Stutter Problem and Fuel Mileage

[aholenstein]

Stutter Problem and Fuel Mileage

Hi, I recently bought a 1993 Asuna Sunfire. With 145000km. I like the car and the way it handles, but I have two major issues.
I just went trough my first tank of fuel and I noticed I got 15Mile/Gallon or 15Liter/100Km. That seems very high since it is only a 1.8L 4 Cylinder Engine.
Does anyone know what the proper RPM Range for each Gear? Or Speed For each Gear?
Does anyone know what the normal fuel consumption is on this Car? I thought I should get around 7Liters/100Km or 33Miles/Gallon.

The Second problem I have is: In 1st and 2nd Gear sometimes also I 3rd Gear, I get quite a bit of a Stutter (somewhere like when someone tries to drive a Standard for the first time) Does anyone here experienced the same or similar problem?

One little thing: I have quite a bid to Rust starting to come through the paintjob at the front part of the rear Wheel Wells. Its seems to be a common problem with those cars. Does anyone know why that is? I am thinking of bringing the car to body shop to get it fixed. But it cost a little over CAN$800.-. Is it really worthwhile fixing it?

Thanks you for all your input!

[MagicRat]

I suspect most Americans are saying 'what the hell is an Asuna Sunfire'?
I don't think they were sold in the US under that name. It's just a Geo renamed for Cdn Pontiac/Buick dealers to sell.

(12 years ago, their TV spokesman in their Canadian advertisements was the ex-boyfriend of an ex-girlfriend of mine. You needed to know this, didn't you?)

Yes, that fuel consumption is too high. It's likely some aspect of the car's maintenance has been neglected. Its time for a proper tune up, including plugs, wires, cap and rotor, check the timing and replace the oxygen sensor. Check the air filer if it looks at all dirty. Change the fuel filter, too, as a preventive measure.

As for changing gears, it depends on how hard you are accelerating. If you are moving out fast, revving it to almost redline is fine. But just for normal cruising, shifting at 2500 to 3000 rpm is fine.

As for rust, some surface rust is typical for a 13 year old inexpensive Japanese-designed car in the Land of Salt&Snow. Rust goes hand in hand with this car. IMHO this car is not worth much and is certainly not worth much body work. Just grab a spray can of rust proofing goo and spray the rust spots so at least they will not spread too fast in the future. It's best to get the spray under the bubbling paint is you can.

But bodywork is not worth it, especially wit that higher mileage, and likely there is rust underneath and in the unit body structure, too, (which is expensive to fix!)