Well I know this thread probably belongs in the Lounge but the title is RX-8 Discussion.....

So I am directing this thread and my comments to ANYONE contemplating BUYING a New RX-8...

After traveling only 8,000 KMs my White Night RX-8 (Series II) is loosening up just nicely.

I have been on a few long rides, through hills and Twisties, freeways and byways, country roads and bumpy roads, and ALL I can say is WOW-WWW what a car.

I have had a few mates drive my 8 and they just can't believe How this car hangs on around corners, it's flat stance and beautiful Balance.

The smoothness and quite Rotary Engine is another talking point, Guys just can't believe how smooth this car's engine really is.

I have never driven a car in all my years that is just So COMPLETE, I really can not fault anything about the Mazda RX-8.

Brakes, Suspension, Ride, Gearbox, Accessory Features, everything just works and works so well.

So I guess you can see without me RAVING ON TOO MUCH that I love my car, if ANYONE out there in the motoring world is contemplating an RX-8...JUST DO IT...

YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED!...

Sure many say it has not got enough HP, I say Rubbish, you don't buy an RX-8 just for the Horse Power or "torque"...it is the SUM of the entire 'Driving Experience', a cars POWER is only 33% of this total package.

I guess my real only gripe is the Paintwork, too brittle and chips too easily and is VERY thin.

The Chassis is another Excellent Feature of this car...

Did I also mention the Value, for US Citizens this car is a STEAL!

So, there has been much written by many on the RX-8, IMO this car will go down in History as one of the TRUE motoring ICONS.

Apologies about my rant.. :naughty:

fanboi









(I Love my RX8. Please dont tell all my friends.)

haha ^ well glad you have good taste lol it took me driving outta the dealership and my first crank past 8grand to realize i had gotten myself into an addiction but hey better than other things i could be addicted to lol

i have an '04 BB and i'd say my paint job is one of the BEST long-term traits of the car. six + years old and it still shines big time, especially at night.

yeah same here the VR is exceptional i always get compliments on the paint color and how it shines lol

Well I know this thread probably belongs in the Lounge but the title is RX-8 Discussion.....

So I am directing this thread and my comments to ANYONE contemplating BUYING a New RX-8...

After traveling only 8,000 KMs my White Night RX-8 (Series II) is loosening up just nicely.

I have been on a few long rides, through hills and Twisties, freeways and byways, country roads and bumpy roads, and ALL I can say is WOW-WWW what a car.

I have had a few mates drive my 8 and they just can't believe How this car hangs on around corners, it's flat stance and beautiful Balance.

The smoothness and quite Rotary Engine is another talking point, Guys just can't believe how smooth this car's engine really is.

I have never driven a car in all my years that is just So COMPLETE, I really can not fault anything about the Mazda RX-8.

Brakes, Suspension, Ride, Gearbox, Accessory Features, everything just works and works so well.

So I guess you can see without me RAVING ON TOO MUCH that I love my car, if ANYONE out there in the motoring world is contemplating an RX-8...JUST DO IT...

YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED!...

Sure many say it has not got enough HP, I say Rubbish, you don't buy an RX-8 just for the Horse Power or "torque"...it is the SUM of the entire 'Driving Experience', a cars POWER is only 33% of this total package.

I guess my real only gripe is the Paintwork, too brittle and chips too easily and is VERY thin.

The Chassis is another Excellent Feature of this car...

Did I also mention the Value, for US Citizens this car is a STEAL!

So, there has been much written by many on the RX-8, IMO this car will go down in History as one of the TRUE motoring ICONS.

Apologies about my rant.. :naughty:

dissapointed - thought you were going to do a comparison with your earlier 8 :rolleyes:

Maybe they skimped out on the paint for the new models? My paint has held up very well, (24K miles)

dissapointed - thought you were going to do a comparison with your earlier 8 :rolleyes:

:dunno:

I would if I ever owned an "earlier 8".... ;)

/\ hmmm - perhaps i'm confusing you with someone else . How did you make 3000 posts in less than a yr of ownership ?

