I kept my receipts from my Spokane to Santa Cruz trip so I will mark down my mpg. Sorry I won't be able to give the odometer reading since I didn't keep track of that at fill up. I did however have the oil changed the day before I left so I will have the milage range.

 

I kept my receipts from my Spokane to Santa Cruz trip so I will mark down my mpg. Sorry I won't be able to give the odometer reading since I didn't keep track of that at fill up. I did however have the oil changed the day before I left so I will have the milage range.

 

Just in case anybody was wondering, my post several above this was in relation to a bad mood, and not directed at anyone. Apologies. And to keep this on topic, my mileage is still getting steadily worse, though I have to really try to get under 17.

 

Hey Elara

Did you know that your screen name is also the name for one of Jupiters moons!

I know you knew that but Elara came up when I was doing the crossword the other day..okay... okay... back on topic

Have you noticed there is a trend emerging here. As our gas mileage gets worse the price of gas goes up!

I think that it is a consequence of the winter gas that we get here in Hampton roads plus the cold weather forcing us to warm our cars longer.

 

No Problem, Elara. No question the mpg issue has been beaten to death, but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that many of us have been spoiled by Hondas and Toyotas that manage 30 mpg on the open highway along with peppy performance. If you're not a rotorhead, it's takes a while accept that a 1.3L engine sucks so much more gas than say an Acura TL 3.2L cruising along at 70-75 mph.

All and all, I'm getting very close to purchasing or leasing an 8 because after looking around, I don't see any other cars in the price range that match it for looks, performance, and uniqueness. I've come to accept the mpg and other minor annoyances that had me hesitating, such as the flooding potential.

Also, I'm at peace with a couple of my more significant concerns have nothing to do with the car: finding an honest, reliable and knowledgeable mechanic in the Los Angeles area; and the EPA not allowing the 8 to "be all it can be" just to save the cat. I love my Honda mechanic to death, but I suppose there must be his Rotary equal around here somewhere.

Finally, Thanks to ZOOM8 and BERNIE for their replies to my questions. 3500 at 70 doesn't sound too bad.

 

Boot = Trunk, so it'd be something like this (thanks to brothervoodoo for the original pic)



See this thread for more info.

 

I got 17 mpg when car was new, it got worse with time, and now at 2700 miles I am getting 15 mpg. Last week it warmed up to 49F and I got 17 again. It appears all the good MPG results are being posted by people who live in warmer weather. I think we should start a new thread where we post the MPG and the ambient temperature. Just a thought

Mark

 

MEGAREDS, just wanted to say the only sense I can make from your plot is that your MPG got worse as it got colder.

Mark

 

Hi,

Turn DSC off (single push so only the "DSC Off" light is displayed) and enjoy an additional 2mpg!

I'll post my graph and results when my current tank is refilled.

Pappy.

 

I was looking for a website on Octane ratings by gas stations and didn't find that but came across this informative article on gas.

http://www.idavette.net/hib/fuel/index.htm

 

Tjo Starbucks:
The material Mazda put out showed 19.4 mph per 1,000 rpm, which works out to 3,608 at 70. Road & Track showed 3,100 at 60, which works out to 3,616 at 70. Take your pick. My automatic gets 23.5/1,000, or a relaxed 2.979. But my short test of an MT confirms the obvious; my car has nothing like the response.

 

Yes, ambient temp appears to be a major factor!

I recently completed a 2200 mile trip from st. louis to central florida where I used exactly 8 tanks of gas -- 4 outbound and 4 inbound.

I saw best mpg (20.9) in same area of the country -- Chattanooga to Valdosta (3rd tank outbound, 2nd tank inbound) where temp ranged from high 40s to low 60s.

I saw 2nd best mpg (about 19.5) in florida where temp ranged from high 60s to about 80, and A/C was on.

I saw worst mpg (17) with 7th and 8th tanks when temp ranged from low 30s to high teens.

All observations with 89 octane, non- oxygenated fuel.; 6th gear; average speed about 80mph.

 

Yes, temp may be a factor, but I've attributed declining mileage to my use of the paddle shifters. I have never considered turning off DSC and don't really see the point... I'm just too damn old I guess.

 

just to let u all know i did go to the dealer and raise hell about the mpg and the service mager called mazda and they told him that in order to get the numbers they're talking about u have to shift @ 2500rpm. i tryed it and it works, but damn who wants to do that!!!

 

I get an average 20mpg highway @ 70-85 with no redlining 93 octane shell gas
City driving i get about 14-17 93 octane shell gas

When i redline my car i get about 17-18 mpg highway with 93 octane shell gas

My last tank i redlined the car about 100 times and i got 16 mpg hihway using 93 octane.
Butr remember i ahve a lead foot and i also have 12,000 miel son my car. So i dont care about my mpg im having fun. And as soon as i hit 10,000 my mpgs started rising so teh more mile i put on teh better gas milage i get.

 

You're kidding me right? Tell me you're kidding.

 

This [shifting at 2500 rpm] MAY work as far as "in town" mileage goes, but it can not possibly have any effect at all on highway mileage, since highway driving is all at above 2500 rpm and there is no shifting involved. Note: highway mileage assumes cruising at a set speed without much varying.

 

No i'm not kidding! as far as highway miles go as long as u'r crusing and not doing 75 -80 u should be getting average mpg anyway and if u'r shifting like that on an interstate u should really rethink driving a manual tranny.

 

Bumped for another update

The temps have been down in the high twenties. I checked my oil and I now have that coffee colored deposits on my dip stick. I am changing my oil tomorrow so I will see more.

 

I just got 11.8 MPG...city diving... Agressive? Nope... Did I stay in a 'power band' where I can get outta my own way in the event of trouble..yup.

However, just to make a point... When I 'race' my S2K, keeping it 7.5-9k RPMS..non-stop... track conditions.. I get 11-12mph..otherwise its 20-24...

Doesn't this seem a bit... uhh... silly? 11-13mpg!? What are we driving, a V12 Viper?

 

amartin,
how many miles are you up to so far?

I am over 2k and it does slowly seem to be getting better. Tomorrow I am taking a 200 mile trip, country rds and will avg 55-65mph, last time I got around 18, this time ????

I did calculate a 23mpg, hwy, but do not want say it until I can repeat it. Most all of my hwy so far has been 21.

hang in there.

 

Hmm...I've been checking my oil lately as well. The color is a coffee color, is that supposed to be bad? I have about 1500 miles on the car so I haven't gotten an oil change yet. What color is it supposed to be?

 

I thiink it is nothing more than moisture from the crankcase. It does not smell like fuel or antifreeze. It has been really cold here and I will admit to taking short trips. But I am not going to go 10 miles out of my way just to run the car longer.

 

Heres a quick pic!

 

I did my trip today, gosh I love driving this car on those twisty roads, and my results are OK. I drove 65-75 with a couple bursts to 105mph and a numerous to 85-90. Temp was 35 up to 48. I have about 15-20 miles of hard driving thru the curves.

218 miles, 93 oct Chevron, used 11 gals, this is 19.89 mpg. I can live with this cause after a ticket or 2, I WILL slow down and get better economy. But in the mean time, its sports car!

I forgot to mention, I had a friend ride with me who owns a 500SL with the AWG (?) pkg. Anyways he was very impressed with the ride, performance, handling, etc. Then I let him drive it 5 mile of twisties. He couldn't stop smiling, said he could only wish his big heavy SL could even be near this sweet.