quack_p

I'm not jumping on him, nor discouraging him from expressing his view. I'm saying he has a legitimate concern and if his bottom line is a car with 17/23 mileage, he has a better chance of having his expectations met with another car. Consumer demand frankly has a better chance of influencing the mileage issue than a letter. If he doesn't buy an RX-8 because of mileage, and a lot of other consumers agree with him, Mazda will be forced to respond either by taking the car off the market or improving the mileage. If he hands his money over to Mazda in spite of the mileage issue, then the message he's sending is that the marketplace approves.

G8rboy

I'd rather be an owner telling it how it really is than someone who is complaining about mileage for a car they don't even own. You don't seem to want to listen to reality versus your assumptions. Here's the problem from your repeated posts... we all agree that 10-12mpg is indicative a problem, but is only affecting a handful of cars in the big picture. There's no argument here at all. You keep saying things like the above, that you'll only accept EPA mileage, or now it's 17mpg and no less. I keep saying that in reality, if you drive mostly city miles you may get 15 or 16... and if that is unacceptable, stop looking. The bottom line is you might get 18... might... but it's far from a guarantee... and telling Mazda they owe you 1 or 2 mpg is ridiculous. This horse has been sufficiently beaten.

rx8wannahave

Thank you, I understand your point. You are right it’s not Mazda’s fault but since car companies use EPA numbers to sell some cars (Honda Accord EMS equipped, or heck I even have a advertisement from Chevy on how fuel efficient the Vette is getting 18/28) I think they should be held accountable if their cars can’t even get close to the EPA numbers.

Note: Mazda tells us that the Renesis is the most fuel effecient rotary they have ever made or more effecient than the RX7 which gets 17/25

Not if you can’t get exactly what the EPA got…but 6mpg off their rating is inexcusable (IF you drive it normal…push it at times…but not all the time)

Thanks again, I know you guys/gals can’t make me promises but I really love the car and this is the MAIN reason that scares me away. Now with that said, if I can get 3.5+ mpg in the city (driving normal) and equal to the EPA in the city pushing my car and having some fun I think I can hit at least 17/23.

Motor Trend (who pushes around their cars when they test them) got 17.6 so I think I can at least hit 17…unless the 8 I get has problems or something.

LOL, “dire consequences”…I’m not yelling at you guys/gals or something…LOL. I’m just saying that if I had an 8 getting 12-13mpg I would be upset and talk to everyone I can about it until someone explains to me why I’m getting those numbers…and why they are SO much less than what the EPA got. I’m a consumer and I expect more from auto companies that MAKE HUGE amounts of money.

Again, I understand you point and I’m glad to hear it. Thanks for the input!


AMEN! (Note, I did not think quack_P said anything wrong…I value his opinion and I think he was sympathetic to my rant) Some people (GR8 guy is a little example) flame others for bringing up a concern or saying “Hay…I don’t like this about the RX8”. I’m going to post what I love about the 8 soon so everyone understands HOW MUCH I LOVE the 8.

Oh I know, I just would like to give Mazda a chance to respond before I give up on a car that I WANT TO LOVE so so so MUCH!!! I really hope to end up with an 8…I really do guys/gals…

rx8wannahave

Thanks Simon…for every 12-13 there are at least 2-3 getting close the the EPA numbers.


“This horse has been sufficiently beaten” LOL, but I think I can take a few more whacks at it…

“Here's the problem from your repeated posts... we all agree that 10-12mpg is indicative a problem”

That’s all I wanted to hear…thank you for agreeing with me that 10-13 indicates a problem with the car and not what is the NORM. I’m not saying I don’t want an 8 if I ever get under 18mpg, but if the NORM is 10-13 then I really don’t want an 8…sorry, I just can’t sallow that type of horrid fuel economy. I might get a tank to go 16 then get another one to get 20…that’s OK, but getting 10-13 with normal city driving is ridiculous.

That’s all I’m saying, you seem to have seen my other post…did you catch the one that stated that I think the poor fuel economy is more related to the driver and style of driving than the 8. I truly believe that, no I don’t own one, but I still think that the 10-13 people have problem cars.

