Hi everyone, I've been lurking around this board for a while now but eventually decide to open a thread. My 02 GTi lease expires tomorrow so its time for me to get a new car! I'm thinking of purchase a RX8. Aside from its two door, 4 seats only and rotary engine, any other down sides about this car? I know mileage was a big problem but its fuel consumption level is about the same as me Goft GTi so that's no a big issue. Any more pros and cons about this car? Maintenance fee? Oil change? I've read and seen many people encountered tranny problem, is it common in this car? Any inputs will be appreciated, thx!!! BTW, I live in Toronto, as you might know, weather is pretty bad in here but well, i still want a RX8 :)

All your questions have been answered many times, search around.

Just got my rx8 3 weeks ago and I can answer couple of the questions. Maintenance on the 06/07 models are not free, you'll have to pay for consumables like engine oil changes. The older models got free maintenance as part of recall deal. Other stuff are covered under a 40k mile or 4 year warranty. The cars a bit more high maintenance in my opinion then most other cars, you'll want to check the engine oil level every other fill up until you get used to how much oil your car consumes. Also you'll have to be aware that you could flood a rotary engine if you dont let the engine warm up before shutting it off. However even with these downfalls, the car handles like a dream and I absolutely love it.

If you get either the 2006 or 2007 model just make sure you get the "sports package" in the 2006 models or "performance" package in the 2007 models, for $1700-2000 you get the Xenon HID lights, larger front brakes, 18 inch rims, sports suspension and Dynamic stability/traction control. Since the weather gets bad in Toronto you'll definitely want the stability/traction control. Lastly make sure you test drive the exact car you'll be buying, dont test drive one and then decide to buy another rx8 with different option without driving that car, You'll want to check for stuff like rattles as a lot of 8's seem to have some kind of rattling problem. In my 8 my sunglass holder rattles a tad bit but doesnt bother me too much.

In my 8 my sunglass holder rattles a tad bit but doesnt bother me too much.

If you bought the car new, go to the dealer. They'll fix it for free. My sunglass holder used to get stuck. That is, when you push it in it did not freely roll down--you'd have to pry it out. I took it in and asked "is this normal?" They adjusted it and that was that.

Aside from its two door, 4 seats only and rotary engine, any other down sides about this car?

Ummm...it's a four door, not two door. The four seats and rotary engine are considered by most people to be pluses.

The only down side, as near as I can tell, is the potential to flood if shut down cold. Look for the two recent threads with titles like "I love my RX8" and the "The little things" sticky.

I fully concur with GTSimmo's recommendation to get at least the package that includes the bigger brakes, Xenon lights and DSC. If you're going to drive it through the winter, you should get snow tires. You can get a set of Blizzak's on some decent 17" rims for $1000 ($1500 if you get tire pressure monitors).

Only a bit over 5000 miles on mine, but aside from the performance tires and fancy rims I expect maintenance to be less than that of a conventional car. Electric power steering, so there's no PS fluid or belt changes. No timing belt, which on most other cars is a $300-$800 item every 60K miles. Rear wheel drive, so you don't have the CV joint/boot issues that come with front wheel drive cars where the CV joints flex a lot. Rear wheel drive also means more even tire wear: if you don't rotate them, you won't grind through three sets of fronts for every set of rears.

Have you taken one for a test drive yet? You've got to try one.

Ken

I live in Newmarket (just north of Toronto) and i have to tell you that this car is amazing. I usually drive sports cars (mustang's, camaro's) and this is the best car i've ever driven in the winter (with good winter tires on). I'd say test drive the car first and see how you like it, but i give it my 2 thumbs up.

yea i had test drive the car a few days ago
the handleing of the car was veryvery good, almost no body roll at all,
but compair with the gti i got (1.8t) the torque is kind of low during low rpm ,
but the power started to kick in after i rev to about 5000 and it feel good :ylsuper:

can u guys explain the meaning of "flood a rotary engine if you dont let the engine warm up before shutting it off" ? does it mean i have to let the car sit for 5 min before i shut off the engine after 30 min drive?
and what if i "flood" the engine , what will happen ? and what should i do with it ?

Flooding is when gas gets stuck in the engine because it's cold, and the engine won't start. You would probably have to get your car towed to the dealership to get it de-flooded. To prevent flooding, you have to warm the car (not completely, but at least for a couple minutes).

BUT, flooding is no longer an issue with the new spark plugs and a better starter that Mazda provides free to 04/05 models and is already in the 06/07 models.

