For those who care less about MPG
02-21-2004, 06:05 PM
#26
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I've ridden with eXentric a few times in his RX-8. He says that he only gets about 14 or 15mpg. From riding with him I can tell you that he has his foot in it way more than he needs to. The car is just so damn fun that it is hard not to. Him driving regular is like my little Civic when floored, not that that is all that quick or anything but you get the point. He could be driving slower (and still be ahead of the traffic!) and get better gas mileage but having fun in the car you bought to have fun in is sometimes just more important. Judge a car by what it is and not by what it's competition is. The freedom of choice was originally there!
02-22-2004, 12:27 AM
#27
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I totally agree with rotarygod, also does anyone know if this was a problem with the RX-7's. The 8 is a sports car, and also you compare a rotary engine to engines with clynders and pistons, It's a bit of a different setup. Maybe Mazda has the fuel jetting set too high for what the 8 really needs, it could be a number of issues. But I've owned my 8 for a whole 4 days now. I've filled it up 2 on the first 2 days, and haven't filled it up since and I have like 430, 440 miles on. As long as there is no major problems with the 8 I really don't care what kind of milage it gets, it's just too damn fun to drive.
02-22-2004, 08:32 AM
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Originally posted by shams42
I am a new member but I've been lurking here for the past 2-3 months. I'm thinking about picking up an RX-8 when I finish graduate school.
The economy issue bothers me. I read the arguments that it's a sports car, expect bad mileage, etc.
One point that nobody brings up is that the RX-8 may be a sports car, but 238 hp /159 lb-ft isn't exactly a lot these days. The Accord V6 makes more!
With that kind of mileage in a new car, I'd expect 350-400 horsepower. The GM LS-1 motor makes a crapload more horsepower that the Renesis, has a *much* bigger displacement, and gets far better fuel mileage.
I would expect the RX-8 to get mpg roughly equivalent to other cars in the 240 hp range. It doesn't.
For those of you who are happy with the mileage issue, I'm really glad that it doesn't bother you. I have not driven this car yet. I'm sure that its fun factor compensates for its problems.
I for one don't want to have to refill 3 times per week again. I had to deal with that in my old mustang, and it really cut into the fun factor of the car.
I hope that the 2005 RX-8 can either have more horsepower proportional to its fuel economy, or can have fuel economy proportional to its horsepower. Or more of both.
I don't know if the mileage issue would keep me from buying the car or not. I still *love* the things. But it does give me pause. There are a lot of fantastic cars out there in the $30k range.
Matt
Edit: Spelling
I am a new member but I've been lurking here for the past 2-3 months. I'm thinking about picking up an RX-8 when I finish graduate school.
The economy issue bothers me. I read the arguments that it's a sports car, expect bad mileage, etc.
One point that nobody brings up is that the RX-8 may be a sports car, but 238 hp /159 lb-ft isn't exactly a lot these days. The Accord V6 makes more!
With that kind of mileage in a new car, I'd expect 350-400 horsepower. The GM LS-1 motor makes a crapload more horsepower that the Renesis, has a *much* bigger displacement, and gets far better fuel mileage.
I would expect the RX-8 to get mpg roughly equivalent to other cars in the 240 hp range. It doesn't.
For those of you who are happy with the mileage issue, I'm really glad that it doesn't bother you. I have not driven this car yet. I'm sure that its fun factor compensates for its problems.
I for one don't want to have to refill 3 times per week again. I had to deal with that in my old mustang, and it really cut into the fun factor of the car.
I hope that the 2005 RX-8 can either have more horsepower proportional to its fuel economy, or can have fuel economy proportional to its horsepower. Or more of both.
I don't know if the mileage issue would keep me from buying the car or not. I still *love* the things. But it does give me pause. There are a lot of fantastic cars out there in the $30k range.
Matt
Edit: Spelling
Matt- reading what you wrote, and what your expectations are, I really think you might be happier with a muscle car. And I'm not being nasty, or anything like that-however, you really don't seem like a good candidate for the car, since you seem very worried about hp and torque. Do some more reading on the forum for a while, and do some research on rotaries. If you can honestly still say the above after reading this forum for months, and, I assume, reading what all of us think about the car, I can promise you, the car is not for you.
02-22-2004, 08:45 AM
#29
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i3man, didja check the passenger seat for that rattle? If it's not the seat it's self, then look to see if anyone is sitting in it and tell them to stop making that noise because it's bugging you!
02-22-2004, 08:46 AM
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Also wrt Matt's post - I can identify with your perspective. I finished B school a few years back and immediately paid my dues with a loaded Honda Acoord for the same economy and fuel issues. I had and still have sizeable school debt that comes knocking on my door every month and that was my reason for doing what I did. But I said the heck with it. At some point I knew that I deserved this so I took the leap. Have not regretted it one moment and the car has performed wonderfully.
02-22-2004, 09:25 AM
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It's a fact that most of us knew about the worse fuel economy of rotaries compared to an equivalent reciprocating engine. I guess it's due to the shape of the combustion chamber and the ability to rev higher.
I like my new RX8 very much. However, as an engine engineer, I'm also annoyed by the low MPG figures I got with my Low Power MT5. It's on a par with a 265ps 400N.m Audi S4 twin turbo V6. I want to know why it is so. Indeed I can more easily accept things I do understand fully.
