I wanted to help clarify the gas mileage issue in a SIMPLE way by piecing together a handful of owners' data and focusing only on the "magic" hwy rating of 24 mpg.



RX8by: 25.1 mpg, 60 mph, 3000 rpm, Chicago, winter
Me: 23.6 mpg, 65-70 mph, 3250-3500 rpm, Los Angeles, winter
Zerobanger: 25-26 mpg, 70 mph, 3500 rpm, ??????, winter
Zerobanger: 30.2 mpg, 57 mph, under 3000 rpm, ??????, winter

Looking at Zerobanger's numbers as somewhat atypical, I think it's safe to conclude that the RX8 should be able to (1) slightly surpass 24 mpg if one drives at 65 mph and (2) surpass 25 mpg if one drives at 60 mph.



Although I think the mileage threads on this forum have provided invaluable information, I think the VARIETY of data and conditions can further confuse the mileage issue. I'm not by any means recommending that we stop those- any and all pieces of information are helpful- but I think if we added a mileage thread ONLY FOR drivers who follow CERTAIN CONDITIONS, more careful and simpler inferences can be made. The following are the conditions (in order of importance) to help us make better inferences:

1. ~300 mile NONSTOP trip done COMPLETELY on hwy done CLOSE TO COMPLETELY on cruise control at whatever speed (or rpm) you choose

2. provide information on geographical region and season (or month); if possible provide temperature but this is not critical

3. provide information on octane and gas brand

***** Edit: I'm adding the following three conditions in the appropriate overall order:

4. miles on odometer

5. month car was built (see sticker on the driver side doorsill; don't bother reporting VIN due to concern for privacy)

6. if DSC on/TCS on, DSC off/TCS on, or DSC off/TCS off (a handful of people believe having DSC and TCS off might lead to better mileage)

End Edit *****

As you can see, the requirements are quite simple. Obviously, not a lot of people will be able to contribute to such a thread, but that's actually desirable because things will remain less confusing. We only need a handful of contributors' data, which when combined with all the information from the other mileage threads, will allow us to make solid, meaningful inferences.

What do you guys think?

I can't undersand for the life of me how and why these MPG discussions continue. Drive your car the way you want, get your MPG, and be happy. I think it's a foregone conclusion that if you manipulate your driving at 55-60mph, certain rx8s will reach beyond 25mpg. 25 mpg is definitely attainable on road trips, and hell maybe even 30 if you do enough manipulation and consume yourself with driving slow and saving gas. That is just not realistic and ideal, and it really serves no purpose or meaning. The real mpg of your car is how you drive on a regular basis. You can take any car and try this and get increases in MPG. I'm gonna call 25-26mpg very realistic on long highway commutes, and 30mpg possible under the most extreme manipulation of a long meaningless highway run. But hey, if you get 25-30mpg driving normally and no one believes you, that's their problem, not yours, so enjoy your mileage and give up on trying to prove it to the rest of us. Thanks!!

hey now VDJ, if some people want to have their cake (save gas... and maybe the environment too, a little??), but eat it too sometimes (own an RX-8 and the fun incumbent in its purpose), then i suppose they ought to pursue that with as much effort as they choose.

boy oh boy, i'm always "in the zone" between 1.00 and 4.00am :cool:

Viking, take it easy. At least allow me to explain why this might be important to you and me and everyone else. If we can get a good grip on what SPEED can get us 22 mpg, 23 mpg, 24 mpg, 25 mpg, 26 mpg, etc., then we can ascertain just how realistic that EPA hwy estimate is. We need HARD DATA from which to plot a graph. We can then compare the EPA rating to that for other cars. For example, I have an early 90's civic that has just about 260,000 miles that was originally rated at 36 hwy. Do you know what kind of mileage I'm getting PRESENTLY with that car? 33 to 38 mpg driving 70 to 75 mph. Can you fricking believe that?

See, I think that new "L" ECU reflash can in part be attributed to the muck raised by the people right here in this forum, from all the banter about bad mileage from the early days of this forum. Wouldn't you say that the "L" reflash is a positive result for the RX8?

The data doesn't care about the intentions of the person who provides it. One person is just curious. Another is pissed at Mazda. The data doesn't care. In the end, it can still benefit us all.

I think the next step is to fine-tune our data. Instead of just complaining in a general, chaotic manner (for example, "The mileage sucks"), we can pinpoint the mileage with "higher resolution" data. Instead of just complaining that the EPA rating is ridiculous, we can describe/characterize more fully the mileage, show EXACTLY HOW it is ridiculous.

