I am compiling a list of those RX8 owners who are getting extremely poor mileage in the 10-13 range. I will post this list on the forum in the future. I will also forward a copy to Mazda if the list is comprehensive and I get responses. It will probably take some time for that to happen. If you would not mind being added to the list send me a message with your mileage and other pertinent information and service records... The RX8 is a fantastic automobile with few problems. The number of owners who have this low mileage problem seems to be a small percent. Other then the rusty rotor issue that is a cosmetic issue and is being taken care of by most service departments, the mileage issue is the only repetitive problem that I see in these forums. I would not discourage anyone from purchasing this car and hopefully Mazda can deal with those who have a problem so as not to effect future production and sales. I am not sure how aware they are of the issue but I imagine they do know that some are unhappy. I reiterate that it is an exceptional car with many features that are not available in other vehicles as a package. I know that some of the club members are frustrated with this mileage issue being posted over and over. I really think there needs to be a separate combined thread or sticky for this but that is up to the moderators not me. Sometimes in my personal frustration I may have offended some members by making out of line comments. If so I apologize for that.

 

howard seems like a great guy who is trying to help some of us owners who have "faulty" cars. Some people may say who cares because its a sport car. but 10-12 is kinda outrages esp doing granny shifting. you have my support howard.

 

Sent.

 

I took my RX8 in for service today. I am little apprehensive. They are supposed to paint the rotors and address the 10mpg mileage issue. The last three times I took it in their Mazda Master Technician was not in. Supposedly my flashes were up todate. The last two weeks the mornings have been colder – low to mid 40s – and the car cranks for quite a long time before it starts. They said they would look into it. The service department has very pleasant people and so far they found a nail in my tire the first time I took it in and fixed that. Hopefully they will be is adept when it comes to this more complicated issue. They gave me a loaner. In the last few months I have only driven my RX8. The loaner they gave me is a Mazda Protégé LX. Ii is the only other Mazda I have ever driven. My trip home from the dealership follows the river and is one 20mph curve after another, changing directions constantly. Boy I missed my RX8. The drive their was wonderful as always the river drive in RX8 is, but the drive home was just boring, Wow the RX8 sure has a lot less body roll then this car.

Anyway that is where things are at with my car. Currently there are ten people listed who are extremely happy about their low mileage.

In order to present Mazda with any realistic view of the situation I am going to need more accurate information from each of the listed owners. If you have not had your vehicle in for servicing on this issue I suggest you do so immediately. Mazda will not address an issue where no attempt to service it through standard means has been made. They need to know that there is not some common mechanical issue causing the problem. I feel that we need to move on this mileage thing write away. It may take some time to get any results and the sooner we start the better. So if you have not had your car serviced please do so. Let your service department know that this low mileage is not the norm for a RX8 and where you get that information when they try to tell you otherwise. I am referring to the forum of course. I am sending a form to provide the information I need.

 

RX8 INFORMATION

Name:
Email:
Vehicle year:
When you purchased it:
VIN Number:
Build date:
Miles on vehicle:
Mileage you are experiencing: In town: _______ On the highway:__________
Has your mileage gotten better ________ worse _______?
Percent of miles you drive in town: _______________on the highway:___________
Have you had this car serviced for this problem? ____________
If so dates:

Where:

Any comments on servicing:



Any Comments in General:

 

Howard, very constructive, good on you.
I think you should make sure people are measuring their mpg correctly, as per this thread, https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=45149

Your attitude about this has actually turned me to taking this issue seriously, I thought you were all just whingers until now! I would be interested in your exhaust emissions, your engine compression, and the operating conditions of your EVAP system if I were a dealer investigating your car. If people are having this problem but their driving styles are different, it may indeed be due to mechanical differences between vehicles.
Keep us informed.
Cheers!

 

I got a call back from the Service department today saying they have not found any reason for the low gas mileage. They told me there is a hold on all flashes and that Mazda told them that when the next flash is available it might fix the problem. Kind of what I expected. Since my car was already flashed to M I doubt there is much chance that the next flash (who knows when) will fix the mileage issue. I guess for now I just will have to live with 10mpg. I will write Mazda soon and send them the list I have of others getting this bad mileage. As some have probably won’t do much good. I am disappointed because I was hoping that the service department might find something. On the up side they did paint my rotors.