It seems like lately it's fairly common to see an "I want an 8 but all these problems make me nervous" post quickly followed by "Don't worry - there are only a couple of people having problems. Everything's fine for the rest of us". It occured to me that it'd be interesting to quantify this and to have a definitive (sort of ;) ) thread to point these questions to.

Additionally, it will be interesting to compare these results to the results of the satisfaction poll. Are owners with 1 or more of the more common problems still satisfied?

I think the options I selected cover the most commonly discussed issues with the exception of the oil pan problem. At this point, that problem should be pretty much history unless someone stumbles on a particularly old 8 somewhere.

FWIW - I don't have my 8 yet, but only because of my dealer. I offered $850 above invoice plus agreed to pay $350 for the MP3 player, which I imagine would have been another $100 dealer profit. The dealer was $400 above that and wouldn't budge.

I've got 300 miles on mine, cross my fingers, no problems yet.

got 3k with no issues, but I am still looking for a stick beating a dead horse animated gif....

7,000 miles with no problems

Love it !

I've flooded once, and my mileage sucks. But you can pry the keys to my RX-8 from my cold, dead hands!

I LOVE this car! I didn't buy it for gas mileage, if I had I would have bought a Prius.

only problem
is fixing it up is expensive

other then the miliage, my rx-8 is great. Although I doubt I'll get good milliage any way considering I drive it like I stole it :p , So I guess no problems yet. :D

Anyone else get trapped in the car?

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14232

Otherwise happy... 19 MPG, 800 Miles.

Originally posted by MEGAREDS
Anyone else get trapped in the car?

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14232

Otherwise happy... 19 MPG, 800 Miles.

Now that sounds more like an excuse - I just may use that one :)

I have 8,500 miles on the car. On my way back to St. Louis from Charlotte, NC, the oil pan developed a leak at one of the weld points.

I took it back to the dealership and they got the car in on a moments notice and had the oil pan replaced with the new style Mazda has created. There is a tech note out for the oil pan. It seems the old style sometimes will cause an erroneous low oil light for some owners.

The car is back to running great. Overall, it made the 1,500 mile trip flawlessly. But, during the last 1.5 hours of the drive, it was a little smoky due to the oil leak.

hate to say that I had to vote [other problem]

it was a very minor issue, and not really an issue with the car so much as a small manufacturing fault on the rear dirver side window latch.

apparently [ it's being replaced under warranty ] the little plastic latch / clip part of the lock that folds and clicks closed, on the little read window, was not made 100% corrently, so randomly, when the cabin air preasure got high, i.e. driving like a wild monkey, window down on the freeway, or just slaming the driver side door closed, the little rear driver side window would pop open.

not all the way, just pop unlocked really - but shit easy to steal the car with an open window through which to run your "this will unlath that front door lock" wire gizmo.

otherwise - so happy with the car I could shit myself!

++dez;

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14557

My girlfriend and I have had the car for less than a week...and we've already accumulated 1000 miles on it. Yes, it's that damn fun to drive! Home to work and school is only 10 miles for us too...so keep that in mind.

Good poll! will definitely show potential buyers how good the car really is.

You forgot the oil light coming on at high speeds (e.g. 90 mph for 6 minutes).. several ppl reported that, I had it happen once. The oil pan has to be replaced or something. Design flaw (?)

I'm a little wary of this survey, and the owner satisfaction survey, since last night there were only a few people who answered they had problems and now it's quite a bit higher. Same thing has happened in the other survey. Future owners, please remember that anyone can vote in these, and a favorite past-time of trolls is skewing data any way they can to make something look bad. Just check out the msn reviews for more information on this particular problem.

Nearly 2000 km and no real problems but when I left work the other night, the temparature has got down to zero and the engine didn't want to go anywhere for a few minutes.

Just wondering what will happen when it gets colder.

Other than that, what a blast to drive even if I can see the fuel gauge moving as I stay at 8000+ revs!!!!!!

