re: lighter wt...the steering got 'light' during a WOT sprint down a short ramp to a packed/fast freeway
If I keep my foot out of it ~14 mpg/mixed. I got ~22mpg on a gentle (60-75mph,tailwind)) to Sacramento. It's the acceleration that sucks fuel, but sometimes rompin' on it is just so right. I put a Leer shell on it: haven't done the math yet, but the same wt/drag parameters apply...If I had to replace it today, I'd want the same thing... I might settle for a longer wheelbase or an FJ, but I really like the handling of the one-piece-driveshaft version.