[Dnepr]

I leased a 2005 LE 2WD 3 years ago and now have 36,000 miles on it. Always used Mobil 1 synthetic and ran tires at 30-31 lbs pressure. Just last month took a trip with 3 people and suitcases, and still was getting 29.5 on moderately hilly interstate driving 65 on cruise with AC.

Now, last week, I just bought another 2005 LE 2WD to replace my leased one (because residual is too high to purchase) and I bought this one for $3000 less than what the residual is on the leased one. However, mileage is a disappointment. Installed new air filter and changed oil to Mobil 1 just like the other one. Only difference is that tires are 28.5 lbs.

I'm getting 24.5 on the highway driving 65 on cruise, and barely able to hold 17mpg in town. I consistently was able to average 19.5 on my leased one in everyday city driving. I know the 2lbs of tire pressure will make a little percentage difference (Obama are you listening?), but not account for this big of a difference. Oh, and the 24.5 highway on the new one is with the van empty and just me driving.

A bad O2 sensor will light up the check engine light, so the problem can't be one of those. The one I bought has $51,000 miles. It does have cheapo GT Radial made in Indonesia tires on it and I don't know what their rolling resistance characteristics are.

I'm thinking now of selling the one I bought for a profit, and using the money to buy my leased one before turning it in. Only difference is, the one I bought has 4 more years of a Toyota Certified Platinum bumper to bumper warranty and my leased one will not have anything but the 5/60,000 powertrain warranty. But, my leased one hasn't been in the shop at all in the 3 years I've had it.