[NoSUVs]

I have a perfectly good paid for MINI Cooper Clubman that I drive on my 35 mile commute. I went there from a Passat TDI when diesel went crazy in '08. The Clubman has the dual talents that it gets consistently 37 MPG winter or summer, bumping 40 in spring and fall on trips. We can load it with enough stuff to not be able to see out the back for trips, which is extra easy because with the rear seats folded down, the cargo bay is flat all the way forward. It does require mid-grade gas, so that 37 MPG is probably cost equivalent to 34-35 in a car that takes regular.

SWMBO drives a Fiesta SES, slightly shorter commute, and gets slightly more variable mileage (probably due to the automatic). The range is shorter, because of the smaller tank. But outside of some transmission noise, the car's been very reliable, and is comfortable and quiet to ride in.

Long setup: What I'm wondering is this: Is anyone driving a FiST like I'm describing? I'm following the real-world mileage thread, and the numbers don't look promising there. But how's the comfort and liveability when you're not giving yourself a case of the grins driving one of these? Thx!

 

[laebshade]

I have a 8 mile round trip commute and driving it daily. I'm only seeing ~17 mpg at the moment, but the car is still well within break-in period (70 miles?). I'm also having quite fun with it, so I'm sure that has something to do with it.

 

[audiphile]

I drive about 55 miles per day. avg mpg is so far 27, mostly highway... To me, I love the car, and love taking off ramps, etc, but keep your Clubman if it's paid for - Fiesta ST will not approach 37mpg EVER.

 

[Cligedy]

I've gotten about 34mpg for a strictly highway trip. I sit in stop and go traffic for most of my 12 mile commute which has brought my mileage down to about 27mpg. It's fine for a daily commute, but I would want to avoid really rough roads. Clutch pedal and steering feel are light enough to not wear you out. Plenty of trunk space for grocery trips. Rear seats are a bit snug for a rear facing child seat, but I've made it work. Hope this helps.

 

[Tokyosmash!]

I have a 12 mile there 12 back everyday. I'm seeing around 28mpg daily.

 

[NoSUVs]

I drive about 55 miles per day. avg mpg is so far 27, mostly highway... To me, I love the car, and love taking off ramps, etc, but keep your Clubman if it's paid for - Fiesta ST will not approach 37mpg EVER.

Is there a "sigh" smilie on this board?

I've gotten about 34mpg for a strictly highway trip. I sit in stop and go traffic for most of my 12 mile commute which has brought my mileage down to about 27mpg. It's fine for a daily commute, but I would want to avoid really rough roads. Clutch pedal and steering feel are light enough to not wear you out. Plenty of trunk space for grocery trips. Rear seats are a bit snug for a rear facing child seat, but I've made it work. Hope this helps.

It does, thx!

 

[Drifter]

MY commute to work and back is about 75 miles. I avg around 400-440 miles per tank. Very happy with that.

 

[NoSUVs]

MY commute to work and back is about 75 miles. I avg around 400-440 miles per tank. Very happy with that.

What's that calculate out to in MPG?

 

[laebshade]

What's that calculate out to in MPG?

Doesn't the car have a 12 gallon tank? 420 / 12 = 35

 

[cinderbike]

I've gotten about 34mpg for a strictly highway trip. I sit in stop and go traffic for most of my 12 mile commute which has brought my mileage down to about 27mpg. It's fine for a daily commute, but I would want to avoid really rough roads. Clutch pedal and steering feel are light enough to not wear you out. Plenty of trunk space for grocery trips. Rear seats are a bit snug for a rear facing child seat, but I've made it work. Hope this helps.

OT, but what seat? I was worried about stuffing one in there. Is this with Recaros?

 

[takuarc83]

I got recaros and love the ride. 27 mpg. 50/50

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

 

[Cligedy]

I have the stock seats, not recaros. Kid seat is britax marathon 70. We have it mounted in the center so the front rides right behind our shoulders. If anybody wants, I can pm or post pics to show the clearance.

 

[NoSUVs]

Doesn't the car have a 12 gallon tank? 420 / 12 = 35

Ain't that simple, unless you're running it clear out every time. But, if you're putting in less than 12 gallons at each fill up, the MPGs are actually >35.

Which I could live with.

To clarify, and in keeping with Drifter, my commute is 35 miles each way, 80% highway.

 

[TheJonM]

I would mind seeing the pictures with car seat.

Just had a baby last month

 

[laebshade]

Ain't that simple, unless you're running it clear out every time. But, if you're putting in less than 12 gallons at each fill up, the MPGs are actually >35.

Which I could live with.

To clarify, and in keeping with Drifter, my commute is 35 miles each way, 80% highway.

It's close enough.

 

[NoSUVs]

Okay, I'l be the first to point out that there is a hyphen in anal-retentive:

Assuming 400 miles,
10 gallons = 40 MPG
11 gallons = 36.4 MPG, or 9% less
12 gallons = 33.3 MPG, or 17% less (than 40 MPG)

I'll spare you the rest of the math, but the difference between 40 MPG and 33 MPG (neither of which have I heard from anyone else on the forums) is about $250/year. It would be even more for me since I drive a lot. But, if Drifter's actually getting something in that range, I'm more hopeful than I've been from reading the other MPG threads.

 

[audiphile]

anal-retentive huh... how about the fact that MPG is not a linear scale, and with increase in value there is a decrease in each percent change? Anyhow, head to fuelly.com and check out the recorded fuel mileage from actual owners... I'm on there, and actually got 31 mpg on my last fill up (90% highway)

 

[Drifter]

Okay, I'l be the first to point out that there is a hyphen in anal-retentive:

Assuming 400 miles,
10 gallons = 40 MPG
11 gallons = 36.4 MPG, or 9% less
12 gallons = 33.3 MPG, or 17% less (than 40 MPG)

I'll spare you the rest of the math, but the difference between 40 MPG and 33 MPG (neither of which have I heard from anyone else on the forums) is about $250/year. It would be even more for me since I drive a lot. But, if Drifter's actually getting something in that range, I'm more hopeful than I've been from reading the other MPG threads.

I actually am. I have to add that my daily commute is 50% freeway and 50% traffic. That might add to my good consumption.

 

[Drifter]

Doesn't the car have a 12 gallon tank? 420 / 12 = 35

45 litre tank, although I think that excludes the reserve, as i have manged to put in 48 litres.

 

[cinderbike]

It's 12.3 gallons according to the manual.