Just bought my 2002 auto w/71k miles. Seems to average around 25 mpg in mixed driving. I was hoping for better, but 17 sounds reeeeeeealy low. (boom07)
Just picked up a red 02 (auto) myself this week as well. 71k miles. Making it my commuter... replacing a heavily modded '90 Mazda Miata (retired now).
Weekend car is a red '04 Vw Golf R32 w/VF-Engineering (Vortech) supercharger. :)