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AUTOMOBILE MAG: 4 seasons log book

 
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Old 08-28-2004 | 10:22 PM
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AUTOMOBILE MAG: 4 seasons log book

Short write up on the RX-8 in Automobile's Sept. '04 issue - four seasons LOG BOOK:

"1386 miles: Senior editor Joe DeMatio basically likes the RX-8, and he's impressed by his first experience of a rotary engine. He's less impressed by the mileage, which is absolutely atrocious: 15.8 mpg, 14.9 mpg, and 18.7 mpg. That's SUV territory."

"1595: Production editor Jennifer Misaros finds that 'the seats are amazingly comfortable and kept me planted when taking entrance ramps and other corners at speed.' She wasn't so keen on the funky rubbery seat inserts."

"2748: Technical editor Don Sherman cryptically remarks, before thrashing the car to within inches of its life on the test track: 'Received check engine light lit.' Our local dealer, Sesi in Ypsilanti, discovers an oxygen sensor has detected low catalytic converter efficiency. Sesi doesn't find a problem, so the system is reset. The software is also updated on the electronic control unit to fix a cold-start issue that had afflicted some RX-8s (but not ours)."

"5306: Several drivers opine that the RX-8 is light on its feet and chuckable, even compared with sport coupes we admire, such as the Nissan 350Z, the Infiniti G35, and the BMW 3 series. Contributor Ronald Ahrens says: 'When I compare this car with the Z, I keep thinking the Nissan is heavier.' Online editor Mike Dushane reckons: 'The 350Z feels like a lead clodhopper in comparison.' He would prefer more headroom, though."


Gotta love that last bit about the Z.

The magazine also includes a 20 page suppliment insert "Great Cars, Great Places" which is sponsored by Mazda. Nice yellow RX-8 on the cover, with lots of RX-8s sprinkled within the suppliment.
Old 08-28-2004 | 10:24 PM
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Nice find Hachi.
Old 08-29-2004 | 12:10 AM
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Very nice find. Love the part abou the lead clodhopper! :p
Old 08-29-2004 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by RX-Hachi
Short write up on the RX-8 in Automobile's Sept. '04 issue - four seasons LOG BOOK:

"1386 miles: Senior editor Joe DeMatio basically likes the RX-8, and he's impressed by his first experience of a rotary engine. He's less impressed by the mileage, which is absolutely atrocious: 15.8 mpg, 14.9 mpg, and 18.7 mpg. That's SUV territory."

Wow, that's a shocker. Autoweek and now Automobile Mag...

At least I know I'm not alone. (And it's probably only a matter of time when Mazda changes the "estimated" fuel ecomony.)



Thanks for the info. :D
Old 08-29-2004 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by 310Guy
Wow, that's a shocker. Autoweek and now Automobile Mag...

At least I know I'm not alone. (And it's probably only a matter of time when Mazda changes the "estimated" fuel ecomony.)
FWIW, check out the fuel economy results on their other long-term test cars (them, and C+D, R&T, etc. - the 350Z gets very similar results to the RX-8.

As for Mazda - have you not bothered to read ANY of the posts that discuss the EPA fuel economy test cycle? Mazda can NOT change the EPA test results - the EPA defines the cycle, Mazda runs the car, and by law Mazda MUST report THOSE results. The EPA doesn't particularly care whether or not a car can actually achieve those numbers. As has been frequently mentioned, the RX-8 is a lot closer to achieving real-world numbers close to the EPA results than are the hybrids like the Prius and Civic Hybrid. Those guys are the ones who should be pissed off about the EPA numbers!

Regards,
Gordon
Old 08-29-2004 | 10:25 PM
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Yep, I have this issue of Automobile mag.

I love the reference to the 350z as a "clodhopper"!

:D
 
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