just got back from a trip from raleigh NC to the eastern
shore of Maryland.....left with new oil/filter, air filter
40 PSI in all 4 tires, fresh wax and a tank full of 93 octane.
my thoughts.....
1. gas mileage sucks with the max (avg 22-24 MPG on almost
entirely highway driving/never exceeding 85 MPH and no racing)
2. the car rides like a tank with square tracks (yes i know
air pressure had something to do with it but not as much as you think)
3. the car cruises almost peacefully at about 80 MPH if the road is
smooth-but will rattle your fillings out if the pavement is the sectioned concrete (as I-95 is around wilson, NC)
4. only highlights---it never broke, the seat is fairly
comfortable on the long trip.


i agree with others that the Nissan's are not worth the hassle that i have to put up with at the dealer and corporate.......
flame away

 

I have taken many a trip from NJ to Myrtle Beach with my 95 Max and now 2000 I30. Always get 28-32 MPG, smooth ride, great ability to pass (the VQ always has power to spare when you need it, even at 75 MPH), and adequate (not fantastic) handling.

I bet the 40 psi you have in all 4 wheels is the reason for your harsh ride, but I am not sure why your MPG sucks on the highway.

 

That is why your ride was harsh, that is 20% too much air in the tires.

My gas mileage tends to be 27-30 on the highway

 

yeah something wrong with your car if you're getting that kind of mileage. i usually get 27 or 28 on the highway.

 

Anytime you go beyond 60mph the drag actually makes your engine work harder and thus use up more gas.

Anywho, that's not a very good mpg rate especially since i get roughly that amount on my 2k2 with the .5L larger engine and it's an auto at the same time.

Btw, lower your tire pressure a bit. Big difference in ride quality and handling.

 

i've bounced the tire pressure all over and found that
40 PSI didn't make much difference in overall ride quality.

as far as mileage the car only has 12,000 miles, maybe
it hasn't broken in fully.
the last max i had was a 93 SE and it got 32-35 MPG on
highway trips so i'm disappointed with this one.

 

well, personally i don't think you should compare mileage on a 93 with your 2k1. different engines and different technology to get power out of similar displacement engines.

seriously. think about it, Civics have 1.6L engines, in stock form it can do a really good 38mpg on the highway. But once you try getting more power out of that engine, though displacement is the same, the mileage will go down significantly.

that's the best explanation i can give but hopefully you get the idea.