Let me attempt to summarize what I think you guys are telling me.

First drive both of them, then decide, but otherwise:

The MC is a fine car and would be perfectly exciting if it was not for the existence of the S

If you want to drive hard, you have to push the MC pretty hard

If you want to drive the S hard, it comes more easily

If you want to carry a passenger, run the A/C, etc, the S can perform stronger without pushing so hard

If you want the best mileage, get the MC

If you want good mileage when just cruising and want a nice reserve of power when you choose, get the S (assuming that when you really push, the mileage will drop)

Last, correct me if I'm way off here, if I drive the S like an old lady, I could conceivably get 35 mpg??? Dropping to the low 30s when I push it.

Thanks,

YD

 

Quote>> Last, correct me if I'm way off here, if I drive the S like an old lady, I could conceivably get 35 mpg??? Dropping to the low 30s when I push it.

My friend that got 35 mpg on her MCS better not catch us calling her an old lady.

Last December I bought a new Forester. I made a mistake though. What you say? I drove the Forester XT "TURBO" & was hooked by the power. Poor mileage, but oh the power. If you want mileage don't drive the MCS. It'll hook you too. That being said 35 MPG looks pretty good to me. My Forester ranges from 18 to 25 mpg.

Chuck

 

I really don't think you would go wrong either way. It boils down to your personality, and your needs. Where you're located can be something to consider, too, I personally think an MC is better in urban traffic. I went thru the same thing, drove both several times, and decided on the MC. If I listed all the things I was looking for in a car, acceleration is just one of them. I can break any speed limit in the country with an MC, and sure, every once in a while when I'm winding it out in third I'd like that extra oomph, but I've never really regretted the decision. Driving a MC fast is more of a challenge, and I enjoy that. I'm averaging 33 mpg, and I flog it pretty hard. On the few longer trips I've taken, I get 36 or 37. Seems like lately, in the USA, they're selling more MCS's than MC's. That's cool, I like being the underdog.

 

The MC actually has a nice reserve of power when just cruising as well--ya just gotta cruise in 3rd or 4th gear. Normally if you cruise in 5th, then dropping to 3rd or 4th is "Turbo".

I love my MC, but the times that I can remember where an S would have been nice.

1.) On the track, and getting passed by a Supra on the straightaway
2.) On the street, merging into traffic, and realizing that the big rig that's closing in on me, isn't going to slow down, and it sure would be nice to have a few extra horses to get me to safety.

Of course my MC is also really tight on space--even with the seats folded down, and it's fully packed---I'm reassured that if I get a flat in an area where there isn't cell phone coverage, that I can atleast get going again--whereas in the S, without runflats, adding a spare really hogs up even more precious space.

 

I've got 1200mi on my car and avg 20.5mpg on the obc.
I don't flog it all day either, but do like to rev it.
Put it this way... I dont shift at 1800rpm.

I don't think this is the car you should be considering if you are overly conscious of mpg. how about a prius?

But for the extra $7 a week in gas i burn, its well worth the fun!!!