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!
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!