*Warning* This is long!
I know that Rx 8 owners are loyal & hate neg posts, but, ....
When I bought my '04 GT (6MT) I knew I was taking a chance buying a car in its
1st year of production. To make it worse, I bought it at the end of '04 & had read lots of posts on this site about the probs owners were having, but I liked the car so much I got one anyway. My safety valve was to lease instead of purchase.

The rest has been a disaster. Pretty much every problem reported on this site has affected my car. To name just a few, I have experienced defective lights (replaced all 4), failed power steering (4 times without a dealer fix yet!), starter issues, flooding, rattles galore, numerous recalls, noisy brakes, front suspension issues, unresolved rear end noise, and yes, even a new engine (coolant leaked back into the block, .....).

The new engine issue provides an interesting perspective on perhaps the hottest topic on this site--the absolutely HORRENDOUS mileage!!! First I must clarify that I am fine with poor mileage if there is a correlating payoff in power (I also own a Grand Cherokee SRT8, which gets about 10 mpg city/15 mpg highway & it's worth every gallon !!!). I have often laughed aloud reading the various theories about the causes of poor mileage in these forums, and how many attribute it to driving style. ABSOLUTELY IRRELEVANT!!! Here is the proof. With my first engine, I tried everything (easy to hard driving, ...); IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE!!! 14 mpg MAX city/19 mpg MAX hwy. With the new engine, I am getting EXACTLY the same mileage!!! I was actually thrilled to get a new engine, thinking I might get the mileage that some of you r enjoing, but......... sigh. Don't even get me strared on how different owners can get such varying mileage, ..........gremlins, plain & simple.

Maybe I am insane, but despite all of these issues I was still considering buying out the lease and keeping it I really do love the uniqueness, look and handling of the car, and it is a relative bargain, but it is the most unreliable car I've ever owned and, in my opinion, needs a lot more torque. I am also frustrated with the brutal rate of depreciation (zero equity in the lease for trade in, ...).

So, ... I'm out. I am going to bite the bullet (double my payment!) and get into a
G37 or maybe even a 335i. This is an amazing website and I am grateful for all of the info shared by fellow owners (mostly because it provided me with ammunition for my MANY trips to the dealer (laughable that EVERYONE in the service dept know me by name!). Most of the time when I went in I knew more than the service guys--sigh.

Your passion for the car also rubbed off on me, at least for awhile!
I wish u all the best of luck with this interesting machine.

Out.

good luck with ur new ride. :)

Good luck with whatever you decide to go with. There are lots of great cars to choose from out there. Let us know what you end up with.

sorry to hear this man, good luck

Problems!? You wanna talk problems?!?? Mine had a slightly squeaky clutch pedal, a squeaky sunroof (over bumps), and… and… well, uh… that's all.



Never mind.

I got the sunroof problem too. Other than bringing it into the dealer for a warranty fix, how do I go about fixing it myself?

Some teen is going to buy that 8, and come here and ask a 1,000,000 questions.

I got the sunroof problem too. Other than bringing it into the dealer for a warranty fix, how do I go about fixing it myself? Go to the dealer, buy the revised sunroof guide rails, remove the sunroof, remove the original guide rails, install the new ones, reassemble.

so glad I havent had a single problem with my 04.

I have an 04 6mt and its still not had any problems.

^^^ Same here, except a faulty gas cap which was replaced under warranty.

335i ftw!!!

Whilst you may be out don't forget the excitement and fun you had with it. Dollar for dollar you will be hard pressed to find a similar replacement.

Most cars have an issue from time to time and don't expect your next to not have the same.

Good luck....

ABSOLUTELY IRRELEVANT!!! Here is the proof. With my first engine, I tried everything (easy to hard driving, ...); IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE!!! 14 mpg MAX city/19 mpg MAX hwy. With the new engine, I am getting EXACTLY the same mileage!!! I was actually thrilled to get a new engine, thinking I might get the mileage that some of you r enjoing, but......... sigh. Don't even get me strared on how different owners can get such varying mileage, ..........gremlins, plain & simple.

I'm always interested by that. Myself and about 5 other owners drove from Chicago to GingerMan Raceway (MI) and after the trip, just for curiosity since we went in a carvan calculated our gas mileage. Every car averaged 23-23.5 mpg for the roundtrip (near all highway).