GTSimmo: I have an '04, and I don't get free maintenance...?

Flooding occurs if you start your car up and shut it down before it has had time to warm up. Lets say its a cold day, you start up the car, move it to another parking spot or backed it out of the drive way for someone whatever, and turn it off before it warmed up. Basically the unburned fuel is left in the engine and can caused problems when you go to start it up the next time. There is a procedure to do when you flood it and its explained in the owners manual and in a short DVD that comes with the new car.

Sorry dont know the details Raptor2k but I did read in this forum that some dealers, I'm guessing not all, provided free maintenance because of all the recalls and stuff on the earlier 8s. Free or not I'll end up doing my own oil changes anyhow ^.^

And yes your right Stanley, the car does lack torque compared to larger displacement piston engines. All you got to do is shift down and rev her up =D Plus its a lot more fun IMO.

thanks a lot every one :)
one more noob qustion ,
since the torque is all over the high rpm area, is that right to keep the rpm high all the time?the reason i ask is coz there have a post, said rotary engine is designed to run in high rpm, by keeping the rpm high most of the time, will burn those "carbon" in gas, so those "carbon" won't build up in your engine, so the engine will always be healthy.
But isn't that keeping rpm high all the time will some how damage the engine ?

The new flash is "supposed" to take care of the carbon issues.

Another word of advice is see if you can't find a used 06. The resale value drops so much (as with most cars) you could save a ton of money. I bought mine from an old man who said that he was "going through mid-life crisis". He put about 3000 miles on it in two months and rarely drove it for the next several months. He got tired of hearing his wife bitch about the car. It is a 6 speed Touring with a sticker of $33,000. I offered him $23,000 and he ended up taking it. You still get the remainder of the factory warrenty and you could always buy an extended warrenty if you are worried about the long term. I see used ones on lots occassionaly that would save a lot of money.

Gas mileage sucks on these cars!

Torque and horsepower are separate things. I think max torque comes out at about 5-6k rpm, and max horsepower at 8500 rpm. So if you want to go fast you'll stay in the 6k+ rpm. Now this is not to say you want to be at 6k+ rpm all the time, just when you want to get moving in a hurry.

I bought my 06 RX8 new 2 weeks ago and freakin love this car. It has NO torque, so you have to get used to getting smoked off the line by pretty much any car thats next to you. From my experience, if you start out giong normal at half throttle, you will not pull on any car..but if you take second gear all the way to redline ( 65mph) then you will start to pull a little. The problem I observed is this is a highway/road course car and on regular streets its pretty slow. You have to keep it in the RPM range all the time to make it move. I still like the car but will go back to AWD turbo because I like the power turbo cars make.

RX8= good car and good buy but pretty slow unless your in high rpms starting in 3rd gear

PS. I have owned an rsx type s and a mazdaspeed 6 and both would smoke this car off the line

PS. I have owned an rsx type s and a mazdaspeed 6 and both would smoke this car off the line

Which would win after approaching a freeway on-ramp where you turn 90* and floor it to enter the freeway? :ylsuper:

Which would win after approaching a freeway on-ramp where you turn 90* and floor it to enter the freeway? :ylsuper:


IF that was the case then the RX8 takes the handling department, but i can say that out of those 3 cars the speed6 would catch up without a problem. I just dont like that car, but the ms6 is really quick.

I am not tryging to be a dick..I like the 8 and all but for a sports car its pretty slow. The S2k revs in similar fashion but has more balls for some reason. Maybe it wieghs less. As for the RSX s- its a pretty quick car im telling you.

I bought my 06 RX8 new 2 weeks ago and freakin love this car. It has NO torque, so you have to get used to getting smoked off the line by pretty much any car thats next to you. From my experience, if you start out giong normal at half throttle, you will not pull on any car..

Perhaps "pretty much any car" is a huge exaggeration. I've never been "smoked off the line" in 1.5 years of ownership. Just not a lot of illegal street racers where I live. Almost never do I have a sports car next to me.

Usually, the car next to me steps on the gas peddle, and in the time it takes that vehicle to register that the gas peddle has been stepped on, I've shifted into 1st gear, and it's all over. Never fails to keep me in front of the pack where it is safer to commute.

I am saying this. Take any RSX type S, and S2000 any WRX any MS3 or 6 any 350z and any EVo or STi.....all these a cars will eat the RX8 thru 1-3 gears. By that time your going to fast so it doesnt matter if the RX8 will be able to go to 155mph on the highway. Thats stupid to do anyway if u value your life at all. RX8 is only good on turns.

