Speed vs Regular

[stevekt]

I drive pretty conservatively in my Speed3 but it's comforting to know the power is there if I need it. Oh, and I also refer to my car as a wagon all the time.

 

[clos561]

You can drive @ 5000 rpm at 20 in Hg and your mpg will be in the 40's. You have a boost/vac gauge? Works great for helping save gas.

no not yet, i am saving up for a dashhawk, which apparantly reads boost too along with alooot of other things

 

[knowledge007]

Former owner if a 3s hatch, gave it up and purchased one the very first speed 3's in miami. Have no regrets what so ever!!!!....hehe

 

[clos561]

Former owner if a 3s hatch, gave it up and purchased one the very first speed 3's in miami. Have no regrets what so ever!!!!....hehe

same here, i had a 04 lava orange hatch

 

[guy_incognito]

Sure you'll get better gas mileage by shifting early, staying out of boost, etc; but then why even own the car? You didn't buy a sports car to be concerned about saving a few bucks at the gas pump.

 

[clos561]

i bought the car because its fast and when i want to go fast...i can and i honestly do..just when im not driving fast i do my best to conserve gas..its the most logical thing in my opinion.

 

[MS6S2K]

Regarding MPG, even if driven the same exact way, a Mazda 3 manual would get quite a bit better gas mileage. The 3-4mpg difference under easy driving is there because of the MPG decrease by having auto. My GF has an auto Mazda 3 sedan, and she gets about 30mpg highway on average, and it's gone as far as 35mpg before highway.It gets about 23-25 pure city. My neighbor has a 5 speed manual and gets noticably better gas mileage then the auto naturally.

If you mash the pedal down in the Speed 3 the way I did the one time I borrowed her car, you are gonna get WAY worse mileage. I can't speak for the Speed 3 exculsively, but my Speed 6 will guzzle gas if you don't take it easy in the city. You have to shift early in the first three gears, and minimize boost.

I'm sure the same rule applies in the Speed 3. No way you can average close to 24mpg combined city highway in that car unless you are taking it easy.