Bring on more corners.

update...I actually have a little problem. On cold starts(sub 45 degree weather) it starts fine, but starts revving to 2500rpm, then drop to 1500rpm then back to 2500 on and on for like maybe 4 or 5 cycles. I blip the throttle and it goes away. Weird. Other than that it drives perfect. I also am getting like 15 mpg, but I don't really think that is a "problem" per se, just a "quirk" of the rotary. None of my other rotaries I owned were fuel sippers.

Originally posted by Elara
I'm a little wary of this survey, and the owner satisfaction survey, since last night there were only a few people who answered they had problems and now it's quite a bit higher. Same thing has happened in the other survey. Future owners, please remember that anyone can vote in these, and a favorite past-time of trolls is skewing data any way they can to make something look bad. Just check out the msn reviews for more information on this particular problem. Good point Elara, but thus far, it doesn't seem to be happening. We'll see. You can always delete the poll if the trolls ruin it by skewing it.

This poll is an excellent idea! No problems at all ...3,000 miles

Over 10,000 miles.

Absolutely no problems.

Absolutely love the car.

Originally posted by NAVILES16V
update...I actually have a little problem. On cold starts(sub 45 degree weather) it starts fine, but starts revving to 2500rpm, then drop to 1500rpm then back to 2500 on and on for like maybe 4 or 5 cycles. I blip the throttle and it goes away. Weird. Other than that it drives perfect. I also am getting like 15 mpg, but I don't really think that is a "problem" per se, just a "quirk" of the rotary. None of my other rotaries I owned were fuel sippers.

Your car should do this on every start- are you sure it's just on cold starts? Give it a few seconds and it'll stop. I forget the reason for this, but it is supposed to do it.

Alas, the dreaded "oil light" problem has befallen me. No biggie though, the oil pan will get replaced during my 1st routine maint. visit, which will be based on the 4-month interval, not the mileage since it has about 2,800 miles on it & Dec. 6th will come before 5,000 miles.

That's my ONLY PROBLEM so far & I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with my 8.

Tire pressure light comes on and feels a little shaky around 85-90 mph. Anyone have problems with the handling around high speeds in the hwy??? Just wondering. Otherwise great car. I go to admit the more milage you gain the better the car. Everyone is right.

Originally posted by USCEric
Tire pressure light comes on and feels a little shaky around 85-90 mph. Anyone have problems with the handling around high speeds in the hwy???

Sounds like you might want to have the TPS checked. I was running 85-90 through the mountains this month with no poblems. The fastest I've had the car is 130 with no sign of the light. For the safety folks out there - no one was around either time, and I had no passengers. The TPS did come on recently when the temperature dropped, but this is normal since air compresses in colder temps. I just had to dump some air in the tires and all was well.

Originally posted by ObjeX
Sounds like you might want to have the TPS checked. I was running 85-90 through the mountains this month with no poblems. The fastest I've had the car is 130 with no sign of the light. For the safety folks out there - no one was around either time, and I had no passengers. The TPS did come on recently when the temperature dropped, but this is normal since air compresses in colder temps. I just had to dump some air in the tires and all was well.

I agree- I've spent probably 5-6 hours between 80-90 in the past week alone, and never had the TPS light come on.

Sorry let me clear this up. TPS turning on the and the handling are two separate issues. TPS is always on. The handling around 85-90 is just shaky and horrible. I feel I'm going to tip over or lose control when I drive it that fast. Not the case with my other cars I had. Don't know if the two issues are related or not. Any suggestions?? So.. you guys are saying that you guys drove the car smoothly around that speed in the HWY?

Totally.

I'm not gonna insult your intellegence by asking if the tires are properly inflated.

Maybe a sensor is loose in one of your tires? Rattling around? That would ruin the wheel's balance.

Just visit your friendly mazda service guy...

Five weeks, over 4000 miles, and my car is running great. I never even had to add oil before my first oil change at 3000 miles. Gas mileage between 18.6 and 22.6 with an average around 20.5 or 21.0.

I have that slight roughness when idling in neutral. Goes away when I'm in gear with clutch down. I only realized it when my window was down at a stop. I'm not even going to worry about it.

