Positron

I am interested in how folks are finding their ATs. Questions like: 1. How much do you drive in Manual Mode (Tiptronic)? 2. What kind of gas mileage do you get? (Just want to see if its better or worse than the other posts on mileage.) 3. How much oil does your car use? (Mines at almost 3500 and I've added less than a quart.) 4. Have you had any problems/experiences in the snow or ice? 5. What's the fastest you've gone in your car? (I have been 75/80 on the Beltway here around DC, may have even touched 90 once. There doesn't seem to be a power problem to me :D ) 6. How frequently do you change your oil? (3k miles? 7.5k miles?) 7. Have you had any problems with flooding/starting/cold? (How did you fix it?) Feel free to add other questions so we can begin to gather specifics on the ATs. And for the record, it was a really difficult decision for me to get the "low power" version of the 8, based on the amount of heavy traffic here in DC and wanting to make it easier for my wife to drive, but having made the decision and having my AT for 3 months now, I have no regrets.

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pyrospawn

1. around 20%
2. 21- 24 mpg most of the time
3. same as yours (mine at 11k)
4. No, cause i drive my Imprezza in ice/snow :P
5. 98 on I495, didn't want a ticket so i slowed down LOL
6. 3k
7. Nope, even thought i moved my car in and out of garrage for wash. Cold start with no problems (now i;m gonna go knock on wood 10x)

mikeb

1. once or twice a day
2. 17 to 18 mpg
3.

I have only added oil once


5. 115mph

6. every 3k

7. no problems except CEL light

OmegaBob

1 - 100% of the time. The only time I will drive in AT mode is if I'm sick and don't want to shift. Mostly use the stick to shift and not the paddles.

2 - averaging 16-17 mpg (stopped keeping track at 3000 miles, will check again at 5000). Basically I average 200+ before I need to fill up again.

3 - added 1 qt a few weeks ago

4 - stock tires SUCK in snow - no traction.. I know from experience. Got myself new wheels and snow tires -much, much better and safer

5 - between 90-100. Now that I am more familiar with my car, I want try to go a little faster, but can't b/c of the snow tires.

6 - around 3500 miles. Will be taking it in sometime before 5000 miles for the free oil change (and inspection)

7 - No problems at all.

MEGAREDS

1. How much do you drive in Manual Mode (Tiptronic)?
0-400 miles: never
400-1000 miles: a lot
1000-2000 miles: less and less, but every once in a while I'm happy it's there
BTW, I never use the paddles - always the hand shifter.

2. What kind of gas mileage do you get?
18mpg on average, mostly fun driving... I would expect over 20-22 on long highway trips.

3. How much oil does your car use?
One quart at 2000 miles, but it was overfilled at delivery.

4. Have you had any problems/experiences in the snow or ice?
Took Gordon's advice and bought snow tires and winter rims... $1,492.

5. What's the fastest you've gone in your car?
86mph by the speedo, which always overstates speed in the U.S.

6. How frequently do you change your oil?
I will change it at 3k, per the manual.

7. Have you had any problems with flooding/starting/cold? (How did you fix it?)
Yes... it was towed and the plugs de-fouled. Mazda gave me a non-warranty "goodwill repair" which took six days to complete from the day of the flood. See the thread I started when I was very angry, Flooding Not Covered Under Warranty

Feel free to add other questions so we can begin to gather specifics on the ATs.
I know of no way to chirp the tires... I'm sorry about that.

And for the record, it was a really difficult decision for me to get the "low power" version of the 8
Please do not refer to the AT as the "low power version of the 8." Instead, let's agree to call it the "high torque" version

Outlaws eXtreme

I normally drive 80-90 mph anyways, so 89 is just average for me... especially here in So Cali, people drive at least 75+ now.

Around 3-5am, no one on the freeways, so that's the only time I can try the limits of the car.

-=Zeqs=-

1. AT LEAST 85% of the time...only time is if I'm drinking coffee, or on the phone.

2. 13 - 14 MPG...mostly city driving and canyon carving...driven like it's stolen. On long trips though, from Santa Barbara to LA, I get about 20 MPG with LOTS of spirited driving when getting on and off the freeway, and when passing slower moving vehicles.

3. Top off probably 1 quart every 1500 miles or so...depends how hard the car is driven.

4. No snow or ice experiences yet, but a spin out in the rain because I am stupid and am in the habbit of turning the DSC off. I know better now.

5. Hmm...I may have gone about 126 MPH or so before, but as someone else already said, the speedo's in the US tend to be overstated...so...I've never gone over the posted speed limit...:D

6. Change the oil ever 2500-3000 miles just because I'm **** retentive about little things like that. Wipe down the car nightly with the glosser wipes.

