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'06 gas mileage that bad?

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Old 12-04-2006, 04:59 PM
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slam
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Default '06 gas mileage that bad?

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?
Old 12-04-2006, 05:11 PM
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davidv
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Originally Posted by slam
I averaged about 85-90mph
Old 12-04-2006, 05:17 PM
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350Zenophile
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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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:17 PM
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slam
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Originally Posted by davidv

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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:19 PM
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Ztalker
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don't cruise over 65mph....should average 29mpg.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:20 PM
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DaveZ06
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^^ 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!
Old 12-04-2006, 05:21 PM
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dbasal
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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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:22 PM
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jsupetran
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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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:23 PM
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dbasal
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Originally Posted by DaveZ06
^^ 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!
I think he prefers to arrive alive. Short of that, I am also sure he wants to keep his license.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:23 PM
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slam
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Originally Posted by 350Zenophile
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.

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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:24 PM
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dbasal
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Originally Posted by jsupetran
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.
+1. Over the long haul, he would certainly get up to 30 mpg.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:28 PM
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slam
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Originally Posted by dbasal
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.
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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by dbasal
I think he prefers to arrive alive. Short of that, I am also sure he wants to keep his license.
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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:29 PM
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charlie_rdstr_Z
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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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:30 PM
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dbasal
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Originally Posted by Sunset350ZR
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.
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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:32 PM
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dbasal
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Originally Posted by slam
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 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.
Old 12-04-2006, 05:36 PM
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bailey bill
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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?
Old 12-04-2006, 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by slam
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.
Old 12-04-2006, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by slam
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?
If you have a stock Z, you should get about 26mpg going at 75mph. also, check your tire pressure.
Old 12-04-2006, 06:35 PM
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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.


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