Autoweek completed their year-long test of the RX-8 recently and reported on the results in the April 15th issue of the magazine. I thought their evaluation was generally fair. Of course the 2 "issues" of concern they encountered are not news to current owners, but I suspect the oil consumption stats were telling. They indicated that 12 qts of oil were added during the 22,235 miles the car was driven which averages out to about 1,850 miles per qt. That compares to the generally reported consumption on this forum by owners, of around 1 qt. per 3,000 miles. The fuel mileage they cite, 16.56 mpg average for the 22K miles, seems quite good considering the oil-added stats.

My point: The fact that they were consuming more oil than "usual" is an indication that they were really wringing out the car (which I would expect) and if that is, indeed, the case the fuel mileage was pretty respectable.

Other than these "issues" and a few other piddling things some owners on this forum have experienced, I thought the evaluation was fair and quite positive. They did provide some comments from owner that they received during the year, so it was somewhat "fair and balanced" (to quote my favorite news channel).

The one statement that I found particularly interesting was: "That many on staff say they would purchase an RX-8 anyway is a testament to the overall strength of the package. Few cars exhibit balance on par with the Mazda, and even fewer provide the feedback felt through the wonderfully direct steering, suspension and seat."

So there you have it. I'd be interested in other opinions on the wrap-up if you have read it.

 

well i should receive the 4/15 issue in the mail tonight, i'll report back with my opinions this evening :D

 

Have you seen the RX-8 Topgear? The guy called it "sensational" and "one of the best cars I've ever tested."

 

i think a good majority of people on this forum have seen that video as it's been out for a while, good stuff.

and Go Terps!

 

Hey do you go to Maryland University? I go there too. I have a Sunlight Silver..................

 

I received my copy of Autoweek yesterday and read the article today. I find it "fair and balanced" as well. I think it's a good thing that publications like these air out some of the issues that the RX-8 faces - such as the low gas mileage, weak battery, fears of flooding, and the need for snow tires for areas that see snow. All these issues that at least one owner here brought up before. Mazda dealerships may not be the best customer advocates around, and it's reports like these that push Mazda to not remain ignorant of some of the issues that owners are facing out there. This will also force Mazda to try to fix and improve some of the shortcomings observed by owners and car mag reviewers.

 

They actually talked about the 8 needing snow tires? Are you serious?

ANY FRICKIN' CAR WITH SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES WON'T BE GOOD IN THE SNOW. IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, PEOPLE!

Sigh.

 

very interesting

my car doens't eat oil like that at all
but I do average about 15mpg

 

Going there next fall. What year are you?

 

If that is all they can complain about, then I guess we have a winner here!

 

I'm amazed people can go through a quart of oil so quickly. I'm still running on the same quart of oil I bought when I bought the car, I'm at 4500 miles so far and still have half the container left. I only need to dump in one cup of oil between oil changes every 3000 miles. When I originally bought the RX-8 I envisioned having to fill up oil literally at every other gas fillup, but that's hardly been the case.

 

Dam mike..15 mpg..im getting about 18-19...3 miles..big freekin deal...hahaha

 

My oil consumption is a little less than what they list. I don't understand what the big deal is with oil consumption. This is inherent to the rotary engine, read the ownders manual and get over it.

 

how much is the oil anyway? sorry, im not an owner and therefore do not know, but it cant be too much to complain about anyway.... right?

 

The oil I buy is $1.68 a quart at Wal-Mart and $2.17 at AutoZone. People just like to complain about having to pay attention to their car and actually take care of it instead of just put in gas and go. It's rather suprising to hear the number of people who don't EVER get their oil or transmission fluid changed.

 

I graduate in May! Have fun while your there. Tons of women there. But most are stuck in their own ***!

 

oil consuption went dow after N flash....

 

ah a couple youngin' terps in here, congrats on the May graduation! and good luck to you mrkbik, you'll have a lot of fun at College Park (I hope! :D )

<--- class of 2000 w00t

 

and i just read the article in autoweek. I'd have to say, it IS a 'fair and balanced' review, with both the positives and negatives pointed out by their staff drivers without too much bias.

so basically the article says that the 8 isn't for everyone, but I think all us 8 owners already know that :D

 

WERD.

I was paying $1.48 per quart for some really good Motorcraft 5w20 -- Wlaly World stopped carrying it and now I pay $2.34 at Advance.

My car's oil consumption, like most others, has been lower than reported in the article. I use an oil change interval of around 2500 miles, and I've never actually had to add any oil prior to draining anyway, using the 2500 mile interval.

Personally, I've come to appreciate the fact that this car requires slightly more attention than a "conventional" vehicle. For me, it adds to the overall satisfaction I get from operating AND maintaining the car.

 

Lol, I can't wait to go. Maybe I can "loosen" them up a bit...

I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun, thanks!

 

You can read it online here:

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102151

The interesting bits to me:

Poor MPG
Great oil consumption
Really bad resale value

They didn't really mention the depreciation, but it is "stark". They had a loaded $33,734 car that they drove for a year and the shown trade value is $18,265. Seems like they would have mentioned that.

All in all seemed a decent write up and was mentioned many of staff would buy an 8 themselves even with the gas and oil guzzling. When you get to drive all kinds of cars for "free" all the time, that is a good sign.

Dennis

 

damn
only 18k
that sucks

 

the high mileage (22k+) and the body damage it sustained probably the main cause of such low trade-in value.

don't forget they probably leased it for a year, so probably have some extra-mileage deductions.

 

Car mags normally get the cars for free for tests and even for long term tests. They are normally responsible for returning them in OK shape - so they have to fix body dings and stuff like that. 22k is high miles, but the resale value they quote is probably about what you would get for a 22k 8 as trade in body damage or no.

When you get a new, loaded GT for $26k or a new sports pack for $22k (left over 04s) then no sane dealer would pay much for a 22k used car.

Dennis