Top 10 Closet Gas Hogs (Car & Driver)

MS3_Mafia · Postby **MS3_Mafia** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

Got this from...
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_li...eature/(page)/1

2008 Mazda RX-8
1.3-liter 2-rotor, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
16 mpg city/22 mpg highway

The little Japanese automaker that can, Mazda consistently produces vehicles that make us smile. No other company imbues its entire product line—including entry-level vehicles—with such focus on driving fun. This focus apparently isn’t lost on the public, as Mazda’s sales numbers grew more than any other major automaker's in 2007.

An unavoidable trade-off for entertaining driving, though, is fuel economy. The RX-8 scores worse than some might expect because of its rotary engine, a design inherently thirstier than a piston engine. Displacing just 1.3 liters, the RX-8’s 232-hp Renesis rotary with 159 pound-feet of torque sucks down fuel like Homer Simpson chugging Duff at Moe’s—returning just 16 mpg city and 22 highway.

We like the RX-8 enough that it made our 10Best list from 2004 to 2006 and won its last comparo despite being in its fifth year of production, but the rotary is certainly not without its compromises. The bingo-and-buffet-express Honda Accord V-6 runs a quicker and faster quarter-mile, and the Chevrolet Corvette makes 204 more horsepower and 269 more pound-feet of torque yet bests the RX-8 by 4 mpg on the highway.

It is rumored that the RX-8 will receive the next iteration of the Renesis rotary, dubbed the 16X. It weighs less than the current 13-B but gets a bump in displacement, and with the more precise fuel metering of direct injection, it is entirely possible that more horsepower and torque could be coupled with more mpg. We love 9000-rpm redlines and hope the rotary’s flatulent exhaust note will pour from generations of Mazda vehicles to come.

2008 Mazda CX-7
2.3-liter inline-4, 6-speed auto, 4-wheel drive
16 mpg city/22 mpg highway

The best interpretation of the term crossover we’ve seen yet, the Mazda CX-7 appeals to people who want something that looks sporty and drives better than most cars while providing some pretense of outdoorsiness and a DIY spirit to perpetuate the great SUV lie. Good thing they require only pretense, as the latter two requests are pretty much quashed by a modest amount of usable space and limited off-road talent.

The CX-7 shares its engine with the late Mazdaspeed 6 and various chassis bits and layouts with the Mazda 3. Depending on equipment, it weighs an Al Pacino or Calista Flockhart less than two tons. The high-tech, direct-injection 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces a sporty 244 horsepower, helping produce a respectable 7.9-second 0-to-60 time but, unfortunately, gulps a gallon of premium every 16 miles in the city and 21 on the highway. The competing Toyota RAV4 V-6 with all-wheel drive, however, sprints to 60 an immense 1.6 seconds faster, yet gets three more mpg in the city and four more on the highway. It does not, however, look anywhere near as cool or drive nearly as well.

The CX-7 is Mazda’s first mid-size SUV since it rebranded the Ford Explorer as the Navajo—not a high point for the Mazda. Despite the poor fuel economy and questionable utility, the CX-7 is undoubtedly a Mazda, and the most rewarding crossover to helm.

tsx_guy · Postby **tsx_guy** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

very interesting... thanks for sharing.

RX-7drifter · Postby **RX-7drifter** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

i figured the rx7 would be on there

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

It is only talking about this years models.

RX-7drifter · Postby **RX-7drifter** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

than where are the mustangs and corvettes
hell i think the rx8 get better gas millage than both

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

he was only showing the mazda stuff.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

2008 Saab 9-7X Aero

2008 Jeep Wrangler

2008 Jeep Liberty

2008 Saturn Vue XE

2008 Pontiac G6 GT Convertible

2008 Mazda RX-8

2008 Mazda CX-7

2008 Volvo S80

2008 Pontiac Solstice/2008 Saturn Sky

Anything on E85

MS3_Mafia · Postby **MS3_Mafia** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RX-7drifter @ Feb 21 2008, 05:01 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=27193]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

than where are the mustangs and corvettes
hell i think the rx8 get better gas millage than both[/b]

"the Chevrolet Corvette makes 204 more horsepower and 269 more pound-feet of torque yet bests the RX-8 by 4 mpg on the highway."

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

The key words are "closet hogs" Everyone knows mustang gas milage sucks.

MazdaTom · Postby **MazdaTom** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

I know a couple guys with 2003 Z06 Corvettes and get over 30 mpgs on the highway while trailering their race tires.

GR-8 · Postby **GR-8** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:14

I get 25MPG highway when not having fun and 22 city. So ha. I've also managed to get 12MPG.

I don't know why but it seems like everyone picks on the 8. It's a freakin sports car. 1.3 L that can outrun most v6's. Do the math. A new BMW Z3 at Cherry Creek Mall is rated at 24 Highway and like 18 City if I remember. Basically the same but 20k more. I don't get it...I just don't. It's at the right place for a sports car.

Army RX8 · Postby **Army RX8** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MS3_Mafia @ Feb 21 2008, 05:32 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=27167]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Got this from...
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_li...eature/(page)/1

"The bingo-and-buffet-express Honda Accord V-6 runs a quicker and faster quarter-mile"[/b]

Who in the hell was driving the 8, Mrs. Daisy?!?!?!?1

rx8ghost · Postby **rx8ghost** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:14

Perhaps she had a heart attack behind the wheel?

Top 10 Closet Gas Hogs (Car & Driver)

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