Yep, you look at the top of pistons that have been subjected to too low octane or poor quality fuel and detonation/ping occurs and they surface looks like a moon landscape. Typically the next grade up from 87 octane regular is what most places call plus and is 89 octane. It is about $.10 more a gallon. 20 gallon fill is $2.00 more per tank. Way more damage at the piston that will cost a lot more.
I just drove from Eugene, Or. to Medford, Or. on Sunday. About a 330-340 miles round trip and I motored at 75-80 mph the whole way and that is up and down some passes and there was never a missed beat during the trip. That engine performed flawlessly and I got 14.7 MPG. I am very happy with that. Plus, the lady I was with bought lunch at a diner called Black Bear Diner in Grants Pass, Oregon. I was hoping for a pork tenderloin sandwich but no luck but I had the Reuben and it was actually corned beef instead of pastrami and was almost as good as the ones I make. So, good food, good company on a trip and for me, the MPG was great.