View Poll Results: What is your in town gas mileage?
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MPG Discussion / Complaints
#151
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Mine had 222 miles when I took delivery and the dealer's fill up got me only 15.2 MPG racing around Ft. Lauderdale the first couple of days. Then I filled it and drove it home to Tallahassee, and 2 tank fulls each got exactly 22.3 MPG steady highway driving 430 miles on the turnpike and interstate. So far I'm getting about what I expected.
Will see what more "normal" driving in the city gets me. I just turned it 1000 miles today.
UPDATE 1/4/04 - Third tank of gas with mixed city and country driving, and pushing it hard now and then got me 16.5 MPG.
Will see what more "normal" driving in the city gets me. I just turned it 1000 miles today.
UPDATE 1/4/04 - Third tank of gas with mixed city and country driving, and pushing it hard now and then got me 16.5 MPG.
Last edited by gingersrus; 01-04-2004 at 04:15 PM.
#152
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thank you skagen!!
Originally posted by 8_wannabe
How about anyone who's filed a complaint in this way let us know on this thread. I complained (informally) back in August and they said "No one else has complained yet." Are they still saying this? Let's keep track and catch 'em in a lie.
How about anyone who's filed a complaint in this way let us know on this thread. I complained (informally) back in August and they said "No one else has complained yet." Are they still saying this? Let's keep track and catch 'em in a lie.
i will write a letter for sure.
and, 8_wannabe, i filed a complaint on the mazda website today actually and complained (only verbally though) in november to the dealership.
we'll see what happens!
-BSG
(and, just for the record, i do think it better to hold my breath than bend over and grab my ankles! )
#153
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what can be done...
Originally posted by skagen
Not sure who your question is directed, but if its towards me, I guess I don't know what they can do about it. What I'm hoping for is a response from Mazda to atleast recognize the problem. From there maybe they can offer up solutions. Oh, and yes, for the future RX8's maybe they can post accurate mpg or modify the vehicles to get the stated mpg.
Not sure who your question is directed, but if its towards me, I guess I don't know what they can do about it. What I'm hoping for is a response from Mazda to atleast recognize the problem. From there maybe they can offer up solutions. Oh, and yes, for the future RX8's maybe they can post accurate mpg or modify the vehicles to get the stated mpg.
if the car doesn't get the stated MPG, we should have the right to file suit under the lemon law and get a new 8.
-BSG
#154
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Originally posted by skagen
hey wannabe, you drove it 500 miles, shut her down and then it ate it on you the next day? That's definitely disturbing since its not characteristic of flooding, plz do keep us updated on your situation.
hey wannabe, you drove it 500 miles, shut her down and then it ate it on you the next day? That's definitely disturbing since its not characteristic of flooding, plz do keep us updated on your situation.
#155
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Re: what can be done...
Originally posted by balletsushigirl
are you guys forgetting that SOME of the 8's DO get the posted mileage??? there is almost certainly something defective with only some of the cars produced. i think it's a fixable problem. we just need to get them interested in working a solution.
if the car doesn't get the stated MPG, we should have the right to file suit under the lemon law and get a new 8.
-BSG
are you guys forgetting that SOME of the 8's DO get the posted mileage??? there is almost certainly something defective with only some of the cars produced. i think it's a fixable problem. we just need to get them interested in working a solution.
if the car doesn't get the stated MPG, we should have the right to file suit under the lemon law and get a new 8.
-BSG
#157
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Jacksonville, FL to Savannah on I-95, ~80-85 MPH: 20.1 MPG.
Savannah to Greenville, SC on little back roads, ~ 60-65 MPH, with a few rev limiter tickles & one run to 125: 21.67 MPG.
Typical town driving: 15-16 MPG.
For reference, both of our Miatas get ~35 MPG on a trip as above, 28-31 in town or wailing the bejeezus out of 'em in the mountains.
I'm not horrified by the 8's fuel inefficiency, but a vehicle of it's size & power really should do quite a bit better. Engine management in that regard seems little improved over an RX-4 with a big Weber carb.
{{{{
Savannah to Greenville, SC on little back roads, ~ 60-65 MPH, with a few rev limiter tickles & one run to 125: 21.67 MPG.
Typical town driving: 15-16 MPG.
For reference, both of our Miatas get ~35 MPG on a trip as above, 28-31 in town or wailing the bejeezus out of 'em in the mountains.
I'm not horrified by the 8's fuel inefficiency, but a vehicle of it's size & power really should do quite a bit better. Engine management in that regard seems little improved over an RX-4 with a big Weber carb.
