Here's a thread that has a bunch of good info on a variety of points for a newbie.
http://vehicross.info/forums/showthr...id+plates+roof

Regarding MPG - yes, as the others have said, this is not the car for someone that's really concerned about MPG.

You'll see ranges in MPG mentioned here, that's because "stock" gets the highest MPG, then as we add things, it goes down.

~My MPG with NO roof rack basket and STOCK tires was around 16, full highway could get close to 20-21.

~I got my Yakima roof cargo basket and the larger tires at the same time...average MPG went to about 15.

~ Then I added 150 pounds of the Kilby steel skid plates....no real change in MPG.

~Then I put my larger than stock full size spare tire in the basket.
It's like a brick shape going down the highway!
City MPG - 15 tops
Hwy MPG - 17 tops

~ EXTRA WEIGHT: I figured my MPG would tank once I put all this stuff on:
150 lbs skid plates
60 lbs 4 larger tires -(total lbs over stock tires -Cooper 285/60-18)
23 lbs cargo basket
29 lbs wheel
49 lbs spare tire
20 lbs recovery kit stuff (tow ropes, shackles)
20 lbs front bull bar/lights
351 LBS TOTAL

~ DELETE WEIGHT:
-65 lbs Remove back seat
-30 lbs Remove donut spare (estimate)
~255 lbs TOTAL - extra weight my VX is carrying all the time now (about the same as a real big passenger full time)

~I recently took a 3,700 miles road trip, with all the stuff listed above, as well as some luggage. Had lots of high altitude mountain driving, as well as much flat open driving. Most would be with "winter gasoline" formulas, which lowers MPG.
High - 17.4 MPG
Low - 11.7 MPG
Avg - 15.06 MPG

Overall, I seem to stay in the 15 -16 MPG with all the extra stuff on board AND making the adjustment for my slightly larger tire circumference. I also have more highway driving on average around here which may help bump that up a tad.....

Another member here found this kinda fun website where you can track your MPG. Here's mine: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/vxkat/vehicross


Regarding tires:

Since you will need to drive in snow/slush, you'd be wise to get something a little more grippy and capable than the pitiful OEM BridgestoneDuelers. So you can probably expect what Eric (etlsport) estimated as to total price $ for four.
** Just an important point to mention....All 4 tires MUST be the same size, model and VERY close in tread depth, otherwise, many owners have found the TOD system goes crazy and makes all kinds of hideous noises. Tires must be same (or VERY similar) circumference to prevent this. In other words, don't replace 2 with new now, and leave 2 old, planning to buy 2 new in the future...do them all at the same time. **

Fuzzy hole.....
That's the small cubby to the left of the steering wheel. It has a black fuzzy nap lining...and thus the nickname...
Many of us put a HotWheels VX there. I also have my hatch popper release button in there, and I hang my CB mic holder there when I'm using the CB.