I\'ve had the car for a few weeks now.
Whilst its not the most dramatic of cars in the world, the mix of build quality, steering feel, balance and above average performance make the car a joy to live with on a day to day basis.
However, as I posted on the technical thread - I\'ve had terrible trouble with MPG - getting somewhere between 16 and 19 mpg on motorway trips. In my previous car, a 4.3 TVR Griffith, I got 27mpg on the same journey.
The car has also developed a rattle when idling. It goes away after the car has warmed up.
I\'ve also suffered performance problems when venturing about approx 6000 revs. The car occassionally \'stutters\' and \'clatters\'. I guess it must be when the 2nd set of exhaust ports are openeing. I never take it about this mark until the engine has warmed up.
I was just wondering if anyone else has similar problems.
Whats your fuel consumption like on long motorway trips? My journey was 270 miles. I had to fill up just after 200 miles and I got just over 16mpg.
Does your car rattle when cold? I can\'t hear it when i\'m in the car.
Has your car ever stuttered/clattered when venturing about 6000 revs?
Bruce
I get 17-18 MPG on a motorway run.
This thread (http://rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=854) from another forum may be related... worth keeping an eye on.
Weasley
Thanks for the link.
However, I\'ve already read the thread.
I took out a printed copy of the thread and took it into the dealership this morning Jennings Mazda)
I\'ve just had feedback on my car.
They found a slight mis fire upon idle (which might explain my rattle?
The secondary plugs need replacing, so they\'re getting done tomorrow.
On the performance problem. Mazda claim that they don\'t know who Garth Vincer is.
I usually get 17.5 - 19 mpg - car has 1020miles on it now.
Last 256.7miles were done on motorway only. This was done on one tank. I stopped and put in 55.78L (12.27 Imp gallons, 14.74 US gallons). So that equates to 20.92MPG (UK) which is my best so far. :D
This was done averaging at 4000rpm in 6th - calculate speed at your leisure ;)
I also had a little run with a blue porsche boxsterS :evillaugh otherwise probably would have done better.
BTW my 17.5MPG was done when I kept the engine at 3000RPM or above at all times (except when starting from standstill obviously) - so this clearly does not improve fuel consumption.
No rattles or loss of power though. :cool
Deathknell - Thanks for the info.
I think I\'m going to reject the car.
Afterall I bought it because I wanted a more economical car than the TVR I recently sold. I even told the Mazda salesman the same thing.
Now they\'re claiming that the figures that they published in their own literature isn\'t their figures, but the governments and has nothing to do with them. The dealership has now told me that this kind of MPG is normal and that I should have expected really low MPG from the start.
Bruce
Woops from me - jsut seen this is in the RX-8 folder (serve me right for just using show unred - my figures are for a RX-7 which is thirstier
:o
GaryS - its seems the RX8 is just as thirsty as your RX7.
A mate of mine has a 1990 RX7 turbo II and an RX8 - he says the 7 is more economical that the 8.
Bruce
QuoteOriginally posted by Bruce
I think I\'m going to reject the car.
Bruce
Sorry to hear that. :(
Personally, wild rampaging rhinos couldn\'t get me away from mine, i`d keep it if it only got 12MPG - it\'s great. I can\'t think of a car that would serve the same purpose for the price.
Just been and got the car back.
er. Wow!
They\'ve changes the spark plug and re-calibrated a few things. I got there late so the guy who had fixed it had gone, so I don\'t know exactly whats happened.
However, when the car before was very smooth and quite quiet, its now a different beast all together. The initial pick up is much quicker, and it pulls away with much more aggression. When it gets to 6500 revs (when the 2nd set of exhaust ports open) it now screams into life and goes a bit mental.
Oh my god! its fantastic.
From what I got off the guy on the phone, the second set of spark plugs needed replacing. I can only guess that they were badly fitted out of the factory, hence because knackered. As a result, at this point in time, I can only guess that one set of plugs were igniting - so I was only burning part of the fuel, and pissing the rest out of the exhaust.
That would explain my poor MPG and the difference in performance I\'m seeing now.
The dealers demonstrator car gets 280 miles to a tank - I got 180ish.