That’s my thought on this fuel economy thing, yes I might get less than the EPA rarely, but not as the norm. Tell me that the norm is 15mpg or less and I’ll say good bye to you guys/gals, good luck, GOD BLESS, and enjoy your RX8.

I love the RX8, I really wanted a RX7 back in the day, and I hope I can get an 8…but time will tell what happens. I hope it’s an 8…I REALLY DO!!!

xridlebox2

for the many people who say if you wanted good gas mileage you shouldnt get a sports car or an rx8 etc..thats about the most ignorant comment ive ever heard..no one expects great gas mileage..but i do expect the mileage advertised by mazda when i bought the car. thats what the numbers are there for. so when buying an 8 i expect to get the numbers they told me id get..not 7-10 mpg less and pass it off as oh well its what i should expect from an 8..no what i should expect is what they told me i'd be getting. dont say well you shouldnt of bought an 8. thats a very dumb comment. if they had told me up front i'd be getting 11 mpg and i bought it, then thats a different story.

other than that thanks for the advice. i'm going to go to the dealership and talk with them. if nothing comes of that i'm going to pursue the ohio lemon law.
thanks and keep the help coming..looks like more people than just me need it
thanks

rx8wannahave

xridlebox2,

If you hare getting 11...HECK yeah you should cause a good STINK! Fine, EPA is not 100%...but getting almost half their estimate...means something is wrong with your 8.

FACT!

ayap888

After running 1241 miles, I average 17.1 MPG. Now, every single time I drive .. I always go above 80/85 miles per hour and rev up t 5000- 7000. That's just my driving habit. I did try granny driving once (but still reaching 80 mph) and made it to 17.8 - 18 MPG. I believe that a non-defective RX8 can reach 18-19 MPG provided you drive below 70. If you drive between 70-100 MPH ... expect about 17. I would complain if I only got 11-13 MPG doing granny driving. I could never granny drive with the 8.

rx8wannahave

You see xridlebox2...we agree that something has to be wrong with your 8, well...most of us at least.

Go look at my new post "MPG researched, the horse is dead"

stangmatt66

On my last tank I took it extremely easy on the gas pedal, never revving above 3k (a trick that worked to squeeze more mileage outta my 1.8t), but I got the same gas mileage as I do when I drive my 8 hard. So I said screw it and I'm back to driving hard and getting 17mpg.

Also, I've noticed that this is a car that has a pretty high idle speed (1k rpm) so I assume that it gets worse mileage in traffic and city driving than it does on the open freeway.

xridlebox2

my 8 must be defective, which to me is good news. this means that the amazing 8's are still just that. I called the dealership and have an appointment made for my car, and ive also checked out the lemon laws etc and am prepared to head in that direction if needed. thanks again for the help

rx8wannahave

So, if you push it you get 17 and no matter what you do you get 17 in the City...that would be enough for me. I just don't want a 12-13mpg car...that's it

Since Mazda is the only Rotary company they probably were working more on HP & Torque than fuel economy but I wish the Rotary got better fuel economy than what is listed for the car from the EPA.

Why, cause it's a small engine and a light car...that should equal good fuel economy, but in the 8 it only equals fair or AVG fuel economy for a sports car.

But, if it did or if some breakthrough happend with the Rotary engine...I think every car company would build rotaries...but it has not...so the quest continues.

stangmatt66

I should clarify that I'm getting 17mpg in mixed driving--probably 50% city, 50% highway.

Howard

The EPA is 18/24. That is 24 on the higyway. The worst case average under any driving "highway and town" should be above 18. An average of 17 probably means that your in town is closer to 13.

rx8wannahave

Yeah, if it's 50/50 then he should be getting about 21 or 20 would be OK, but 17 with 50/50 does not sound too good.

Well, it does depend how he is driving but I think he should at the very least not get under 17mpg in the city...just my thoughts, I still think people that get less...like 12-13 have problem cars.

Nordic RX-8

5650 miles on the odo usually 70/30 (City/Highway)
best tank - 20.9 mpg (all highway)
Worst tank - 15.3 mpg (all city, hard driving)
Average - 17.4 mpg
Amoco Silver 89 octane

Just got a letter from Mazda to bring Her in to "recalibrate the PCM to the most updated mass production specification"

spork

I think probability would get you a 15/21 car. If you're lucky you'll get a 18/24, if you're unlucky a 12/18. I'm in 15/21 land myself and from what I've been reading that seems to be true for most people.

