2 points. First, since the highway speed limit is often 65 mph I don't understand why driving a tankful at 65mph comes off as a "stunt". I'm not trying to be self-righteous about it; I go plenty fast sometimes but let's put it in perspective. Not only is it a legitimate test it could also be very useful information the day you hit that "Next Gas 110 miles" sign.

Second, the hype of the Renesis powerplant and part of the reason it won "International Engine of the Year Award", was due to the leap in efficiency projected over the previous rotaries. Weren't they claiming something like low-to-mid 30's highway mileage? So I think some people that started following the RX-8 story early on are legitimately wondering why the mileage is turning out to be half of projections. From an engineering viewpoint falling short that much is astounding.

I can live with the mileage but on a long trip I'd be just as happy cruising at a speed that gives significantly better mileage (if there is such a speed). People tend to overestimate the time savings they get from speeding. Also factor in the reduced frequency of fuel stops and how long it takes to deal with a speeding citation :p

 

I agree with Viking. If mpg is such a great concern, get a friggin Prius. This car begs to be DRIVEN, not mollycoddled at 3750rpm.
If you want to shift at 3750, that's your choice, but it begs the question of why you bought this car in the first place. It makes all of its HP at 7000-8500rpm. I drive mine pretty agressively as traffic and the law permit and usually get around 16 mpg in a mix of driving with about 20% highway on mine with 8k miles. It's just no fun unless you hear the rotary sing. Sure, I'll granny shift when speeds are limited by traffic, but if I'm #1 at the light, I'll shift from 1st at 8-9k and 2nd at 8-9k, then slow down. It just blows my mind that so many seemed concerned with gas mileage when this car is a joy to drive without worrying about the mpg. And as for those who are concerned with the next fill up, watch the friggin gas gauge. At 220 miles or so, better look for a gas station!:p

 

220 miles better start looking for a gas station...

Yep...Those 8500 rpm shifts at every light will do that to you.

Me and my A/T, 21 MPG, 70 MPH highway...260 miles better start looking for a gas station...

BUT, I agree with you all...if you get into it and have fun in the car you pay at the pumps. But what car isn't that way to a degree?

 

Viking, thanks for reminding me. I really appreciate it. You've made everything so clear for me. Now, during my 2250 mile (one-way) long-distance trip, instead of cruising at 60 to 75 mph, I will accelerate and decelerate in WOT fashion. This will allow me to do brake testing as well as those 0 to 60 to 0 tests that some magazines do. The RX8 was truly made for a 2250 mile stop-and-go trip. I hope I won't get tired out in the first 1000 miles from this. Do you think playing Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit will get me pumped up for the physical and psychological demands? I just hope to God that I don't get an aneurysm going through west Texas. Don't worry. Whenever I feel like I can't take anymore of it, I'll remind myself that this is the way the RX8 was meant to be driven.

 

Make sure that you drop the clutch at 8K RPM to start your 0-60-0 runs. And why the hell are you stopping at 60 anyway? Don't you know this car is meant to be driven at 141?

 

I will be sure to do that, sir.

 

NO PEENISFELLOFF, Thanks for reminding me. I learned alot from you. I will be sure to make all my shifts at 3krpms or less, and NEVER drive more then 60-65mph down highway. DO YOU THINK PLAYING THE CARPENTERS OR POSSIBLY BARRY MANILOW WILL HELP ME DRIVE LIKE GRANDMA AND TRY AND SAVE GAS? And don't you worry, when some 75 year old in a plymouth horizon passes me, I'll remind myself that I am saving gas, and that I bought the right car for slow cruising. As long as I drive this car slow, and keep the rpms down, I'll believe I bought myself a decent gas mileage sports car. Whenever I get that feeling like I want to step on gas and accelerate fast, I'll just tell myself that YOU WILL NOT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE IF YOU DO THAT, and I'll then slow down, crank up the carpenters and go back to my 60mph bliss.

 

Pretty funny. Viking, you still don't get it, do you?

 

Diking,

I accept your apology. I think we both agree it is better not to continue taking pot shots at each other.

 

If it's any consolation, my last tank in my MP3 Protege was awful-about 21 MPG, because of some extended time in bumper to bumper trafffic on the Long Island Expressway, finished off with a wild 85-90 MPH screamer of a drive down I-280 in New Jersey to make my dinner appointment. The car usually delivers 27-29 MPG without babying it. Driving habits matter on any car, it's just that the rotary is somewhat more sensitive to it.

I still think the RX-8 gets reasonable mileage considering it's performance- it goes to show how much things have changed, and what people demand out of their cars today.

