Can anyone get the EPA Mileage on their vehicle by driving thoughtfully but without their eyes glued to the MPG gauge? I want to drive my car normally and get the results promised. I currently get 36-38 mpg. I am very disappointed. I am not interested in playing the "game" to get more mileage. I stay at the speed limits around town. I do 70 on the freeways on short trips, faster on longer ones. I do not do more than 25% of my miles of the freeway. I do coast when possible. I don't want to pulse my gas pedal for 200 highway miles to garner the value I thought was inherent in this vehicle. I do not want to obsess on my MPG gauge.

I could have picked up last year's 2003 Civic loaded with features showing 31/38 on the window for $5000 less. Have I been taken?

I so much wanted to go Hybrid. I drove a 95 Ford Escort into the ground and it was time for a change. I wanted the Prius, but the wait times were unacceptable as I was heading out on vacation within 60 days. The Honda was my option. I got 33 MPG on my vacation. I drove fast on the freeway(75-80), but that number is ridiculously poor. I was in the mountains a lot. I had to go up a lot of hills but also got to coast down. That should have evened itself out.

I had the oil changed, tires inflated to correct pressure and picked up 2 MPG. I love the fact that I get 15 MPG more than my old Escort, but I hate the fact I am so far below the sticker's MPGs. I have 7500 miles on this thing. I understand this engine does not "season" itself. The mileage won't get better from shear use. (Anyone got any feelings on that?)

So, is anyone out there driving like a normal person and getting above 40 MPG? I'm feeling pretty stupid for buying this car right now. Any insight would be appreciated. Take it easy.