And the method I'm suggesting above is a REAL SIMPLE way, much simpler and more uniform than the way we've been doing it in the various mileage threads so far.

I think this was a very helpful post for new people wanting info about the rex.
I too tire of the mileage threads, but if I had read this one when lurking before I bought my rex... then gas mileage would not have been one of my issues for not buying (the other was flooding, which I haven't done *knock on wood).

Thank you for your time and research.

Here are two related threads that had a systematic approach to MPG:

RX-8 Discussion > Statistical Analysis Approach to Understanding MPG Issue
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13280

RX-8 Discussion > RESULTS: Statistical Analysis of MPG -- Long
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13404

This work was done by norton and analyzed data posted by members. The analysis didn't focus on high MPG, but did attempt to find what the dominant factors were and assign weights to them.

Last I heard, norton didn't own an RX-8 but was considering buying one. He had a 42 mile commute, and this was one of his conclusions after doing the analyses linked above:

Originally posted by norton
Before I started the analysis, I was really hoping to find one or two things that people could actually control to significantly improve their mileage. Unfortunately, from the data provided I only found "% Hwy" and "Driving Style" as impacting MPG. Things like % Hwy are pretty much a given for each person; that is a way of life for them determined by the area they live in, their commute, etc. They don't really have the ability to change % Hwy. People can impact their MPG by easing up on their driving style, but that kind of goes contrary to what the car was intended for.
Basically, as others have stated, it appears to me that the RX-8 overall reacts similar to many other cars to things that impact MPG (e.g. short trips, many cold starts, hwy speed, hard accelaration, etc). It just seems that the RX-8 is just FAR MORE sensitive to these factors.

I am a RX-8 wannabe, I have been poring over the data on MPG and the Snow handling issues all along. I always appreciate the stricter guidlines to present data because I can judge the effects on the information.
I would assume that if a driver followed the strict guidlines to get a specific MPG that others achieved, that driver could reasonably assume that his 8 has another issue that is impacting the cars performance.

The other issue is the attitude of a select few that if they have been here all along and have seen it all then there is no reason to bring it up again. This is crap. There are newbies coming online everyday with questions and concerns that are not answered by reading through literally thousands of posts. Cut us all a break and lighten up on the rhetoric.

I just love how all these conversations continue, yet absolutely nothing is ever gained by them. Yet I am finding myself reading this meaningless mumbo jumbo and getting annoyed at it. Don't you people realize you are trying to turn this car into something it isn't? Anyway, have fun and enjoy yourselves, if yapping about MPG is your idea of fun. :)

I once asked my Calculus professor if he got tired of teaching the same class over and over. He promptly replied that he doesn't teach the same class over and over, there are always new students in the classroom. Hence he was teaching an endless supply of students Calculus, and they even had a book, with other reference books -- darn with all that material students still had questions and wanted to think about old things in new ways. I can't imagine the prof saying -- gees this has all been covered before, its in the books, there is just nothing to be gained here.

In reality not everyone is a professor, and even the profs get tired of teaching a topic to yet another group of new students. So, they shouldn't teach at all, or they shouldn't teach that class for a while, but I don't think its fair to say the new students can't take the class, can't ask questions, or can't question the conventional wisdom.

The idea of having a more friendly way of greeting and educating potential RX-8 buyers surfaces frequently, but the newbie-intolerance doesn't seem to be subsiding.

Yes people shouldn't register and ask "whats the deal with MPG", but since the information isn't on the surface, many will continue to walk-into-the-trap. The typical questions are:
- MPG
- Flooding
- Winter driving
- Car cost and option questions
- Performance
- Comparison with other cars

Shouldn't summary information and thread links for common topics be so visible that newbies can't help but find them? Then if someone does post a question that falls within this newbie area, rather than flame them, the proper response is to point them to the newbie thread.

I do think this is a good post. I've had my car for three weeks now, and I have kept track of the gas mileage for the last two tanks now. First, I got 19.2 mpg and the next one I got 19.7 mpg. This is doing from 55-75 with 90% highway driving. The first tank was 93 octane and the second was 89 octane. This has been pretty much driving granny style (all shifts at about 3000 rpms) My main gripe with the car is that doing 90% highway driving and not "pushing" the car at all I feel I should be at that 23-26 range and not between 19-20. I do understand that your gas mileage will depend a lot on how your driving style is. Seeing as how most people will agree with that, I have this question for everyone...I'm not exactly sure how to word it, but don't you think the gas mileage you get with the 8 might be a little more "sensitive" to how you drive than most other cars? With my last car, I could take it easy or drive the hell out of it with not much variance in mpg. Is it simply the rotary thats causing the havoc?

