Yep, generally speaking, if your engine doesn't knock, 87 is just fine. It's a common myth that higher octane means "better" fuel...My VX fill just fine with 87. I have an RX7 that doesn't take anything under 91 and used to have a 240z with the same cultured tastes. We're really talking about the difference between Dasani or Evian and Arrowhead or Sparklets (or even tap). My rotary sportscar won't drink anything but the expensive stuff...ditto for my old 30 year old classic. THe VX, on the other hand, is a spry young thing that is just fine with the normal stuff. The 7 was designed for it...maybe the engineers thought we wouldn't think its a real sports car unless we spent more on it And, yes, higher octane would actually increase plug buildup.

just my 2 cents. i guess there's room for disagreement. sometiems we feel better doing certain things. i am certainly guilty of this.

I didn't even know we had a rating system...does it do anything? I don't see where I can see a poster's rating. I think you got a response about the octane thing because of the way your initial message came out, ritchiedon. Both the way you said it and what you said contributed to someone chiming in. (i.e. the "duh" thing and a subtle implication others would be dumb to fill up on 87)

I don't know about the neg. rating though...that may have came form anyone. Like i said, i didnt even know we had a rating system...and still dont' know its practical purpose. Don't worry too much about it...just a silly number that I don't think anyone pays attention to.

cheers.