Just some thoughts on RX-8 fuel economy
10-27-2004, 08:59 PM
#26
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The rotary may not be efficient in gas compared to a piston engine but it is way more efficient in mechanical design.
"a single-rotor engine delivers power for three-quarters of each revolution of the output shaft. Compare this to a single-cylinder piston engine, in which combustion occurs during 180 degrees out of every two revolutions, or only a quarter of each revolution of the crankshaft (the output shaft of a piston engine). "
10-27-2004, 10:06 PM
#27
The gas milage claims are bogus.
16.7 to 18.9
And I only get 18.9 if I baby it and consistantly watch the RPMs. Its a piece of **** claim.
I can relax and drive my Buick and get 22mpg. That's a lot more fun than consitanly being paranoid and watching the RX8 RPM level.
What the Hell who cares........ I bought the car to have fun and that's exactly what it gives you....
But it is a pain visiting the gas station every 3 or 4 days (not convient). Sure would be nice if I didn't have to stop so often.
16.7 to 18.9
And I only get 18.9 if I baby it and consistantly watch the RPMs. Its a piece of **** claim.
I can relax and drive my Buick and get 22mpg. That's a lot more fun than consitanly being paranoid and watching the RX8 RPM level.
What the Hell who cares........ I bought the car to have fun and that's exactly what it gives you....
But it is a pain visiting the gas station every 3 or 4 days (not convient). Sure would be nice if I didn't have to stop so often.
10-27-2004, 10:24 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by rx8wannahave
OK, let me explain some more...
First, I'm planing on buying a "USED" RX-8 because I can not afford a new one. YES, not everyone is rich you know...
I care about MPG because unlike some people...I always go for the best bang for the buck and I take every part of the car into account. Also, unlike some people, I have a family...hopefully a baby soon, and I can't be COMPLETELY SELFISH with my car purchase considering that YES...there are things more important in life, and it pains me to say that...than a car.
Also, as already stated, the RX-8 is a hell of a car for the price. I've looked at the:
GTO
G35
As alternatives to the RX-8 with only the G35 as a serious competitor to the 8. We just have to admit that it's amazing that a FAT GTO (3600 pounds with a V8 with 350 HP) has 29 MPG in the highway. While the RX-8 can barely reach 24 at 1.3L.
But, again...for under 30K the RX-8 is the best buy...
First, I'm planing on buying a "USED" RX-8 because I can not afford a new one. YES, not everyone is rich you know...
I care about MPG because unlike some people...I always go for the best bang for the buck and I take every part of the car into account. Also, unlike some people, I have a family...hopefully a baby soon, and I can't be COMPLETELY SELFISH with my car purchase considering that YES...there are things more important in life, and it pains me to say that...than a car.
Also, as already stated, the RX-8 is a hell of a car for the price. I've looked at the:
GTO
G35
As alternatives to the RX-8 with only the G35 as a serious competitor to the 8. We just have to admit that it's amazing that a FAT GTO (3600 pounds with a V8 with 350 HP) has 29 MPG in the highway. While the RX-8 can barely reach 24 at 1.3L.
But, again...for under 30K the RX-8 is the best buy...
You really can't compare the displacement vs. fuel economy of the renesis with any piston engine- it's apples and oranges. I think you're seeing that you have to look at the RX8 as a whole package... and for most of us fuel economy is so far overweighed by everything else it's pretty much irrelevant. Many of us keep tabs on our mileage not for the sake of $$, but more as a way to gauge the health of the engine... at least during the first few months or so. I know now that I can make my 8 get anywhere from 13mpg to 24mpg, and it's all up to how I drive it... and so I drive it the way it was meant to and have a ton of fun doing it.
And I do have a family- 2 kids and another on the way. I guess since I've always bought my wife SUV's that get the same mileage or worse than the RX8, I've always put a low priority on fuel economy. In those cases, safety, utility and cargo room has always been more important. It's just a matter of your priorities...
10-28-2004, 06:03 AM
#29
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OK...GOOD...
I've picked the RX-8 because I did not want, when the babies do come, to have to use my wife's Mazda6 all the time. I wanted to have a car I would love and I could put a baby seat in...so...
The RX-8, after many reviews and research, has one the battle and seems like the PERFECT car I was waiting for. I can't wait....