Originally posted by mjd
I'm not exactly sure how to word it, but don't you think the gas mileage you get with the 8 might be a little more "sensitive" to how you drive than most other cars?

It sure seems that way. For one thing, it absolutely gorges itself at idle. The other part I think is that it is SO easy to over-drive the car. Most cars will give a lot of cues, some subtle some not-so subtle, that it's time to shift and you really have to be in a performance mindset to rev up past say, 4000 rpm. In many cars at that point you've eaten up a good part of the tachometer (if there is one). With the RX-8 the power is smooth all the way to the stratosphere. When I'm on the freeway, not only do I sometimes forget to shift out of 5th, sometimes I forget I'm still in 4th! You can keep it around 5-6K without a sweat. The driving reality of the 8 is sort of the inverse of other cars. It's keeping the shiftpoint below 3000 that causes aesthetic pain :D

I just found out that I have been 3 mpg because I was using the windshield defogger the whole time. It turns on A/C without indicating it. Really, I'm serious.

According to the manual on page 6-8. if the air is directed at:
- Window alone
- Window and feet
Then the A/C and fresh air mode will be automatically selected.

I try to avoid any Window (defog) modes and usually drive with air to dashboard and feet.

My driving is mostly urban/rural/expressway and I try to avoid city driving. My hunch is these things have a negative on gas mileage:
- Rev over 3750 during acceleration
- Rapid acceleration followed by brakes
- Miles driven while the engine is warming up
- Idle time, sitting at stop lights, warmup time, etc
I usually shift before 3500 and try to glide to stops. My daily commute is 6 miles each way. A few times per tank the car gets a good run of spirited driving. Lately I am getting 19.X MPG and am content with it.

Originally posted by Trx8
Here are two related threads that had a systematic approach to MPG:

RX-8 Discussion > Statistical Analysis Approach to Understanding MPG Issue
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13280

RX-8 Discussion > RESULTS: Statistical Analysis of MPG -- Long
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13404

This work was done by norton and analyzed data posted by members. The analysis didn't focus on high MPG, but did attempt to find what the dominant factors were and assign weights to them.

Last I heard, norton didn't own an RX-8 but was considering buying one. He had a 42 mile commute, and this was one of his conclusions after doing the analyses linked above:

I'm very familiar with those two threads. Norton looked at what factors affect mileage. He took in a LOT of factors, in which respondents differed greatly. Variation is exactly what Norton wanted in his statistical analysis.

The analysis I'm proposing here is quite different. I'm not worried about what factors affect mileage; instead, I just want to see what speeds will get what mileages. Instead of variation, I want to see consistency. The only thing that can be compared between what I propose and what Norton has done are the number of factors we're looking at, respectively. Mine is considering much, much fewer factors, which will greatly simplfiy the inferences we make.

Originally posted by Wepox

I would assume that if a driver followed the strict guidlines to get a specific MPG that others achieved, that driver could reasonably assume that his 8 has another issue that is impacting the cars performance.


I agree completely. This is exactly why I'm proposing this. You not only see what mileages others are able to get, but you also see what SPEEDS can get those mileages. Next, you follow the same conditions and see if you can match whatever speeds with whatever mileages.

Another outcome will be that we will know how realistic is the EPA hwy rating of 24 mpg. Again, what I'm proposing here will look ONLY at the EPA hwy rating, which is much simpler to evaluate than the city rating with its constantly changing conditions.

I feel that the dissenters aren't quite understanding what the analysis I'm proposing can do. We can very quickly and simply get a hand on what speeds will get what mileages, which is something that has NOT been done before in this forum.

Originally posted by mjd
I have this question for everyone...I'm not exactly sure how to word it, but don't you think the gas mileage you get with the 8 might be a little more "sensitive" to how you drive than most other cars? With my last car, I could take it easy or drive the hell out of it with not much variance in mpg. Is it simply the rotary thats causing the havoc?

I'm not certaiin but my hunch is that the rotary varies more in mileage than a piston engine during CITY DRIVING ONLY. The rotary seems fairly consistent during hwy driving.

Again, I'm not at all certain.

