terry - the ute's not that bad on fuel - 10.5 is generally on the average thing which is pretty damn good considering the revs i pull, though i can go about 640kms on a tank which i'm happy with.
Sits on about 2500rpm @105km/h which i think's the main reason why i can't get any better economy - I'm contemplating a t56 gearbox to whack the cruise revs down though.
Banks - i'm not unlike you - my car is extremely dirty 99% of the time with the occasional laser wash every 3 weeks when i go to tamworth. I might gain some ambition and clean it on the weekend, and then its picture time.