Buy a beater for now and wait till the new Hyndai Genesis coupe comes out. Buy it and come back here and report.

Ive had about the same amount of problems, minus a new engine and front suspension. You listed off literally all my problems with my 04 6spd. Im just so upside down in mine that I cant trade it if I wanted to!!!

So, ... I'm out. I am going to bite the bullet (double my payment!) and get into a G37 or maybe even a 335i. Out.

Go for the 335i, I tested one two months ago. Took it to the same twisties I take my 8 and it held it's own. Very fun to drive and gots plenty of go when you slam on the gas. Another choice could bne the 135i, same power train, less weight, better brakes and the best of all less money. Good Luck

Sorry your 8 was a problem child. It certainly seems like owners with a problem car always have many of the 8's known issues. :(


But if you enjoyed it that much you could always lease a NEW 8 and see what happens. It'll be cheaper than the other 2 options you listed and could be a "Good 8".


GL, whatever you decide.


Oh, and the MPG is definitely affected by driving style. Trust me. My best tank was 280 miles; worst tank was 160 miles (and quite fun) :rock:

335i ftw!!!

:ylsuper: Drove one at the BMW Performance Driving School, I'm personally more of a fan of the E46 M3 but they are nice, even the auto. Not quite as raw as the M, but still nearly the same performance.

I will say though, I know what you(OP) mean about the number of issues. I think half the TSBs on Finishlineperformance apply to me. I'm mostly upset with the previous owner of mine who had none of them fixed while it was under the full warranty though.

The only thing that I don't get is the assertion he makes that driving style is disproved as a source of poor mileage since he got exactly the same mileage from the first engine as he did the second engine.

Seems to me that if it was a mechanical problem then the two engines would have had different MPG with the same driver and driving style, but I guess that that's just me.

Definitely tell us what new car you get. I'm sure that it will be fun.

*Warning* This is long!
I know that Rx 8 owners are loyal & hate neg posts, but, ....
When I bought my '04 GT (6MT) I knew I was taking a chance buying a car in its
1st year of production. To make it worse, I bought it at the end of '04 & had read lots of posts on this site about the probs owners were having, but I liked the car so much I got one anyway. My safety valve was to lease instead of purchase.

The rest has been a disaster. Pretty much every problem reported on this site has affected my car. To name just a few, I have experienced defective lights (replaced all 4), failed power steering (4 times without a dealer fix yet!), starter issues, flooding, rattles galore, numerous recalls, noisy brakes, front suspension issues, unresolved rear end noise, and yes, even a new engine (coolant leaked back into the block, .....).

The new engine issue provides an interesting perspective on perhaps the hottest topic on this site--the absolutely HORRENDOUS mileage!!! First I must clarify that I am fine with poor mileage if there is a correlating payoff in power (I also own a Grand Cherokee SRT8, which gets about 10 mpg city/15 mpg highway & it's worth every gallon !!!). I have often laughed aloud reading the various theories about the causes of poor mileage in these forums, and how many attribute it to driving style. ABSOLUTELY IRRELEVANT!!! Here is the proof. With my first engine, I tried everything (easy to hard driving, ...); IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE!!! 14 mpg MAX city/19 mpg MAX hwy. With the new engine, I am getting EXACTLY the same mileage!!! I was actually thrilled to get a new engine, thinking I might get the mileage that some of you r enjoing, but......... sigh. Don't even get me strared on how different owners can get such varying mileage, ..........gremlins, plain & simple.

Maybe I am insane, but despite all of these issues I was still considering buying out the lease and keeping it I really do love the uniqueness, look and handling of the car, and it is a relative bargain, but it is the most unreliable car I've ever owned and, in my opinion, needs a lot more torque. I am also frustrated with the brutal rate of depreciation (zero equity in the lease for trade in, ...).

So, ... I'm out. I am going to bite the bullet (double my payment!) and get into a
G37 or maybe even a 335i. This is an amazing website and I am grateful for all of the info shared by fellow owners (mostly because it provided me with ammunition for my MANY trips to the dealer (laughable that EVERYONE in the service dept know me by name!). Most of the time when I went in I knew more than the service guys--sigh.

