Considering an RX8 next year...
 

...and I HAVE searched the forum and looked around, but I have a few more questions.

forewarning: I'm a German car guy so I'll probably use chassis codes you have no idea what they are unless you are too. Just don't want to confuse anyone.

I've done a bit of homework and the RX8 just seems like the best option for me. It has the 4 doors and 4 seats and TRUNK that the S2000 does not, but it has the 9000rpm redline and makes the beautiful noise that the E46 330ci and E39 540i don't. It's a step and a half above the S2000 in my case, because this will be my only car. But I'm wondering if it can beat out the BMWs in everything else.

My first car was an E30 318i vert and recently moved on to a W124 E320, and both have had their fair share of problems that can be reasonably expensive to repair. The RX8 is at the top of my list because I imagined it would be more reliable and less expensive to maintain and possibly insure than the BMWs in the same price range. I don't see many people here talking about stupid things going wrong all the time. So, is it true that the RX8 holds the same level of ultrareliability most Mazdas and in fact Japanese cars are known for?

I know the cars get abysmal mileage, though I've seen conflicting answers. Some people say when driven lightly, they can get 20+ mpg, others say 13-15. What's the AVERAGE mileage you can obtain if you keep your foot out of the go pedal most of the time?

I haven't sat in an RX8 since 2006 some time, so I'm completely unaware of how much room is in the back. I know there isn't a whole ton, but could you fit a 5'11-6'0 man back there? I fit back then but I was younger and a bit shorter. Are the seats comfortable for long trips? How about the trunk? I need something that can be a civilized daily driver, that's why the car has to compete against BMWs. I am in no way concerned with having a status symbol, so if the RX8 can perform the duties a car should in town, I feel I'll be set on it.

All input, tips, chatter and discussion appreciated :rock:

Gas is pretty bad on this car. I just burned half tank with 75 miles. Then again i'm still breaking it in...very very slowly. (I don't drive much) So i don't complain about paying for gas.

I get below 15 MPG on every tank, and mine is all city driving. Then again, I probably redline a lot more than I need too. Can't help it, it's quite enthralling. I won't do any real highway trips in the RX8 until my other car is paid off and I can be more lax on gas spending.

I have done some 75-100 mile round trips in the car on the interstate, though. I'm 6'2 and have grasshopper arms and legs. The car is comfortable and mostly ergonomically sound, except for the lack of a telescopic steering wheel. It is the #1 thing I hate about my car (and Mazda didn't address it in the 2009 refresh, sadly). For me, that causes a LOT of discomfort if I spend too long driving. I just cannot get my left arm comfortable. If I move the seat closer then my knees are bent too far. Make double- and triple- sure you can get in a comfortable, relaxed driving position in this car before you sign the dotted line. I'm sure anyone shorter or with shorter arms and legs would be more comfy on extended drives.

So it appears 13mpg was a bit more accurate. 13mpg with a 16 gallon tank, that's barely 200 miles between fill ups. Talk about abysmal mileage, but I suppose I could keep the Benz, but what's the point of financing an RX8 just to drive the Benz for the mileage, at that point it would make more sense to get an S2000 and keep the Benz instead since I wouldn't really need the seats or storage space of the RX8.

Thank you for pointing out the telescoping wheel thing, I doubt it'll be a problem for me as both of my cars have had fixed wheels and I have no problem getting used to them.

Except for the mileage, I consider the 8 to be the perfect commuter for someone who needs an occasional back seat and a very sporty ride--emphasis on handling over torque.

Back seat is pretty good if you're not sitting behind a 6'2" driver, but it's a bit claustrophobic with the small rear windows.

I've only driven a couple of BMWs, Z3 & basic 3-series for a couple of weeks (sorry, no details), and the 8 is a beter handing car than the basic 3-series IMHO. I know there are much better BMWs but I've never hd the good fortune.

Reliability should be very good if you appreciate the quirks of a rotary, keep the oil topped off, and premix if you buy a 2004-08.

If you drive mildly or get an AT, you can get 20+ mpg, but neither of those options will be any fun. Spirited driving will bring a lot of smiles except at the pump. If your engine's well maintained, expect 16-18 mpg if you don't do too much stop 'n' go in the city. With a little it of freeway added into the mix I've gotten over 20 and my worst ever was 16 mpg, but note I have very lttle city driving.

Good luck & welcome.

gas mileage for me is pretty bad mostly because its 3 miles of merge highway get off turn into work so i am geting around 13 (i drive aggressive)

when i drive from Austin to Dallas i get 23mpg

people fit easily in my car though i am 5'11 and 220 and have had people 6ft in my back seat. though some complain about its like falling down to get in as they are used to trucks ~_~

The recent 3ers might not handle as well, but I'll tell you what, an E30 damn well will. If you've never driven an E30 with the 4cyl M42, you NEED TO. You guys could appreciate those things.

Explain to me the concept of 'premixing', I've never heard the term before.

I drive VERY mildly- I am FAR too young to afford a car payment, insurance (full coverage because I don't own it), gas AND tickets! If 20mpg is SERIOUSLY possible in the city, I could do it, and if you're right, I'm once again sold.

Sorry, I don't think 20 mpg is possible with mostly city driving, 'though a very few people have averaged over 20 mpg. Not many. I'm lucky to live in the country with a mountain & back road commute.