Only other thing is I find the raised stitching on the steering wheel uncomfortable at the 3 and 9 o' clock positions. I got blisters on my right thumb from it. I think (1) the stitching should be lowered or made more flush and (2) there should be notches or dips for the thumbs (at the 3 and 9 o' clock positions) like in some other cars.

And that's all I have to mention at this point. Talk about minor. My car is doing pretty damn well.

Hello im new to this forum but i have a question? Has anyone elses center console gone out? I recently bought a 04 rx8 and ive been driving it for less than a month and just yesterday while i was driving the center console just turned off while i was listening to music. now i cant play my cds or turn on the AC. i checked some of the fuses but they all seem to be ok. If anyone knows what the problem is i would really appreciate it.

Now i have to drive my EG to work! :anger:

I think most have had a problem, but that's common with every car. Mileage? That shouldn't even be on the poll. The question should be "have you had an issue that wasn't resolved"? I had an issue with my A/C, but it was fixed through our warranty. I had an issue with my radio/nav in my Cadillac. I wouldn't file a complaint against the company over it. They corrected the issue and I am happy with it.

Two things happen with things like this. There are the overly negative that will scare the hell out of potential buyers and complain about the smallest things. Then there are those that are not honest about even a small issue and overly praise the car like it floats on water or something.

No car has not had any issue. Love or hate it for what it is.

I'm always wary of posting on these surveys...for I fear I may jinx myself :)
I'm absolutely infatuated with my stormy blue 8.

I did have my sun visor break. Mazda fixed it for free.

17,000 + miles, no problems.

I had to replace the rear Diff at 5000 miles. YES 5K...

should be multiple choice poll. as for me, 30k and none of the problems above.

Squeaky brakes... Everything else...EXCELLENT...

Squeaky brakes... Everything else...EXCELLENT...

FYI: known "issue" with the 8... even with brand new pads and rotors it will happen. check pads to make sure you arent metal on metal.. but like i said, is just something the brakes are known to do.

Best handling car needed low end power and first let me say I took care of this car carried oil in the trunk on long trips . Now for the bad news the rx8 had more problems then any car I've own, batterey, alt, spark plugs ,wires, recalls computer in the end , The Engine. Sadly I've given up and sold it to a dealer got pennies on the dollar. No other car has as many web sites deicated to problems like the rx8. With me mazda did not stand up its very sad . John

I just brought a used RX-8 (04) this year with 45K on it. Since then I've put on about 10K. Runs great so far. I had only one minor issue since buying this car. On a trip to Miami the low oil light came on and when I checked the oil, it was indeed low. Put in a quart and the oil has been fine since. I only wish that I was able to afford a new RX-8 but I hope to have this one around for a long time. I know it being an 04 model there has been reports of several issues but I hope that my model is not plague with them. Time will tell but its been a blast to drive. This is my first RX-8. Previous cars have always been Toyota Celica's with the exception of a Mercury Mountainer (for long trips with the family) a Mazda 626 I brought in 2001 which I still have, and believe it or not has 109K on it and I never had one issue with it besides norml wear and tear items. It was that experience that led me to get this car, plus I wanted a sports car that was fun to drive and manual.

gary you might wanna check the oil on a regular...i heard a rumor that the 8 can suck some up by design

30k, engine replaced.

23,500 miles. Not a single mechanical problem. One driver's side sun visor replaced. BFD. I usually get 240 miles per tank in a mix of city/highway and "spirited" driving.

Squeaky brakes... Everything else...EXCELLENT...


Leesha, thats just your car whistling at you!

Thanks...ever since that incident with the low oil light I have been checking the oil about every 2nd fill up just to be safe. I also have two quarts of 5-30 in the trunk for a quick fix. I was worried at first that there might have been a oil leak but it was just the rotary engine design. I really hope this car last for a while. I really appreciate all the information in these forums, especially for someone like me that has never own an RX-8 before.

14,000 miles on mine (had for 1 year in 2 weeks). No problems yet :)

i have 75.000 miles on mine and it still drives like new ,lots a power still.
i dont think i will ever get sick of this thing.