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...and picked up a Chevy HHR. Out of what was available in this area, at my price range, and considering some utility (and room for my big, tall self), it seemed the best fit. On the short list were a Pontiac Vibe, a Toyota Matrix (same car, really, but the Matrix was nicer/newer), and a Scion Xb.

We took Herman (the HHR) to Tuscaloosa today, did a tornado damage tour to see how the area is progressing... a good bit of in-town driving there. Then I came back, mixing the drive back between a 55 mph highway and the interstate. I think I ended up recreating a little worse set of conditions than my average commute will be, and ended up reading 28mpg even, on the dash readout. When I fill up again, I'll see how close the readout is to reality.

Some of the things I wanted to do with the Trailblazer still apply here. I'd like to install a real-time mpg gauge and maybe see if there are some relatively simple mods I can apply to this car.