Re: Nineties Econobox Challenge. *Build Phase*
Honestly I don't value one over the other. I can see why you think that based on my wording so I can't fault you. I explained it the way I did because you design the engine first. Since I tend to go with power first and only look at efficiency at the end, I laid it out that way to appeal more to the same sort of person. The type of person who needs to say "It’s ok that it’s not making at least 100HP because you got to keep those fuel numbers up" to correct any problem with the inappropriateness of the engine. To use the 1.5L and 1L engine comparison, I was correcting the 1.5L having 100HP vs the 1L's 70HP. Once you reign in the 1.5L then you realize it’s probably bigger than it needs to be. Then we move onto the next section of the car where you can manage the weight given an appropriate engine.
The reliability penalty, to me at least, isn't really that big a deal...well depends on what you are touching. You take a bigger hit from installing a basic radio than slamming the seat slider all the way down to lose the weight, for example. Of course I really don’t like not including a radio and I really don’t like basic seats if I can help it. Although the sedan required drastic choices to make it work with what I wanted. I'm not submitting the sedan, but it was useful for insight.
Fuel sliders probably should be what gets your points first always. I merely mention it as being the last thing you should do because of the need to manage production units. You don’t want to go too crazy with the sliders early on. Front and rear suspension setups do carry weight (unless the weight stat listed there means something else), the Macpherson weigh less than Double Wishbone. Just as torsion beam is the lightest in the rear (well Pushrods are lighter, but they’re probably out of reach here.) They also have production unit and cost considerations, which is probably the more pressing issue for that choice. Same with suspension spring choice Standard/Progressive (I did leave out progressive) weigh “nothing” unlike hydropneumatic. Standard and progressive are similar although progressive are slightly more expensive material and PU wise. Active setups become available later, but also weigh more, yes. I merely meant don't use hydropneumatic really.
I didn’t include tires on my itemized list, but I did mention them right before.
Eh +1 aero might cost almost nothing but makes it more costly in terms of production, as the difference between 251 and 249 cars per day. If you’ve got the room sure; do you, have at it hoss.