And at a later date, after break in, I might look into trying to increase FE. I have two cards in my sleeve but first I need to know a bit more about rotary technology in order not to screw up. Some people in this forum seem very very litterate about rotatries.
I will also try to forget the FE issue and enjoy the car as it is.
I like my new RX8 very much. However, as an engine engineer, I'm also annoyed by the low MPG figures I got with my Low Power MT5. It's on a par with a 265ps 400N.m Audi S4 twin turbo V6. I want to know why it is so. Indeed I can more easily accept things I do understand fully.
And at a later date, after break in, I might look into trying to increase FE. I have two cards in my sleeve but first I need to know a bit more about rotary technology in order not to screw up. Some people in this forum seem very very litterate about rotatries.
I will also try to forget the FE issue and enjoy the car as it is.
02-22-2004, 04:01 PM
#32
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Originally posted by Elara
If you can honestly still say the above after reading this forum for months, and, I assume, reading what all of us think about the car, I can promise you, the car is not for you.
If you can honestly still say the above after reading this forum for months, and, I assume, reading what all of us think about the car, I can promise you, the car is not for you.
I haven't test driven the car yet, so I don't know how I'll like it. I am used the the high HP / high TQ of the mustang that I used to own, so the RX-8 will probably feel kind of weak there. I'm expecting the styling, handling, and fun factor to make up for that. At the end of the day, it's not about who has the most horsepower -- it's about who has the most fun driving. And based on what I've read here, the RX-8 is very good in that department.
I'd be really happy with the HP, if the mileage was a little better. It just bothers me on an engineering level. If a piston engine is more powerful, more efficient, and less polluting than a comparable rotary, what is the attraction of the rotary? It is size? Is it weight? Please don't flame me for saying this, I'm not trying to start any holy wars. The RX-8 is my first exposure to a rotary vehicle.
On the flip side, rotary engines are just plain cool.
Having said that, I am also considering the new generation mustang, especially if you can get IRS on the GT. Some of us are still hoping that Ford will offer it as an option in 2006.
Thanks for the advice,
Matt
02-22-2004, 04:39 PM
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Originally posted by fxdsconv2000
I get an adverage 17-18 with mixed highway and city driving. When I do mostly highway I get 23-24.
I get an adverage 17-18 with mixed highway and city driving. When I do mostly highway I get 23-24.
That really is NOT bad real world mileage. The guys getting 12MPG are a bit worrying though.
02-27-2004, 09:34 AM
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I absolutely love my car, and to tell you the truth I haven't paid attention to the gas mileage I've been getting. Although I've put about 800 miles on my car so far in 9 days and I've filled up from a 1/4 tank once, and 1/2 a tank 3 times so I guess I'm doing okay. Then again most of my driving is highway miles
08-20-2008, 12:50 PM
#35
I agree. Personally I am happy with the car and do not wish to waste time in my life worrying about saving a few more pennies on gas.
I do wish the car had a little larger gas tank tho :p
I don't care how much I pay when I fill up, I just don't want to have to do it more than once a week
I do wish the car had a little larger gas tank tho :p
I don't care how much I pay when I fill up, I just don't want to have to do it more than once a week
What Fan said. I use mine as my daily driver, about 70 miles there and back, plus I drive it whenever possible on the weekends. Less than 6 months old and over 11k on it, and I am so tired of getting gas two to three times a week. I know a bigger gas tank would add weight and throw off the 50/50 weight distribution, but the constant refills is old. When everything is said and done though, I still drive spirited with the rpms always over 5k and available for the quick darts, unless I'm totally cruising in very light traffic. So, as much as I despise the constant fill ups, I am not willing to try to lessen my number of fill ups per week by driving granny style. FWIW, my last tank was just under 15 mpg, and that is very typical. I typically get about 200 miles per tank, so with 11k miles, that's been about 55 tanks since 8/25/03. 55/26=2.2 fills per week. Sucks, but I am not going to change my driving style.
08-20-2008, 01:49 PM
#36
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I'm definately NOT a mild-mannered driver and that is not just the RX-8 bringing it out.
I drive the same now as I did with all the various car combinations I've had.
That said, the fact that my monthly fuel costs have DOUBLED is a bit troubling. It will be more of a problem when gas prices reach the $2.25 to $2.75 per gallon range this summer.
I'll actually have to drive one of my other gas-guzzling cars to keep my fuel costs down!
I drive the same now as I did with all the various car combinations I've had.
That said, the fact that my monthly fuel costs have DOUBLED is a bit troubling. It will be more of a problem when gas prices reach the $2.25 to $2.75 per gallon range this summer.
I'll actually have to drive one of my other gas-guzzling cars to keep my fuel costs down!
08-20-2008, 02:35 PM
#38
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http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test
08-20-2008, 10:06 PM
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08-20-2008, 10:37 PM
#41
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I'm with ya Mrdave,
I've gotten used to the whole low MPG thing, although it hurts my wallet, enjoying the drive is all that matters=>true enthusiest.
If gas "ever" comes down to backinthedays dollar something, I'd probrably spend about the same amount on gas as right now, 4x the driving
I've gotten used to the whole low MPG thing, although it hurts my wallet, enjoying the drive is all that matters=>true enthusiest.
If gas "ever" comes down to backinthedays dollar something, I'd probrably spend about the same amount on gas as right now, 4x the driving
08-20-2008, 11:23 PM
#42
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