Mazda RX8 fuel consumption and running costs

Scuzi

Scuzi

Scuzi

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In my never ending search for my next car, the Mazda RX8 (231) caught my eye as a bargain on the second hand market. I rememberd a review written by Rilot a while ago and found it in the archive section. It was an excellent review but one thing that worried me was the atrocious fuel consumption and running costs.
How bad is it exactly? The figure of 18mpg was mentioned, that would rule the car out in my view, I couldn't live with that. Most of my 'everyday' driving is on motorways and dual carraigeways at 75-80mph. What consumption would I expect on a long run? Would it be considerably worse than say a Z4 3.0Si? What sort of consumption would be expected on a spirited run around the twisties?

I had my heart set on a Z4 and still do to a certain extent but the RX8 is a very attractive proposition considering a really nice one can be had for at least £5-6k less than a Z4 and it has the bonus of the added practicality of a hard top and 4 seats.

I don't know what to do, I'd love to hear more on the subject from people who have owned and ran RX8's.
Thanks :)
 
According to the parkers guide, typical consumption is 20-22mpg, and a litre of oil every couple of thousand miles or so, depending how hard you drive the car.

If you do a lot of miles, I would look at other cars!
 
darkblade said:
According to the parkers guide, typical consumption is 20-22mpg, and a litre of oil every couple of thousand miles or so, depending how hard you drive the car.

If you do a lot of miles, I would look at other cars!
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Hmm...
I don't really do a lot of miles at the minute, probably about 100 miles a week on average with the occasional trip back to Ireland which can sometimes clock up 1500+ miles in the space of a fortnight, although those trips are 3-4 times a year at most. So, I suppose that would work out at roughly 10k miles a year. What I'd need to do is weigh up the increased running costs against the considerably cheaper price the RX8 has.
 
Scuzi said:
What I'd need to do is weigh up the increased running costs against the considerably cheaper price the RX8 has.
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And the pure, unadulterated "WHEEEEEEEE!" Factor that a rotary instills!! :D
 
Scuzi said:
Hmm...
I don't really do a lot of miles at the minute, probably about 100 miles a week on average with the occasional trip back to Ireland which can sometimes clock up 1500+ miles in the space of a fortnight, although those trips are 3-4 times a year at most. So, I suppose that would work out at roughly 10k miles a year. What I'd need to do is weigh up the increased running costs against the considerably cheaper price the RX8 has.
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At 10,000-11,500 miles per year, with decent fuel, the RX-8 at 24mpg will cost you between £1,750 and £2,000 per year. Versus a 3.0 Z4 in the same situation, at 30mpg, it will cost between £1,400 and £1,600 - so about £400 cheaper. Not a huge difference tbh.
 
PMKeates said:
At 10,000-11,500 miles per year, with decent fuel, the RX-8 at 24mpg will cost you between £1,750 and £2,000 per year. Versus a 3.0 Z4 in the same situation, at 30mpg, it will cost between £1,400 and £1,600 - so about £400 cheaper. Not a huge difference tbh.
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Considering the price tag of the RX8, the ~£400 difference seems irrelevant. It looks like I have some serious thinking to do.
Thanks :)

Can any RX8 owners comment on the matter?
 
Will I get shot, in the face, if I try and pimp the world of the 330Ci in either Coupe or Cabrio form? It's like a better looking Z4 for people with taste..
 
[TW]Fox said:
Will I get shot, in the face, if I try and pimp the world of the 330Ci in either Coupe or Cabrio form? It's like a better looking Z4 for people with taste..
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The 330Ci is another one at the top of my list. I have a problem with it though, the fact that it's a 'previous' model. Whilst I know it's an excellent car and whilst I know it looks stunning, I'm afraid that when I buy one, suddenly it will get a ***** image just like the E36 now has. It probably sounds really really stupid but it's just some sort of irrational fear I have. I need someone to talk me out of it :p
 
You won't get 30mpg out of a Z4 3.0 :)

Believe me, a good friend of mine has a 55 plate one and NO MATTER how hard he tries to achieve more than 26mpg he can't :(

But he can afford it so he's not bothered :D:D
 
Maz said:
You won't get 30mpg out of a Z4 3.0 :)

Believe me, a good friend of mine has a 55 plate one and NO MATTER how hard he tries to achieve more than 26mpg he can't :(

But he can afford it so he's not bothered :D:D
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Why not? If some of his driving is Motorway/Dual Carriageway I see no reason why not, I can acheive over 30mpg and I've got the same engine in a heavier saloon.
 
Scuzi said:
The 330Ci is another one at the top of my list. I have a problem with it though, the fact that it's a 'previous' model. Whilst I know it's an excellent car and whilst I know it looks stunning, I'm afraid that when I buy one, suddenly it will get a ***** image just like the E36 now has. It probably sounds really really stupid but it's just some sort of irrational fear I have. I need someone to talk me out of it :p
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It will, one day, but not until you can get them easily for well under £3-4k. Then it'll happen.
 
rs125 said:
At a steady cruise you might get 25..Thing is you dont buy one to do a steady 70.
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That's true. My everyday commute involves a section of dual carraigeway, about 7 miles of the M4 and a bit through a housing estate so there arent't any chances for spirited driving. Maybe the RX8 isn't the best car available within the budget for my needs.
I have a lot of thinking to do. I've plenty of time anyway :p
 
The prices of the Z4 seem to have dropped quite a bit recently, I guess the time of year doesn't help either. You can get an 03 3 litre for around the 17-18K mark, so if you're not too worried about the warranty then it seems like a good deal to me. I really like mine and considered trading it in for either the Z4M or the M Coupe, the main reason I haven't is I think I will get bored quickly as its practically the same car.

For reference I get between 26-29mpg, most of that is motorway miles.
 
The most I ever got from mine was 25mpg and that was cruising at a steady 60mph and driving like a nun.
Under normal driving conditions 18-20mpg was the norm and 1L of oil every 1000 miles or so.

Like others have said though. It doesn't make much difference in the grand scheme of things.
 
At 100 miles a week you have to be an ideal candidate for ownership, thats well below average so you might as well just focus on enjoying the few miles you do drive..
I'd be more concerned about maintenance costs not linked to milage and reliability
 
[TW]Fox said:
Why not? If some of his driving is Motorway/Dual Carriageway I see no reason why not, I can acheive over 30mpg and I've got the same engine in a heavier saloon.
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and I average 25-26mpg from mine , 30mpg from a 3.0 Z4 should be a doddle
 
I really wouldn't let fuel economy sway your decision either way. You are talking about spending £14-18k on a car which will probably result in £2k/year depreciation. Insurance will be approx £800, and to really budget for maintenance I'd expect to spend £1k with another £1k in the bank incase something goes wrong, add a set of tyres at around £500. That's £4300/year assuming that nothing goes wrong. Given all that cost what's another few hundred pounds in fuel to get the car you want?
 
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