 

Thanks Peenisfelloff. I hope you find your little.... gas experiment full of reward.

 

Diking,

Hope you have fun driving the hell out of your car in Provencetown, MA.

 

OMG. You need to stop with these pathetic comebacks. I am starting to feel sorry for you, so I won't say anymore. Take your time, come up with something really good to insult me with, and I promise I won't respond and make you look bad again.

 

Both of you need to quit acting like children. Viking, he can do what he wants with his car. Phineas, you don't need to reply to baiting in kind. Keep it up and you'll both get a warning.

 

Thanks Elara. I was hoping you'd come on and finally do that. I can't let people take shots like that without responding back, so I am very glad you came on here and put a stop to it, because I certainly couldn't.

 

As promised, I have just posted a thread with the mileage results from my trip across the country. The mileages were unbelievably good!

Please go check out the thread in the Discussion forum.

 

Hm, this is not a personal attack or so, I really just want to understand, but how do you drive "agressively" in traffic?

The only time I can have fun in my RX-8 is in the middle of the night, when the roads are rather empty and most of the cops are home.

-Peter

 

Would it be safe to say that a car that ranges between 16-19mpg city and 22-26 hw make a difference of about $6 a fill up, hence a little over $24 a month or $300 a year? I think so. Why does anyone who really cares about the beauty, performance and mechanical prowess of the 8 even give a rat's butt? Seriously, I believe thsoe who are all caught up in this mpg nightmare that mazda and the forum members are dealign with is because a lot of the folks who hav ebough tthe 8 were expecting Accord type miliage but super performance. I have news for all of these types. You bought the wrong car and deal with it or sell it. Performance enthusiasts only need apply here.

 

You seem kind of new here. I think you should have read the thread (including other mileage threads) from beginning to end. No one is expecting Accord-type gas mileage. Most of the people who are concerned about mileage are focused on the discrepancy between how businesses SHOULD do business and how they ACTUALLy do business. Misrepresentation can not be tolerated. Proving or disproving misrepresentation requires scientific examination and data collection. That's all we're after. It's really as simple as that.

 

I think you are wrong. Do you actually believe this is about businessses? You are obviously one of these anti-business types that doesn't realize that there is always a lie when it come to sales. Deal with it, most people arte complaining because their gas milage sucks. And they are right, however the car they bought gets the milage or better than most cars in it's competitive class. And by the way, yes I am new here and it doesn't make me any less knowledgeable than you (whatever fell off.)

 

i drive consistently 80mph+ 4000rpm on california highways, and usually get 20-21 mpg. I wish i averaged 24+ but all the thrill i get from zipping around makes the 20mpg insignificant

 

rx8miami,


I don't need to believe anything. It is an empirical fact. There has been endless clamor about the inaccuracy of the EPA mileage ratings since almost day 1 on this forum. Recently, Mazda came out with the "L" ECU reflash, which although officially is said to fix flooding issues, also happens to improve mileage and midrange horsepower. This is no coincidence. Mileage AND horsepower concerns have gone hand-in-hand and have plaqued this car and Mazda from the very beginning. You haven't done your homework on this site.

You know that thing called a STICKER that comes on the car at the lot? It has EPA mileage ratings (and horsepower rating) that EVERYONE is aware of before buying the car. NO RX8 owner has unrealistic expectations of the RX8's mileage.

By the way, your statement suggests that putting effort into INVESTIGATING the validity of a company's claim indicates naivete regarding business practices. There is no necessary logical connection whatsoever. Saying your company's car is "the ulitmate driving machine" is just gloss, but saying your car gets XX MPG and XXX HP when it doesn't is in the same category as when a food product is said to contain a certain amount of an ingredient when it does not. It can get you into legal trouble. Mazda has already gotten into trouble with the HP issue and now it clearly appears they are trying to prevent legal trouble with the mileage issue (as well as further HP concerns).

You are all over the place and grabbing for straws.

 

Read the post: "...as traffic and the law permit" I'm not irresponsible (well, my wife thinks so though). When traffic is light, I'll pass more frequently and run up 3rd to 9k. Just the way I drive...no tickets since I can remember...7-8 years...Escort Passport, thank you....no accidents (knock on my head). My most aggressive driving is in an autox w ith my Miata! So, read the friggin post before you decide to dis someone.

 

To answer your question - coz its a discussion forum, and id like to know and hear from real people

 

Holy thread revival batman!

Actually, someone needed to bump this thread all the way to the top since everyone's complaining about gas mileage. Great find steve.