Beodude

iTrader: (3)

Okay... So I'm kind of curious about this. I'm always reading on here how people cry about gas mileage on the 8. They want it to be better, etc. It's almost like they didn't read what the car was about when they got it. Don't get me wrong, I kind of wish that the mileage was better too, but for what the car offers, I don't think there is any reason to question the negatives of it.


I have never experienced a car so nimble, so responsive, so communicative, and so easy to drive. The car was designed around the rotary engine. Anything else, and I honestly don't think they could have done what they did, with everything. It really goes to show you how much Mazda put into this car. It outclasses everything in it's class, except in power. There is nothing that can drive like this car, within $30,000, plain and simple.

So why cry about gas mileage? Enjoy the car for what it is. Just like any human, it has it's faults. But I think the strengths of the car far outweigh the negatives. But that could just be me still moonlighting with the car... Hahah Ask me again in six months. Either way, I find it an incredibly pleasurable car to drive, even in a DD situation.

Twiztog43

iTrader: (15)

well here in cali, gas is slowly creeping up the $4 mark

but you are right, the car is designed handle very well and does have its strengths. but if everyone tried to "enjoy a car for what it is" then there wouldnt be that many "happy" car owners out there... just like you said... "it has its faults" and certain things could have been better, regardless of the many positives it has.

but then again, not everyone uses the car for what it is all the time. most of us do spirited runs, track, autox with our cars, but there is still a large group that uses this car mainly for commuting and or daily driving as well. the rising gas prices dont help the situation either, considering we "should" use premium. and at that point, it would be very difficult to enjoy a car knowing how much more your going to spend

TsM

...because sports car or not, the gas mileage sucks. People need to stop thinking this car is gods gift and realize it has downsides too. For example, if the gas mileage is this bad, why isn't there a bigger gas tank? Mazda isn't perfect. It's a sweet car, but torque of a four banger, horsepower of a V6, and gas mileage of a V8 really makes me cringe.

boost135

I think it's a bit ridiculous to be down on the 8 so much for fuel mileage too. Let's take a 2008 350z vs. 2008 RX-8 on mileage. The rated EPA figure for combined mileage is 2 MPG better for the Nissan. That difference barely saves the Z driver more than $20 per month at 15k miles per year. $20 more in a market for sports cars.

My other car, a Golf TDI, gets much better mileage than the EPA rates it because of an admitted miscalculation for diesel fuel economy on the EPA's part. But that's neither here nor there. The Golf is supposed to be an economy car, and that it does well even with the underated 38 MPG figure.

Now if someone purchased a Nissan Sentra for their economy car in the 2000 model year, their combined rating is twelve MPG less, or almost 32% worse than the VW. Many consumers bought Sentras purely for economic reasons and I don't think their friends, family and forum trolls are calling them out for making a poor decision, even though they made one that costs them, taking all into account at today's rates, about $450 more in fuel costs per year.

Having said all that, I just returned from Glendora Mountain Road near LA, and I dont regret the fuel costs of my 8 one bit after a drive with hundreds of sharp turns. The car sure does have its strengths.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Because the car is actively advertised as having a 1.3L engine. You expect great mileage out of a car with that small of an engine.

StuttgartRX8

I never really complain about and I pay about $8 a gallon right now and have been for the last 5 years.

Jacob6875

Because.......... the car is rated at 16 city 24 highway MPG. So it should be getting around 20mpg average for most people and there are many users on this forum that don't get it. I get it probably because I live in Illinois (0 hills) and a lot of the driving I do is on the highway.

ken-x8

As participants in a web forum, it is our right (even obligation) to complain. There are so few downsides to this gift that there just isn't much else to complain about. We work with what we have.

Ken

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Meh, even if I payed less for gas I would just spend the difference on some other BS. If fuel economy was a concern I would have bought a Yaris.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

words in BOLD is the problem. most people have NO idea what Rotary engine is, they just "oh he/she said" or "oh I heard blah blah blah"

and most of the time these people came straight from driving a Civic or Geo Metro as their DD, of course they will notice the MPG drop. but hey they never thought about they are driving a god damn sports car, not their beater, then they start crying about it.

chino0314

iTrader: (12)

this one!!! i complain because i can.... lol still wont change the car for anything else...

Speed_8

complaining is in our nature, and i'll do it again if I have to lol , cause yes the fuel sucks on the car. However you can make life adjustments to compensate, buy 5 less starbucks coffees and there half a tank already ect... but at the end I honestly do not care, if something is awesome, well it does not come free.

Beodude

iTrader: (3)

I was thinking about it the other day, and I kind of likened the RX-8 to Linux. Both take a bit more work to use, and you have to understand how things are a bit more than Windows or piston cars. But everybody speaks so highly of them. I haven't used Linux, but I've always heard good things.

I know, it's a lame comparison, but I thought it was kind of funny.





I can understand why people are frustrated with the different mileage ranges. Seems like most people get about 15 or 16. Granted, to get the figure published, you have to drive like a grandma.

Speed_8

lol thats a good comparison , I had to learn linux at work and its awesome, but a pain in the *** when it comes to scripting, just like the rx8 sometimes a pain to maintain but awesome when you do it properly

pistonhater

But as you know, it's really not a 1.3

Damn! And I thought my $3.50 a gallon was bad

jasonrxeight

heres the thing. most people buy sports cars think if it drinks a lotta gas, it better makes a lotta power. our tiny little rotary with that 16MPG average is almost as close as some of the 400HP V8's, so naturally people would complain about it.

stinksause

iTrader: (5)

that's retarded ... average mpg and max power have almost ZERO correlation .... if you are making max power ALL THE TIME you won't even get 5 mpg ... I don't care what car you drive


EXAMPLE: http://www.hondamarketplace.com/show....php?t=2699294

btw .... 68 vs 54 is a 25% difference

we complain when we get 16 and should be getting 20 ... guess what ... that is also a 25% difference

jasonrxeight

yes I know, but when I say average is under normal driving condition.

stinksause

iTrader: (5)

^ I didn't buy an rx8 to drive normally ... did you?


EDIT: sorry if I come off like an A-Hole. mpg threads seriously **** me off sometimes

Beodude

iTrader: (3)

I know I sure as hell didn't. What's the point? I have a Pontiac G6 for that. Hahaa

unknown__Disciple

iTrader: (1)

i dont mind the gas sucky gas mileage...what i do mind is the rising price on gas!!! 20 bucks doesn't even put my tank halfway. i remember a couple of months ago that would fill my 8 up to 3/4 of my tank.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

raising gas prices affect everyone who drives or pays property bills. If you're so concerned about mileage in the 8, get another car.
Wouldn't you know, it actually IS that simple!
The only thing I complained about when buying this car is that I wouldn't be able to drive it all year round. So, I bought a truck, because I have the freedom to do so.
Instead of complaining, do something about it.
Yes, it IS that simple.

STL05

I average 13mpg in Kansas city where premium is 3.24. My m3 gets 18 and my huge v8 M5 gets 21 I look at it as paying for a experience gas is gas.
5

jasonrxeight

dont get me wrong Im not saying that, but making it sound like only rx8 drivers drive their machines hard doesnt make having a 16mpg average reasonable.
of course sports cars should drink more gas than ecoboxes. however no one wants to say I want a car that does 1 MPG with only 100 HP.

tonyG

man.... and to think i see the rx8 as almost hybrid like with its gas mileage.... hahahah idk how people cry about the gas mileage... maybe because 11.5 mpg on my truck makes 15-20 mpg seem amazing to me and where i live gas is creeping up to 4$ too