I had a 1986 Corolla too. Stick shift. Got much better than your automatic. You wont believe this. I did not either but checked 4 tankfulls. Drove from FL to NY and back. 4 people plus luggage, ac on since it was July/Aug. Got 50/52 mpg. Car had 320,000 miles without problems until it drowned in a flood. What a loss. I cried.

I drive a 2007 Toyota Matrix (sort of a modern version of your Corolla). It’s a standard (5 speed manual transmission). It’s a fun little car – I can control the RPM’s so even though it’s a little 4 cylinder it’s got enough pickup to do what I need. With a mix of city/highway, I get 33-34 MPG and a few weeks ago on a road trip (all highway) I was getting 37 MPG on the nose. Just thought you might like to know in case your in the market for a peppy little stick shift with pretty good gas mileage.

I also agree with your comments on the diesel – I have a friend with a VW Passat diesel wagon, and I think she gets around 45MPG.

I know my 1986 Toyota Corolla automatic with wind-up windows and AM radio gave me 29 City, 34 Highway until 2005 when thanks to downsizing I had to get rid of it.

A stickshift would have been more even economical of course, but the US seems to insist on auto transmissions on small engined cars which detracts from their inherent economy and does nothing for acceleration (which is SOOOO IMPORTANT for getting on the highway, apparently)–where of course a stick would ALSO provide better acceleration!