Meh. If you want a boring straight line car there are a lot of choices.

The Evo and STI are AWD = boring and no fun
The 350z is more a muscle car = hard suspension and poor daily driver
The S2000 is impractical.
The MS3 and 6 don't actually handle that well, and have torque steer issues, and you can't easily engine brake in them. Likewise, the RSX is a FWD ... there is no fun in that.

Summary : If you want a straight line car because you feel some sort of caveman triumph being the fastest off the lights, then get something else. If you want a properly balanced RWD with linear power delivery and a guaranteed smile on your face - get the rx8.

I love the RX8, it handles like its on rails and is fun as hell to drive. I dont race people at red lights, but when i wanna get on it to pass a car it just doenst have the power. Let me say this ...the EVO and STi boring? no way in hell they are awsome cars to dfive and can outhandle an S2000 or RX8 without a doubt. Who are you kidding, they are ralley cars.

AWD = no driver feedback = booring

->

AWD = no letting the back end flick out
AWD = no poweroversteer
AWD = once you lose traction, you fly off the road. With RWD , the good driver feedback gives you warning to take action = more fun to drive

Besides, the EVO and STI are basically Japanese super-taxis with cheap low rent interiors.

slightly OT :

Why do you think Porsche have their top end supercars are RWD only? The GT3 is the purists drivers car, AWD is for the Porsche drivers who can't really drive a Porsche.

I am saying this. Take any RSX type S, and S2000 any WRX any MS3 or 6 any 350z and any EVo or STi.....all these a cars will eat the RX8 thru 1-3 gears.

mm correct me if i am wrong, other then rsx-s all other car have bigger HP then rx8 right ? so as the $$?

I actually came from a GTI 1.8T and Jetta 1.8T........the only things i miss about those cars are the low end torque that came on strong down early and the turbo spooling sounds.

The RX-8 definitely doesn't give you that psuh that the 1.8T motors push out. But the RX-8 is a dedicated balanced performer. It has enough go, and the handling is superb compared to those cars.

and everyone seems to want to drive mine, co workers, bosses....have about 5K also and haven't had to add any oil really. Also the driving experience is completely different than the 1.8T. You need to appreciate and accept the fact that this car loves to rev, so dont shift like you would normally do on a 1.8T because the RX-8 makes its power up high.

Its a fun car and i believe so far it has less headaches than a VW right now. Good luck with ur search.

Ultimately its how it feels in the seat of your pants when you are behind the wheel, that will tell you whether or not you want to buy. All cars have quirks, whether you want to deal with the 8's little ones is entirely up to you. I have Owned the new Mustang GT, and traded it in on my 8. I have owned the older supras,and bmw's. I would buy a new car and drive this one on pretty days, when and if the time ever came,,,,,, just to have it. I love it that much.

06RX8 -maybe you should have gotten a Mustang GT. A great red light racer. I just sold one. I also had an Audi TT(big eng.), C5 Corvette, Altma SE-R, Mustang Mach 1, and many so called American sports cars. The RX8 is by far the best total package, a very complete machine. The rotory is so smooth and likes high RPMs. I really like this car, plenty of leg room ( legs to long for S2000/ M3/ Z4), the Shinka package ride is good and handling is excellent. I don't use it as a daily driver but with the right tires it would be great anywhere.
Sorry, I could go on and on. My $ .02 worth

When did this become a 8 vs. thread?

VRZOOMZOOM
I actually came from a GTI 1.8T and Jetta 1.8T........the only things i miss about those cars are the low end torque that came on strong down early and the turbo spooling sounds.

The RX-8 definitely doesn't give you that psuh that the 1.8T motors push out.

Had a Neuspeed chipped 1.8T. Can't say I miss anything about it. The torque was better (it's better on my wife's SUV too!) but overall it was no faster.


06RX8
I am saying this. Take any RSX type S, and S2000 any WRX any MS3 or 6 any 350z and any EVo or STi.....all these a cars will eat the RX8 thru 1-3 gears. By that time your going to fast so it doesnt matter if the RX8 will be able to go to 155mph on the highway. Thats stupid to do anyway if u value your life at all. RX8 is only good on turns.

:Freak_ani ..wonder if guys here know how to shift! Yeah we ALL know the 8 is no dragracer, but it's still a 6/14.5 car. Even if you had a newer RSX it usually posted times worse than that. Early WRX's were usually slower too. And, with the exception of the faster everywhere Evo and STI, most of the other cars you mentioned would only start to get distance on it in 3rd. Of course, any number of documented tests would tell you all this.