^ Perhaps because I joined as a member in Apr 2005 while I was saving for my RX-8 which I always wanted to own..... you don't have to be an RX-8 owner to be a club member you know :)

^agreed

and yours isn't even the R3! (GT trim i assume, based on the equipment you listed?)

but, but, but all the rotary bashers will toss out the gas mileage card and try to trump you! what do you do then???

but, but, but all the rotary bashers will toss out the gas mileage card and try to trump you! what do you do then???

kick them in the cods

and yours isn't even the R3! (GT trim i assume, based on the equipment you listed?)

but, but, but all the rotary bashers will toss out the gas mileage card and try to trump you! what do you do then???

Yep, In Australia the R3 is called the GT, and mine is called the Luxury, your GT:confused:

I tell the "Fuel Card" bashers to "get stuffed" :rolleyes:...

There are Many who own Japanese SUV's of all makes that achieve no better mileage than the 8, in some cases worse.

As I said if Gas was a worry for me then I would not buy an RX-8, a V6 or even large 4 Cylinder.

If you are concerned, go buy a Mazda 2 or 3 or the new 1. ;)

BTW, the R3 is nothing that special, a stiffer suspension with larger wheels and a spoiler with Recaro Seats that most guys can't fit into.
There are really no performance gains apart from a slightly flatter cornering speed, drive trains are identical to all S2 RX-8's.

kick them in the cods

or Bollocks, then they can...:puke:

I am at 1100 so far, had my first service at 1011km. I love this car and how smooth and accurate the handling is. I have owned 5 cars now and I have to say, handling wise, this is the best I have had. I don't know how I can cope post RX8 - my taste in cars have been upgraded (spoilt?).

I also have the luxury version VR, and fuel economy wise is the same as my Saab 900 turbo so no biggie there. But the PLUS side of me owning this car in my country is I only pay about AUD$0.48 per litre... WOOHOO, so full top up costs me AUD$23-25 per week. Heaven.

Question to ASH8: when did you actually start revving youe engine? And do you get free service every 5000km in Australia, plus 8 year warranty? Reason for asking is in a couple of years I may end up in Australia, and wondering should I ship my 8 over :P, or just sell it and buy another one there. Advise?

You are in Hong Kong?

The only "Free" service Mazda Australia gives you is the First 1000 KM, nothing is really done, NO Fluid Changes at all.

I strongly suggest you get an oil and filter change at 2000 KMs (Genuine Mazda Oil Filter Only), and while you are at it the transmission and diff oils changed (if you have a manual gearbox).

Services here are every 10K..I think...I do (will do) my own at every 5K.

You can start revving her up to 5K - 6K now and then 7 at 2000 KMs and then red-line her once or twice a day (hot engine only)....IMO at about 3-3.5K you can open her up...no limits.

I would give her at least another Oil change before 5K.

In a few years new RX-8's may not be available...who knows?, at the moment they are $50K-AUD new....

Yours is RHD?, so after a years ownership you can import her..without too much drama or taxes, but I am no expert on this one..OK.

Ash

You are in Hong Kong?

The only "Free" service Mazda Australia gives you is the First 1000 KM, nothing is really done, NO Fluid Changes at all.

I strongly suggest you get an oil and filter change at 2000 KMs (Genuine Mazda Oil Filter Only), and while you are at it the transmission and diff oils changed (if you have a manual gearbox).

Services here are every 10K..I think...I do (will do) my own at every 5K.

You can start revving her up to 5K - 6K now and then 7 at 2000 KMs and then red-line her once or twice a day (hot engine only)....IMO at about 3-3.5K you can open her up...no limits.

I would give her at least another Oil change before 5K.

In a few years new RX-8's may not be available...who knows?, at the moment they are $50K-AUD new....

Yours is RHD?, so after a years ownership you can import her..without too much drama or taxes, but I am no expert on this one..OK.

Ash
Thanks mate. Not from Hong Kong, but Brunei. The extra changes in tranmissions and diff oils really depends on my dealer. They may advise against it, and if I insist, I suppose I'd have them charge me for the service. We'll see. In terms of revving, I've actually been mighty eager. I've been revving it to 6-7k rpm since my service (once a day) and revved it to beeping red line only once (probably won't do it again till 5000km now)

How much do you pay for every service at your dealers? I need to ask the Australian customs about shipping and taxes but since its 2 years from now, I'll ask closer to then. Still thinking whether I should ship it as costs of owning this car would go WAAAAY up in Oz.

