According to the following article, the EPA is considering changes to how it calculates gas mileage. Although the article makes no mention of specific cars, it does speak, at least in general terms, to some of the fuel economy issues discussed in this forum. Presumably, RX-8 owners are not the only drivers disappointed in how their cars' mileage compares with the EPA estimates.

http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/ON/inde...26-000017-0027

Any guesses as to how the 8 would fare under stricter EPA procedures? (For the record, I'm averaging a not-disappointing 19 mpg in mostly highway and spirited back-road driving.)

 

I think you would see the current MPG claims on the stickers go down. You'd see less complaining. Honestly, if the sticker on the window stated 13 MPG city and you were getting the 19 you are now, you'd be stoked. But some are getting 13 and are pissed. If they take into account more city driving and higher speeds on the expressways then the numbers could only do one thing and that is decline.

 

More accurate EPA procedure - I will applaud that.
I already see a bit of a chaos when comparing EPA's numbers then from 2005 and say 2004 models.

 

I think that most of the carping about the mpg issue is more attributable to the rising price of gas that we are all experiencing.

If the price of gas was more like what it was a year ago (97 cents a gallon in Newport News, VA.) the trips t o the gas pump would be a lot less painfull!

I just find it interesting the the mainstram introduction of the RX-8 and the Renesis corrosponded with the steep rise in the price of gas.

 

That is what almost did Mazda in the first time back in the '70s.

 

Exactly!

Everytime the rotary has been introduced to the mainstream public the price of gas goes thru the roof. I think this is what is giving the car (and the engine) a bad rap.

When I look at all the figures of the SUV's and other cars with large displacement engines the actual milage really isn't all that bad.

It's just the $20-30 fill ups every week (for me at least) that starts to hurt after awhile.

 

Try $25 twice a week for a while and see how you like it...

 

Holy pain in the pocketbook Batman!

 

I paid $1.929 per gallon today.

 

We just hit $2.12 in Bethesda.

 

Astor,

Get thyself to a SAM's. I know, I know, the Shell gas police are going to flame me for suggesting a non brand name gas, but I paid $1.79 this morning in Murfreesboro TN. That's about 12 cents cheaper just 30 miles away. I'm averaging 19mpg and drive for fun not economy.

I'm right there with MazdaManiac with the high miles too. My drive to work is about 85 miles per day. That's 2 tanks a week!