I'm very new to Datsuns, and I'm looking at buying my first which is a 1979 Datsun 210 Wagon. The guy said that it gets probably 60-70 miles per gallon. I don't believe him for a second. What should I be getting with this? It still has the original single barrel carb.

You can expect to get around 40 mpg depending on driving style and conditons, tune, engine size and transmission type.

It's got the 1.6L 4cyl, with a manual trans.

not in a 210...unless someone put it there
my '80 210 sedan got 19mpg due to an issue with the altitude compensator. I replaced the carb with a '74 B210 A13 unit and saw 32mpg.
the same drivetrain in my '71 Cricket and Cruise control saw 38mpg.
out here in Oklahoma, I only get around 26mpg
of course, this is concerning american specs

60 to 70 miles per gallon is a long stretch of that Datsun prowess.

He probably is ignorant about engines and is making a non educated estimate based on the Datsun 210 's known good mileage.

There is different things you can do to a motor. From a stock engine in great shape to a full modified race engine, different stages of modification will give you different mileage ratings.
But 60 to 70 is not right. Focus on the car, check the engine compartment, look for signs of care, clean engine, smooth idle, no leaks. Before you start the car, open the radiator ( provided it is cold!!! do not open a hot radiator) and see the color of the fluid. Is it green?? anti freeze??, or is it clear water?? no antifreeze??) or is it chocolate color?? ( rust).

Check the oil level, is it where it has to be between the marks?? preferably at the top mark). Is it clean oil color?? or is it tar black??

Suspension, push the car by pressing on the front corner, is it bounce back after you release?? or is there no bouncing???
some bouncing is fine, but a old granny mattress kind of bounce shows neglect in the suspension area.

Take all of these into consideration. Off course a test drive is mandatory. Go with a friend, so you feel more confident and less compelled. Your friend has to share your Datsun taste, or at least a impartial friend. You do not want to go there with a VW lover...for example.

Good luck

Thanks for the help jaimecidpedro.

I'm excited!

Datsun 210 never came with a 1.6 litre engine. There is an aluminum ID plate under the hood, on the firewall (just above the engine) that lists the original engine. It should say A12A, A14 or A15.

Datsun 210 is 1979-1982 model years.

The highest mileage of any Datsun 210 was 47 mpg for the 5-speed coupe. This was highway mileage as measured by the standard EPA test back then. The 4-speed 210s got worse fuel economy. But for around-town driving, the 4-speed was just as good.

The B210 5-speed was rated at 50mpg highway.

Experience shows that these tests are accurate *if* the car is properly tuned. I used to get 38mpg in my Datsun 1200 (EPA rating was 37.9). And many cars (of all brands) came from the factory not in correct tune, so many didn't meet their rating. The situation is improved today as feedback-loop electronic fuel injection keeps new cars in a constant state of tune.

The highest gasoline engine rating that I'm aware of (sold in USA) was the circa 1990 Honda Civic HF at 58 mpg highway. They don't sell cars like that anymore, from which we might conclude not too many Americans care about such high fuel economy. Only the hybrid cars match this (among cars sold in USA), but not for highway. Hybrids get worse mileage on the highway.

I had 79 210 wagon , in very goood condition , A-14 engine , 4- speed tranny . The best miliage I ever got from her was 28 mpg hiway.

I didn't think the wagons got the A12a......
I'd say you're looking at 25-32 average
my Cricket with a '71 1200 carb never got more than 38.
Of course that was driving in high elevation at 70-80mph with the cruise set

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You are welcome jmerber. Keep us posted, good luck, and use your senses.