To the OP, it's not for everybody, so test drive it...many times. I had mine 16 months, and I'd buy it again!

thanks every oine for great input, hopefully i would be about to join u guys soon :)

You need to appreciate and accept the fact that this car loves to rev, so dont shift like you would normally do on a 1.8T because the RX-8 makes its power up high.

This is so true. In fact, I've had to re-train myself when shifting down before passing or racing.

I've been used to shifting down to about 4K. In the 8 you need to drop an extra gear so you're in there at about 5-6K. It's a rocket there to 9K for sure.

mm correct me if i am wrong, other then rsx-s all other car have bigger HP then rx8 right ? so as the $$?



Really, an MS3 RSX MS6 WRX are more money? I dont think so. The sticker on the RX8 that I got was 29,950 (or somthing in that regeion). You can get an MS3 for about 24, a wrx for about 25k a RSX for about 24k. Just face it, the RX8 is not a fast car and thats its only bad point.

I took the car on the highway last night when driving to the city and punched it in 3rd gear from the on ramp onto the straight away. Yea, the car pulls and gives steady acceleration. I am just saying that compared to most of the cars cheaper then it, it cant compete. I do LOVE THE HANDLING. Once again, compared to an S2k, the honda would do better on the corners.

m.. then whats the reason you get ur 8 ?
how come you didnt get the s2k if it is so good ?

The S2k is not practicle..simple answer. i needed a little more room. What can you say to that? Your just mad that I am not ignorant and can tell the truth about my own car. I still love it, but it doesnt mean i need to make it sounds like its amazing and fast and this and that to others. I tell it how it is and you people all get mad cause u cant come to realize this.

I... I am just saying that compared to most of the cars cheaper then it, it cant compete. I do LOVE THE HANDLING. Once again, compared to an S2k, the honda would do better on the corners.

Isn't the Honda more expensive? I thought they were around $35K. I paid $25K (new) for my RX-8.

But why all the arguing? Not every car fits what every person needs or wants. That's why there are so many brands. The 8 is really cool in a lot of ways, but so are the other sports/performance cars.

Ken

ahhah good say ken

The S2k is not practicle..simple answer. i needed a little more room. What can you say to that? Your just mad that I am not ignorant and can tell the truth about my own car. I still love it, but it doesnt mean i need to make it sounds like its amazing and fast and this and that to others. I tell it how it is and you people all get mad cause u cant come to realize this.

about for the most part you dont know what you are talking about?

beers :beer:

ahhah good say ken

stanleylee,

06rx8 has know idea about anything so far... listen to everyone, but him...

pm me if you need..

beers :beer:

thanks every one for answering my noob qustion :beer:

RX8 all the way. Why? Because you love the car. All this versus crap is BS unless all you care about is winning street races.

I can't believe RX-8 owners think their cars are slow. You guys saying this must just not know how to drive it very well. I bought my Legacy GT wagon almost 2 years ago now, and I remember after just having broken in the car, I came upon an RX-8 (silver ha ha) who decided to school me, of course we always stayed below the legal speed limit (not joking, this is a 55 mph road with lights, 3 - 4 lanes wide). Anyway he was ready, and I saw him so I thought I'd teach him a lesson. I'm a decent driver and watching this guy he was too. We both got a decent jump off the line, redlining in first gear and nearly in second gear. I began to pull away just about immediately, but I was barely walking him, not blowing him away. I shifted into second sooner (6500 rpm redline) and at that point the torque of the LGT really began to be felt - keep in mind my wagon is a very fast car - it's been tested as low as 5.1 sec 0-60. Anyway I was completely in front of him by the time we hit 55, but I could not realistically have gotten in front of him had we actually been fighting for road position.

Point is, the RX-8 is not slow. The LGT is very fast, and while the 8 will not keep up, it will not embarrass itself, in the hands of a good driver.

Am I the only one that read in this guy's orignally post say "Aside from its two door, 4 seats only and rotary engine, any other down sides about this car?" If you think having a rotary engine is a 'down side', then you're sitting in the wrong section my friend. Yeah I'd say the limited 4 seats can be some what of a downer, especially for the person that's constantly getting stuck with the 'bitch' seats, and personalyl I love the freestyle doors, oh wait maybe he didn't see them and that's why he think it's only a 2 door.

Just my $0.02

-Brian