I recently got a new job and it's 75 miles away from my apartment. I burned a half-tank today just going to work and getting back home! That kind of gas mileage is worst than an SUV. I averaged about 85-90mph (rpm stayed around 3,000 - 3,200).

I'm thinking about buying a 2nd car for the commute. Something like a used civic or corolla. I had no idea the 350Z's gas mileage was so bad. I had never taken it on the highway before. Is this normal?

 

 

I just took a road trip and averaged around 26-27 mpg both ways. Average speed of 76. You are fighting a lot of resistance at 85-90 mph, but not so much to yield the 8-9 mpg you are claiming (8-9 gallons/75miles). I've driven like an *** around town, stop and go and still got 16 mpg.

Also, since math doesn't seem to be your strong suit I'll just come out and tell you that buying another car, plus it's gas, maintenance and insurance will not save you money.

 

ROFL! welll excuse me but my last car was a V8 Lincoln LS and I drove from Chicago to Tucson in it averaging 95-100 and it still got better gas mileage than my Z is getting.

 

don't cruise over 65mph....should average 29mpg.

 

^^ whocares how much gas your burning... the Z was ment for speed, hit that baby to 130+. You would get to work faster and the Z would be happy!

 

Uh. You may want to move closer to your job. Especially considering your are renting. That being said, if I lived 75 miles away and it was all highway, I would average about 30 mpg with my 06. Then again, I am not going 85-90. What is your mpg for your trip? I can guess that you would maybe get 325 miles per a tank, so that would come out to be 16.25 mpg and that sure would be bad. Slow down and see what happens.

 

70-75 seems to be the best compromise for the Z's gas mileage and overall speed. I can usually hit 25-26mpg going around that range. You might want to try going a few notches slower than you currently are.

 

I think he prefers to arrive alive. Short of that, I am also sure he wants to keep his license.

 

Thanks for the advice. If my Z is going to burn a half a tank of premium everyday for my commute to and from work everyday that's crazy. I haven't done the math yet but a cheap 2nd car that gets good gas mileage actually might save me some money. Tomorrow I'll just leave for work earlier and drive 75mph to see what happens. I still don't see how doing 85-90mph for 70miles should burn a half tank in a sportscar.

 

+1. Over the long haul, he would certainly get up to 30 mpg.

 

I orginally was going to move closer to my new job but it's in Sierra Vista, AZ and there's really NOTHING there. Everyone tells me if I move there I'd just end up moving back to Tucson in a few months. I'll have to try driving slower in the Z...I hope that helps...if not I'm screwed. I can afford the extra money for gas but I just don't want to pay that much if I don't have to.

 

I don't know a constant drive of 90 mph sounds like one helluva ticket to me and possibly worse depending on limit. I jump on it for short sputs too but 90 avg speed is a bit much.

 

I dunno I can go from L.A. to Vegas with 3/4 a tank at around 300 miles apart @ 90 mph with some idiots blocking the passing lane causing me to slow down. Don't forget your LS probably had a 20 gallon tank or bigger.

 

Good point. Certainly he owns a radar detector. I think the best thing to do is to move closer to the job. Less gas and less depreciation over the long term.

 

I understand that. I would say then that your idea of getting another car for the daily commute would be best. That commute must kill you. I remembe living 65 miles from my job and was always too tired to be of any use when I got home every night.

 

Why don't you use the nice MPG computer, and tell us exactly what your MPG figure is, instead of trying to guesstimate "tankfulls" from the fuel gauge?

 

 

If you have a stock Z, you should get about 26mpg going at 75mph. also, check your tire pressure.

 

Yup, 75-80 seems to get great mileage. I drive from Redlands to San Diego once or twice a week and if I keep it under or right at 80 I get 28MPG. I have done this about 25 times and am very consistently getting those numbers in my 06. Just my .02.