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Mazda RX-8 talk. Was: Closet Gas Hogs

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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 02:42 PM
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Mazda RX-8 talk. Was: Closet Gas Hogs

hey this article was pretty interesting now in just the different cars that have pretty bad mpg ratings... but that one car stood out... Mazda Rx8 now this car isnt exactly an Evo but rated at 16/22 mpg similar ratings there i see to the X correct?

its interesting cause my friend owns an Rx8 and was mentioning how the thing just sucks down gasoline so fast i was kinda curious as to how that is possibly related with the Evo X being rated at the same miles per gallon and yet with what 100hp more hahah

here's the link:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...s_hogs_feature
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 02:48 PM
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RX-8 = rotary = worst fuel economy ever.

Realize how the ratings are reported changed for all cars in 2008.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 02:48 PM
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The rx8 message boards have more than a few complaints about gas mileage. I think the evo ,even after the new spec for computing mpg, is much better
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 02:50 PM
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The rotary engine is a different animal from a piston engine. It drinks fuel and oil. Its the cost you pay for having the engine.

Handling wise the RX8 is awesome. Lots of grip and very progressive on break away into oversteer. Its a ton of fun to drive. I should know as I own one.

The RX8 is rated at 232hp and the Evo is rated at 295(I think thats right). I don't see a 100hp difference. I do see a 130lb/ft of torque difference. Thats where the RX8 really looses out. With such a small engine(1.3L) torque is not something you expect.

The RX8 is also nearly 500 lbs lighter than the Evo X.

The Evo X should also make my RX8 look silly handling wise and its not a bad handling car by any means.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 02:52 PM
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yeah i forgot to mention about rotary engines Haha...
not a bad looking car but yeah its not exactly the wow must have car to get... id probably easily choose a g35/350z over an rx8

Originally Posted by Longfury
The rotary engine is a different animal from a piston engine. It drinks fuel and oil. Its the cost you pay for having the engine.

Handling wise the RX8 is awesome. Lots of grip and very progressive on break away into oversteer. Its a ton of fun to drive. I should know as I own one.

The RX8 is rated at 232hp and the Evo is rated at 295(I think thats right). I don't see a 100hp difference. I do see a 130lb/ft of torque difference. Thats where the RX8 really looses out. With such a small engine(1.3L) torque is not something you expect.

The RX8 is also nearly 500 lbs lighter than the Evo X.

The Evo X should also make my RX8 look silly handling wise and its not a bad handling car by any means.
yeah i think i messed that part up more referring to the torque u are correct lol

Last edited by wh03lse; Feb 21, 2008 at 02:55 PM.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 02:56 PM
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Well, to quote Clarkson, "The RX-8 is one of the easiest cars to drive fast I have ever driven." You buy an RX8 for its handling, ease of driving it near or on the limit, and the fact that it does not wear you out doing it. You don't buy a RX-8 for its power.

Its a ball to drive, but I will admit it is not for everyone. You should drive one if you get the chance. They are fun.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 02:59 PM
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any car is "good handling" and "easy to drive" when it is SLOW. :-)
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 03:01 PM
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The bubbly fender flares are what really spoiled that car....
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by G20
any car is "good handling" and "easy to drive" when it is SLOW. :-)
Thanks for that. I know you are just giving me hell. The car does post some very good numbers in handling tests though.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 03:08 PM
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Also, I just read the article, they praise the car highly despite its poor fuel economy.

If you have not driven one I suggest you do. Mine has upgraded sways so its better than a stock RX8, so it's not a fair comparison.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by G20
any car is "good handling" and "easy to drive" when it is SLOW. :-)
... but not everyone can drive a SLOW car FAST! :-)
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by xtnct
... but not everyone can drive a SLOW car FAST! :-)
Its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 03:24 PM
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i had an 82 gsl, and it was a ton of fun to drive. i don't mind the loss of power, i just wish they kept the body lines more close to the 3rd gen rx-7. the new rx-7 concepts are an atrocity when compared to the 3rd gen. i did not like the rx-8 when it first came out, but it has grown on me. back on topic..... what was the topic again? oh yeah, LOL @ the gas mileages for both.
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 04:07 PM
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so im assuming by the rx8 being a rotary engine the thing sucks gasoline much faster than an Evo X hahah
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Old Feb 21, 2008 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by wh03lse
so im assuming by the rx8 being a rotary engine the thing sucks gasoline much faster than an Evo X hahah
You got it. The rotary is the reason. If the car had a regular piston engine it would get better mileage but it would throw off the 50/50 weight balance slightly.
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