rx8wannahave

LOL, I know I’m a little extreme with my emotions at times…LOL, but 2 over a week are significant enough for me.

15 mpg @ 15 gallons = 225 miles
17 mpg @ 15 gallons = 255 miles

I’ll TAKE IT…LOL, with those extra 30 in the week I might even be able to get a slurpy…LOL



Hey, it's my concern for the moment that's all. That is where you are wrong I’ll be obsessed with the twist and turns mainly. I think I’m going to get the 8 regardless just to spite you…LOL, just kidding that’s just a side bonus…LOL, I value your thoughts really I do…

spork

Yeah I agree. You obviously want the car so you should just get it. But I can't really say that all reason went out the window. I thought that the car was getting relatively low mileage at 18/24 but I was unpleasantly surprised by the 15/21. If I knew from the start that it'd get 15/21 I might've reconsidered getting this car.

As it is now though, I'm still in the love stage. Hoping that'll last for a long time, though my big fear is once I have it for a while, I won't be so infatuated by it and hate the car for guzzling gas like it does. 3 mpg is quite a bit. I was hoping to get 18-20mpg not the 15ish. That does suck up a lot of money considering I'm paying over $2.50 per gallon. And it's depressing when your friends with sports cars say "yeah, I don't get great mileage. I only get around 20-21 mpg." Heh.

G8rboy

While they're bragging, just rev yours to 9000rpm until you drown them out... and say... "Wazzat? I didn't hear you over my jet engine... " :D

Howard

Well I do own an RX8. I drive it in town. I love the car but I get 13 mpg or less. There are others in this situation who are also disappointed with this. Mazda has a problem. They will eventually have to find a solution or they will loose sales. Many of these low mileage owners will not purchase RX8s again. Potential buyers will reconsider if it continues to be a problem. If you don't have an issue with the mileage then why not just stay out of the discussion and let those who do hash it out. I am not sure what I will do but if I can ever get this thing into be serviced I'll decide after. I have tried to get it checked out three times with no success but they are promising they will check it out. I am on a fixed income and the milage does matter to me. I sold my Bonnelville because it got this kind of milage. I did not buy the RX8 because of the EPA ratings but it was a factor in my decision. By the way I am sure that you all know that this forum probably represents the enthusiasts and that the majority of RX8 owners aren't represented here. Will they be as forgiving?

RXLogic

To sort things out a bit, it seems like there several different topics that keep getting intertwined to no particular purpose:

First, it seems that there is some history of RX8s getting nowhere near the stated mileage. It seems to me that this problem was largely addressed by reprogramming the PCM. Since the problem wasn't there when EPA did their milage ratings, it seems like there was a bug in the J or K or whatever version the RX8 was originally shipped with. If there is another prblem, it seems to be assocated with cars sold in 2003.

Second, the EPA mileage ratings are standardized. This means they assume that the RX8 will be driven like a minvan. Therefore, if you drive your RX8 like a minivan, you should expect to get EPA mileage ratings. If you don't, then you won't.

Third, the RX8 gets very good gas mileage relative to other new model rotary powered sports cars on the market. In fact, it is the best. It is also the worst. If my wife's Honda hybrid is sitting in the garage, and I am going into city traffic, I take that because I'm not going to have enough fun to justify the expense of the extra gas.

Howard

I bought mine in 2004 and like many others who have the most recent flash it has not solved the problem.

If it were just the EPA ratings that showed it should be getting better milage that would be on thing. However most of the owners get good milage however they drive their vehicle.

I was under the impression that the only rotary currently sold in the US is the RX8.

RXLogic I believe your logic is faulty.

quack_p

Yes, that would be productive. New rule: Only comments from people who share your point of view.

Howard

This issue is not going away. There are multiple threads in fact too many on the issue. I don't think it is fare for some members to tell others whether they should be discussing it or not or to just drop it. It would be better if all the threads could be combined into one and maybe their should be topic for just gas milage or just problems or something like that.

RXLogic

I did leave open the possibility that there is a remaining problem that the M flash didn't solve -- and if you are still getting 13 mpg it seems that there is. I have seen other posters claim that their mileage improved after running the rpm up the redline. Have you tried that? Maybe those extra ports are stuck open, and you need to tell the PCM to open them to get them closed.

As for the RX8 being the only rotary on the market -- yeah, that's how it can be the best and worst at the same time.

Howard

Hey I guess I misunderstood or maybe just can't read. I have redlined it a few times. Well maybe 6-10.

quack_p

I agree. Did you read what you wrote: "If you don't have an issue with the mileage then why not just stay out of the discussion and let those who do hash it out."

