Why?
some reasons:
1. I need a family car, wife is driving with opel corsa and if you plan a trip with kids then it's a little bit small.
2. money - with limited resources you can't get a diesel in good condition.
3. climatics - with -30c in winter you usually can't start old diesels(even some new cars). We are still using salt in winter, so f.e. opel(more economic) having rust problem.
4. I'm 6 feet(1.86 cm) tall so some cars are not for me...
5. car salesman told me a story like ...6l/100km with 90-100km/h
now I know that if you drive like others then with that speed it's more like 8l/100km
oh.. and thanks for beginners links
btwn. I can suggest a tip for hypermiling:
Don't move your steering-wheel if it's not completely necessary
1. it adds more load to engine, especially if you have power steering.
2. your distance btwn a and b is longer if you wave on the road.
so...drive straight.