it does take a few thousand miles before you start seeing optimal mpg.

rageeumr · 03-18-2010, 09:11 AM

Next time I'm faced with a difficult "new thread/bump old thread" decision, I'ma go the way of BigCatDaddy and say "**** it, I'm doing both"

**Donger** · 03-18-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Yeah, it was me and the gas milage has gotten worse after driving it for 1000 miles and we thought it had a 30 day return policy.

You are referring to a 1 MPG decrease? If so, there are many things that could attribute to that beyond something being "wrong" with the car:

1) Weight increase.

2) Weather conditions (especially wind).

3) Overall driving habits.

Etc.

Also, please describe how you calculated the MPG.

BigCatDaddy · 03-18-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Do you have issues with patience or something? New cars do not get their advertised mileage for quite a while/miles.

They improve 30%? We were told 25/29 when we bought they car and we do 80% of our driving hwy. So I'm thinking 27-28 and I got 19.5 on the last fillup at about 1100 miles.

BigCatDaddy · 03-18-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

You are referring to a 1 MPG decrease? If so, there are many things that could attribute to that beyond something being "wrong" with the car:

1) Weight increase.

2) Weather conditions (especially wind).

3) Overall driving habits.

Etc.

Also, please describe how you calculated the MPG.

Right, but like I said we were told 25/29 and I'm getting 20 at best.

Miles travled divided gallons of gas put in car.

**Donger** · 03-18-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

They improve 30%? He were told 25/29 when we bought they car and we do 80% of our driving hwy. So I'm thinking 27-28 and I got 19.5 on the last fillup at about 1100 miles.

Those numbers are estimates, and IMO they are theoretical maximums. Yes, it will improve as your engine breaks-in. How much? I have no idea. I'd suggest that look at your driving style. Here:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...ts/alt064.shtm

Do us a favor and try these tips and see how much improvement you get.

Frosty · 03-18-2010, 09:19 AM

The problem is that mileage is highly dependent on your driving habits. You aren't going to just magically get the posted mileage. That mileage is calculated on a closed course, driving a steady 55 mph with all electrical accessories turned off. If you are accelerating hard, speeding up and down (even while highway driving), letting the car idle to "warm up" in the morning, etc, you are going to get a lot worse mileage.

If you can't turn the car back in, check cleanmpg.com for driving tips to improve the mileage.

That said, I haven't seen a Korean car yet that gets the kind of mileage you would think they should get. I don't think they build very efficient engines yet.

BigCatDaddy · 03-18-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Those numbers are estimates, and IMO they are theoretical maximums. Yes, it will improve as your engine breaks-in. How much? I have no idea. I'd suggest that look at your driving style. Here:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...ts/alt064.shtm

Do us a favor and try these tips and see how much improvement you get.

He wants the car back today So I shouldn't be upset that I was told 25/29 by a dealer and I get 19-20 driving mostly Hwy?

**Donger** · 03-18-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Right, but like I said we were told 25/29 and I'm getting 20 at best.

I'm just pointing out that 1 MPG decrease isn't very much and that it most certainly does not prove that there is something wrong with the vehicle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Miles travled divided gallons of gas put in car.

Okay, so you are noting the odometer (or zeroing out the trip odo) when you fill up? Are you topping off the tank each time or just stopping when the trigger pops? Same air temperature each time?

03-18-2010, 08:59 AM
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $1939122	So I Bought a New Car From my cousin at the Kia dealership with no money down because we are waiting to get the insurance money from our other car. He told us the car gets 25/29 MPG's which is important to us since we commute to KC everyday for work. After 2 weeks the best MPG I'm getting is 20.5 and the last tank was 19.5 and we do 80% of our driving on Hwy's. So I told him that we want to take the car back and asked if he had something else with better gas mileage. He insist everbody else is getting 25-29 that he has talked to. So he is pissed but says since we are family he will let us drop it back off asap. We thought he said we had a 30 day return option, but now he says he didn't say that. Anyways, am I in the right here? I did also email him about it after the first tank and was told it takes a while to get better gas mileage and would have returned it sooner had we not been under the impression we had 30 days. We've had it about 2 weeks.
Posts: 25,871

03-18-2010, 09:01 AM	#2
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3082136	Don't do business with family ...hard fast rules to live by. __________________
Posts: 54,279

03-18-2010, 09:07 AM	#4
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2247000	There was another post recently from someone having a similar issue. It seemed like a lot of the responses were that the mileage would improve after the first 5000 or so miles. You have to break in the engine before it gets optimum milieage. I don't know anything about this, just sharing what I read from the CP braintrust.
Posts: 14,689

03-18-2010, 09:09 AM	#5
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10269900 VARSITY	Do you have issues with patience or something? New cars do not get their advertised mileage for quite a while/miles. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 180,895

03-18-2010, 09:11 AM	#7
jjjayb MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Back in K.C. baby!!!! Casino cash: $6143433	The estimated mileage is stated on the sticker of all New cars. If it's a used car you bought you should have looked up the estimated mileage before you bought it. But keep in mind, it's estimated mileage. Some will get higher, some will get lower. When I drive my wifes car I get 3-4 mpg less than she does. I have a heavier foot, she drives like an old lady. Sorry, but you're stuck with the car. Drive a little easier and your mileage will go up. And sometimes it does take a few thousand miles before you start seeing optimal mpg.
Posts: 7,013

03-18-2010, 09:11 AM	#8
rageeumr Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: St. Louis :( Casino cash: $9989900	Next time I'm faced with a difficult "new thread/bump old thread" decision, I'ma go the way of BigCatDaddy and say "**** it, I'm doing both"
Posts: 2,313

03-18-2010, 09:19 AM	#13
Frosty Go Beavers! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Warshington Casino cash: $5608243	The problem is that mileage is highly dependent on your driving habits. You aren't going to just magically get the posted mileage. That mileage is calculated on a closed course, driving a steady 55 mph with all electrical accessories turned off. If you are accelerating hard, speeding up and down (even while highway driving), letting the car idle to "warm up" in the morning, etc, you are going to get a lot worse mileage. If you can't turn the car back in, check cleanmpg.com for driving tips to improve the mileage. That said, I haven't seen a Korean car yet that gets the kind of mileage you would think they should get. I don't think they build very efficient engines yet.
Posts: 14,500