despite the higher cost of premium, consumers continue to buy vehicles that require or perform best on higher-octane blends, shrugging off the additional expense as a necessary cost of driving what they really want instead of focusing on operating costs. the 2018 mazda mx-5 miata is among those vehicles. despite having a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder used engine with a modest 155 horsepower, the 2018 mx-5 miata requires premium gas.
that's going to cost you more at the pump this week. gas prices climbed for a second week in a row, and the aaa daily fuel gauge report said thursday that the national average for regular was $2.87, up 2 cents from a week ago. premium gas also rose 2 cents, to a national average of $3.41, and diesel fuel was up a penny to $3.16.
with either the standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic, the epa combined city-highway rating is 29 mpg. (note that for 2019, the mx-5 miata will gain 26 horsepower, and mazda says fuel efficiency should improve, as well.).
here is what it would cost to fill the 11.9-gallon tank based on aaa's prices posted on thursday:
- using the national average of $3.41 for premium, filling the tank from empty would cost $40.58.
- in chicago, where premium averaged $4.13, the cost would increase to just over $49.
- premium was $3.14 in mobile, ala., and filling up would cost $37 and change.
alabama and mississippi had the lowest average price for regular at $2.58, the only states under $2.60. hawaii had the highest average price, $3.77, followed by california at $3.62. regular averaged more than $3 in 10 other states.
as is typical, some of the biggest price swings occurred in the great lakes area. regular fell by 7 cents in michigan but rose by 5 cents in illinois and 6 cents in indiana and ohio. regular also jumped by a nickel in georgia, south carolina and tennessee.
pump prices rose in most states the past week, a product of the recent run-up in oil prices. the energy information administration said demand for gas also was at near=record levels, putting upward pressure on pump prices.
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