7. *Knock on wood* No flooding issues.

mmmdowning

1. about 40-50%
2. around 19-21 on highway
3. not any I change oil 1500 miles
4. stays in garage for snow and ice
5. 132 on track
6. 1500 miles- about half is replaced at change so I change at
1500 the oil is cheap 1.28 a quart and oil change at mazda
17.88 can't beat it.
7. no flooding- I'm a previous rotary owner.

Awsome car, very pleased. My wife is jealous of the car. I let her drive it to (sometimes).

Rick

1. How much do you drive in Manual Mode (Tiptronic)?

Once in a while

2. What kind of gas mileage do you get? (Just want to see if its better or worse than the other posts on mileage.)

17-22

3. How much oil does your car use? (Mines at almost 3500 and I've added less than a quart.)

About 1 quart for 3K miles

4. Have you had any problems/experiences in the snow or ice?

No snow tires = no driving in the snow.

5. What's the fastest you've gone in your car? (I have been 75/80 on the Beltway here around DC, may have even touched 90 once. There doesn't seem to be a power problem to me :D )

111 MPH

6. How frequently do you change your oil? (3k miles? 7.5k miles?)

3K miles

7. Have you had any problems with flooding/starting/cold? (How did you fix it?)

No

Positron

Bump

JeRKy 8 Owner

1 I drivetiptronic when I need somespeed. Usually its only a quarter of thetime but sometimes whenIm in a rush I drive completely tiptronic.

2 I get 16 maybe 17 mpg. My miles are all city. I only use the highway once ortwice a month and the total mpg goesup to maybe 18 but honestly I havent seen more than 250 - 260 milesout of a full tank.

3 Im not sure how much is used I just change it every 3000 miles. Right now Im at 5000 and havent had to add any oil myself.

4. The only ice downhere is in the freezer.

5. My Rx8s throttle cuts out whenever I hit 125. It doesnt matter if I do it in fully automatic or w/tiptronic mode. Ive driven it full throttle on the highway at 3am several times the past fewmonths topping it out each time in both modes and right when it feels like Im about to go to 126 something kicks in and drops the throttle sending thespeed down to 121 and the samething happens over and over when I get back to 125. I havent tried driving this fast w/the DSC and TCS off and I dont thinkI ever will but maybe by turning both safety things off you can pass 125. I doubt it though. Its pretty disappointing that our auto Rx8s are governed at 125. Thats barely higher than the top speed of sedans. We should get atleast 130 -- I know our 4th gear could definitely get to 140 like the manual Rx8!!

6. 3000 miles

7. No problems w/flooding or starting yet. I guessI am one of the lucky ones.

Rx8Past

1. How much do you drive in Manual Mode (Tiptronic)?

almost never

2. What kind of gas mileage do you get? (Just want to see if its better or worse than the other posts on mileage.)

16 city, 21 freeway

3. How much oil does your car use? (Mines at almost 3500 and I've added less than a quart.)

at 2085, and just noticed it needed oil

4. Have you had any problems/experiences in the snow or ice?

n/a

5. What's the fastest you've gone in your car? (I have been 75/80 on the Beltway here around DC, may have even touched 90 once. There doesn't seem to be a power problem to me )

100

6. How frequently do you change your oil? (3k miles? 7.5k miles?)

I'm thinking 3k, but havent gotten there yet

7. Have you had any problems with flooding/starting/cold? (How did you fix it?)

no problems.

Mitch Strickler

1. 25%, using paddles for straight driving, shifter when turning
2. 15 city, 22 highway
3.Qt/3,500
4. Not yet; I'm anxious to test my snows
5. 100, on my V-rated Dunlop M3s, which handle and ride well and are not noisy
6. Four months (only 4,000 miles because the car was in the shop a lot after the lady hit it with her Caddy). I have free four month/5,000 mile service
7. No

MEGAREDS

Mitch:

Do you use them because you like them, or because you have them? As you suggest, the paddles don't make any sense in a turn, and I never got used to using them since the hand shifter is so comfortable a place for my hand. Shifting into second through a turn from a standing stop is very big fun. I'd consider leaving the paddles off the 2005 model if I were Mazda. They're beautifully integrated into the steering wheel, but I just don't think they add anything functional.

Mitch Strickler

Megareds, I really enjoy shifting without moving my hand off the wheel in straight-ahead driving. For example, driving at low revs on suburban four-lane with some grade crossings (60 mph in fourth), a stiff hill leaves no capacity for acceleration, and a snick into third is just what I want. Then, cresting the hill, back to fourth. I'd much rather do that on the wheel.

