I'm car shopping. My 20 year old 929 is being retired. Narrowed to 3 cars, Honda Civic (eliminated today) Mazda 3 5 door 5 speed and the newish Saturn Astra XR 3 doorthat I understand is mostly an Opel/Vauxhall.
OK, Honda shift is very sweet, car is very boring and is no longer in contention. Drove the 3 today. I find there seems to be a lot of clutch pedal to stroke! Is it me or will I eventually get used to it? Have yet to drive the Astra but I think it will do well and would be better on gas. I've been driving a 929 since 1989, an automatic so maybe I just have to drive the 3 a bit more.
Can I get 35 MPG out of the 3? Mostly highway, 100 miles a day. I'm afraid if the Saturn's clutch feels better I may have to go with it but I'd rather go Mazda.
Thanks for any and all opinions.

 

If you want mileage like that you need to go with the 2.0L with the 5-speed. The 2.3L won't be that good.

I averaged right around 29-30 and got 35 on numerous highway trips with my 2.0L 5-speed.

 

My 08 is getting right around 30 MPG with about 70% of my commute highway driving, with an all highway drive with the cruise set at 75 it was getting 34 and 36 on those 2 tanks of gas.

 

You're doing better than I am Ken. 32.3 BEST overall mpg. 25-28 normal day-to-day, 04, 2.3L, 5-sp HB. (Heavy right foot.) I like to feel the Zoom-Zoom!!

 

I would imagine it will go down when I put the 225/40 18's on it, but the better look will be worth it [8D]