McTimson: yeah, I want to pick up an MPGuino, but one thing worries me about it; my speedometer sticks sporadically. I'm not sure if this problem is at the instrument panel, or if it's at the sensor (wherever it is). If the problem is with the sensor, getting an MPGuino won't do me much good for testing mods, and its effectiveness will be reduced for altering driving style.
Yup, I found that 0.33 as well, through wikipedia, through a link on that energy/mpg calculator that's on this site. It's not too bad to begin with, definitely, but there's also room for lots of improvement (as with most cars). Thanks for the encouragement.
Wonderboy: well, I'm still going to try for a 10mpg improvement.
I am willing to put it in neutral for long hills, although that means kicking it out of torque converter lock. I do pay a lot of attention to that, and have gotten to the point where I know when it will kick in. I'm also trying to drive with load recently, too, which is not always easy because of traffic, also not easy because of the automatic transmission, and I'm already going at, or slightly below, the speed limit (which is of course slower than 99% of people on the highway).
For AWD, I think it was 1993 that Subaru started putting that on all their vehicles. Mine's FWD, so at least I don't have the extra weight and drivetrain losses of AWD.
*nods* I am planning on the wiper spoiler/deflector. I don't quite want to take the wiper off, wouldn't feel comfortable losing visibility for that much of the windshield when it's raining/snowing. I'll be doing tuft testing on the hood and windshield (more from curiosity than anything at this point), as well as the rear window and trunk, so I'll be able to do that again after I put the wiper deflector on and see what's changed.
As for the door mirror, as I read the PA law, the only thing I can find on it is "at least one mirror that can see directly behind the car for 200 feet", as long as it's not obstructed or broken, and I don't think other states can enforce their state-specific laws like that for out-of-state vehicles. However, it is something I'm still a bit nervous about it. Even if I can't get a ticket for it, I don't like the idea of getting pulled over and hassled.
You are correct, fortunately for me: Subaru mirrors, at least on this car, do fold in quite forgivingly. Observe.
So perhaps that's what I'll do, just as insurance against PITA fuzz. 16 square inches for the driver side mirror, hugging close to the car, is still better than having 24 square inches in addition to that, sticking way out.