Originally posted by VikingDJ
I just love how all these conversations continue, yet absolutely nothing is ever gained by them. Yet I am finding myself reading this meaningless mumbo jumbo and getting annoyed at it. Don't you people realize you are trying to turn this car into something it isn't? Anyway, have fun and enjoy yourselves, if yapping about MPG is your idea of fun. :)

You think the "L" reflash is nothing?

I wish my 8 would get 35 mpg and still perform like ti does, but it does not. Mileage is not why it has been winning so many comparison tests.

On my last road trip I tried for mileage and started driving at 70 mph. My wife kept asking why I was drivign so slow, so I slowely statred to speed up. She quit asking at 93 mph. Drove 250 miles in 60 degree weather at 85-95 mph and got 20 mpg. The extra $2.50 in gas I spent on gas by not driving at <60 mph was well wotth it. Enjoy the car while we can get gas.

At the end of March, I am going on a trip practically across the US. I will have plenty of chances to gauge my mileage at 60 and 65 mph. I know it'll be agonizing, but WE NEED THE DATA. I can't wait to post my data at the end of March when I'm back from the trip.

i have had my 8 now for about 45days and when i bought it the dealer told me you are buying a sports car not a compact that will get you 30-40mpg .so yes i do fill up with gas twice a week but thats my choice .i wanted the 8 and dont complain about the mpg zoooooom zoooooom

Originally posted by PhineasFellOff
I'm very familiar with ... Norton ...

The analysis I'm proposing here is quite different ... I just want to see what speeds will get what mileages.


Yes, I understood you are in the high-MPG regime, and those will be good results to see. I referenced norton's work because its related and may help others understand the relationshipe between city/highway and driving style ... his dominant factors.

I will be particular interested in seeing if you get results just above and just below 3750 where I think the 2nd injector kicks in.

Well, I'm definitely going to test at 60 mph (3000 rpm), 65 mph (3250 rpm), and 70 mph (3500 rpm). The 60 mph will be excruciating, so I might test that one on only one or two tanks. I'll spend most tank "legs" at 65 and 70 mph.

Now that you mention it, it would be interesting to see what mileage I can get JUST above 3750 rpm. Maybe I'll try that on one tankful.

I call this TRYING TO TURN THE RX8 INTO SOMETHING IT'S NOT. This would be like someone buying a LAMBORGHINI, and seeing if they can obtain more than 15mpg. I understand that many of you have to get this out of your system for whatever reason, but I do hope for your sake that you get over the MPG thing, and accept this car for what it is: A SPORTS CAR THAT IS NOT MEANT TO GET GOOD MPG. Have fun!!

Originally posted by VikingDJ
I call this TRYING TO TURN THE RX8 INTO SOMETHING IT'S NOT.

Since its his car, I think the way PhineasFellOff tests and analyzes his car is his choice. I don't see him trying to "turn it anything", he wants to learn more about how driving affects MPG.

When I had snow on the roads, I spent time trying to learn how snow affects performance. Although I wouldn't expect someone from non-snow country to care about those snow-driving threads. I also wouldn't expect others to criticize that I was posting related information. I would think that when someone realizes the thread was about something they didn't care about, they would just move on to a different thread.

Originally posted by Trx8
Since its his car, I think the way PhineasFellOff tests and analyzes his car is his choice. I don't see him trying to "turn it anything", he wants to learn more about how driving affects MPG.

When I had snow on the roads, I spent time trying to learn how snow affects performance. Although I wouldn't expect someone from non-snow country to care about those snow-driving threads. I also wouldn't expect others to criticize that I was posting related information. I would think that when someone realizes the thread was about something they didn't care about, they would just move on to a different thread.


I guess I see this as an attempt to make the rx8 a good gas mileage car, as opposed to just doing it for your own fun and recreational purposes. Whatever the reason, you are right, I need to bite my tounge and ignore. My apologies.

Originally posted by VikingDJ
I call this TRYING TO TURN THE RX8 INTO SOMETHING IT'S NOT. This would be like someone buying a LAMBORGHINI, and seeing if they can obtain more than 15mpg. I understand that many of you have to get this out of your system for whatever reason, but I do hope for your sake that you get over the MPG thing, and accept this car for what it is: A SPORTS CAR THAT IS NOT MEANT TO GET GOOD MPG. Have fun!!

