Somebody places too much of their self worth in their car..

 

My car must just be fucked. I purchased my RX8 on 1/28/04.

The average MPG with my auto is 14.5.

I just got the M calibration, no improvement.

I'm at the end of my rope on this, I really don't know what to do. I'm just thankful that my daily commute for work changed soon after I purchased my 8. It went from 30 miles round trip to about 12 miles round trip, otherwise I would be filling up 2 or 3 times a week.

 

I hear ya. I know it's a rotary but damn.....I don't even get 14 MPG. I usually have 150 miles by 1/4 tank left. I absolutely love the car but am getting at the end of my rope as well. I have even contemplated goin too look at the Z.........eeeekkkkkk

 

This is unacceptable on this forum. There is no reason for insults and nastiness. Do not post this kind of crap again, or you will be banned.

 

The monthly payment on my 8 is high enough that the recent gas price surges seem negligible. The RSX is a nice car.. one of my good college friends just bought a type S recently and is enjoying it. If you honestly think you can get enough cash for the 8 to justify trading down, then go for it if it'll save you money.

 

I traded a RSX Type-S in on the 8 I had and after two years of ownership I came out very well on the trade (RSX to 8) so I can attest that the Acura holds the value very well, much better that I would expect the 8 to.

As for trading, right now is probably a good time since the 8 is not listed an any of the used car pricing guides since it is a new model. Most dealers have to call around to get prices from other interested dealers so you can luck out in some instances.

As for the RSX, I had a blast with it. VTEC is a lot of fun. When the variable timing kicks in at 6K, it feels like a turbo charger kicks in. I really liked the interior but did have problems with the leather seats showing some wear. Over a two year period it was serviced once. I really wish that I could have blended features of the RSX and 8 together...would be a hella ride.

 

I just got the "M" flash two weeks ago. I went from 17-19mpg to 24! And the car runs a whole lot better.
SOH

 

WTF?

Is that highway? Do you have a manual or auto?

 

I filled up yesterday and drove a trip of 35 miles on 95% freeway at cruise control of 65mph. I filled up again to notice that I only got 16.7mpg. I have been driving my baby pretty easy for the past 5-7 tanks and still have not hit 17mpg on at least 60% freeway driving. I am taking my car into the dealer tomorrow w/ M flash TSB to see if they can re-flash (or something).

 

My commute recently changed also - from about 22miles each way to about 12 miles each way. My mileage dropped by about 3 mpg - I was consistetly getting 19mpg and now I'm getting around 16 and all that's changed is the length of the commute. I have the L calibration on the ecu

 

Define "pretty easy."

While there are many here who get good (or poor) mileage regardless, if you want to get good mileage from an 8 you're going to have to drive it like it had an auto tranny:

1) Try never to exceed 4K RPM before upshifting
2) Upshift ASAP
3) As soon as you get to a cruising speed, shift into as high a gear as possible; for example for driving down a 45 MPH road, shift 1->3->6.
4) If the speed limit is 55, set the cruise at 55, not 65; gas mileage goes down precipitously as your speed increases above 55.

I know "that takes all the fun out of it" or "the rotary needs to rev!"

That may be true, but your gas mileage will show it. FWIW, procedures like the above are how EPA tests are run and as such are how the EPA gets good mileage numbers.

Note that recently even Toyota Prius owners are complaining they're getting lower than EPA numbers with their cars, so it's not just the 8...

 

For you guys and gals not getting good mpg you need to post your total miles to date. I know that in my car I didn't do better than 10 mpg for the first 1.5k miles. after that I noticed that it got better again around 2.5k miles. Now the "M" flash has seemed to make another improvement. If you aren't very high up in mileage that will be a limiting factor. I have over 10k miles now. I hope this helps.

 

heh. You sure are taking an innocent comment hard.

Would I have to race you in my RX-8, or could I use my 993?

 

JFYI - I got 17mpg my first tank, and that was before I got the M flash. I'm now at 2200 miles on my car, with M flash, and my last tank got 16.7mpg.... But I'm driving the car harder than when I was breaking it in.

 

had the car for 4 1/2 months. 4017 on the odometer. for at least the last 5 tanks, I have not even hit 17mpg.

 

If you are so concerned about gas mileage (cost for insurance, tires, gas etc... will always be more with a sports car...) buy an economy compact car. Why would anyone ever buy a sports car and expect good gas mileage?

At this point you are probably stuck, as you will most likely take a bath when you go and trade the 8 for anything... I for one have never noticed any problem with the mileage of the RX8, I think 16-18 average for a sports car is very good. I am getting about 16-18 in the city and about 22 on the highway…

When buying a car if any aspect of the purchase cost eventually could cause hardship (Increase in gas price, insurance etc...); you probably can not afford the car, and should be rethinking your purchase...

 

I can afford the car, I just want it to get more than 16 mpg on 70% freeway driving.

 

I think quite a bit of people are missing the point owners are making regarding gas mileage.

I understand my 8 will not get 45 highway miles per gallon but I do except the mileage to be close to what is stated on the window sticker.

My auto is supposedly 18 mpg in the city.

I'm lucky if I get 14 mpg. That is a considerable difference especially when all I do is baby the car and do not stomp on the gas pedal.

I'm not excepting mileage to be better than what is stated on the window sticker, but again, I DO except it to be close.

 

I've never owned a car where it got better than the sticker. My wife once ran out of gas in her car, at 375 miles. I drive that car now, and I can barely get 300 miles out of a tank. I realize that I just drive harder than most people do, certainly harder than the EPA people do.

As for returning your RX8, that's a silly move. You'll lose so much money on the RX8, that you won't make up the difference in gas prices for years.

 

ummm I'm confused on your post... I never said I would like to get better mileage than the sticker...

Anyway, I'm not trading in my 8 either...

 

Ryan13b...

I was trying to put the other person who didnt seem to know much about rsx' in his proper place. I wouldn't even try to mess with your FD....

JasonHamilton...

I'd prefer your 8. I know my limits...maybe you could run Ryan...

 

If you drive 25000 miles a year, and gas is $2.50, then going from 16mpg to 24mpg (sticker on RSX) saves you a grand total of $1300 a year. That should be more milage than you drive, more expensive gasoline and better milage than the RSX would actually get.
If do less driving and get a realistic price for gas, then your talking about saving the price of a movie ticket per month with better gas milage. I think we're getting sticker shock on gasoline and ignoring the actual cost.
--Dave.

 

I don't think it's the $1300/year.... to me it's the 55% increase in cost.... 18 mpg vs min of 28.... with 24 it would be an increase in cost of only 17%. That's where I'm coming from... honestly, gas is just too expensive, your $2.50 is standard out here, I've paid as much as $2.69 recently. I'll see how my budget does in the next couple of months but no matter what I wouldn't trade in my car over the gas....I'm more stressed about the vandalism and flooding possibility... kinda takes some of the fun out of a new car when it comes with stress..... ok enough rambling for me....

 

Not for me. The cost of the gas is irrelevant; it's the fact I purchased this car with certain expectations as listed by Mazda.

 

The earlier posters are right, the gas savings vs. depreciation costs mean the pay back in improved mpg going from the 8 to the RSX-S is going to be several years, probably more years than you'll keep either car.

If you looking for a real sports car with decent milage, then the best bet is the Elise. Early reports are that it gets upwards of 30mpg http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/lotus/elise/100399437/roadtestarticle.html?articleId=102058.

If your just looking for high milage, then the hybrids and VW TDI cars are tough to beat. Add in insurance savings and these might have a much quicker payback period, though its hard to put a price on the fun you'll miss.

Since your already in the 8 the least expensive move is to stay put.