Hi all,

I used to have a 1986 745 with B230F and a 4sp manual (overdrive never worked) - now I have a 1993 945 with B230F and a 4sp automatic. The '86 cost 2/3 as much to fill, and would go almost as far on a tank of gas (ie. the '93 has a larger tank, but not much more range). I checked fuel mileage for the 700 vs. the 900, and even with the same transmission, the 700's seem to get better mileage - any idea why? The 900 has a 200 lb. heavier curb weight, which would account for some of it, but I can't imagine that that's all of it. Here's the numbers as listed by fueleconomy.gov:

1986 740 wagon: 23 ity, 28 highway
1993 940 wagon: 19 city, 27 highway

4 mpg around town seems like a lot, and any difference on the highway (when the torque converter has locked up and an automatic is the same as a standard) seems odd, too. And my real-world experience is even greater than that.

I'm getting a stick installed in the 945, which should make a difference, but I'm curious about it - any thoughts?

Chris
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'93 945, '86 745 (for sale), '72 Spitfire with Volvo B21A!