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Mazda RX-8 Gas Mileage Reports

91 messages,  Last post on Feb 13, 2009 at 9:37 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda RX-8, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

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#79 of 91 rx8 vs 350Z by mdw1000 Jul 18, 2007 (9:20 am)
The Z has more power, the 8 has a better ride and a back seat. I haven't driven a Z, but I'm guessing the 8 feels much more agile due to a lower "polar moment of yaw" as one of the brochures puts it. Basically the engine is further away from the front end of the car, so it is easier to rotate.   The fuel economy/power output ratio of the 8 isn't that great, but the rotary engine has other benefits - smaller, lighter weight, etc. Plus you can rev it a lot without worrying about reducing its life, unlike a piston engine. Rotaries are designed to rev, in fact it is good for them. Replies to this message: trispec (Jul 24, 2007 3:12 am) mdw1000 (Jul 24, 2007 10:17 pm)
#80 of 91 Re: rx8 vs 350Z [mdw1000] by trispec Jul 24, 2007 (3:12 am)
Replying to: mdw1000 (Jul 18, 2007 9:20 am) My MPG has improved 20% since I bought my RX-8 AT new. After 30K I now get 17MPG in the city where a year ago I was getting 14MPG in the city. The first few months of ownership I was only getting 13MPG.   As for revving, there seems to be a quicker and smoother rise right up to the 7500 red line beep. It took at least a year before the full auto mode would reach red line to set off the beeper. It was a huge surprise the day it happened.   As for the 350Z's ride, I use to drive a consultant back to his hotel from work here in Boston. He owned a fully tricked out 350Z back in Arizona where he lived. Of my RX-8 AT he was very impressed with the rides ability to handle Boston's horrible streets. He concluded one would never be able to drive a 350Z in Boston without getting a severe back ache. He also said that he'd taken his 350Z on the track and averaged only 6MPG. Replies to this message: mdw1000 (Jul 24, 2007 10:17 pm)
#81 of 91 Re: rx8 vs 350Z [trispec] by mdw1000 Jul 24, 2007 (10:17 pm)
Replying to: trispec (Jul 24, 2007 3:12 am) Interesting. I know there is a saying that "a rotary's fastest lap is it's last lap." Apparently they have a reputation for getting better as they age.
#82 of 91 Re: The new federal millage rating system [trispec] by avelectro Jun 12, 2008 (12:59 pm)
Replying to: trispec (Jun 04, 2007 5:49 pm) My 2007 AT RX-8's best mileage was its latest fillup, 303 miles took 11.2 gallons = 27 mpg. This was from a daily commute of 30% suburban 10% urban and 60% traffic-jammed highway. The car just turned 7000 miles and has been averaging 25 mpg on this same commute, but I recently changed the engine oil from 15W-50 to 5W-40 which feels noticeably better (peppier). I keep the tires at 40 psi but that doesn't explain why my mpg numbers are so much higher than the EPA numbers. I do avoid tailgating so in bumper-to-bumper highway traffic I am leaving a deacceleration cushion space ahead of my car whereas most drivers seem to be constantly riding their brakes. I am sure this practice helps alot since I am using the paddle shifters to slow down and I think the fuel computer shuts off the fuel injection during engine braking. Also, the AT drops into 6th between 40 & 45 mph and is geared so 60 mph is right at 2000 rpm. I also use 1oz of Marvel Mystery Oil per gallon of fuel to help keep the engine innards clean but I doubt on such a new engine this will affect efficiency enough to notice.   So I am very happy with my RX-8's fuel economy numbers. I just wish Mazda could get those EPA numbers closer to my reality. Replies to this message: trispec2007 (Jun 13, 2008 5:14 pm) darkpath (Aug 20, 2008 4:42 am)
#83 of 91 Re: The new federal millage rating system [avelectro] by trispec2007 Jun 13, 2008 (5:14 pm)
Replying to: avelectro (Jun 12, 2008 12:59 pm) The new Federal standards match my normal MPG 15 City, 23 High Way. But if I drive to the Cape at 60mph cruise control, I get the 27MPG you get.   My RX-8 AT is mostly driven in city in manual mode in 2nd gear. 3rd and 4th would be dropping RPM's in down to 1200 where carbon build up is noticeable. I keep the RPM 2500-3500 in 2nd which covers all the city speeds up to 45MPH.   I saw a piece about an engine additive that kept rotor housing shiny sparkling inside.
#84 of 91 Re: The new federal millage rating system [avelectro] by darkpath Aug 20, 2008 (4:42 am)
Replying to: avelectro (Jun 12, 2008 12:59 pm) avelectro wrote, "... is geared so 60 mph is right at 2000 rpm."   I wish the 6 speed manual's top gear was also such that 60 mph was 2000 rpm! In the 6 speed manual's case, it's 3000 rpm, so now I understand why the AT gets so much better mileage. My best recorded figure, to date, is 22.6 mpg. I'm working on trying to first get to the EPA published 24 mpg highway, and then I'll see what I can do to better it. I have heard of some manual RX-8s getting 27 highway; but I'm not yet clear on how it's being done.
#85 of 91 Any Owners of 2004 RX8s by BabyGrl2U Jan 13, 2009 (3:38 pm)
I'm being advised by a friend not to purchase the 2004 RX8. Can anyone who has owned a 2004 or older give me any advice about it? I really do like the car but don't want to make a big mistake..Gas mileage and oil don't concern me...I'm more concerned about the engine and finding someone to work on it should it need it.   Thanx!

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