Schoonie3

Just a little curious about this given the recall and all that mentions driving at variable RPM. I can't remember all the details but it seems like I remember reading about avoiding driving at a constand speed at lower RPM.

So, if I decide to road trip and I set my cruise at 75 (around 3500 RPM) for 4 straight hours am I damaging my engine? Does the new flash take care of this?

Your opinions please....

LostAngel

I thought the "avoiding driving at a constand speed" was for breaking in...

zeblien

Correct. After the car has had its breakin period (600miles mazda recomended), hwy speeds are fine.

Aseras

this car is a dream on the highway. just be sure to redline it on the on ramp and keep and eye on your speeds. it has cruise control for a reason. 120 feels a awful lot like 65 in this car.

zeblien

at 65 feels like your driving slow though a school zone.

Endor

Highway speeds are a dream *if* the roads are in good condition. I've driven over some roads that feel like hell in my Rx-8, but when I rode in my friend's Acura it felt like butter. I realize that handling/road-connectedness and comfort can be at opposite ends of a spectrum though, so you can generally have one, the other, or a balance where both are "average". Since I'm 27 I'll take the Rx-8 for now, but when I'm 80 I'll probably want the Cadillac xxxTreme 2060.

mysql101

The car drives fine on the highway, but I wouldn't consider it a good highway car. The fuel economy you'll get is similar to some car's city mileage... Anywhere from 15 - 23 mpg seems to be the norm. If you can deal with that, then go for it.

zeblien

mysql... dont start another bad milage thread lol..



bah... now look what you did.

mysql101

hehe. When it comes to highway driving, there isn't much to say besides reliability (getting you from point A to point B), and fuel economy.

So mpg is the only factor that I'd say you'd have to think about when you're choosing the RX-8 for that kind of driving.

zeblien

And comfort. The car is very nice on long drives, and you dont feel soo tired.

Aseras

i'll argue this car is FAR more a freeway car than a stop and go city car. this car is made to be driven and driven hard not temporarily parked in 5 minute increments.

New Yorker

Compared to my Miata it's like night and day. (Duh!) Less road noise (the 8's not what I'd call "quiet", but better than I'm used to), smoother, and the leather seats are really comfortable for me (especially the lumbar control). The seats in my MazdaSpeed Miata would get to be almost painful after about 90 minutes. I once did Long Branch, NJ to Chicago—15 hours straight—and felt like what Lindbergh must've felt like when he finally reached Paris! (Don't get me wrong, I still love the Miata—but not for all day on the interstate.)

stickman

I have driven mine over 600 miles in a day, it isn't a luxo cruiser but the engine is very smooth, the ride decent, noise decent, seats comfortable and when you get an on ramp or off ramp pure heaven. Far from an isolation chamber like a lexus or buick but if that is what you like, you bought the wrong car anyway.

Razz1

Yes, it does.

Please do not drive at cruise speed until you get the new flash.

This is what the new flash repairs.

There's on bad thing about the 8 and hwy speeds.

It wants you to go faster......... so be carful and don't get a ticket.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

I drove straight through 730 miles and had a great time. Comfort level was at about 8 and ride was about a seven on the old roads. But all in all it is a great highway car in my book.
Just watch your speed ,you will find yourself going faster than you think you are.

yiksing

The RX-8 is meant for the highway

CarAndDriver

I assume this was a joke b/c it's bad information. Highway speeds are were fine, from what I read most people ran into difficulties in hot climates, low humidity, and a lot of low speed stop and go traffic on the freeway where the car just baked.

If the person doesn't live in a hot climate and hasn't had any engine problems already I am sure he's fine.

Schoonie3

Below is a post from the recall thread which shows where some of my memory was coiming from about the variable RPM. I guess my question / point is that this basic engine design uses oil injection to maintain lubrication and that variable RPM assures that you hit the injection points. What is to say that I am not cruising for four hours straight at a particualr RPM that has sub-par lubrication, thus causing engine damage. I recognize that this is unlikely, but I guess I am just asking if this car / engine design is not really designed for constant speed trips?

Quote:
Originally Posted by map
If it's a lubrication issue wouldn't that effect people who rev the engine high more since more movement requires more lube? It sounds like there is more at work here.


If I understood zoom right in the Flash News Flash thread, high-revving increases the amount of oil injected and averts the problem. It's the low-rpm cruisers that are getting oil-starved.

Roaddemon

I recently did a long roadtrip. Two 850 mile days. I was comfortable, the time riding was fun and I was'nt tired at the end of the day. The car is a fantastic hyway roadcar. You will feel rough roads more than in a luxury sedan because the car is so connected to the road. Even so it' not jarring and does not interfere with overall comfort. It gives the feeling of control over any road surface. The 8 delivers up the road to the driver. Makes long trips easy and fun

playdoh43

imo its excellent highway car, much more so than a urban road car

supergoat

The RX-8 is a fantastic GT car. I love this car on long trips.

CarAndDriver

I think it's a better highway car than some other entry-level sports cars. If I was going to be doing a lot of highway driving, I'd probably choose something else.

TomAssBender

After sharing some highway time with some other 8 owners after a meet and having a little cat and mouse, i definitely like the 8 on the highway. 3-4 lane highway + mild congestion = the most fun you will have on a highway.

also, the cruise control is so precise that if you arent playing cat and mouse, you can actually just use the buttons to pass people, merge in traffic, eat gas, whatever normal highway functions you would perform.

just remember, if you have to fart you are required to pull over on the shoulder and get out of your car

zeblien

No way. I have taken plently of long trips in the 8, and its awesome, except for the formentioned speeding issue. Very comfortable, and with the leather seats, no problems. My grandma drives a Lexus SUV and its not much beter then the 8 for long trips.

CarAndDriver

If I had to do a lot of highway miles a new Lexus LS460 loaded.