Here's some details of what I have to pay here. Maybe you can give me your figures?

Insurance: AUD$900/yr
Road tax: AUD$30 (NO, that is NOT a typo. I pay $30 a year as it has a 1.3L engine :lol2:)
Maintenance: Free every 5000km
Tyres: Approx AUD230 per tyre at current prices
Fuel: AUD$25 on a full tank (I know AUD prices would be around x2.5, around $70?)

Hope you can share so I can get a better view of car ownership costs in Oz. Which part you from (Sydney?)

^ If you want to have your Oil changed it is up to you...and yes you will be charged for it, I did not recommend it for no reason.

As I said I do all my servicing myself.

Comprehensive Car Insurance with a 4 Year brand new replacement if written off $800 AUD a year.

Car registration including all taxes about $580.00 a year (yet to get one as car is not a year old, registration was part of my purchase contract).

Petrol $1.25 AUD a litre.

I live in South Australia, not Sydney, New South Wales.


.................................................. .................................................. ......................................

The following persons are not eligible to import a vehicle under the Personal Import Scheme:

•visitors
•temporary residents
•foreign diplomatic personnel
•companies and
•corporations
To be eligible for a personal import the following mandatory criteria must be satisfied:

a.the vehicle has been owned and used by the applicant for a continuous period of at least 12 months (3 months where ownership and use of the vehicle commenced before 8 May 2000);
b.at the time the vehicle is imported, the applicant is:
i. an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident; or
ii. a person who has applied to become an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident;
c.the applicant is of an age that entitles him or her to hold a licence or a permit to drive a road vehicle of that type;
d.the applicant undertakes to comply with any requirements as to road safety that are imposed in respect of the vehicle by the Administrator; and
e.the applicant has not imported a road vehicle owned by him/her within the year ending on the day on which the vehicle in respect of which the application is made is landed in Australia.
If an applicant has imported a vehicle under any other provisions in that time, approval will not be granted.
The criteria outlined at (a) to (e) are mandatory criteria as included in Regulation 13 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989. The criteria will be strictly enforced.

Copies of the following documents must be provided to establish ownership and use of the vehicle overseas for twelve consecutive months, or more:

•every page of your passport including all blank pages
•statement of travel. This involves supplying details of any absences from your main country of residence during the relevant qualifying period for ownership and use of the vehicle. If your travel was for business reasons you must supply a letter to that effect from your employer.
•purchase documents
•overseas registration documents in your name
•driver's licence
•a $50 application fee must also be provided.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/EligibilityCriteria_2.aspx

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ValuationImportedRoadVehicles.pdf

I don't think they allow the importation of Left Hand Drive cars anymore unless you do a RHD Changeover...very expensive.

The 8 is like a grown up go kart, for me anyway. The relative lack or torque means that you have to change gears and cannot rely on low range grunt to keep you on the move, but that's the fun of it anyway.

^ If you want to have your Oil changed it is up to you...and yes you will be charged for it, I did not recommend it for no reason.

As I said I do all my servicing myself.

Comprehensive Car Insurance with a 4 Year brand new replacement if written off $800 AUD a year.

Car registration including all taxes about $580.00 a year (yet to get one as car is not a year old, registration was part of my purchase contract).

Petrol $1.25 AUD a litre.

I live in South Australia, not Sydney, New South Wales.


.................................................. .................................................. ......................................

