I filled the thing up after my first tank of fuel.(holds 27 gallons) and
I got just 15mpg. (A 97 AWD (with a viscous coupling just like a Sycnro)
Van that I bought recently for  two grand because I can't afford $20 grand
for a Syncro)  Driving it without a "lead foot" and at 65mph average
highway....though it's easy to find yourself moving 75 or 80 in that
van.    Not exactly stellar gas mileage, but this one has 237 thousand
miles on the original Vortec V-6 and it doesn't burn a drop of oil or sound
or feel worn out at all.   And I did hook up my 10 Wells Cargo utility
trailer with two motorcycles and pull it...Hardly slows the 4.3 liter lil'
truck down.
    I will say I  very much dislike driving an automatic vehicle now, this
being the first automatic shifting vehicle I have had real day to day
experience with...The auto tranny just seems like it's working at
'cross-purposes' to what I am trying to do with the van/truck...It wants to
keep going fast when I want to slow down, it shifts when it doesn't really
have to, there is no anticipation really allowed...It bothers me, I'd
rather be selecting all my rpms as I need them, not just "accepting" what
this device gives me...I think the auto tranny is one of the major reasons
the fuel economy is lower, but they stopped offering manual shifting
Astro/Safari vans in 89, I think.
   The tranny is a GM certified rebuild also and it IS working as well as
it should...  Gimme my Vanagon 5sp any time....

   Anyhow, as a Friday topic...there you go..