23 mpg with a geo prizm?

[civic94]

I recently bought the 97prizm with the pos 3 speed automatic, just because it was a good price and i can share the car with my mom, so its 2x the savings on inusrance and tabs. got it for 1250, with new tires, ran perfect, no rust or sun damage.

i just got thru a tank, its about 70% city, and about 30% highway going at 60 mph. i really didnt expect it to be at 23mpg, even my friends 06 CRV 4x4 gets that kind of mileage, while being a crapload bigger, and heavier.

and no, i dont have a lead foot. I was getting 45 mpg all the time with a 94 civic dx stick, with the short geared ex tranny. the prizm has a extremely tall 1st gear, and on 3rd gear, 60 mph is at 3000 rpm, and 70 mph is at 3500 on the scanguage.

so far i have 44 psi tires, intake, changed out all the fluids since i bought it, and putting the car on N when at a light. is there any other advice out there that can help me?

I have driven a 90 civic auto before, i was getting 33 mpg with that, i was really expecting to get at least 25 mpg at worst case.