2000 miles ago, I warned my grandkid that I was looking for an excuse to ****** his '97 Escort (technically on loan) because I coveted better MPGs than my tank was getting. The car was in my name and I was getting tired of picking up his parking tickets. The smart-*** made it easy when I heard him badmouthing me to my daughter. Parking my mountain of steel, I began driving the midget. Over the past 2339 miles, I burned 82.715 gallons of gas. None of this was on a parkway, it was all stop-and-go around town with the AC on all the time (FL).

I was thrilled until the local shade-tree-mechanic said a '97 Escort should be getting 35 MPG. Is this guy a nut-case or what?

 

What the hell does "22X10 Mazzi Hulk Chrome" got to do with a '97 Escort?

 

35 mpg is what mine gets on the expressway!!! Around town I get anywhere from 20 to 26, so 28 in stop and go traffic is pretty good.

 

I get around 30mph combined city and highway, and I'm a Linda Leadfoot, with a 2000 ZX2 Sport/Rally - and we once got 38 mpg combined on a trip from Florida to St. Simons Island, GA and return, admittedly with a tail wind, and some time following a long trailer. If I drove within the speed limit or below, and didn't accelerate uh,,, "smartly" from red lights, betcha I could pick up another 3 or 4 mpg. The way the S/R is geared, I can be in 5th gear at 45mph, which makes a big difference.