Hummm, I get a pretty consistent 26-27 MPG with my '96 Duratech in 50/50 highway/city driving, and my freinds all call me AJ Foyt Jr., so I know I'm not light on the pedal. I jack rabbit the lights and run 75-80 on the interstate. I keep everything as well tuned and repaired as possible. It has 157,00 miles on it, has 4 wheel disc brakes, and is on it's 4th set of pads / second set of rotors. I've never had a car that came close to this one in the bang-for-the-buck department, and that includes the Mustang GT's I've had (yeah, they were faster, but they cost more to drive and don't handle as well). Go figure.
