I have the 2.3 Auto. With the current setup I have, I notice I can accelerate quite well and never go past 3,000 RPMS. I am getting 30 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway. I just got 541 miles on a full tank in all 35-55 mph driving! I love this car!

 

The 2.3L in the 6 does real well for mileage.

I get between 30-34 out of my 2.0L Mazda3, but I routinely take the car to redline....

 

i have a 2.3 with the manual

n i find it hard to pick up speed under 3k. i usually hit at least 3500-4000 rpm in 1st and 2nd around town
cuz the 2.3 is a very un-torquey engine. only 150lbft peak torque (at 4000). less then the accord or altima's 4 bangers

also its not only the lack of torque
its the gearing ratio's that **** me off. first gear has a 3.307 ratio meaning ill rev to 3000 and itll feel like i moved nowhere
and starting off in 2nd is too slow n wears the clutch. damn

dont get me wrong i love the car. just not its gearing/peaky nature of the engine

 

i have started the car in 2nd a few times with my auto with the sports shift. is it bad? ive only done it like 4 or 5 times, just wondering if it could of caused problems?

 

Don't worry, most automatic BMW and Mercedes start with 2nd to save gas. It will downshift back to 1st if you really step on the gas. But we have to keep in mind that most of them have 6 or more cylinders and 6 speed auto transmission.

 

wow...i only get about 32mpg on mine....just today i took the pedal to the floor off the red and redlined it to 6k......damn thing has so little torque! doesn't really kick up until 2nd....its all good though...i don't really need the power until i'm on the freeway....then usually i just slam into 3rd or whatever.......and zooom!

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