Oh don't worry, I won't be trash talking it. Oh, and it's not going to be a commuter car, but it will be my daily driver. I'm about to turn 21 and finish school, so I was looking for something fun until I get hitched and start a family (hopefully not until I'm 30 jk) Anyway, I know of the fact that this car isn't really designed to be something like a toyota, it's a benz. Lots of maintenace and TLC, but at least you enjoy what you drive. Anyway, the reason why I ask is because money will be very tight, and I forsee gas prices going back up to $4.00/gallon or better. To be perfectly honest, I know it would be a lot wiser to by a cute hyundai and save of fuel/insurance/repairs, but a guys gotta live sometime in his life.

 

These cars have a decent amount of torque, even at low rpm. I'm usually in 5th or 6th gear by 40 mph, which is around 1500-2000 rpm. It has no problem pulling from that speed....but that's driving gently, not for acceleration.

I cruise the highway all day in 6th, turning ~3000 rpm at 70-75. I think it turns 3200 at 80, but it's been a long winter since I've driven it. (That rpm sticks in my mind because if you double it, it's almost the redline of 6500 and I like to think that without the governor the car might hit 160.) Hitting the gas at that rpm results in pretty respectable acceleration up to 100+.

Last summer I drove MI2CT (800 miles of interstate each way), generally at 70-75, and overall averaged 28.3 mpg over 1800 miles. I had just installed a K&N filter, and that appeared to help a very small amount, maybe by running slightly leaner.

 

Very good to know Goldwing, Thanks!

 

I averaged 31 mpg on the Dragon trip & that included getting on it in the mountains & hitting 110 mph because I was running late to meet Danimal! My worst tank was 27 & my best was 33. I usually get about 27 around town, but I like to spend my time racing from light to light. That was an almost 1600 mile trip for me. I did cruise at about 75 all the way home as I was running alone - I am a little yellow target for the po-po!!

 

I drive mine daily. Mixed highway, suburbia, average 23-24 mpg. The car starts to get HAPPY at 80 mph. I highly recommend the 6 speed for some serious highway enjoyment!

If mileage is that important, buy a motorcycle. They get amazing mileage, especially on the highway.

Crossfire = seriously fun driving. Everything has a price!

 

I doubt the MPG differences between auto and stick are significant enough to warrant basing your decision of what to buy. even at $4.00 a gallon which economists predict we wont see again for years.

It's a sports car. Both the auto stick and the manual are fun. I can say that cause i have one of each. As a purely stick guy, for me to find pleasure in the auto stick says a lot about the tranny. It is not you daddy's automatic!

At your age, I would assume you want to have your arm around your girl. If you what to drink a pop in the car, it has a terrible cup holder. Unless you are a stubborn, die hard stick guy the auto most likely suits you. If you were a stubborn die hard stick guy, the question wouldn't come up.

If you are out to win stop light drags, the NA is respectable but you will have to settle for the auto in an SRT version to satisfy your need for superiority.

My numbers;

NA; City, 24.8 MPG
Highway 28.5
Dragon 17.5

SRT; City 20.1
Highway 22.7
Dragon Classified


Now, all you have to do is pick a color and a GF




roadster with a stick

 

I can relate, I have recorded every tank of gas in my vehicles since 1980 (You can't manage what you don't measure). However I use it to tell me if maintenance is needed (air filter, plugs, etc) based on what my MPG is doing. I am not a high mileager (I have driven Suburbans since 1995), plus the CF likes RPM's. I drive mostly in town with a short 2 mile highway stretch to work and average 25 MPG with my 04 6spd Coup. I am still on my first tank of gas with the 07 6spd Roadster, but expect the same MPG. It is just too much fun to feel the G's when I hit 2nd, 3rd and 4th. By the time 5th comes around I have to slow down to hit the speed limit, 65 Mph (lots of cops). For my summer ride, fun is more important than MPG. Have fun and turn heads!

 

Fuelusage.jpg
6Spd

 

out of all that the coolest thing is dragon classified, I'm guessing 15-16 at least it's that way for ours

 

There, I think that is what your post should have looked like... hahaha



I get <20mpg in the city in my SRT. Then again, I am somewhat aggresive...and I need to change my spark plugs.

 

My Daily Driver SRT gets 18-19mpg most of the time, but that's all city. Unfortunately, my ride to work tops out at 45mph (but I get there quick ) So, if I do have to travel across town on an errand and use the Interstate, I kick it on the ramps, and cruise around 80-85mph.

Who knows what an all Hwy trip would look like.

Man is it hot ...

 

I have no idea how many of the posters above get those great MPGs.

I live in Miami with the AC on all the time with mixed city and highway driving. I do tend to gas it a bit and I average no more than 20 MPG every tank. I am usually below 300 miles before fill up. Florida is very flat.

I drive an automatic with routine maint. and using super at the pump.

 

My trip to work is 10miles...and there is on a very rare occasion that the road opens up...and so does my 6...140 maybe...

that probably kills my MPG...

that and i'm like you blackjax...i only do the speed limit 98% of the time....but i get there very quickly.

 

06 manual coupe 18.5k miles best tank so far 387 miles. That is mixed Hwy/City in NC.
At half tank I'm at 200-205 miles, so I might be able to push it more. Oh and 93 octane only for my baby.