Bugger it! I\'m off for another go! woo hoo!
QuoteOriginally posted by Bruce
Just been and got the car back.
er. Wow!
They\'ve changes the spark plug and re-calibrated a few things. I got there late so the guy who had fixed it had gone, so I don\'t know exactly whats happened.
However, when the car before was very smooth and quite quiet, its now a different beast all together. The initial pick up is much quicker, and it pulls away with much more aggression. When it gets to 6500 revs (when the 2nd set of exhaust ports open) it now screams into life and goes a bit mental.
Oh my god! its fantastic.
From what I got off the guy on the phone, the second set of spark plugs needed replacing. I can only guess that they were badly fitted out of the factory, hence because knackered. As a result, at this point in time, I can only guess that one set of plugs were igniting - so I was only burning part of the fuel, and pissing the rest out of the exhaust.
That would explain my poor MPG and the difference in performance I\'m seeing now.
The dealers demonstrator car gets 280 miles to a tank - I got 180ish.
Bugger it! I\'m off for another go! woo hoo!
err not giving it back then I guess. :D
Now you know what I mean. :yes
Enjoy
QuoteOriginally posted by Bruce
Just been and got the car back.
However, when the car before was very smooth and quite quiet, its now a different beast all together. The initial pick up is much quicker, and it pulls away with much more aggression. When it gets to 6500 revs (when the 2nd set of exhaust ports open) it now screams into life and goes a bit mental.
Hi Bruce,
The exhaust ports are allways open,it is the inlet ports that alter opening,there are 6 inlet ports.I think that yours were not working properly and now they have been fixed.
Also your MPG should improve when you have done a few miles on the engine and it is bedded in properly.
Take heart,you may be happier in a few weeks.
Kind regards
Carl
an immediate thought is of the aprillia rsvr. (bike) they have about three types of restrictors from the factory and they get taken out on the first service. well two do. it could be that mazda are doing the same sort of thing.
QuoteOriginally posted by Deathknell
err not giving it back then I guess. :D
Now you know what I mean. :yes
Enjoy
Not sure - may still send the car back if things don\'t improve. I\'ve had 4 Lotus\'s and 2 TVR\'s and never had fuel consumption, or even a reason to put it back in the garage for repairs.
I decided on the RX8, not just because of the handling/performance, but because of the reliability, buildQ, etc. So far I\'ve had rattles, mis-fires, performance problems and economy issues.
At least with the British cars I didn\'t expect too much, but got everything.
Where in Durham are you?
QuoteOriginally posted by Carl
Hi Bruce,
The exhaust ports are allways open,it is the inlet ports that alter opening,there are 6 inlet ports.I think that yours were not working properly and now they have been fixed.
Also your MPG should improve when you have done a few miles on the engine and it is bedded in properly.
Take heart,you may be happier in a few weeks.
Kind regards
Carl [/B]
Thanks for the technical update Carl. Any chance you can answer a few other questions?
Do you know if the RX8 has the same 20,000 rich mixture switch as the RX7?
Would a performance air filter/exhaust improve economy? Whats available?
QuoteOriginally posted by t2rew
an immediate thought is of the aprillia rsvr. (bike) they have about three types of restrictors from the factory and they get taken out on the first service. well two do. it could be that mazda are doing the same sort of thing.
Nah. I doubt it.
Mind you, I had an Italjet scooter and that was also restricted. Only did 25mph, and about 8mph up hills. took the restricters off and it did 40 up the hills and over 50 on the flat.
Maybe thats why they do a free 1500 mile checkup service...? :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Bruce
Thanks for the technical update Carl. Any chance you can answer a few other questions?
Do you know if the RX8 has the same 20,000 rich mixture switch as the RX7?
Would a performance air filter/exhaust improve economy? Whats available?
Hi Bruce,
I do not know if the RX8 has things altered at what service interval but I think that Mazda will have done everything to make the car as economical as possible.
How many miles have you done?
Have you tied cruising at diffrent speeds to see how the MPG varies?Try a steady 3500 on the M/Way(70mph) and let us know.
I would not change anything like the exhaust and inlet as it may invalidate you warranty.
Kind regards
Carl