{{{{
#158
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I drove 1450 miles over the holidays and after the first couple of fillups I stopped looking/ calculating.
Speeds > 120mph do no good.
On trips in the 8, we get now more "exercise" because of the more frequent gas stops. Had to stop almost every 2 hours.
Speeds > 120mph do no good.
On trips in the 8, we get now more "exercise" because of the more frequent gas stops. Had to stop almost every 2 hours.
#159
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Re: A Car and driver article
Originally posted by flatso
says Mazda claimed 20% better fuel efficiency then the RX-7. What was the gas mileage of the RX-7?
says Mazda claimed 20% better fuel efficiency then the RX-7. What was the gas mileage of the RX-7?
#160
I have been reading the forum here because I too have been having problems with my gas mileage and oil consumption on my new RX8. I live in a suburb of Philadelphia and travel 3 miles to work everyday and have been getting 11-13 mpg. I also have had to add 1 quart of oil to the car after 1200 miles. I do not drive it hard either.
I took my car to the dealer to get an oil change and complain about the gas mileage. I thought everyone who has had this problem would be interested in what my dealer told me. The dealer checked my EEC readings and they were all okay. He also said that I was not the only one to complain about the gas mileage.
My dealer said I have 4 things going against me:
1. I live in the suburbs and the EPA forces gas stations to sell a different mixture of gas for the winter. I have seen this over the holidays when I took my car to the Pocono’s and it ran on gas from up there, which has a different mixture and I got 20 mpg.
2. I only travel short distances most of the week so the car never really warms up until I am at work already.
3. Using more gas causes the engine to use more oil.
4. The car is not broken in yet (only has 1500 miles).
I guess the good news is that after I get more miles on the car it should get better gas mileage. After April they switch the gas mixture back to normal in the suburbs and I should get better gas mileage. Once I get better gas mileage I will use less oil. So there is hope. I am going to rough it out until April and see if there is a change before taking it back to the mechanic again. But like people have pointed out before, even if it gets terrible gas mileage it doesn’t matter because I would keep the car anyway. I just want to make sure there is nothing wrong with my car. So bottom line is, blame the EPA if you live in a suburb!! (Which is what some people have posted on here already)
I believe what my dealer’s mechanic was telling me. I have it on my bill explaining these things; if anyone is interested I can probably scan it in.
BTW Oil changes cost me $7.42 at my dealership. I got a lifetime coupon for free oil changes on the vehicle as long as I own it. I just have to pay for the filter. So far I have had a good experience all around with my dealer. I would recommend John Kennedy if you live near Philly.
Hope this helps explain things for those who have had poor gas mileage.
I took my car to the dealer to get an oil change and complain about the gas mileage. I thought everyone who has had this problem would be interested in what my dealer told me. The dealer checked my EEC readings and they were all okay. He also said that I was not the only one to complain about the gas mileage.
My dealer said I have 4 things going against me:
1. I live in the suburbs and the EPA forces gas stations to sell a different mixture of gas for the winter. I have seen this over the holidays when I took my car to the Pocono’s and it ran on gas from up there, which has a different mixture and I got 20 mpg.
2. I only travel short distances most of the week so the car never really warms up until I am at work already.
3. Using more gas causes the engine to use more oil.
4. The car is not broken in yet (only has 1500 miles).
I guess the good news is that after I get more miles on the car it should get better gas mileage. After April they switch the gas mixture back to normal in the suburbs and I should get better gas mileage. Once I get better gas mileage I will use less oil. So there is hope. I am going to rough it out until April and see if there is a change before taking it back to the mechanic again. But like people have pointed out before, even if it gets terrible gas mileage it doesn’t matter because I would keep the car anyway. I just want to make sure there is nothing wrong with my car. So bottom line is, blame the EPA if you live in a suburb!! (Which is what some people have posted on here already)
I believe what my dealer’s mechanic was telling me. I have it on my bill explaining these things; if anyone is interested I can probably scan it in.
BTW Oil changes cost me $7.42 at my dealership. I got a lifetime coupon for free oil changes on the vehicle as long as I own it. I just have to pay for the filter. So far I have had a good experience all around with my dealer. I would recommend John Kennedy if you live near Philly.
Hope this helps explain things for those who have had poor gas mileage.
#161
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Originally posted by sritter
.. I live in a suburb of Philadelphia and travel 3 miles to work everyday and have been getting 11-13 mpg. I also have had to add 1 quart of oil to the car after 1200 miles...