G8rboy

I assume this was directed at me... and I want to reiterate that I completely agree that if you're getting 13mpg no matter how you drive, than that /is/ an issue. I've only been trying to raise the signal-to-noise ratio by clarifying that your case and others are issues, and certain posters need to stop going on and on about how they hope they'll get 18, but if they don't get 18 then the world is going to end. Those are non-issues and are clouding the bigger issue that you and the thread starter have.

I personally don't care about my fuel economy from a financial standpoint (or blaming Mazda for anything), but do track it for a measuring stick of the motor's health... particulary large deltas over short periods of time. If I was getting 13 no matter how I drove, I would be concerned that my plugs were fouled, coils were screwed up, MAF, IAT or O2 sensors were wacky, or my cat was clogged. Hope you get yours resolved...

Howard

G8Rboy thank you for your last post. I was not aiming my comeents at anyone in particular but there have ben several threads and I believe another ongoing one where some have more or less said that the issue needs to be dropped.

rx8wannahave

You see, you have the story backwards. The angel is telling me to be faithful because he knows I really love the car and GOD does grant us many WANTS in life. So, he knows it would make me happy and he reminds me to be faithful that I wont be complaining about the mileage and to be faithful that I can get 17/23.

The little devil knows I love the car so he wants nothing that will make me smile and only what will disappoint or make me sad.

Angel, good (Rational but wants me to be happy)
Devil, bad (Wants to trap me in disappointment and sadness…:0(…)

Since I’m trying to make a wise $20,000+ decision I have to take all factors into account. I loved the RX7 but I could never get one and this time around the RX has 2+2 seating, 2 extra little doors, and looks HOT…this is why it’s my favorite (affordable) car. Do I care about fuel consumption…yes, because I am an auto enthusiast and I always go for the “Bang for the buck”. So, I look at everything about a car and do not let one thing or the other blind me from the facts.

This is how I feel, if a G35 can hit (while I hear it tends to sip some gas too) 20mpg and the 8 gets 15…then the 8 will lose some of it’s bang for the buck factor. I tend to be a little impulsive (my first two cars had over 100,000 (mainly for money reasons, but I could have and should have waited)) so I come here to talk to you about what concerns me about the car. The 8 is a great car and it beats everything it has been compared to (G35, Mustang Cobra, S2000, R32, 350Z) but I can’t argue the great things about the car but I can discuss the few negative ones.

Note: I’ll bet if I get it my concerns will probably shift or at least calm down a bit.

That is my fear also, I aint rich or something so I want to keep the car for 7-10 years in a LOVE relationship not an estranged marriage. I want to wink at it as I walk away and not be caught cheating on her with a secret love affair with another car during those years. I really love the RX8 (I can’t stress enough that I do not think 13mpg is the norm and those who get that have a problem car) and I want it to love me back. I don’t’ want to be the RX8’s sugar daddy buying it oil and gas as if she is a diva or something. I WANT TO LOVE HER AND BE LOVED!!!

Note: Oil is rally a non issue, I just thought I’d put that in there to complete my sentence…my issues for the record are:

FUEL ECONOMY
RENESIS RELIABLITY (This one is almost a dead topic to me cause I keep hearing that if you take care of it, it will take care of you)

Yes, which means they will kill it like they killed the RX7 and we wont see improvements on the Renesis or the RX8. I want it to live dang it…LIVE….

?

Neither am I, I’m not just considering EPA numbers. I have researched, as you guys/gals that have seen my spreadsheet can testify to, the HECK out of all the possible cars out there. Again, I’m planing on keeping my first ever NEWish/NEW car for 7-10 years and spend over $20,000 so I am going to take all things about all the cars I’ve looked at into contention.


Mainly true, it seems most of the car owners complaining have either not had the M flash or are early build cars. Again, I agree and I think these cars getting these low numbers have problems that cause the low fuel economy.

Minivan is such an ugly word. I still have not gone to the EPA site to see how they test their cars but I don’t think they test it as if you drive it like a…mini…mini…van. Maybe the EPA should have a system were sports cars are taken higher up in the REV range than other “normal” cars to take into account the spirited driving their owners do. “EPA Sports Rateing”


LOL, I get what he is trying to say…more love people…more love


Not as long as I am worried about it…LOL, per GR8…LOL

Me too!

.

I assume this was directed at me. LOL so let me say, blah blah blah blah fuel economy blah blah blah mpg blah blah blah. Furthermore, blah blah blah 17mpg blah blah Mazda blah blah blah. BLAH, blah blah GR8 blah blah EPA.

This is what you read when you read my stuff…LOL, Little Fidel…please let me share my concern with others. Please let me talk about the only main issue that could change my mind from getting the 8. I mainly look for encouragement from you guys with getting the RX8. I mainly look at the owners of the car to share with me what they think, for that I thank you…but your communist ways tend to hurt my feelings. LOL…blah blah MPG

Which is, enlighten me my dear boy…what are my main issues?

