[aporigine]

The first car I owned ... my dad bought for me, and he wanted something safe, somewhat reliable as indicated by "Consumer Reports" and devoid of postadolescent coolness. So ixnay on the Firebird ... (grin) and hello to a used 1976 Olds Cutlass Supreme in that weird "fleshtone" beige. It got mmmmaybe 20mpg.
First car I bought new was a Honda CRX in '85. That returned mid-to-high 30s. It saw me through the balance of grad school and a coupla years following.

Then I got a real job and had to have an Acura Legend, the 2-door with a 5-speed. Honestly don't remember the economy on that one. i drove it gently but with emphasis on being nice to the machinery, with good mileage being a welcome consequence. I rapidly tired of that car's miserable clutch ... and replaced it with a '92 Civic VX.
THAT was the car that kicked me from ordinary "sedate driver" to rabid hypermiler. It also had an uncanny knack for educating me in California's gas formulation (oxygenation) foibles. It was a very sensitive instrument for measuring fuel energy density.
Then the pendulum swung again. Spouse (who is no longer Spouse) didn't want the VX because it had the Wrong Tranny (sigh), so she got a '96 Accord slusher and I procured me the best car I ever owned - a '98 Bim M3, four doors, five speeds, sunroof delete. ~long sigh~ I miss that car. But fry me for a porkchop if I could ever exceed 22.x mpg mixed cycle, and that was with my VX driving style transplanted intact. I blame rolling resistance, specifically of the wide gummy low-profile Michelin Pilot Sport "puppy paws" on which that divine chariot addressed the tarmac. The ownership experience ended soon after my destructive career makeover ... another story for another six-pack.

Now I am 'miling it in my rapidly-aging minimalist Poop Wgn. I am old enough now to be primarily interested in mileage machines, even if my tastes tend toward non-diesel and non-hybrids. If something to match or exceed that late great VX comes along, I will stand right up on my hind legs and pay attention. A Prius with a small gas engine, no electrics and a 6-speed manual? Mr. Toyoda? (waves frantically) Hhellloooo?
cheers apo