Jona

Hi RX8'rs.

I want to lease/purchase a RX8 next month. However, thinking about it, I am going to be doing most of my driving in congested heavy duty Southern California traffic. Now, I know the RX8 isn't the best in MPG, but would you say that I'd be filling up twice a week with this car in my type of driving? Would I probably get something around 12-17mpg instead of 15-20mpg like some of you are getting? THX for any help.

mysql101

May not be what you're looking to hear, but if I were in all stop and go traffic, I'd look at something like a Prius. As fun as the RX-8 is, its still no fun in traffic.

RX-8Dad

People who buy this car don't get it for MPG. I concur with Jason on this one.

Jona

Thanks. That's what I figured. Maybe by the time I stop working in downtown los angeles, the new RX-7 will be out. ;-)

mysql101

On the other hand, you can buy a Prius AND an RX-8

ibfubar2000

when i first got mine the gas mileage pretty much sucked for the first couple thousand miles (about 13-17) now I am getting about 23-26MPG normal driving. using 91 octane 76 brand gas or elase 91octane mobile gas (depending if i fill up near work or home)
so to answer your question. hell yes it is worth it!!!

Razpewton

You'll probably be filling up more than twice a week....

Jona

I wouldn't get into a Prius if you gave it to me. If I could have it my way, I would get the RX8. But I can already forsee myself throwing the little money that I make onto this car. Especially with gas prices going through the roof here in California, and the insurance I'd pay being only 23! It's a super cool car, but as Clint Eastwood once said "a man's got to know his limitations."

Jona

Yeah, but would I be getting 23-26 mpg in heavy 9am So. Cal. traffic? Or 6pm rush hour home traffic?

ibfubar2000

i drve every weekday in normal stop and go traffic from buena park to cerritos (91 freeway to 605) M-F I work from 8:00am until 5:00pm or so. so I would say yes. it is heavy stop and go freeway traffic.

ibfubar2000

but also the price of gas does not bother me. i figure there is nothing i can do about it, if i dont want to buy gas and drive my rx8 then i should buy a hybrid or scooter or something, so why should i get upset when it wont help the fact of raising prices, i just go to the same gas station and always fill up when i need to. i dont drive from corner to corner either looking for the cheapest, not worth my time or stress to worry about it. im stuck paying for it so i just do. i have more things to worry about.

mysql101

The insurance on this car is more than reasonable. No doubt due to the number of doors and the engine being rated as 1.3L

*shhhh* don't tell the insurance companies that this is a sports car.

Jona

Thanks for your response. I'm amazed you get that kind of gas milege. Is that unusual for an engine like this, considering that it's EPA is only 18 mpg city (stop and go). Are you driving a auto or manual? Does the transmission and the type of gas have anything to do with it?

Jona

Being only 23, and having a good driving record, how do I get the cheapest insurance rates on this car? I believe what your saying, but when they ask you what kind of car it is, you obviously have to tell them the name. Wouldn't that jack up the price I would be paying for insurance?

ibfubar2000

well I don't race my car which probably helps alot, it is a 6 speed, i havent tried other gas either. i only check the mpg every few weeks, i dont check every single time either, not sure if that makes a difference or not, but also i dont have the other problems ei ther ie: my ac blows cold, no oil light, no heat from center console, no hard starting or flooding problems (i garage park 5 days a week, so my wife can get her car out of the driveway, i do sit about a minute or 2 for the engine to get a little warm and rev it before i shut it of, but that is it). i did have the "m" flash done, only becasue i work at a dealer and it was easy for me to do

WinningBlue

I drive in stop and go OC traffic every dayand get 15.5 mpg like clockwork. Its still worth it. You just gotta savor each open piece of road offered to you. But if you DO buy it, don't come back and post MPG complaint threads!

ptiemann

I feel it's not worth having a quick or fast car when looking at stop-n-go traffic. Any vehicle will do that.

The RX-8 is most fun when I work late e.g. 11am - 9pm

psionic1

I had to fill up every two days, averaging 1000 miles a month when I first got mine. Now it's more like every three and a half days before fill ups.

My point is, when you first get the car, it will really suck gas, and frustrate the hell out of you. But it does get better.

I do not get stuck in traffic however. My commute is a 25 minute drive through the hills and valleys of No. Cal. SFD -> Moon Hill -> Lucas Valley. And although I don't, I have the opportunity to reach about 110mph twice a day. In addition to that, I take it to the top of Mt. Tam once or twice a week, just for fun.

I love this car.

Nubo

As someone illustrated awhile back, the cost of gasoline, even at current prices and with a low-mileage car, is a fairly small part of total cost-of-ownership of a vehicle. Compare it to the purchase price, loan interest (if any), insurance, maintenance, consumables (oil, tires, etc). Even the difference between 2 extremes (Prius vs. RX-8) is surprisingly small over, say, a 10-year span.

That being said, my choice of vehicle actually WAS between the Prius and RX-8. Both cars excel at reaching their design goals. I chose fun over mpg.

Todd Green

it is very hard to get good gas mileage in the rx8... i tell myself EVERYDAY - "ok gas prices are way high so just ease on to work and ease on back" - haha ooooookkk... 6-9000 rpm's everyday... i am paying way too much for gas but i dont even care because im having so much fun! if you are on a very tight budget you may wanna rethink it... but... TOO MUCH fun for me gotta have it!

BTW: im 21 perfect record and my insurance is 190 a month... also, i have a buddy that owns a 02' C4 and a 91' toyota somethin(piece of junk) and he is 23 years old paying 175 a month for both... if you have another car use the rx8 as an occasional vehicle on your insurance... knocks it down alot!

kbull

Yeah, you have to tell them the name. But, it's a 4-door, and in California it's classified as a subcompact (think Corolla) rather than a sport coupe. The small engine combined with the nice classification makes for decent insurance rates. Although you'll still get nailed for the youthful driver until you're 25.