.. I live in a suburb of Philadelphia and travel 3 miles to work everyday and have been getting 11-13 mpg. I also have had to add 1 quart of oil to the car after 1200 miles...
Btw, I'm saving my nickels and dollars for an '05 Lexus RX400h. The Toyota hybrids are the opposite of conventional drives, as they get better MPG on short trips, as they are using the electric motors for drive, exclusively (unlike the half-hearted Honda hybrids), at low speeds. You might want to look at the Prius (although only available with bare pedestrian features) which will give you 60 MPG in those short commutes. I didn't get one because my commutes are 50 miles, one-way. I felt that after making all the suspension mods to make it driveable at 85+MPH, it would loose to much of its high (mileage) performance abilities.
#163
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Originally posted by MPG > HP
The Toyota hybrids are the opposite of conventional drives, as they get better MPG on short trips, as they are using the electric motors for drive, exclusively (unlike the half-hearted Honda hybrids), at low speeds. You might want to look at the Prius (although only available with bare pedestrian features) which will give you 60 MPG in those short commutes. I didn't get one because my commutes are 50 miles, one-way. I felt that after making all the suspension mods to make it driveable at 85+MPH, it would loose to much of its high (mileage) performance abilities.
The Toyota hybrids are the opposite of conventional drives, as they get better MPG on short trips, as they are using the electric motors for drive, exclusively (unlike the half-hearted Honda hybrids), at low speeds. You might want to look at the Prius (although only available with bare pedestrian features) which will give you 60 MPG in those short commutes. I didn't get one because my commutes are 50 miles, one-way. I felt that after making all the suspension mods to make it driveable at 85+MPH, it would loose to much of its high (mileage) performance abilities.
#164
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Someone probably pointed that out already... but here's a snip from Mazda's UK website at:
http://www.mazdarx8.co.uk/upclose/specs/specs2.asp
===========================================
Fuel consumption (EC regulation mode (???) ) (6-speed version)
combined 10.6L/100km 25.2mpg
extra urban 8.7L/100km 32.5mpg
urban 15.6L/100km 18.1mpg
Fuel consumption figures updated as of 18 September 2003.
All specifications shown may vary and may not be available in UK. To Improve Fuel Economy all European Mazda RX-8 models will be fitted with a small Boot Lip Spoiler. This is not an option.
===========================================
Nice. Why wasn't I born in uk? What is a Boot Lip Spoiler? Can we get that on the US version?
http://www.mazdarx8.co.uk/upclose/specs/specs2.asp
===========================================
Fuel consumption (EC regulation mode (???) ) (6-speed version)
combined 10.6L/100km 25.2mpg
extra urban 8.7L/100km 32.5mpg
urban 15.6L/100km 18.1mpg
Fuel consumption figures updated as of 18 September 2003.
All specifications shown may vary and may not be available in UK. To Improve Fuel Economy all European Mazda RX-8 models will be fitted with a small Boot Lip Spoiler. This is not an option.
===========================================
Nice. Why wasn't I born in uk? What is a Boot Lip Spoiler? Can we get that on the US version?
#165
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Originally posted by shift_zoom8
Update.
Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park and back on Christmas. Shell gas getting there and also coming back (there is a Shell in Exeter, which is the town at the base of the Sierra Nevadas about 20 miles before the Sequoia entrance and before the road becomes inclined).
The mileages are just between LA and the Shell station at the base of the Sierra Nevadas before the mountain comes into play (~235 miles one-way). There is however one prolonged hilly obstacle just north of LA known as the Grape Vine that may have adversely affected mileage.
Averaged between 65 and 70 miles per hour. On the way there: 22.322 mpg. On the way back: 23.576.
Update.
Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park and back on Christmas. Shell gas getting there and also coming back (there is a Shell in Exeter, which is the town at the base of the Sierra Nevadas about 20 miles before the Sequoia entrance and before the road becomes inclined).
The mileages are just between LA and the Shell station at the base of the Sierra Nevadas before the mountain comes into play (~235 miles one-way). There is however one prolonged hilly obstacle just north of LA known as the Grape Vine that may have adversely affected mileage.
Averaged between 65 and 70 miles per hour. On the way there: 22.322 mpg. On the way back: 23.576.
However I can't see how you can stand going 65 to 70 mph on an open highway such as I-5 or Highway 99 in Califronia. I would go crazy. The flow of traffic is 75, at least on I-5. Also, what were your rpms at 70?
