Hello eveyone,

This is my first post since I just bought an RX-8 (Nordic Green Touring Pkg 6-spd) and will take delivery of it on the 3rd of January. I have about a 5 hour trip to Tampa to take that day and since I was going to pick up the car, I thought about taking my shiny new baby on the drive. I know about the breakin period of the engine and aren't planning on running the revs above 6000 for the first 1000 miles or so. My question is: Is it ok for me to take the brand new car on this long highway trip (about 300 miles on Sat and 300 back on Sun) or would the long highway trip be bad for a brand new car. I'll be gentle with it (keep her under 6000 rpm), but I'm just worried that the constant interstate driving would be bad for a brand new car. Should I break the engine in with varied city driving?

Please let me know what I should do. I can always take my Camry on one last trip before it goes up for sale.

Thanks in advance.

Should be ok as long as you vary the RPMs fairly often.

Picked my RX-8 up on a Thursday, and took it on a 300 mile trip that Saturday. Just vary the RPM's as Omicron said, and keep your revs below 6000. That was back in July.

Enjoy your new ride, and have a nice trip!

As tough as it may be I'd take the Camry one last time and save the mileage for a better trip. Heading down 75 and back on a weekend may not be such a great break in for your 8 or for you. Take some quality time and get used to it.

Besides you can cut the trip time down by hauling in the Camry and not have to worry about it. There will be plenty of time for you to enjoy your new 8 when you get back.

So what are you coming to Tampa for?

I took my brand spanking new black, 6 spd and did some local city driving, about 25 miles, then drove her home 400 miles of open highway to her new nesting spot. The rpm's definately sniffed 7-8 thousand on her maiden voyage. Varying the rpm is the most important thing to do here. Not racing the engine before 1000 miles doesn't mean you can't feed her a little petrol. Those engines are maxed out well before your foot ever hit the pedal and are begging for abuse. Just be cautious not to make the audible warning at 8500 rpm chime as often as Joe Horn's cell phone.

Have fun with that machine guys, treat it like it was designed to be treated!