New Yorker

First off, compared to most other cars, yes, of course the 8 gets mediocre mileage. No argument there.

But… there are other cars that have poor fuel economy: the Audi R8, Ferrari F430 and Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, to name just a few. Yet you don't hear complaints about the mileage of those cars because those cars offer something in exchange for their poor mileage: power.

A gas guzzler that smokes the tires when you step on the gas gets a big thumbs up; it's considered "ok".

Traditionally, cars with little tiny engines aren't fast or powerful, but they're "ok" too, because they offer something else: great mileage. Many are willing to give up power in exchange for an engine that sips gas.

Which brings us to the 8. For most people, now matter how you slice it, the 8 comes out… wrong. If you're an "I'm willing to give up fuel economy for power" person, the 8 won't satisfy you; it's not that powerful. If you're an "I'll trade power for fuel economy" person, the 8 doesn't work either; it "guzzles" gas.

And so the 8's fuel economy is dismissed as "unacceptable." A car with a tiny, little engine that guzzles gas—that fact alone is enough to make many scratch their heads—and though it guzzles gas, somehow it's not especially fast. That does not compute! Gas guzzling without neck-snapping torque!?! Unacceptable!

Of course, some of us realize that we do get something in exchange for our mediocre mileage: great handling and, even more important, a car that just… feels great. The editor of Sports Car International says the 8 is "one of the best-handling sports cars currently available." (The other four? Porsche Cayman, Nissan Nismo 350Z, Lotus Elise and Audi R8.) This handling—which we can measure—and the way the car feels, which we can't—are a direct result of that tiny engine sitting low, nearly in the middle of the car. Unfortunately, that tiny engine also happens to use a lot of gas.

So… while most thirsty cars offer you power, the 8 is a thirsty car that offers you something else: sublme feel and handling. If you value how a car handles and feels on a twisty road over how fast it goes in a straight line, the 8's mediocre mileage is a more than fair trade-off.

(And that's before you consider that it seats four, costs less than $30K and can do 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds.)

DarkBrew

The feel is worth it!

If gas gets too expensive I'll move closer to work.

EdwardsB

We need more threads sticking up for our cars, its getting depressing how people keep posting just complaining about our cars!

Indeed it is worth it.

Mendossa

DISCLAIMER: New Yorker, I'm totally there with you if what you want to say is the 8 is a great all-around car and that the gaz guzzling is not enough of a problem to overshadow the great handling and other qualities of the car. And with EdwardsB regarding the fact that there's too many depressing posts around here

That being said, what does handling and feel have to do with the fact that our engine is surprinsgly thirsty?

What I mean is, we know it's possible to get pretty much the same stats as a renesis AND better fuel economy, like the civic type-r engine that gets 222hp@8000rpm, 159lbs@6100rpm and it hits over 30mpg. Even if the tradeoff was additionnal weight or different engine proportions/dimensions, it probably wouldn't destroy the car's balance enough to make it handle like a fixed-axle, leafspring suspension car.

I still think that in that regard, the renesis fuel economy IS unnacceptable. It's a great car, but it does drink too much for the amount of power delivered.

New Yorker

The 8's handling and feel has nothing to do with the fact that the Renesis is surprisingly thirsty.

But it has everything to do with the fact that the Renesis is small enough to be mounted low in the car in an almost mid-engine position, where an ordinary piston engine won't fit; that's the secret of the 8's sublime feel and handling. Unfortunately, if you want an engine that small and light that makes that kind of power, you want a rotary. And if you want a rotary, you're getting mediocre mileage.

EdwardsB

it is unbelievably tiny, don't know if you ever saw one outside of the car. When i got a rotor housing from mazmart, I was blow away by how small the box was that it came in...you could probably fit a dissembled core in two backpacks. I feel the same as NY'er its def this size that allows us to achieve this handling. It is lighter than a piston engine, and also being shorter it lowers your center of gravity at the same time to reduce body roll.

4me2

people can always buy a second car for MPG.

Mendossa

I tried finding the renesis block dimensions but wasn't able to find anything other than block height: 338mm; about 13-14 inches.

I was a little more successful in finding block weights:
- S2000 326lbs
- LS1 390lbs
- Renesis 267.5lbs

SageJMP

I just never understand why they always compare "highway" gas milage. I personally always looked at tested fuel milage from reviews, not factory reportings.

The thing I do know is I get 19-21 mpg average, my last car, a V6 mustang pulled 21-23 average.

secret8gent

are those other engines fully dressed as well?

the (short) block of the renesis weighs 184lbs.