I, too, enjoy bopping the shifter when turning the wheel. OTOH, my instructors at track sessions said that downshifts should be anticipated, and made before entering a turn. Interruping the smooth flow of power, when you're at the edge of adhestion, can make you lose it. Although I never get anywhere close to the 8's limits in road driving, so that there is no danger in mid-turn shifts, they are not the best driving techique.

The other 75% of driving is routine stuff, doing errands on city streets, stuck on crowded roads, etc., where I'm using light throttle because there's no satisfaction in dashing ahead and then jamming on the brakes. I much prefer to let the car do the shifting then.

Positron

Mitch - (BTW, nice interesting name :D ). Your description of driving is very similar to my experience. I haven't had the opportunity to have an instructor at a track yet, but maybe in the spring. (Where do you go?) For the first month I had my 8 I just drove in full auto. last month I started using the manual mode more and more. I find I use the steering wheel paddles more in lower speed city driving. I do usually prefer to bump the stick. I also have been VERY pleased with downshifting while at high speed to get a little more for a hill or to pass a slower vehicle. There is probably a secret part of me that misses the clutch, but having lived here in DC for low these many years, I know how impractical a manual is for an everyday car.

It's good to hear from all of you folks who have taken the time to post to this thread and answer the poll. Thanks.

mngpao

1. How much do you drive in Manual Mode (Tiptronic)? NEVER

2. What kind of gas mileage do you get? 22-24.5mpg

3. How much oil does your car use? I DON'T KNOW. I CHANGED MY OIL AT 2K MILES AND IT WAS DOWN 1 QT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT STARTED OUT WITH.

4. Have you had any problems/experiences in the snow or ice? I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT IN THOSE CONDITIONS.

5. What's the fastest you've gone in your car? 85 MPH

6. How frequently do you change your oil? I'M GOING TO CHANGE IT EVERY 3 - 5K MILES

7. Have you had any problems with flooding/starting/cold? I KEEP MY AT GARAGED. THE TEMP HIT 27 BELOW LAST WEEKEND. I WENT TO START MY UNUSED VEHICLES AND BOTH STARTED RIGHT UP. I LET THE RX8 REACH ITS NORMAL TEMP BEFORE SHUTTING IT OFF.

I originally test drove and wanted the MT but the wife wanted the AT. I'm very happy I listened to her. The AT (with its higher torque) is powerful enough for me.

MEGAREDS

There ya go

Positron

How are folks finding their gas mileage? Mine seems to have gone down with the colder weather. I also have only been doing very short (5 mile) trips 2 to 4 times a day for the past 2 weeks. No real highway driving to speak of. Any suggestions - other than get out there on the highway and zoom (:grin ?

Other than the mileage thing, I've had no problems with the car driving on snow and some ice with the snow tires. The car also starts each and every time.

And I definitely agree that we call this the "high torque" engine.

Cheers,

MM

NAVILESRX8

Can any of you Auto owners with the base 16's, look at your tires and tell me what brand and model they are. and if they are all seasons? Thank you.

Positron

Bump - More Info on Autos Plz

mm

Trx8

1. I have only used it in snow/ice to start in 2nd gear where it seems to have less startup torque

2. 15.7 MPG: 130 miles of dreadful city, cold weather, lots of start and stop (both traffic and turn on/off).
21.7 MPG: 150 miles expressway at 75-80 MPH, then 40 miles of 5-8 mile urban-rural trips.

3. I am around 1400 miles now, its down just over 1/2 quart, I will likely add some at the next fill.

4. I have 17" wheels and snows, and have driven through snow/ice/slop when the local schools were closed. Rear-wheel drive is different from FWD in the snow. The car works very well in the snow until in the snow gets deep and the clearance becomes a limiting factor.

5. 90 MPH, it was quick getting there, and had plenty left.
The Pirelli 210s feel fine at all speeds and conditions
I figure the car makes me more of a target than my 94 Accord

6. Oil change and whatever service every 3750 miles

7. No problems. It started its life here in 0-20 F degree weather, and the 15.7 MPG tank was in those conditions. I do reduce the electrical load (seat heaters, rear window and mirror heat, fan, lights, etc) in cold weather and short trips. I am concerned it could compromise the apparently marginal battery.

I bought the AT:
- To save my joints the aggravation in the city
- My wife is done with MT (we have had 4 MTs)
- My 14 yr old son will be drving next year.
He knows the other sports cars are likely faster
Hence diminish the incentive to race

So far this has been an excellent car. I am glad I knew what I was buying, and this forum was critical to that enlightenment.