THE 8 IS GREAT!
I've picked the RX-8 because I did not want, when the babies do come, to have to use my wife's Mazda6 all the time. I wanted to have a car I would love and I could put a baby seat in...so...
The RX-8, after many reviews and research, has one the battle and seems like the PERFECT car I was waiting for. I can't wait....
THE 8 IS GREAT!
10-28-2004, 09:58 AM
#30
RX8 RX8!
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I changed from 89 chevron to 89 Shell and gas mileage increased from 16.7mpg to 19.3 in 60 hi/ 40 cty driving. I'll be trying out other brands to see if there's a definite difference.
10-28-2004, 10:06 AM
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You may also ask yourself how many would have bought the 8, but did not because it had a (gas-guzzling) rotary engine inside?
I, for one, would still have bought the 8 if it had the engine and handling of the S2000 e.g.
Unless he/she is a die-hard rotary head, or thrives on uniqueness, a car enthusiast should really only care about the performance/efficiency/cost with regard to an engine.
I, for one, would still have bought the 8 if it had the engine and handling of the S2000 e.g.
Unless he/she is a die-hard rotary head, or thrives on uniqueness, a car enthusiast should really only care about the performance/efficiency/cost with regard to an engine.
Originally Posted by HorsepowerFreaks
Marketing...? haha. I know a lot of RX-7 guys who bought an RX-8 when they came out. Take away the "RX" and I don't think those guys would have bought one. 
What's the weight dist. of the new Vett anyway?
What's the weight dist. of the new Vett anyway?
10-28-2004, 11:11 AM
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Mazda is not having a hard time moving RX-8's though.... Regardless if it's an old time rotorhead or someone new to Mazda.
The rotary is a big part of Mazda's heritage and what helped bring a spotlight to their name. It only makes sense they would have changed a few things up and came out with a rotary powered vehicle again. It was only a matter of time.
Renesis... The International Motor of the year, 2003
The rotary is a big part of Mazda's heritage and what helped bring a spotlight to their name. It only makes sense they would have changed a few things up and came out with a rotary powered vehicle again. It was only a matter of time.
Renesis... The International Motor of the year, 2003
Last edited by HorsepowerFreaks; 10-28-2004 at 11:15 AM.
10-28-2004, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by rx8wannahave
Hay, I'm only compareing the fuel economy of the engines...that's all. The Vette is WAY out of my price range and has only 2 seats.
Guys, it's OK...the RX-8 a great car and I've only been in it once, but perfect it aint...who cares...no car is...
THE 8 IS GREAT!
Guys, it's OK...the RX-8 a great car and I've only been in it once, but perfect it aint...who cares...no car is...
THE 8 IS GREAT!
Every car has its strong points and weak points and the high performance cars we're speaking of are no exception. Somewhere in the equation, whether it be comfort, fuel efficiency, insurance, maintenance, tire wear, etc., etc., it's going to cost you more than the average car. Bottom line: buy the type of performance you want and enjoy it! Almost everyday (especially weekends) I see drivers going by my house in various Porsches, Vipers, M-3's, etc., with big grins on their faces. That's the whole idea, isn't it?!
1.3L
10-28-2004, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by 1.3L
Every car has its strong points and weak points and the high performance cars we're speaking of are no exception. Somewhere in the equation, whether it be comfort, fuel efficiency, insurance, maintenance, tire wear, etc., etc., it's going to cost you more than the average car. Bottom line: buy the type of performance you want and enjoy it! Almost everyday (especially weekends) I see drivers going by my house in various Porsches, Vipers, M-3's, etc., with big grins on their faces. That's the whole idea, isn't it?!
1.3L
1.3L
I bought my Mazdaspeed Protege because I was sick of the 'sports car' feel of my FC RX-7 with race seats for daily driving. So I got something more comfortable. I think it's sporty enough now though.
And as I said before, I think the RX-8 has the right amount of comfort and sporty'ness.
10-28-2004, 01:19 PM
#36
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Yep! Getting into an 8, starting it up and hearing that rotary sound and then taking off, well it gives one a good feeling. I know one thing, this car I have ever owned where I baby it and try to keep it clean as can be and looking sharp. Not all that concerned about the fuel use. Now the tires I will worry about when they get worn. Right now its all new and has the new smell still so its just get out there and enjoy the ride.