2 points. First, since the highway speed limit is often 65 mph I don't understand why driving a tankful at 65mph comes off as a "stunt". I'm not trying to be self-righteous about it; I go plenty fast sometimes but let's put it in perspective. Not only is it a legitimate test it could also be very useful information the day you hit that "Next Gas 110 miles" sign.

Second, the hype of the Renesis powerplant and part of the reason it won "International Engine of the Year Award", was due to the leap in efficiency projected over the previous rotaries. Weren't they claiming something like low-to-mid 30's highway mileage? So I think some people that started following the RX-8 story early on are legitimately wondering why the mileage is turning out to be half of projections. From an engineering viewpoint falling short that much is astounding.

I can live with the mileage but on a long trip I'd be just as happy cruising at a speed that gives significantly better mileage (if there is such a speed). People tend to overestimate the time savings they get from speeding. Also factor in the reduced frequency of fuel stops and how long it takes to deal with a speeding citation :p

Originally posted by VikingDJ
I call this TRYING TO TURN THE RX8 INTO SOMETHING IT'S NOT. This would be like someone buying a LAMBORGHINI, and seeing if they can obtain more than 15mpg. I understand that many of you have to get this out of your system for whatever reason, but I do hope for your sake that you get over the MPG thing, and accept this car for what it is: A SPORTS CAR THAT IS NOT MEANT TO GET GOOD MPG. Have fun!!

I agree with Viking. If mpg is such a great concern, get a friggin Prius. This car begs to be DRIVEN, not mollycoddled at 3750rpm.
If you want to shift at 3750, that's your choice, but it begs the question of why you bought this car in the first place. It makes all of its HP at 7000-8500rpm. I drive mine pretty agressively as traffic and the law permit and usually get around 16 mpg in a mix of driving with about 20% highway on mine with 8k miles. It's just no fun unless you hear the rotary sing. Sure, I'll granny shift when speeds are limited by traffic, but if I'm #1 at the light, I'll shift from 1st at 8-9k and 2nd at 8-9k, then slow down. It just blows my mind that so many seemed concerned with gas mileage when this car is a joy to drive without worrying about the mpg. And as for those who are concerned with the next fill up, watch the friggin gas gauge. At 220 miles or so, better look for a gas station!:p

220 miles better start looking for a gas station...

Yep...Those 8500 rpm shifts at every light will do that to you.

Me and my A/T, 21 MPG, 70 MPH highway...260 miles better start looking for a gas station...

BUT, I agree with you all...if you get into it and have fun in the car you pay at the pumps. But what car isn't that way to a degree?

Originally posted by VikingDJ
I call this TRYING TO TURN THE RX8 INTO SOMETHING IT'S NOT. This would be like someone buying a LAMBORGHINI, and seeing if they can obtain more than 15mpg. I understand that many of you have to get this out of your system for whatever reason, but I do hope for your sake that you get over the MPG thing, and accept this car for what it is: A SPORTS CAR THAT IS NOT MEANT TO GET GOOD MPG. Have fun!!

Viking, thanks for reminding me. I really appreciate it. You've made everything so clear for me. Now, during my 2250 mile (one-way) long-distance trip, instead of cruising at 60 to 75 mph, I will accelerate and decelerate in WOT fashion. This will allow me to do brake testing as well as those 0 to 60 to 0 tests that some magazines do. The RX8 was truly made for a 2250 mile stop-and-go trip. I hope I won't get tired out in the first 1000 miles from this. Do you think playing Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit will get me pumped up for the physical and psychological demands? I just hope to God that I don't get an aneurysm going through west Texas. Don't worry. Whenever I feel like I can't take anymore of it, I'll remind myself that this is the way the RX8 was meant to be driven.

Make sure that you drop the clutch at 8K RPM to start your 0-60-0 runs. And why the hell are you stopping at 60 anyway? Don't you know this car is meant to be driven at 141?

Originally posted by ByeByeSaturn
Make sure that you drop the clutch at 8K RPM to start your 0-60-0 runs. And why the hell are you stopping at 60 anyway? Don't you know this car is meant to be driven at 141?

I will be sure to do that, sir.

Originally posted by PhineasFellOff
Viking, thanks for reminding me. I really appreciate it. You've made everything so clear for me. Now, during my 2250 mile (one-way) long-distance trip, instead of cruising at 60 to 75 mph, I will accelerate and decelerate in WOT fashion. This will allow me to do brake testing as well as those 0 to 60 to 0 tests that some magazines do. The RX8 was truly made for a 2250 mile stop-and-go trip. I hope I won't get tired out in the first 1000 miles from this. Do you think playing Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit will get me pumped up for the physical and psychological demands? I just hope to God that I don't get an aneurysm going through west Texas. Don't worry. Whenever I feel like I can't take anymore of it, I'll remind myself that this is the way the RX8 was meant to be driven.


