Re: 89 405 DL driving impressions

Trygve D. Oye (tryg@u.washington.edu)
Fri, 12 Jun 1998 13:29:16 -0700

I average around 32. I'm not as zippy as I was when I first got the car,but
even then, I rarely found it to get below 30. Most of the ads I see for these
cars state the "great gas mileage".

Clifford M Poulin wrote:

> On Fri, 12 Jun 1998, Steve Leung wrote:
>
> > The 405 with an automatic has better acceleration than the 505 wagon
> > with a 5 speed. Surprisingly, the big 505 wagon gets better fuel
> > economy than the 405, 27 mpg for the 505 vs 26 for the 405. This is
> > unbelievable considering the wagon is at least a 1000 lbs heavier.
>
> I always get about 30mpg running around in my 405 Mi16. If I drive with a
> light foot I get about 32mpg. I haven't tested the mileage for a full
> tank on the highway, but I would guess it would be 33-34. I would think
> the 8-valve would get better mileage, but the automatic might be cause for
> lower mpg.
>
> > The 405's ride is very twitchy compared to the wagon. You feel every
> > road irregularity. The wagon, with it's long wheel base, soakes up
> > every bump in stride. There is no comparison in ride comfort. The 405
> > on the other hand will outhandle the wagon in the twisties.
>
> My Mi16 is twitchy around town; it feels like it wants to get the heck
> away from town and go!! I definitely feel every crack in the road at slow
> speeds. The car is really best the faster you go, and the farther away
> from town.
>
> Cliff