10-28-2004, 01:29 PM
#37
Insanely Yellow
If you compute the Rotary's horsepower to displacement ratio against the horsepower to displacement of the Corvette, you'll see the rotary is a very powerful engine, and very powerful engines get crappy fuel mileage. Personally I think a car that manages 17 mpg and still puts out 183 HP per liter is a pretty efficient engine indeed!
400 HP out of 5.7 liters = 70 HP per liter
238 HP out of 1.3 liters = 183 HP per liter
400 HP out of 5.7 liters = 70 HP per liter
238 HP out of 1.3 liters = 183 HP per liter
10-28-2004, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by StewC625
If you compute the Rotary's horsepower to displacement ratio against the horsepower to displacement of the Corvette, you'll see the rotary is a very powerful engine, and very powerful engines get crappy fuel mileage. Personally I think a car that manages 17 mpg and still puts out 183 HP per liter is a pretty efficient engine indeed!
400 HP out of 5.7 liters = 70 HP per liter
238 HP out of 1.3 liters = 183 HP per liter
400 HP out of 5.7 liters = 70 HP per liter
238 HP out of 1.3 liters = 183 HP per liter
10-28-2004, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by StewC625
If you compute the Rotary's horsepower to displacement ratio against the horsepower to displacement of the Corvette, you'll see the rotary is a very powerful engine, and very powerful engines get crappy fuel mileage. Personally I think a car that manages 17 mpg and still puts out 183 HP per liter is a pretty efficient engine indeed!
400 HP out of 5.7 liters = 70 HP per liter
238 HP out of 1.3 liters = 183 HP per liter
400 HP out of 5.7 liters = 70 HP per liter
238 HP out of 1.3 liters = 183 HP per liter
The most efficient engines in terms of fuel efficiency and thermodynamic efficiency tend to have rather low specific outputs. Take the Prius's engine, for example. The 1NZ-FXE displaces 1.5L and puts out 70 hp. If you look at its power:displacement ratio then you could conclude that this engine is rather inefficient, producing just 46.7hp/L. However, nothing could be farther from the truth, as we well know. Looking at the rotary's power:displacement ratio, you may be tempted to conclude that it is very efficient, when in actuality the LS2 that you compared it to is much more efficient from a power:weight standpoint and thermodynamically, two measures of efficiency that actually have some bearing on the performance of the engine even though it lags behind the rotary in the power:displacement ratio. Power:displacement is a nice marketing term and all, but to compare the efficiencies of engines by their power:displacement ratios is misguided at best.
10-28-2004, 03:26 PM
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I see drivers going by my house in various Porsches, Vipers, M-3's, etc., with big grins on their faces. That's the whole idea, isn't it?!
I'm a sports car guy and I'll remain one. Yes, there are good, fast, and nice looking FWD cars but real sports cars...I know some people will not like this, are either RWD or AWD...nothing less...
AMEN TO THAT!!!
but to compare the efficiencies of engines by their power:displacement ratios is misguided at best.
THE 8 IS GREAT
10-28-2004, 03:37 PM
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I consistantly get at least 21 mpg on our AT 8, combo town and highway driving. I have gotten as high as 24+mpg on the highway, average speed 75mph. No problem ...BTW..shell super.
10-28-2004, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by rx8wannahave
I know some people will not like this, are either RWD or AWD...nothing less...
Yes, a 'Sports Car' is AWD or RWD. I can't wait to get back into one.
10-28-2004, 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by czr
I changed from 89 chevron to 89 Shell and gas mileage increased from 16.7mpg to 19.3 in 60 hi/ 40 cty driving. I'll be trying out other brands to see if there's a definite difference.
10-28-2004, 05:05 PM
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That may be so... but I'll be waiting for you at the end of the track.
10-28-2004, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by rx8wannahave
Huh? Do you mean your car is faster? How do you know what I'm driving? LOL, a little confused...sorry...
10-28-2004, 05:18 PM
#49
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Yeah, I was meaning mine was faster than an RX-8....
Besides, a car is more than numbers...come on, you know...
But, I see your name explains it all...