Last edited by starbucks; 01-15-2004 at 12:04 AM.
#166
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Originally posted by Mat
combined 10.6L/100km 25.2mpg
extra urban 8.7L/100km 32.5mpg
urban 15.6L/100km 18.1mpg
combined 10.6L/100km 25.2mpg
extra urban 8.7L/100km 32.5mpg
urban 15.6L/100km 18.1mpg
highway 27.0 mpg
combined 21.0 mpg
city 15.1 mpg
#167
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Originally posted by starbucks
The flow of traffic is 75, at least on I-5. Would you expect your mpg to drop significantly if you cruised at 75-80? Also, what were your rpms at 70?
The flow of traffic is 75, at least on I-5. Would you expect your mpg to drop significantly if you cruised at 75-80? Also, what were your rpms at 70?
I know I'm well disciplined in getting acurate mileage numbers and Bob sounded the same. You can take this as a pretty good benchmark.
3500 rpm = 70 mph at 6.
#169
Originally posted by starbucks
I'm familiar with this commute, unlike some others quoted here not on the west coast. I feel I have to comment here: The under 20 mpg figures reported here on the open highway is one major reason I have held off on buying an 8, but 22-23 mpg is promising and would be perfectly acceptable to me. Btw, the reported 13-14 mpg figures around town are ok given spirited driving, but it just seems so wrong for any car to get under 20 mpg on a long freeway commute.
However I can't see how you can stand going 65 to 70 mph on an open highway such as I-5 or Highway 99 in Califronia. I would go crazy. The flow of traffic is 75, at least on I-5. Also, what were your rpms at 70?
I'm familiar with this commute, unlike some others quoted here not on the west coast. I feel I have to comment here: The under 20 mpg figures reported here on the open highway is one major reason I have held off on buying an 8, but 22-23 mpg is promising and would be perfectly acceptable to me. Btw, the reported 13-14 mpg figures around town are ok given spirited driving, but it just seems so wrong for any car to get under 20 mpg on a long freeway commute.
However I can't see how you can stand going 65 to 70 mph on an open highway such as I-5 or Highway 99 in Califronia. I would go crazy. The flow of traffic is 75, at least on I-5. Also, what were your rpms at 70?
Eventually, I'll try a distance trip at 75 mph. But right now, my experiment is to do whatever it takes to get over 24 mpg. That's why I'm deliberately staying at under 75 mph.
#170
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Originally posted by MPG > HP
The Toyota hybrids are the opposite of conventional drives, as they get better MPG on short trips, as they are using the electric motors for drive, exclusively (unlike the half-hearted Honda hybrids), at low speeds.
The Toyota hybrids are the opposite of conventional drives, as they get better MPG on short trips, as they are using the electric motors for drive, exclusively (unlike the half-hearted Honda hybrids), at low speeds.
Conventional car engines must make compromises trading efficiency for driveability so we've become used to thinking of speeds like 55mph as being inherently most efficient. That's not the case from a pure "work" standpoint. The hybrid engine can be optimized for a much narrower set of operating parameters and by avoiding many of the efficiency compromises of conventional cars the lower work requirements of low speed travel are more apparent even despite the inevitable losses involved in converting mechanical energy to electrical and then back again.
#171
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Re: what can be done...
Originally posted by balletsushigirl
are you guys forgetting that SOME of the 8's DO get the posted mileage???
are you guys forgetting that SOME of the 8's DO get the posted mileage???
#174
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This might be stretching... and might also already have been asked but anyways.
Some people seem to have ok mileage (like, averaging 19). Some others cannot go over 15.
Could there be a relation between really bad MPG and VIN? Or cold weather?
Some people seem to have ok mileage (like, averaging 19). Some others cannot go over 15.
Could there be a relation between really bad MPG and VIN? Or cold weather?
#175
"...I'm a Dapper Dan man"
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I have to admit that this tank was a crappy one due to the coolness factor of the 8.
I was flagged down (literaly) by a person living down the street from my house and we must have sat there for 45 minutes discussing the car. All the while she was idling the curb as this guy must have walked around the car a hundread times asking all sorts of questions!!
Sometimes I wish I could tun on some sort of invisibility cloak!
I was flagged down (literaly) by a person living down the street from my house and we must have sat there for 45 minutes discussing the car. All the while she was idling the curb as this guy must have walked around the car a hundread times asking all sorts of questions!!
Sometimes I wish I could tun on some sort of invisibility cloak!