[VoodooJef]

Longest single trip to date in my 3; nearly 3K miles round trip, from Texas to North Carolina and back. We (my son and I) made it to NC safe and sound and figured we`d share some of the experience as it pertains to the car we all share a fondness for.

(1) roughly 1400 miles in so far. Averaged 42.1mpg, confirmed at the pump at every stop. Most of that was cruise control set at 75, only one spot of traffic that lasted about 15 minutes. With good gas I was seeing anywhere between 38 and 50 on flat ground. Got some crappy gas in Arkansas and had to really baby it to get 35-38 out of it.

(2) had a little fun with a Veloster turbo on the highway, it was honestly pretty close but we had the torque advantage so we took the point.

(3) some total a$$ in a modded 2nd gen 3 got dispatched with ease. His car made a bunch of noise like it was really trying hard to go fast but we pulled around him and his shenanigans pretty swiftly. Thanks to OVT for that.

(4) Android auto was great. It was nice to have the GPS on the screen to free up my phone screen for netflix for my son to watch. He`s a good kid and travels well but a 19 hour drive is a challenge to any 11 year old.

(5) It is difficult to set the AC system to the perfect temperature when the weather is cold.

Headed back to Texas tomorrow. I expect the same fuel economy results. She`s been fairly comfortable along the way, no new complaints there (I do wish the seats had lumbar support and a better seat bottom angle).

 

[MeteorGray]

Thanks for the report. These cars make amazing mileage on the highway. I like mine for traveling too.

 

[VoodooJef]

First leg of the trip home is done. Pulled in 44.1mpg on my last tank of gas, measured at the pump. Probably won`t get that much out of the tank I`m on as I was kind of ripping through the mountains pretty fast. I`m seeing the limits of the 3`s (mostly) stock suspension. I could probably push it a little harder but I`m seeing the trust/terror ratio shift a little bit. I`ve got an order going in to JBR on monday, the new RSB will be part of it and should bring the cornering performance up to lessen the white knuckle surprises. Also wanting some brighter low beams at this point. Probably going to jump in on a Diode Dynamics HID kit.

 

[Road Trip]

Thanks VoodooJef! Enjoyed hearing about your road trip; could feel your experience excitment!

As you can tell from my forum name, we love road trips. This year we did four, totaling just under 14,000 miles. Went to 25 states, two Canadian provinces. Already have two planned for next year (around 6,000 miles).

VoodooJef, here's to more, fun road trips for you!

 

[VoodooJef]

Thanks!! We try to get in one big trip a year, and as many little escapes as we can squeeze in.

Finally made it back home this afternoon. The only excitement on the way was when I was getting on the highway in Knoxville and had a semi on either side of me, and the one on the right was running out of his lane QUICKLY! Had to grab 2nd gear and pin it and my first true no lift shift into 3rd (in this car, anyway).

best single tank of gas was 44.1mpg, averaged 41.9 for the whole trip. Car road super smooth, albeit a little noisy but we all know that much. I`m actually going to pull the back seat and as much of the carpet as I can get to and put down some dynamat underneath. And the inherent nature to understeer was frighteningly apparent blasting through the mountains so the RSB was ordered today. I may even have my H&R springs for sale soon in favor of swapping to coilovers. On the radar are a set of Recaro seats, but that`s hardly even a backburner desire as of now.

 

[sc489]

You mentioned the road noise - are you driving the pre facelift version or the new 2017 version which claims to be quieter?

 

[VoodooJef]

You mentioned the road noise - are you driving the pre facelift version or the new 2017 version which claims to be quieter?

It`s a very late 2016 with the acoustic insulated windshield (not factory. Had it replaced about two months ago). Test drove a 2017 and it wasn`t markedly quieter. I did dynamat the entire spare tire area shortly after I got it, and it helped. Hoping that doing the rest continues with improvement. Some here have reported that doing the doors didn`t do much.

 

[hourheroyes]

It`s a very late 2016 with the acoustic insulated windshield (not factory. Had it replaced about two months ago). Test drove a 2017 and it wasn`t markedly quieter. I did dynamat the entire spare tire area shortly after I got it, and it helped. Hoping that doing the rest continues with improvement. Some here have reported that doing the doors didn`t do much.

do you have a guide/reference for the dynamat installation?

 

[VoodooJef]

do you have a guide/reference for the dynamat installation?

There`s nothing particularly complicated about it, really. I took out the rear carpet and foam spare tire cover, then the tire itself. I cut the Mat into roughly 1`X 2`sheets and set them into the rear of the car, molding each sheet into place and making small cuts and shape adjustments for proper fit before I peeled the backing and stuck it down. With so many contours and bends under there, there were plenty of small odd spots that got covered in the second round with various scraps and leftovers.