That’s great GR8! I’m glad that GOD has blessed you with a good financial pocket, but not all of us share that with you. Maybe its just me, maybe I’m just too poor for the RX8…is the RX8 a rich or well of person’s car? I thought I could get it…maybe I should just go buy the Scion tC and cry for the next 7-10. But, I’m just messing…I am glad that you and all those who got a lot of money have it.


If I was getting 13 no matter how I drove, I would be concerned that my plugs were fouled, coils were screwed up, MAF, IAT or O2 sensors were wacky, or my cat was clogged. Hope you get yours resolved...

Concern is what we are talking about…that’s all, sharing our concern…

Howard

I just got a message from my service department that they are taking my car in for the rusty rotors on the 30th. They will keep it for 2 days for that. Why I don't know. They said they will check the gas milage issue out after that. I just checked my most recent fillup and I got 10 mpg. It has been 5 weeks since I originally contacted the service department about this isssue and it will be 2 more weeks before they check it out. Have had the car in twice and both times told there was no technician available. That is after they made the appointment. Bummer.

rx8wannahave

Howard,

Im sorry about your experiances...that sucks man, if you make an appointment then THEY BETTER KEEP IT...remember that Seinfield episode?

10Mpg...OUCH!!!!! So sorry to hear that, keep me...us, updated!!!

GOOD LUCK!

Howard

I don't remember that epsisode or missed it. What happened?

rx8wannahave

LOL...

He went to rent a car and he called in first to reserve the car. He setup the car rental over the phone and then went to pick it up. When he got there they told him they did not have a car to rent to him...

"So, he said you know how to TAKE the reservation...but you don't know how to HOLD the reservation...anyone can just take them...so on and so on..."

Old Rotor

I'm sorry some are having mpg problems, not me. This is my seventh rotary since '71 and they just keep geting beter. I have the auto and just had the 15k service with a new air filter. I filled it up til I could see gas in the neck drove it on the freeway, pulled over and filled it the same way and got 29.33mpg. Now this I only do every three months or so to see how much it's improved. It is just to hard to sit in that 8 with the cruse on in the slow lane for hours. I normally get 19 to 22mpg and have got as low as 16.5 mostly city. I keep the tire pressure at 34psi..

whosyourbaba

i am going to take mine as well to check on gas mileage since i need an alignment anyways, but thats in like 2 weeks when i finish with my finals. keep us updated what the techs say.

on the side note, at least u dont have the smelly car in the seinfield episode.

rx8wannahave

LOL....'The BEAST"

RX8EHCT

We bought our RX8 Nov. 1, 2003. Throughout last winter mileage was awful - 13 mpg. Also, we drove it very little. Once the weather improved and we started putting on some miles, mileage improved drastically very quickly. Now averaging consistently 18 - 21 mpg mostly town, little highway, with almost 9000 miles on the car. Have had some cold weather this year and mileage hasn't crashed, yet, although expecting a downturn.

We had the problem with the foamy oil last winter, but it cleared up. We're thinking the cold may cause this problem again. Any experiences with this so far from really cold weather states?

G8rboy

Not sure where you live, but the winterized fuel used here in Illinois had a measurable effect on fuel economy for me last year... not as drastic as your example though. Engine break-in also hurts mpg in the first 1k miles or so until the seals wear in.

The foamy/milky dipstick hasn't hit me yet this year, but I had it when the weather turned really cold last year and I only drove it to work and back. A nice long highway drive cleared it up last year... it's just a combo of cold temps, condensation and short trips that don't let the engine get and stay at operating temp for a while.

rjenk

Not all true...I had an 8 purchased in late '03 that I stayed on the dealership about the poor mileage and I made sure to rush out and get the latest ECU updates in order to hopefully increase the mileage. My AT would get 13-14 no matter how I drove it. The best it ever got was on a long highway trip and it topped out at 21...unfortunately I never saw that again. After less than a year of ownership, I traded for a Z. The 8 was my first experience with a Mazda and probably my last.

Like others have stated, I know mileage is determined by EPA but when Mazda touts the Renesis as the best mileage rotary they have ever had...it makes for some unhappy owners expecially when you get little more than and form letter from Mazda when discussing the issue or you get blown off by the dealership... "Must be the way you drive" or "try a different type of gas".

You know, I really wanted to love my 8, but between the mileage issue and some other problems, I ended up really hating it...thus the trade. It's great that the majority of drivers get near or at posted EPA numbers, but there is a large enough group of owners that don't that should not be discounted by Mazda or those that do get the numbers. To be completely honest, I am surprised that we have not seen class-action against Mazda on the problem (even thought numbers are from EPA -- for those ready to jump in saying it's not Mazda's fault).

TyrellCorpNexus8

What mileage are you getting with your Z? And are you getting feathering on the front tires?