I'm sure you all must have covered this but I just want to say ... I've just about had it with the gas mileage on my 04 RX8. I do love this car but will probably sell it. The sticker says 18/22 and I'm getting under 15. Yes, I do drive the car like it wants to be driven (higher RPMs) which uses more gas than it would if I shifted at 3500 RPM and I do use the A/C here in Arizona during the summer months (level 2 or 3 max). I'm going to monitor this now that Fall is here as I drive without the A/C. But all said and done, I'm not satisfied with how this machine eats the gas. If anyone wants a gorgeous winning blue RX8 with 26K miles for 20K (1500 under book), let me know at IHearUDad at gmail.com and I'll give you all the rest of the details. Except for the poor gas mileage, what a car to own/drive.

 

Sorry to see you go. I have an econobox as my mileage panic backup. I've been hovering between 15-17 mpg for short distance stop and go driving. I still think the car's worth it.

 

Can I have your stuff?

 

Sometimes...life is not all about $$...sorry to hear that you no longer want the 8...

 

My 2004 GT 6MT has been getting better mileage with the 'T' flash than ever before.
What flash are you on?

 

If you buy a more-expensive car, keep in mind that for a few-thousand dollars in price difference, you can buy a LOT of fuel.

 

but if kept long enough will pay for itslef.

 

You could have saved yourself a bunch of trouble and researched the car before buying it. The gas mileage issue has never been a secret.

 

I have a 2004 red GT for 3 years now. Best milage I have gotten on premium was last week, on a 200 mile road trip, cruise control on 73, accelerating to pass semitrucks, 23 miles per gallon! Both directions! Worst was stop/go city driving accelerating hard, reving high, 15 mpg. I just hit 20,000 miles. I too have a milage panic car (Honda del Hoopty) which gets about 39mpg. Its a sports car/rotary, poor mph is expected. It is very unlikely you will get the mpg estimate on the window sitcker. You will find this true with most cars.

 

NEVER!!!

Crunch the numbers. You'll never break even buying a new car in order to improve gas use.


Driving 15,000 miles a year, you'd need a 30 mpg econobox to save a thousand bucks a year.

 

I don't blame you.

 

ok so 1,000$/year. if you keep the car for 8 years and put ~120,000 miles on it with your 15,000mi/year estimate you would save ~$8000. you are now even on a 35-38,000 car.

I didnt mean the car will pay for itself. I meant the difference in the price of the 2 cars. I guess I should have clarified. Not to mention at any time during that 8 years if you factor in the resale value if you were to need or want to get ride of the car and yo would probably be money ahead.

 

did they improve anything with gas usage between the 04s 06s and 07s

 

Do you know HOW long? Probably 100,000 miles or so.

 

you say that like 100,000 miles on a car is an uncommon thing?

My family right now owns 2 cars with over 100,000 (one has almost 200,000) and another that will see 100,000 in the next 18 months easily. None have a single problem with them outside of my sister exploding the airbags in the 200k car. Of the 4 cars in my household we have almost a half a million miles and counting.

 

So what, its a little thirsty but you have a great car!!!!

 

I just took a 3300mile round trip to Yellowstone park and Tetons Wy, in my 04 RX8 MT. I got 24 mpg at 70 mph, 23 mpg at 75, and 22mpg at 82. I got 25 mpg following slow RV's thru the park. I use 87 octane. The car was awesome and flawless thru the entire trip. Had a great time carving thru mountain roads . It made 850 mile days fun and easy. I'm totally sold on the car and feel the gas mileage is good for a rotary. If you drive sanely the car is not as thirsty as you say. It seems cold weather, short trips and frequent high rpm acceleration kill mileage on this car. Drive sensibly or pay at the pump. Gas is cheap right now so enjoy the car. It's a great road car. Don't sell it. It's well worth the hit at the pump.

 

Sounds illogical....

Sounds like Mom and Pop bought the car, will buy the next one, and take the hit...

Sounds like junior is only paying for gas, and doesn't like his end of the deal.

Am I right?

S

 

you need to drive it on a highway to get mileage.. stop and go + hot = poor mpg. I broke 50k last week on mine my ifetime mpg is 21.xx and my last tank i broke 23 mpg. I got 293 miles on the gas light and another 30 before i filled up and stuck just under 14 gallons in it.

 

You're missing Darin's point. To get 100,000 miles that is like...what, 8 or so years of driving, just guessing.

He's saying it would take about 8 years of driving to break even. That is dedication! And that also assumes gas prices stay level or rise, if they drop then that time just got longer.

At any rate. I gladly put gas in this car.

 

We need to combat uninformed members of society from making bad decisions. That's why I want to start a national campaign called, "Look **** up before you buy it!"

 

I started out life with 17mpg @ 70% city.
With 95% highway, I get about 22mpg. thats under 1500 miles.

 

Ok, I have never posted her before but feel I must chime in. Dan is right, the mpg sucks in this car. I traded a 2001 Ford F-150 Supercrew truck that got way better milage than this car. Now having said that, I would make the same trade all over again. I love this car! It makes driving fun and it's worth every dime at the pump!

 

Mbrown what is your definition of way better mileage? I'm just asking here. From what I looked up it's marignal if any at all.

 

Either way, Mbrown, it's good to hear from a first time poster with something constructive to say....


S


(S...the Gordon Ramsay of moderators.....)