NO PEENISFELLOFF, Thanks for reminding me. I learned alot from you. I will be sure to make all my shifts at 3krpms or less, and NEVER drive more then 60-65mph down highway. DO YOU THINK PLAYING THE CARPENTERS OR POSSIBLY BARRY MANILOW WILL HELP ME DRIVE LIKE GRANDMA AND TRY AND SAVE GAS? And don't you worry, when some 75 year old in a plymouth horizon passes me, I'll remind myself that I am saving gas, and that I bought the right car for slow cruising. As long as I drive this car slow, and keep the rpms down, I'll believe I bought myself a decent gas mileage sports car. Whenever I get that feeling like I want to step on gas and accelerate fast, I'll just tell myself that YOU WILL NOT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE IF YOU DO THAT, and I'll then slow down, crank up the carpenters and go back to my 60mph bliss.

Pretty funny. Viking, you still don't get it, do you?

Diking,

I accept your apology. I think we both agree it is better not to continue taking pot shots at each other.

If it's any consolation, my last tank in my MP3 Protege was awful-about 21 MPG, because of some extended time in bumper to bumper trafffic on the Long Island Expressway, finished off with a wild 85-90 MPH screamer of a drive down I-280 in New Jersey to make my dinner appointment. The car usually delivers 27-29 MPG without babying it. Driving habits matter on any car, it's just that the rotary is somewhat more sensitive to it.

I still think the RX-8 gets reasonable mileage considering it's performance- it goes to show how much things have changed, and what people demand out of their cars today.

Originally posted by PhineasFellOff
Diking,

I accept your apology. I think we both agree it is better not to continue taking pot shots at each other.


Thanks Peenisfelloff. I hope you find your little.... gas experiment full of reward.

Diking,

Hope you have fun driving the hell out of your car in Provencetown, MA.

Originally posted by PhineasFellOff
Diking,

Hope you have fun driving the hell out of your car in Provencetown, MA.

OMG. You need to stop with these pathetic comebacks. I am starting to feel sorry for you, so I won't say anymore. Take your time, come up with something really good to insult me with, and I promise I won't respond and make you look bad again. :)

Both of you need to quit acting like children. Viking, he can do what he wants with his car. Phineas, you don't need to reply to baiting in kind. Keep it up and you'll both get a warning.

Thanks Elara. I was hoping you'd come on and finally do that. I can't let people take shots like that without responding back, so I am very glad you came on here and put a stop to it, because I certainly couldn't. :)

As promised, I have just posted a thread with the mileage results from my trip across the country. The mileages were unbelievably good!

Please go check out the thread in the Discussion forum.

Hm, this is not a personal attack or so, I really just want to understand, but how do you drive "agressively" in traffic?

The only time I can have fun in my RX-8 is in the middle of the night, when the roads are rather empty and most of the cops are home.

-Peter

Originally posted by TybeeRX-8
[..]
all of its HP at 7000-8500rpm. I drive mine pretty agressively as traffic and the law permit and usually get around 16 mpg in a mix of driving with about 20% highway on mine with 8k miles.
[..]

Would it be safe to say that a car that ranges between 16-19mpg city and 22-26 hw make a difference of about $6 a fill up, hence a little over $24 a month or $300 a year? I think so. Why does anyone who really cares about the beauty, performance and mechanical prowess of the 8 even give a rat's butt? Seriously, I believe thsoe who are all caught up in this mpg nightmare that mazda and the forum members are dealign with is because a lot of the folks who hav ebough tthe 8 were expecting Accord type miliage but super performance. I have news for all of these types. You bought the wrong car and deal with it or sell it. Performance enthusiasts only need apply here.

Originally posted by rx8miami
Would it be safe to say that a car that ranges between 16-19mpg city and 22-26 hw make a difference of about $6 a fill up, hence a little over $24 a month or $300 a year? I think so. Why does anyone who really cares about the beauty, performance and mechanical prowess of the 8 even give a rat's butt? Seriously, I believe thsoe who are all caught up in this mpg nightmare that mazda and the forum members are dealign with is because a lot of the folks who hav ebough tthe 8 were expecting Accord type miliage but super performance. I have news for all of these types. You bought the wrong car and deal with it or sell it. Performance enthusiasts only need apply here.

