Ok so last time I checked in I was testing a new driving style where I tried to stay off throttle as much as possible, but let the revs go to around 5K when shifting in order to have some power. I tried not to worry about the whole 1 vs 2 injector thing and the 3750 rpm limit.

With an entire tank full, I got 15.3 MPG... I finally broke 15 MPG (previously was getting 14.XXX), but I have to admit that i cannot drive the car this way. I moved from grandma to grandpa and it helped, but I can't justify buying a sportscar and driving that way.

Latest tank... driving harder - more throttle... shifting between 3.5-5K, sometimes as much as 6K. At just under the 1/4 tank line, I've gone 164 miles. Looks like I'm back under 15 MPG (maybe as low as 13 MPG this time). I'll fill up tomorrow and update.

Man o man, do I wish I had a 19-20 MPG 8 like most of you. I'm stuck with a lemon.

F&ck Mazda and their sh&tty attitude towards those of us with bunk cars.

 

man, i'm sorry your experience has been so bad. i just got my 04, and i managed 240 miles or so on the first tank with a combination of city and highway driving.

 

BTW, did you guys realize that the cost difference between 20/15 MPG and 15/12 MPG is the same. The cost function is not linear, so those of us with 12 MPG cars are twice as f&cked as those with 15 MPG cars compared to the lucky ones with 20 MPG cars.

Mazda can eat a d*ck until they accept that there is something terribly wrong with some of our cars!

Oh and Slick, gas will not be $2.20 again for a while and I can only wish my car got 18 MPG, so while your insurance breakdown is not completely invalid, it is not nearly as nice for me and others like me with crappy MPG.

 

I have 4100 miles on mine, and for some reason my last tank went for quite a bit longer than usual. Normally, without question, it would always be at 50 miles for 1/4th, 100 for 1/2, and about 150 when at 3/4ths, and I'd get about 15 mpg. This last fill though, I took her up to the mountain twisties several times (somewhat inspired by my friend introducing me to Initial D :p ), and drove her quite hard...and surprisingly I ended up with 16.5 mpg.

Either there's some truth to that nonsense about driving hard being better for your mpg, or I'm just suddenly past some magical break in point, or my baby realizes gas prices are rising and just decided to stop being so thirsty for my sake. :D Will see if this continues, maybe by not going up to the mountains this week to see if those mountain runs actually improved my mpg.

 

Sorry to hear about your high fuel consumption. What did Mazda say when you brought them your gas receipts and spreadsheet showing the date, mileage, and gallons added at each fueling?