Terrible Fuel Economy Options

[exxtractor]

Using 87 octane I'm getting approx 20-21 MPG.

Man my '94 1.8L ST auto is just getting brutal fuel economy... don't get me wrong its probably the way I drive, my typical commute is 45 miles round-trip (35 miles HWY/10 CTY), and I have bad habits like aggressive acceleration for green, driving 65-80 MPH on HWY. Last time I posted a few months ago it was 22. Amazing when I hear peole say they are getting in the 30's. Guess I should change my drivng habits... maybe not.

[exxtractor]

Lab vs Reallife

Spoke to the Toyota service rep., he suggested that you are better to compare to vehicles of the same age and model, then the quoted stats from Toyota. So looking at my post, we have: exxtractor (me), dstrbcelica, drocay, funnyboy, fallenhero and MrE (not sure model) who are all reporting real world fuel economy of around 20-21 MPG. I don't think I'm really that worried since it seems for many of us with the 7AFE 1.8L from 94/95 this is probably ok. Sure you are always going to get someone who gets 30 MPG with their 94/95. But to spend the cash to replace the fuel filter, oxygen sensors, and a tune-up on a 10 year-old vehicle... I'd rather not. I'm just going to do my routine maintenace and hopefully I can get anotehr 2 years and then I'll buy a new car.

[1900WattCelica]

Lab vs Reallife

Spoke to the Toyota service rep., he suggested that you are better to compare to vehicles of the same age and model, then the quoted stats from Toyota.  So looking at my post, we have: exxtractor (me), dstrbcelica, drocay, funnyboy, fallenhero and MrE (not sure model) who are all reporting real world fuel economy of around 20-21 MPG.  I don't think I'm really that worried since it seems for many of us with the 7AFE 1.8L from 94/95 this is probably ok.  Sure you are always going to get someone who gets 30 MPG with their 94/95.  But to spend the cash to replace the fuel filter, oxygen sensors, and a tune-up on a 10 year-old vehicle... I'd rather not.  I'm just going to do my routine maintenace and hopefully I can get anotehr 2 years and then I'll buy a new car.
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Even still 20 is ridiculous. As far as the cash goes if you spend maybe 300 bucks for all the stuff needed for a tuneup and DIY, you will save easily over that amount of gas in the 2 more years you plan on keeping the car. How many miles does your car have now? If you keep up on planned maintenance....not just regular maintenance, your going to keep your car operating at maximum performance. You mentioned you got the plugs and wires done at 97,000 so Im guessing you dont have much more than that. My 94 ST auto when it had 103,000 averaged 32mpg.

As far as the lab vs real world mpg....I now have a 5 speed GT. Toyota says 22 city, 28 highway. In summer I AVERAGED 29mpg. Now I average 27. My car has 105,000 miles.