The following persons are not eligible to import a vehicle under the Personal Import Scheme:

•visitors
•temporary residents
•foreign diplomatic personnel
•companies and
•corporations
To be eligible for a personal import the following mandatory criteria must be satisfied:

a.the vehicle has been owned and used by the applicant for a continuous period of at least 12 months (3 months where ownership and use of the vehicle commenced before 8 May 2000);
b.at the time the vehicle is imported, the applicant is:
i. an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident; or
ii. a person who has applied to become an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident;
c.the applicant is of an age that entitles him or her to hold a licence or a permit to drive a road vehicle of that type;
d.the applicant undertakes to comply with any requirements as to road safety that are imposed in respect of the vehicle by the Administrator; and
e.the applicant has not imported a road vehicle owned by him/her within the year ending on the day on which the vehicle in respect of which the application is made is landed in Australia.
If an applicant has imported a vehicle under any other provisions in that time, approval will not be granted.
The criteria outlined at (a) to (e) are mandatory criteria as included in Regulation 13 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989. The criteria will be strictly enforced.

Copies of the following documents must be provided to establish ownership and use of the vehicle overseas for twelve consecutive months, or more:

•every page of your passport including all blank pages
•statement of travel. This involves supplying details of any absences from your main country of residence during the relevant qualifying period for ownership and use of the vehicle. If your travel was for business reasons you must supply a letter to that effect from your employer.
•purchase documents
•overseas registration documents in your name
•driver's licence
•a $50 application fee must also be provided.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/EligibilityCriteria_2.aspx

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ValuationImportedRoadVehicles.pdf

I don't think they allow the importation of Left Hand Drive cars anymore unless you do a RHD Changeover...very expensive.


Wow, thanks for that mate. Clarifies alot. Only problem now is my 8 is listed under my wife's name and she doesn't hold a manual driver's license! DOH... I
l'll have to see if I can change ownership to me then. or check that when they say 'the applicant is of an age that entitles him or her to hold a licence or a permit to drive a road vehicle of that type' it doesn't refer to manual/automatic :)

Car is right handed so no problems there.

I have an 04 with 76Kmiles on it and I still love it as much as the day I picked it up in 2006. Great cars, even with the increased maintanence and attention required at higher miles.

Great review. I concur with your assessment that the rx-8 is about the sum of its parts which makes it such a great car. One of my side gig is to review cars for some local community mags. And I can honestly say that each time I return to my rx-8, I am amazed how complete it is as a driver's car. There's a quality that just cannot be fully articulated with words.

I am at 1100 so far, had my first service at 1011km. I love this car and how smooth and accurate the handling is. I have owned 5 cars now and I have to say, handling wise, this is the best I have had. I don't know how I can cope post RX8 - my taste in cars have been upgraded (spoilt?).

I also have the luxury version VR, and fuel economy wise is the same as my Saab parts (http://www.thepartsbin.com/guides/saab.html) 900 turbo so no biggie there. But the PLUS side of me owning this car in my country is I only pay about AUD$0.48 per litre... WOOHOO, so full top up costs me AUD$23-25 per week. Heaven.

Question to ASH8: when did you actually start revving youe engine? And do you get free service every 5000km in Australia, plus 8 year warranty? Reason for asking is in a couple of years I may end up in Australia, and wondering should I ship my 8 over :P, or just sell it and buy another one there. Advise?

My friend is also planning to get the same ride like you though he is wondering if he should get the luxury version VR also.

rx8's suck.
Full of Fail.















(Love your car btw, ASH)

I guess my real only gripe is the Paintwork, too brittle and chips too easily and is VERY thin.


Agreed....My Sparkling Black has a few rock chips already. I live in the middle of nowhere and I make a point of not being behind anybody...EVER.

Anyway, 10,000 miles and I could go on raving about my 8....I am so glad I took the plunge and got it!

I only have a couple of complaints:

1. The paint, obviously.

2. The silver paint on the sides of the center console is WAY too thin. I scratches if you look at it wrong. That will be one of my first mods.

3. Mazda moved the oil filter for this year and it is even more of a pain in the neck to reach.

When the fuel card is thrown, I just tell them that if I worried about fuel mileage, I wouldn't have bought a sports car!


P.S. Anybody else have a problem with people thinking you blew $80k on your car?

Five month owner myself, this car is fun to drive, its silver and the paint is in great shape for an '04! It goes stupid fast around corners, makes me grin lots.

I never realized you didn't own an 8 until recently. Glad you're enjoying your 8. You're a certified fanboi! :)