Flashwing

I agree with much of the OP and feel that much of the trade off comes with the benifits of the car.

The rotary, with all it's great features, doesn't do well in the matter of an efficient motor in terms of the use of power. A LOT of energy is clearly wasted in order for it to work the way it does. Sure, power per liter is great but overall use of energy no so much.

In many respects, it comes with being different. Nobody is unaware of the fact that Mazda is the only company to make the rotary engine work in a production vehicle. It's been race proven yet the piston motor has been refined over the years because it's used everywhere. I'm sure we would see such advances with rotary technology if it were the same.

Still, with all of Mazda's great enginnering it's still one design method. I love taking my car to shows both local and national and seeing people's reactions to the motor. It's different and mysterious which does attract a lot of attention.

Bottom line is at least from America's society people are not interested in turns or "feel" with their sports cars. It's all about the sound of the engine, the feeling of being plastered in your seat from torque and racing in a straight line. Unless you actually drive an RX8 for a time it's not unusual that people would dismiss this car so easily.

fastlaneracing

How mutch does one Litre of premium petrol cost in th USA?

Right now 1 Litre costs $2,02 here in Sweden. that totally suck =(

Mendossa

AFAIK it's fully dressed weight, since the data comes from a S2000 forum thread where they were comparing a "fully-dressed minus intake box" S2000 block with a LS1.

77mjd

But, if you can afford any of the above mentioned cars in the first place, I don't think mpg is an issue at all.

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

I know its hard to believe but the Corvette actually has pretty good fuel economy. Like 26, 27 MPG Highway

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

........the Corvette actually has pretty good fuel economy.


It even weighs more than an '8!

S

mbrule6465

I agree mpg is poor but even at today's prices it's a fair trade off. I manged to get 22.3 mpg mixed driving, mostly highway with very low rpm shifts, and 60 mph top speeds. (not much fun) Better to drive the Rotary as it was intended and live with around 17mpg. Compared to the Mustang GT and Pontiac GTO( I test drove the same day as the RX8) the Rx8 has superior handling, more composed road dampening, better interior, more comfort, and a modern sculpted exterior. I chose the RX8 because it has a better total package for the price than most if not all the competition.

heyarnold69

iTrader: (1)

this is always a mixed topic for me. No I Dotn think its right, i think we, as 8 owners expect more from mazda. I see automakers putting in more fuel efficient and emission friendly equipment in thier cars... why not for the 8. why is there not a gas electric hybrid 8 yet? Wouldnt that solve the gas milage problem? also wouldnt that add extra power? yes! I never like to hear that this or that is the status quo and you as a consumer should accept it. gas will be 4 dollars a gallon soon, even if thats not the case... i dotn want to see my beloved rotary engine scrapped because not enouph time and energy was put into efficincy.

yes, I too am waiting on the new 16x motor and i hope it delivers 20+ mpg for the city ... and over 25 for the highway. there is always a way.

Razz1

the 16x may get better gas milage due to fuel injection and rounding the corners.
Mainly from rounding.

Learjet_Pilot

After 2000 miles, I haven't quite gotten to appreciate the "feel" of the 8 yet, but the ability to pass through 6000 RPM, on the way upward, is something that I haven't experienced in any other car. (Frankly, I'm no fan of the Potenzas; those tires are all over the road.) And then there's the thumbs-up that I get from the passersby. If it costs me the price of the 14.4 MPG that I'm currently getting, then so be it.

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

i hate you, 3.30 in the city now.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

The Vette achieves relatively great mileage by, in part, lugging along at around 2k rpm while cruising at 75 mph.

In the 8, 75 mpg pushes you up around 4k rpm.

Jethro Tull

iTrader: (6)

My DD is an old Explorer. There is nothing wrong with my 8's mileage when compared to that. It's an improvement.

CyberPitz

Ditto. I get 200 miles on my 1988 RX7 Turbo, and that's got a 16 gallon tank! This car is a blessing to the MPG, lol.

Flashwing

Anything with hybrid technology isn't going to be built for speed. I agree that the 16x may very well see better emissions and fuel economy. Mazda knows that the current RENESIS design won't stand up to emissions standards if they continue to tighten.

It's all a compromise. Honestly while I see other people buying big screen TV's, taking vacations, having really nice furniture or really fancy clothes...I have my RX8. While gas prices are high and we all wish we didn't have to pay much to drive the car I feel like it's paying for the experience the car gives. I enjoy myself each and every time I drive the car.

In my opinion, thats money well spent.