Update:
I have had the CRD for about 3 months now. I have noticed the delay when shifting into manual 2, atleast i know its just not mine. It doesnt do it all of the time just on occasion.
My MPG, stock size tires i have been averaging right around 25 with country roads and secondary roads driving to work with some mixed town driving with a few red lights, thats pulling a few 9% grades on the back roads. I have yet to take it on a road trip of any kind. I drove around 65 miles to the airport last month and was right around 30mpg. So far i love this thing, still kicking around the idea of a GDE tune, but not sure i want to take a chance on the engine of my daily driver, nor do i want to spend the 450 for a single tune.
But i love the MPG it gets and just the general feel of how it drives. I have no regret of buying it. But then again i'm a diesel guy, and i work on all of my own stuff. Only 30k until new timing belt