Your passion for the car also rubbed off on me, at least for awhile!
I wish u all the best of luck with this interesting machine.

Out.


I totally know how you feel. ....could have been a great car but sadly it just keeps breaking and the dealers just keep being a-holes.

Some teen is going to buy that 8, and come here and ask a 1,000,000 questions.

1,000,000 questions again....LOL...:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I've had some weird things and I take them in immediatley to have them fixed. I have a 2006 6spd AT. I've had no performane problems.

I've had my airbag bracket rattling, Driver's side window arm rattling, and my pass. side's window stopped working. They fixed EVERYTHING immediately.

I also take automotive courses at my Community College so I go onto AllData or Mitchell-Online. They keep them updated so any common problems or recalls they have them posted up on there. Hell is anyone wants the recalls or common problems, PM me. The dealerships use these programs

so glad I havent had a single problem with my 04.

It hears you. It's just biding its time... The gremlins are coming for you!! (j/k congrats on your good luck)

To the original poster... I can understand your hesitation, but are you sure you don't want to take a risk on one of the newer models? I sat in an 07 a month or so ago and didn't even have to drive the damn thing to know it might be worth it! There are always the few cars that are the nightmares to own...

Good luck! (btw, I haven't test driven the G37 - no salesman ever takes me seriously - but wow what a vehicle that is!! G37 ftw)

Jennifer

Just get an 06 or 07. The newer cars have all the updates already... I love my car and wouldn't trade it for the world.

Get rid of the problems and start new... I'd stick with the 8 if I were you. Much better looking and a unique engine!

*Warning* This is long!


Maybe I am insane, but despite all of these issues I was still considering buying out the lease and keeping it I really do love the uniqueness, look and handling of the car, and it is a relative bargain, but it is the most unreliable car I've ever owned and, in my opinion, needs a lot more torque. I am also frustrated with the brutal rate of depreciation (zero equity in the lease for trade in, ...).

So, ... I'm out. I am going to bite the bullet (double my payment!) and get into a
G37 or maybe even a 335i. This is an amazing website and I am grateful for all of the info shared by fellow owners (mostly because it provided me with ammunition for my MANY trips to the dealer (laughable that EVERYONE in the service dept know me by name!). Most of the time when I went in I knew more than the service guys--sigh.

Your passion for the car also rubbed off on me, at least for awhile!
I wish u all the best of luck with this interesting machine.

Out.

good luyck with your new car...that is exactly what it is in my opinion, you got a bad lcuk car. i think there are plenty of 8s out there that out weight tht bad its just that some people happen to get tht bad cars. hopefull tht next car wont be bad. engoy the Charokee the as milage alone on that thing scare me. by teh way why do you enjoy it so much?

I bought the GC SRT8 because my wife insisted on getting an SUV. My neighbour had one and after he let me drive his the decision was made instantly! It is quite simply one of the most unque vehicles on the road--an SUV with 420HP/420 ft lbs of torque!! You'd have to drive one to believe the power. It is undescribable. The AWD makes the thing ridiculously fast off the line--serioulsy, go test drive one just for kicks. The sound alone will tempt you! Plus it is sprung extremely tight and handles amazingly well for its size, and the Brembos stop it in a hurry. Obviously much different than a sports car, but if you are looking for a performance SUV, look no further; the thing kicks ass!!! Not really what the wife had in mind, but she said get an SUV so........... :)

I have decided to go with the G37S. It feels a bit more cumbersome than the 8, but I love the torque, the exhaust note, the 19s, the big brakes, and the interior is sweet--nice leather, real aluminum trim, great stereo and tech pkg, ...... Lots of other cool features too, like push button start elec, tilt/telescopic wheel, ......

I'm going to order a black on black 6 speed in the New Year.
Merry Christmas to me!

I'll miss the 8 (at least the good times!), but I'm also pumped about getting something different.

Cheers.

Yeah, I hear you with the driving style / mileage issues: it doesn't matter how "economically" or spirited I drive, I get the same gas mileage.

The G37 looks pretty nice. I do like the look of the G35 coupe more, but I'll take a bit of styling miscues for the added power, torque and creature-comforts.

Congrats on the decision! Sad to see a RX-8 owner leave the ranks.