I've ridden with eXentric a few times in his RX-8. He says that he only gets about 14 or 15mpg. From riding with him I can tell you that he has his foot in it way more than he needs to. The car is just so damn fun that it is hard not to. Him driving regular is like my little Civic when floored, not that that is all that quick or anything but you get the point. He could be driving slower (and still be ahead of the traffic!) and get better gas mileage but having fun in the car you bought to have fun in is sometimes just more important. Judge a car by what it is and not by what it's competition is. The freedom of choice was originally there!

 

I totally agree with rotarygod, also does anyone know if this was a problem with the RX-7's. The 8 is a sports car, and also you compare a rotary engine to engines with clynders and pistons, It's a bit of a different setup. Maybe Mazda has the fuel jetting set too high for what the 8 really needs, it could be a number of issues. But I've owned my 8 for a whole 4 days now. I've filled it up 2 on the first 2 days, and haven't filled it up since and I have like 430, 440 miles on. As long as there is no major problems with the 8 I really don't care what kind of milage it gets, it's just too damn fun to drive.

 

Sorry to hijack the thread guys...

Matt- reading what you wrote, and what your expectations are, I really think you might be happier with a muscle car. And I'm not being nasty, or anything like that-however, you really don't seem like a good candidate for the car, since you seem very worried about hp and torque. Do some more reading on the forum for a while, and do some research on rotaries. If you can honestly still say the above after reading this forum for months, and, I assume, reading what all of us think about the car, I can promise you, the car is not for you.

 

i3man, didja check the passenger seat for that rattle? If it's not the seat it's self, then look to see if anyone is sitting in it and tell them to stop making that noise because it's bugging you!

 

Also wrt Matt's post - I can identify with your perspective. I finished B school a few years back and immediately paid my dues with a loaded Honda Acoord for the same economy and fuel issues. I had and still have sizeable school debt that comes knocking on my door every month and that was my reason for doing what I did. But I said the heck with it. At some point I knew that I deserved this so I took the leap. Have not regretted it one moment and the car has performed wonderfully.

 

It's a fact that most of us knew about the worse fuel economy of rotaries compared to an equivalent reciprocating engine. I guess it's due to the shape of the combustion chamber and the ability to rev higher.
I like my new RX8 very much. However, as an engine engineer, I'm also annoyed by the low MPG figures I got with my Low Power MT5. It's on a par with a 265ps 400N.m Audi S4 twin turbo V6. I want to know why it is so. Indeed I can more easily accept things I do understand fully.
And at a later date, after break in, I might look into trying to increase FE. I have two cards in my sleeve but first I need to know a bit more about rotary technology in order not to screw up. Some people in this forum seem very very litterate about rotatries.
I will also try to forget the FE issue and enjoy the car as it is.

 

The reason that I'm still considering the car is because of all the wonderful things that people here have said about it. As you probably know, Car and Driver named the RX-8 one of the year's 10 best, proclaiming that "its fun is out of proportion to its numbers." Honestly, on paper, the car doesn't look that impressive. But then I come here and read about people who still grin every time they drive the car after owning it for a year. Now that's a fun car to drive.

I haven't test driven the car yet, so I don't know how I'll like it. I am used the the high HP / high TQ of the mustang that I used to own, so the RX-8 will probably feel kind of weak there. I'm expecting the styling, handling, and fun factor to make up for that. At the end of the day, it's not about who has the most horsepower -- it's about who has the most fun driving. And based on what I've read here, the RX-8 is very good in that department.

I'd be really happy with the HP, if the mileage was a little better. It just bothers me on an engineering level. If a piston engine is more powerful, more efficient, and less polluting than a comparable rotary, what is the attraction of the rotary? It is size? Is it weight? Please don't flame me for saying this, I'm not trying to start any holy wars. The RX-8 is my first exposure to a rotary vehicle.

On the flip side, rotary engines are just plain cool.

Having said that, I am also considering the new generation mustang, especially if you can get IRS on the GT. Some of us are still hoping that Ford will offer it as an option in 2006.

Thanks for the advice,
Matt

 

That really is NOT bad real world mileage. The guys getting 12MPG are a bit worrying though.

 

I absolutely love my car, and to tell you the truth I haven't paid attention to the gas mileage I've been getting. Although I've put about 800 miles on my car so far in 9 days and I've filled up from a 1/4 tank once, and 1/2 a tank 3 times so I guess I'm doing okay. Then again most of my driving is highway miles

 

Driving 500 miles a week, just in commuting to and from work, I still agree that it would be nice if Mazda could put a bigger tank in, provided that they don't spoil the weight balance. In fairness, I would like to see a taller 6th gear, more along the line of the top gear in the auto version. If I had my wish-list, I'd love to see the digital display that is part of the radio have the option to provide instantaneous fuel consumption, so we could at least make an educated and informed decision about what pace and which gear we want to select.

 

haha, blast from the past. Posted 2-20-04

 

There should be zero threads talking about MPG in a sportscar forum.

 

Mustang fail as a proper sports car. Even with Shelby's help it still got last as overall sports car is concern. But if you like to paper race on forums, it wins.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test

 

I laughed. then died a little inside.

 

Haha I sold my 99 Grand Am with 140k on it to my dad for $1300. I put new tires on it and a good bit of engine work (2 new heads, new gaskets), new spark plugs, new brakes/rotors... Granted I did all that work to it before I even knew I was going to get an 8. It was kind of an impulse buy

 

I'm with ya Mrdave,
I've gotten used to the whole low MPG thing, although it hurts my wallet, enjoying the drive is all that matters=>true enthusiest.

If gas "ever" comes down to backinthedays dollar something, I'd probrably spend about the same amount on gas as right now, 4x the driving

 

I laugh till I see my Discover bill. Oh well, at least I'm having fun