You seem kind of new here. I think you should have read the thread (including other mileage threads) from beginning to end. No one is expecting Accord-type gas mileage. Most of the people who are concerned about mileage are focused on the discrepancy between how businesses SHOULD do business and how they ACTUALLy do business. Misrepresentation can not be tolerated. Proving or disproving misrepresentation requires scientific examination and data collection. That's all we're after. It's really as simple as that.

I think you are wrong. Do you actually believe this is about businessses? You are obviously one of these anti-business types that doesn't realize that there is always a lie when it come to sales. Deal with it, most people arte complaining because their gas milage sucks. And they are right, however the car they bought gets the milage or better than most cars in it's competitive class. And by the way, yes I am new here and it doesn't make me any less knowledgeable than you (whatever fell off.)

i drive consistently 80mph+ 4000rpm on california highways, and usually get 20-21 mpg. I wish i averaged 24+ but all the thrill i get from zipping around makes the 20mpg insignificant

rx8miami,


I don't need to believe anything. It is an empirical fact. There has been endless clamor about the inaccuracy of the EPA mileage ratings since almost day 1 on this forum. Recently, Mazda came out with the "L" ECU reflash, which although officially is said to fix flooding issues, also happens to improve mileage and midrange horsepower. This is no coincidence. Mileage AND horsepower concerns have gone hand-in-hand and have plaqued this car and Mazda from the very beginning. You haven't done your homework on this site.

You know that thing called a STICKER that comes on the car at the lot? It has EPA mileage ratings (and horsepower rating) that EVERYONE is aware of before buying the car. NO RX8 owner has unrealistic expectations of the RX8's mileage.

By the way, your statement suggests that putting effort into INVESTIGATING the validity of a company's claim indicates naivete regarding business practices. There is no necessary logical connection whatsoever. Saying your company's car is "the ulitmate driving machine" is just gloss, but saying your car gets XX MPG and XXX HP when it doesn't is in the same category as when a food product is said to contain a certain amount of an ingredient when it does not. It can get you into legal trouble. Mazda has already gotten into trouble with the HP issue and now it clearly appears they are trying to prevent legal trouble with the mileage issue (as well as further HP concerns).

You are all over the place and grabbing for straws.

Originally posted by ptiemann
Hm, this is not a personal attack or so, I really just want to understand, but how do you drive "agressively" in traffic?

The only time I can have fun in my RX-8 is in the middle of the night, when the roads are rather empty and most of the cops are home.

-Peter

Read the post: "...as traffic and the law permit" I'm not irresponsible (well, my wife thinks so though). When traffic is light, I'll pass more frequently and run up 3rd to 9k. Just the way I drive...no tickets since I can remember...7-8 years...Escort Passport, thank you....no accidents (knock on my head). My most aggressive driving is in an autox w ith my Miata! So, read the friggin post before you decide to dis someone.

I can't undersand for the life of me how and why these MPG discussions continue. Drive your car the way you want, get your MPG, and be happy. I think it's a foregone conclusion that if you manipulate your driving at 55-60mph, certain rx8s will reach beyond 25mpg. 25 mpg is definitely attainable on road trips, and hell maybe even 30 if you do enough manipulation and consume yourself with driving slow and saving gas. That is just not realistic and ideal, and it really serves no purpose or meaning. The real mpg of your car is how you drive on a regular basis. You can take any car and try this and get increases in MPG. I'm gonna call 25-26mpg very realistic on long highway commutes, and 30mpg possible under the most extreme manipulation of a long meaningless highway run. But hey, if you get 25-30mpg driving normally and no one believes you, that's their problem, not yours, so enjoy your mileage and give up on trying to prove it to the rest of us. Thanks!!

To answer your question - coz its a discussion forum, and id like to know and hear from real people

Holy thread revival batman!

Actually, someone needed to bump this thread all the way to the top since everyone's complaining about gas mileage. Great find steve. :)

2 points. First, since the highway speed limit is often 65 mph I don't understand why driving a tankful at 65mph comes off as a "stunt". I'm not trying to be self-righteous about it; I go plenty fast sometimes but let's put it in perspective. Not only is it a legitimate test it could also be very useful information the day you hit that "Next Gas 110 miles" sign.

