I have put down a deposit on a 1993 petrol Townace 2L auto 2WD. I have seen people here refer to 'horrendous' fuel consumption on petrol Townaces. What is 'horrendous'? Any advice - should I pull out now and go for diesel?

- (#7384) Malcolm Stroud, 30 Dec 03 17:15

A lot of weight to pull with a relatively small engine. Can't speak for the petrol Townace but the SpaceCruiser is similar. When properly set up expect about 17 - 25 mpg depending on conditions. In comparison, 2WD diesel Townaces can return up to high 30s

- (#7384) Ian Dunse, 31 Dec 03 03:21

I have a 2.0 petrol Royal Lounge 4x4. With air con on and traveling at 70mph on the motorway I get 15mpg but with air con of I can get 25 - 30 mpg. I use Castrol Magnatek Oil and the engine has been Slick 50 treated and is fitted with a Ecotek 26P.

- (#7384) Bill, 3 Jan 04 04:44

Thanks Bill and Ian.

Have decided to go ahead - not sure enough about diesels in areas where air quality is a problem. Hope I don't regret it. It should be better than my current Vauxhall Carlton estate 2Li (petrol) anyway, which I have just calculated at 23MPG over the last 12 months!

What is an Ecotek 26P?

- (#7384) Malcolm Stroud, 3 Jan 04 05:35

I have been looking for a pick-up for domestic use (refurbishing house) not heavy business use; and have seen an imported factory built townace pick-up, any advice or comment? Motor is 1.8 petrol vehicle approx 8 years old with 45k miles.

- (#7384) M artyn Hugill, 12 Jan 04 06:19

Your call Martyn but if you are principally going to trash this vehicle in pursuit of refurbishing your house, you want to spend your time refurbishing not mechanicing. The Townace you speak of sounds like a one-off. Think I would go for a Hilux and diesel one if you can find one.

- (#7384) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 12 Jan 04 08:48

well i got 28mpg on the first tank, a third suburban, two-thirds motorway driving. not bad for me.

am very pleased with the car, and not worried by the performance, acceleration etc.

any further advice on increasing mpg by technical means would be appreciated.



- (#7384) Malcolm Stroud, 12 Jan 04 15:56