debating on whether to trade my s2k to get a new rx8 or an accord. i've owned a fc3s and loved everything about it. but now i want something more subtle and practical. one thing that i'm not sure about this car is the mileage..been hearing 18-20mpg. i guess its somewhat expected with the wankel engine but still sound bit too low. i average about 29-32mpg(highway) with the s2k and about 290-300 on 11gallons combined driving. but i'm still a mazda fan in heart...any suggestions?

 

If you want better fuel milage go for the Accord. I'm assuming since you have a S2k that you don't have a family so room is not an issue. If you want to have fun when you drive with style get the 8. In my 8 I get between 19-23 mpg. In the wankel, milage gets better as miles add up, so do the fun factor.

 

i thought you had a FC, thus i'd figure you'd expect lower-than-piston gas mileage from a rotary engine.... is that a problem??

 

It seems that the people come in here wanting advice on deciding between two cars and they fall into two groups: 350Z types and S2K types. So, you either deciding between an RX-8 and a S2K or an RX-8 and a 350Z.

You're really the only one who can pull the trigger and make the decision. The RX-8 is a very unique car and you can't compare it to an S2K and expect it to be a clear decision. If you want a convertible you have to stay with the S2K. If you want something more practical, going to the RX-8 isn't going to be a huge leap forward. Yeah, it has a back seat, but it's also got fuel mileage issues.

Maybe you should consider a Honda Civic Si. It gives you the speed/handling characteristics of a S2K, the practicality of an Accord, and costs less than all of them. Just a thought.

But, if you want sheer and total awesomeness you have to buy a RX-8. Scientific fact.

 

thanks for the quick replies. the mileage isnt too big of a problem but does sound a bit too low still. i really dont remember what mileage i got from my old fc but i think it was around 24-27mpg. i've always liked the 8 cuz it is very unique. i also liked the way it handles and drives. i guess i'm too used to the mileage i get from my S but it shouldnt deter me from buying one. i still miss the whine and the smoothness of an wankel.

 

The gas mileage is what it is, but there is no way to fully describe the feel. You just need to go out and test drive.

 

The rx8 is much more refined, comfortable and smooth compared to the s2000 and just as much fun to drive. The accord is nice but feels like a big boat compared to the other two cars. If gas mileage isn't too big an issue, buy the 8. I think it's superior to both. I test drove all three and liked the rx8 the best. I bought the 8 without regret.

 

How does a Civic Si have speed/handling characteristics of an S2k?

 

my old 91 FC only averaged about 20mpg, pretty much identical to what I get on my 8

unless you granny shift all the time, i have a hard time believing you got 24-27mpg on a FC...

 

you cant really compare the new si with the s2k...but heard it does handle better than the rsx-s since it has a lsd. and si sedan is supposed to come out by fall. but with the high demand, the price is not worth it.
i guess once you have tasted the wankel, cant never go back ...haha

 

Yeah, I didn't mean for it to come out like the Si is comparable. I just meant that it's got more fun to drive characteristics than a Accord. And with all that money you save you can add a lot of mods so it really doesn't make sense to go for the Accord when you're also considering an RX-8.

I guess it made sense in my head -- which isn't saying much.

 

haha...i really dont remember what i got from my 89 fc..its been like 7-8 yrs. you might be right about the mileage..couldve been only 20-25mpg. i guess looking back, the mileage was never an issue but now its something i gotta think about.
i'm pretty sure once i get to drive an 8 again, i'll be driving it home. here i come

 

Gotcha

I read that and thought..."well that's like saying a Mazda 3 has speed/handling characteristics of an RX-8"

 

Exactly what i was thinking

 

The car is great and I love it but be prepared to possibly get less then 13mpg city, there are RX-8 out there that get this bad. I have found no rhyme or reason why, you may get lucky and get 17mpg city but be prepared. Take a look in the lounge area there is a mpg poll there. Real numbers are always better then opinions.

 

The fun more than makes up for the less than stellar gas mileage. I've seen a lot of threads and noticed improvement in the RX8's gas mileage. Expect 16-21.

The RX8 is a practical better looking S2k slightly lacking in performance. The Accord coupe is practical but.. well.. just a fwd chick's car. The easiest transition, imo, from an S2k would be an RX8. My brother has a S2k and my gf had a Accord coupe v6. Live a little.

Also: your insurance will be cheaper than your S2k so it should make up some of the gas mileage discrepancy.

 

The 8 was rated most affordable to own in it's class in some comparison (Edmunds?), I forget which one though. I assume that would include the S2000 but not the accord. I guess it guzzles more gas but saves on insurance, maintenance, tires? Total cost is all that matters.

 

Wow! I had no idea the S2000 got that good of gas mileage! Very impressive. Also, comparing an RX-8 and an Accord is not really a fair comparison. They are completely different cars and completely different reasons to own each. But, I agree, they are both practical.

 

13 mpg here, most of the time. About 180 miles on a tank (13+ gal). If I were you, I would keep this number in mind. From my understanding most RX-8s give < 15 mpg in the city and about 18 mpg on the highway. There are a few "abnormal" ones out there that give the EPA estimated numbers. Guess one has to be lucky to end up with one of those.

 

i think it's the 13mpg one's that are 'abnormal'......

 

you are kidding, right?

Are you one of those privileged ones with an 8 that gets EPA numbers?

 

i'm not kidding, all the *local* RX-8 owners i personally know all get at-or-near EPA estimates, many of them are also members on this forum, they just don't say anything about it because everything's running 'to spec'

it's only those that complain constantly on the forum that makes the percentage of low mileage RX-8's *seem* to be larger than it really is.

and just to rub it in, I AVERAGE 20mpg in mixed driving

 

Congratulations on owning a 20mpg 8!!! I am happy for you.

Agree that folks who are disappointed are the ones that complain the most. This is true with any forum, not just this one. People speak up only when they have issues.

Here's what got me into believing that 13 mpg is ok. Both the mazda dealers I dealt with while shopping for mine agreed that 15 mpg is the norm. How do you explain that? Maybe there is something in the air here in So Cal

 

They don't. Average is 22-24. He must have a good one.

 

he said 29-32 on HIGHWAY, must be on long roadtrips