Premix is adding a few ounces of high quality 2-stroke and perhaps a little bit of lubricious decarbonizer to each tank of gas. This is thought to add an extra level of protection for the center of the apex seals in the combustion chamber. This shouldn't be necessary on the 2009 model.

i just love this car....ive figured that if i keep my gas at the 1/4 mark i get better gas mileage, it seems like it takes FOREVER for those last gallons to be gone, and i drive it hard...one thing ive learned is not to fill up this car to the max ( more stress on the engine due to more wieght = more gas useage), so i try n keep it above then 1/4 mark and im good...

How about 17-18? I only get 22-23 in my Benz and it's plenty liveable, I could pull 17 and I wouldn't be happy at the pump, but 13 I don't think I can deal. 4mpg sounds like very little for me to complain about, but consider every tank that's an extra 64 miles- 4 extra gallons- $20 extra dollars I don't have to spend. Every four fillups I'd get a 5th 'free'.

It may sound like I'm being cheap or trying to fit a budget, and I am. If I wasn't, I'd be in an E46 M3 instead of an RX8, but I have to find a car that I like and can afford to live with.

Also... what is 2-stroke, where can I get it, what is decarbonizer... etc. Would I just put it in the gas tank when I fill up? This probably sounds REALLY dumb but I'm used to putting in 93 and calling it a day...

Sounds like you could, though clearly some do not. You should look for an engine that's been well maintained, good compression, etc. I've had my RX-8 for a little over 3 months now. Very little highway driving, very little stop and go city driving since my commute is over back country and mountain roads (love my commute, can you tell?). I drive my RX-8 pretty hard most of the time, lots of redlines, etc, but a few tanks I purposely drove very conservatively to establish a baseline and test different octanes.

Total Miles: 5,142
Total Gallons: 279.8
Average MPG: 18.4
Best tank: 21.8 mpg (55 miles Interstate)
Worst tank: 16.5 mpg
Oil used: 2.5 qts
Premix: Idemitsu 3.5 oz, FP+ 1.5 oz per tank

Yes, just add the premix when you fill-up. 2-stroke oil is designed for 2-stroke engines that burn oil in the combustion chamber. The rotary is not a 2-stroke engine but it does inject a little bit of oil into the combustion chamber. Idemitsu premix is specially designed for rotaries and very popular here. I order it from Mazdatrix. FP+ is available from LCD Inc. A lot of people just use Marvel Mystery Oil which both lubricates and cleans but a couple of others here claim it's just old fashioned snake oil.

It just sounds weird adding oil to the gas tank. Do all owners do this or is it just something enthusiasts do because they're aware of it? Like, is it required by the manual?

Mazda will tell you it's not necessary because of the OMP (oil metering pump) and probably very few rotary driving enthusiasts do except for a few experts and rebuilders here who have analyzed some of the problems with the most recent Renesis design. For 2009, however, Maza has added a 3rd oil 'injector' for each rotor aimed at the center of each apex seal, as was done with previous rotaries.

yeah The mileage is not that bad...I live in Orlando with a 9 miles commute one way to work it's not bumper to bumper all the time but I ususally get about 20 mpg or 19. I did just move here with a 1500 miles drive from PA the best i got was 24.3 or something...I have a thread about it somewhere here....I'd say as long as it'snot stop and go constantly u can achieve 18 and up and with highway being used 50 percent or so over twenty is possible as long as you keep the rpms below 3750(where the second set of injectors kick in about 72 MPH in 6th gear)

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...leage+findings here is the thread if u want to take a look at it ^

We had an e46 330ci or vacation. We (wife and I) felt that the car was solidly built.... no surprise there. But it is not any better than the rx-8. It is nice to know that the 8 has just as nice if not more exciting interior than the 330ci.
In terms of driving dynamics, the rx-8 is fantastic. Very lively and agile car. If you are drive the car as it is intended for, you will not be able to find fault with it. The way the rpms pile up is unlike piston engines. Very fast, very smooth. It feels natural at high rpms while other so-called high-rev pistons just felt like it will go KABOOM.
In terms of mileage, it will depend on your right foot. In mix city/hwy driving I avg about 12l/100km. Just a tad more than our Saab 92x Aero. Personally as a sporting machine, I do not find it unreasonable vs. other sporty cars in its class. The 330ci wasn't any better to be honest. That fuel consumption gauge sure kept me honest most of the time though. Hate to see the needle swinging to the right as the rpm piles up. hahahaha.... but that smooth inline 6 is wonderful.
I see the RX-8 as a cross b/t an S2000 and a 3-series sedan. As agile as the S2k but as comfortable DD as the 3-er. The rx-8 is an involving car. If you are not that type, then look elsewhere. It's not for everyone.

I actually get decent gas mileage. I mix up highway/city driving, but normally I'm anywhere between 19 - 21 mpg. Never gotten below 18 mpg, even when I drive my 8 hard.

Strictly highway driving around 70 - 75 mph, I got 22 mpg. Not too bad, especially for a sports car.

strict 75mph highway, 21-22-23,
90% highway, hard driving 80mph 19
50% mix driving, spirited, 18
and it just goes downhill till it levels off around 16 for normal driving for all city
then road course driving will net u about 7 mpg