Oil Expense
 

Hi all, I'm about to buy a rx-8 and love all that i've seen so far. My only questions left is about oil and upkeep expenses. For all of you that already own this amazing car, what kind of oil costs are you incurring. Any other kind of unusual maintanence going on? My final question before I lay down the dough for this SWEET rocket.

Based on my experience and what I can tell of others here AND how hard you drive the car, plan on adding 1-2 quarts between oil changes (assuming an oil change every 5000 miles).


Edit: I meant to say "AND depending on how hard you drive the car"

Since oil costs about $2 a quart, I don't think it's going to be any kind of major cost for this car. Unless you're REALLY stingy.

It is less than 1 qt of oil per change for me. I am changing at 2500 miles now.

Pay for one, one for free, pay for one, one for free

I'm at 2600 miles and I drive pretty conservatively, shifting at between 3500 and 4000 rpm, mostly on the freeway. To be sure, I like to push it through its paces every once in a while on every tank, shifting at beyond 6000 rpm. I'm averaging mostly 20.5 mpg (once I got 18.6 mpg when I pushed my 8 more times than usual). Finally, my oil gauge is exactly where it was when I bought my car 2.5 weeks ago- a few notches above the center point. Even the dipstick shows I'm still down the middle in the acceptable range. So I'm nearing my first genuine oil change (3000 miles) and looks like I won't even need to add any oil at all to top off. When I first got my 8, based on the reports from many people on this forum, I thought for sure I'd have to top off a few times between oil changes. Looks like it really does depend on the way you drive your 8.

Oil is $1.19/qt. I'm at around 2600 miles, and I've added 1 qt. total so far (1/2 at around 1000 miles, 1/2 at around 2200 miles).

[QUOTE]Originally posted by shift_zoom8
I'm at 2600 miles and I drive pretty conservatively, shifting at between 3500 and 4000 rpm, mostly on the freeway. To be sure, I like to push it through its paces every once in a while on every tank, shifting at beyond 6000 rpm. I'm averaging mostly 20.5 mpg (once I got 18.6 mpg when I pushed my 8 more times than usual). Finally, my oil gauge is exactly where it was when I bought my car 2.5 weeks ago- a few notches above the center point. Even the dipstick shows I'm still down the middle in the acceptable range. So I'm nearing my first genuine oil change (3000 miles) and looks like I won't even need to add any oil at all to top off. When I first got my 8, based on the reports from many people on this forum, I thought for sure I'd have to top off a few times between oil changes. Looks like it really does depend on the way you drive your 8. [/

Don't judge your oil level by the "oil guage" on the dash. This gauge simply indicates if you have oil pressure or not. It will always be just past the center if you have pressure, and all the way down if you don't. It has nothing to do with your actual oil level.QUOTE]

I've got about 2700 miles on mine now. To date, I've added about 2 qts. of oil. The dip stick is a little deceiving. On one occasion, I notice intermittent "oil light" flashes while on the highway running around 70-80 mph. When I checked the oil, the level was about halfway between the full and low marks. I checked the owner's manual because I was under the impression that between the marks represented 1 qt. NOT so, it's 1.8 qts. So, when the oil is midway between the two marks, you about 1 qt. low. I drive mine pretty hard...love to get to 9k in 1st and 2nd whenever traffic and cops permit. I've only seen 20mpg once while on a highway trip and average in the low 17s. I guess that's to be expected given my driving habits..."hurts my motor to go so slow"!

Re: Oil Expense
 

If your concerned with costs I'd check into what insurance is going to run you each month rather than what you'll spend on oil. Budget $50 a year for oil and at least $1500 a year on insurance depending on your age, location, driving record. etc...

$$$1500 a year!!!! HA I live in New Jersey!!!!!! Thanks for all the help though people. Much apprceiated.