Second, the hype of the Renesis powerplant and part of the reason it won "International Engine of the Year Award", was due to the leap in efficiency projected over the previous rotaries. Weren't they claiming something like low-to-mid 30's highway mileage? So I think some people that started following the RX-8 story early on are legitimately wondering why the mileage is turning out to be half of projections. From an engineering viewpoint falling short that much is astounding.

I can live with the mileage but on a long trip I'd be just as happy cruising at a speed that gives significantly better mileage (if there is such a speed). People tend to overestimate the time savings they get from speeding. Also factor in the reduced frequency of fuel stops and how long it takes to deal with a speeding citation :p

well said. What speeds, in what gears gets what MPG is what i'm after!

Viking, thanks for reminding me. I really appreciate it. You've made everything so clear for me. Now, during my 2250 mile (one-way) long-distance trip, instead of cruising at 60 to 75 mph, I will accelerate and decelerate in WOT fashion. This will allow me to do brake testing as well as those 0 to 60 to 0 tests that some magazines do. The RX8 was truly made for a 2250 mile stop-and-go trip. I hope I won't get tired out in the first 1000 miles from this. Do you think playing Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit will get me pumped up for the physical and psychological demands? I just hope to God that I don't get an aneurysm going through west Texas. Don't worry. Whenever I feel like I can't take anymore of it, I'll remind myself that this is the way the RX8 was meant to be driven.

100percent well said!

NO PEENISFELLOFF, Thanks for reminding me. I learned alot from you. I will be sure to make all my shifts at 3krpms or less, and NEVER drive more then 60-65mph down highway. DO YOU THINK PLAYING THE CARPENTERS OR POSSIBLY BARRY MANILOW WILL HELP ME DRIVE LIKE GRANDMA AND TRY AND SAVE GAS? And don't you worry, when some 75 year old in a plymouth horizon passes me, I'll remind myself that I am saving gas, and that I bought the right car for slow cruising. As long as I drive this car slow, and keep the rpms down, I'll believe I bought myself a decent gas mileage sports car. Whenever I get that feeling like I want to step on gas and accelerate fast, I'll just tell myself that YOU WILL NOT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE IF YOU DO THAT, and I'll then slow down, crank up the carpenters and go back to my 60mph bliss.

viking, this is a thread about trying to get good mpg. Ie like if your gonna do a few trips a year that are long in miles and youd like to drive a bit slower and stretch the tank. What is so wrong with that to you? Why are you content on being prick like to that other bloke on here you are fighting with? It dont have to be driven like a moron every day you know. Surprized half of you still have your licence...

Hm, this is not a personal attack or so, I really just want to understand, but how do you drive "agressively" in traffic?

The only time I can have fun in my RX-8 is in the middle of the night, when the roads are rather empty and most of the cops are home.

-Peter


I always hate assholes driving like morons reving in massive rush hour traffic. Driving like an ass up to my car then slamming on the brakes. Then they flash the lights, even tho there is no where to go and a thousand cars in front of me.

Holy thread revival batman!

Actually, someone needed to bump this thread all the way to the top since everyone's complaining about gas mileage. Great find steve. :)

glad to be of service, sir

:)

Steve, you finally did a search, you troll. Go read Phineas' MPG data from his cross-country trip. That is the single most important thread EVER on this forum regarding MPG.

ive read that before you fudd, but thankyou:banghead:

ive read that before you fudd, but thankyou:banghead:

You lie again, steve. If you read that thread, you would have posted in that thread, not this one.

You have to find that thread first. Search "mileage long distance cruising." It is result #11 out of 12.

Oh and try not to lie anymore.

Drive 50mph and see what you get on a long trip.

I get 30MPG high way :D:

As a 3+ year owner of an RX-8, I think you can count me in the category of most owners; I don't stress out too much about the MPG.

Having said that, I would like to throw a little curve ball into the MPG discussion. I've noticed that the speedometer on my 8 is about 3 miles per hour optimistic at highway speeds. That's an inaccuracy of about 4 percent. Now, I haven't checked the accuracy of the odometer, but it's probably safe to assume that it is also optimistic by a similar amount.

So, when I think I'm getting 20 MPG, it's probably closer to 19 MPG. Not a huge difference, but in the wrong direction unfortunately. But again, I'm not going to stress out about it.

-1.3L

I'm totally down for seeing how long i can drive 55 without stopping for gas. I've done some very unscientific studies and found slowing from 70 to 55 makes a pretty significant difference.


Provided someone else pays for wasting 15 gallons of gas puttering along the highway.