I get 15mpg driving like 20% freeway and not pushing it. Last over 15mpg tank I had was when I bumped up to like 40% freeway and I got ~17mpg. There obviously IS a mileage problem though if so many people complain about it.

EDIT: oh I use shell v-power

rx8wannahave

I agree, this is on thing that scares me at times. I think people need to bring this up to Mazda because if you can't even come close the the EPA numbers 12/18 & 15/21 I think there is a serious problem.

17/23 I would accept cause I know the EPA is not 100%, but 15/21 is a little insulting considering your loseing 3mpg in each section.

Just what I think...I really hope, if I get an 8, to find a 18/24 one. I pray...and PRAY...

stangmatt66

I guess your highway average also depends on where you're driving. If you drive the freeways in the greater Los Angeles area, the average speed is normally 30 miles per hour OR LESS, making it almost worse than city driving.

G8rboy

How is it "insulting"??? Will this ever end??

G8rboy

Definitely a factor... the sweet spot seems to be 65-70mph in 6th, keeping the rpm's under 3750. On an open road though, it just isn't worth keeping it that low for a couple mpg's.

rx8wannahave

Hey, if your happy getting 2mpg...then go enjoy yourself...I aint, let me speak my mind you communist...LOL

G8rboy is now known as "Little Fidel" LOL, I"m cuban so that's whay I say that...LOL

G8, 15/21 is insulting...yes it is, it's not even close to the EPA numbers. I love the 8 but if that is the norm...then the 8 is not for me, I don't think that's the norm...so the 8 is still alive and by the long term tests, not you, 17 avg based on miliage is fine by me.

If you can't see that fuel economy is important to more people than just me, then I wonder if you are paying attention.

areexer

Bought my 04 in September...first few tanks at 16-17 mpg. After 2 months and 3500 miles...I'm getting 18-19 mpg around town...Chicago area. Car runs great...have and 82RX...nice to get back in the club. Anyone else have any comments about driving the RX in winter conditions...does the traction control help? Looks like I have all seasons...Am I in for a "spin"?

G8rboy

17 is fine, but 15 is insulting? 2mpg is the span between insult and happiness? You are a hoot...

How can I not be paying attention when half of your 200+ posts are concerns over fuel economy for a car you don't own. Even if you do get an 8, it looks like you're going to be so obsessed by obtaining this magical EPA fuel economy number you won't enjoy it anyway. Pity.

G8rboy

Welcome... we'll have to get you out to one of our local RX7/RX8 meets. As for winter driving, there are countless threads and hours of reading on the topic... but bottom line is you cannot drive the 8 with OEM tires in the snow. Traction control is a great help, but only if the tires have traction first. Unless Mazda changed tires or your dealer did something special, you have ultra high performance summer tires that turn hard as rocks in the cold and zero traction in snow and ice. Check this thread out for popular winter tire and wheel options:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...358#post616358

See you around town...

quack_p

This is the power the RX-8 has over people. You thought you cared about fuel economy until you caught a glimpse of this beauty, and then all reason went out the window. I know, I'm one of those people!

I think the debate people who don't have the RX-8 are having here is with themselves. An angel is sitting on one shoulder saying: "This car gets crappy mileage. Everything you've read here about the car indicates that there's a good chance it will get below the EPA rated mileage, which was lousy to begin with. As much as you want to convince yourself that it's not true, it is. Do you really want to spend that much on gas? Don't get a car with such lousy mileage."

A devil is sitting on the other shoulder saying: "This car is the sweetest looking ride you've ever seen. Everything about it is different from your average sports car. Screw mileage and get the damn car."

I know which one I listened to!

Once you get to the point where you're debating HOW MUCH below EPA rated mileage you'll accept ("Well, 17 is okay, but I'll be damned if Mazda gives me a car that does 16 blah blah blah"), you're done for. You're just rationalizing a decision you've already made. Get the damn car.