We got better mileage than that — more like 35 on the highway, and on one trip where I kept careful records, consistently better than 40 mpg.

But we had a standard.

I know people with Honda Fits who report 38 mpg on the highway.

Since they revised the numbers downward a few years ago, I think the EPA became too pessimistic for highway mpg. We beat the EPA highway mpg estimates with our vehicles, even at 65-70 mph.

I prefer standards too. Try finding a 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagon diesel w/ manual, white exterior/beige interior (to keep the dogs cool), and no sunroof (the massive sunroof available in this car covers most of the roof, and would have the dogs baking under it). I asked a VW sales rep why my dog car hasn’t arrived yet. He looked it up and said only a few cars configured that way have been shipped to the entire USA.

Modern automatic transmissions are improved compared to the past. They are more efficient, so there’s usually a small difference in mpg compared to manuals. Some modern autos get slightly better mpg than manuals. There’s a version of the 2009 Fit where the auto gets better mpg than the manual. I just like controlling the gears myself.

“I’ll need a toolbox with that,” I said.

“A what?????” The salesman had been with on the Main Line for 15 years and sold pick-ups to the wealthy estates — he had no idea that trucks came with accessories! I had to bring up the Toyota website inside the dealership to show them what I wanted and that Toyota really did make toolboxes. We got a great price and the dealership really has lived up to its reputation, but it was funny “educating” the dealership as to what a real working truck should have!

*****
Christopher Eccleston — I can so believe that he’s from another planet. Tennant is probably the cutest of the Doctor’s, but he’s really hyperactive — he reminds me too much of my adjudicated youth that I teach at the community garden — you just know that you’re going to have to give him 6 different tasks inside a hour or some poor plant is going to get yanked out by its roots. . .

I like my Sienna but the milage is meh….

Tom Baker and David Tennant. Don’t make me choose. :-)

“For reals — if you are not watching the new series on BBC or Sci Fi, you are really missing out.”

still missing out ‘cause BBCA edits more out even more than SciFi

Plus a several month delay

There’s ways to get it unedited and on time however I would never suggest anyone do something of questionable legality…

But if you have a PC or Parallels and were to accidently google Graboid Video for instance….

We got better mileage than that — more like 35 on the highway, and on one trip where I kept careful records, consistently better than 40 mpg.

But we had a standard.

When I bought my current Honda CRV, in 2003, it was near-impossible to get one with a standard shift. When I finally found one, the salesman pronounced it “The only one in captivity,” and I’d hunted long enough to know it was true.

Both our cars are standards, but by the time we replace them, it may be a thing of the past.

In the ultimate irony, I now drive a TRACTOR with automatic transmission.

Janeen, will your orthopod use a sonic screwdriver? ‘Cuz that would be cool.

And yeah, why can’t I buy a truck with a PTO?

Favorite Doctor - this week the orthpod who’s (hopefully) going to fix several parts of what ails me.

These things are so individual, though. I have an unnatural attraction to the Nissan Xterra, which doesn’t really pencil out for me but that I love nonetheless. I love the Mad Max-iness of it. All you need is Mel Gibson and a Queensland Heeler and bring on the apocalypse.

In the meantime, the car I actually do own, a ‘98 Plymouth Voyager, is perfectly functional, low-mileage, OK mpg for a minivan — but it makes me feel OLD and DULL.

This morning, they took away a bright yellow Mini Coop with black racing stripes. Not practical, but I liked it.

Also: The Honda Fit is marketed worldwide as the Jazz.

According to Edmunds
‘91 Civic sedan: EPA 27/32 mpg, 92 hp, 2255 lb
‘09 Fit: EPA 28/35 mpg, 117 hp, 2575 lb

Compared to a ‘91 Civic, a ‘09 Fit is safer and pollutes a lot less. The Fit is almost certainly quieter, with a more refined and comfortable ride. All of those things, some of which were regulatory mandates and some of which were market driven, add weight and decrease gas mileage. And yet per EPA’s apples vs. apples comparison, the ‘09 Fit still gets better gas mileage than a ‘91 Civic.

As far as the price being 2/3, inflation has gone up more than that since 1991 so the price increase in inflation-adjusted dollar terms is actually a price decrease.

Today’s cars are better. But I wish we had the range of cars that Europeans can choose from — many many practical high mpg cars.

I am still waiting — since June 2008 — for my 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagon diesel to arrive. One might think, what with new car sales having cratered to around half of what they were a year ago, that one would not have to wait this long for a new car order. But alas these things are waaaayy under produced relative to demand.

The Jetta Sportwagon has considerably more cargo capacity than a Fit, with a similar fold flat rear seat. It also has a much more refined and quieter ride, and is more nicely equipped. It’s a more upscale and expensive car than a Fit. It will probably cost about $24K, if my order ever comes in.

The 2009 Jetta Sportwagon is only slightly smaller than my 2001 VW Passat wagon dog car that it will replace. I test drove a 2009 Jetta diesel sedan, which are easier to find than the wagons. Other than missing a few high end features found on my loaded V6 Passat (which was $30K when new), the Jetta diesel is as nice as my Passat in just about every way.

The 2009 Jetta diesel is EPA rated 29/40 mpg, but EPA admits they are pessimistic with diesels. Owners on the VW forums are typically reporting combined city/highway mpg in the high 30’s or low 40’s, and 50 mpg on long highway runs at 70 mph.

The gasoline-powered Jetta Sportwagons are less expensive than the diesels and very easy to find.

***

Tom Baker, although I would love to have seen Joanna Lumley (Patsy Stone from AbFab) in the sppof version.