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You are very welcome. I don't think the SID averages that far back. The numbers that I mentioned were for when the reading stopped changing for a long time or just before they started changing backwards. The SID averages update quite fast (so when it stops changing, you know it's approaching symptotic limit). I don't think my 9-5 wagon ever got to 30mpg for any sustained amount of time, except for that trip between Syracuse and Niagra back when the car was running on the stock Michelen MXV4.
I whole-heartedly agree that the 9-5 wagon is a great highway cruiser. With half-93octane and half-87octane in the tank, I can still get it to 26mpg running at 75-80mph on highway. In fact, I seem to get better gas mileage running at 75-80mph than at 40mph; one of the reasons why I avoid rush hour traffic. The Highlander on the other hand sees the mpg fall off as speed increase past 65mph. The one time I got it to 26mpg was when cruise-control was set at 55mph, just as an experiment in the middle of the night to see how high I could push the meter. I wouldn't want to drive like that in my normal driving (and risk getting rear-ended in day time). The Highlander (2004) does have slightly softer and more cushy ride around town than the 9-5 wagon but at the expense of handling. The 9-5 has much better stereo and has a sunroof that is actually usable (and comfortably) at highway speed whereas the Highlander sunroof causes massive resonance in the cabin if left open at speed beyond 45mph. The rear AC output and heated rear seats in the 9-5 are nice too. Both are very good cars.
In terms of cargo handling, both are adequate for most every day needs. The Highlander has slight edge in volume, especially for taller items, like indoor plants, white appliances and furniture, whereas the 9-5 wagon has a much more accessible roof. I recently solved the relative lack of height clearance problem by getting a 9-3 convertible, which has fold-down back seats, which is like a 4'x4' truck bed. So now the convertible doubles duty as a mini truck for recycling/dump runs and getting indoor plants. When I need a long truck bed for items like 8x4 fence panels, it's the roof of the 9-5 wagon.
posted by 71.184.95...
, Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:16:10
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