I own a '90 Mazda Protege, the simple version of the 323 GTX, made 1990-1991. No turbo, open center diff vs. VLSD. SOHC 1.8L vs. DOHC 1.6L. I've gotten anywhere from 17 intown (I was having too much fun on the snow and ice) to 35mpg on the highways in Alaska at 65mph. The 4WD transmission has a diff lock motor, to go from open AWD to locked 4WD. Not useful on the highway, but when the snow is deep, and the driveway is near, it works best.
It also has a cult following. A nice DOHC 1.8L from the Protege LX (90-94) and the transmission from the 90-94 GTX or GTR (Europe or Japan only) makes it a tough driver that still gets 35mpg at 65mph.
I currently have the DOHC 1.8L and GTR tranny in my Protege, and I have no doubt I can get 35mpg out of it. Taller tires, shorter low gears, taller high gears, some extreme custom weight reduction (its going rally, so I don't need glass windows) make it possible.
I'm slightly biased if you didn't notice
