Right,

I've had the RX8 for about 3 weeks now (done about 900 miles in that time :D ). Anway I've now noticed a few things which I'm not sure I should go back to the dealer on. Being my first NEW car, not sure really how fussy I'm being on one point and whether the 2nd is expected and the 3rd is me not being used to the car.

Problem 1 - Where the bumper joins the chassis near the rear wheel arch, it sticks out a little bit, ie its not totally flush. Now its only out by prob 5mm . . and probably only noticable to me. Is this something I should take back and get them to fix? The other side is totally flush.

Problem 2 - When in neutral, with the clutch up, I can hear what I can only assume is the plates gently rubbing. I also find that if I'm down shifting at high revs, clutch down and knock into gear with clutch down I hear *something* speeding up as tho plates where still touching. When I put the clutch down in neutral the noise goes away. . forgot to add that bit :)

Problem 3 - Starting after rain and sometimes normally, I turn the key with clutch down (as per manual). Well it tries to start, and usually does after about 3-4 seconds (not the more or less instant I would have expected). Sometimes I have to use the throttle (as in a flood start) to get it started. It then coughs n splutters until it finally tics over. Now the engine isn't flooding from driving or switching off from cold.

So . . . all in all should I be going back to the dealer for all 3 of these problems? If not are there any I should worry about?

Thanks in advance.

Termite

Problem 1 - this doesn't sound right but I can't see mine at the moment to check.

Problem 2 - This is perfectly natural with the RX8 - everyone seems to have this.

Problem 3 - It may be that your plugs were fouled when being moved at ports etc. 3 - 4 seconds wait is not unusual for many RX8 owners (although mine starts straight away every time.) Does it not start at all sometimes or are you just using the throttle if it hasn't started within 3-4 seconds?

p.s. - have you been over to the UK owners club forums - much more info on that site;

see here (http://rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum)

Ahh thanks for the info. The clutch side of things was the most worrying. . .but again probably won't worry about it as much now.

The bumpmer bit is purely cosmetic and not that apparent unless you looked for it :) Probably me just being fussy.

The starting side of things. Well I never touch the throttle until its turned over for about 5 seconds without starting then a little blip and it normally catches. . chugs for about 10 seconds before running smoothly.

Although last night after reading the forums from your link (I've read quite alot there just never registered and posted :)) I drove the car slightly differently. Unforunately I sit in traffic to work and on the way back with no real time to "enjoy" the car. Last night I kept the rev's higher. . so rather than knocking into 4/5/6 at 30-40 I'd stay in a lower gear and have the rev's higher. This morning she caught perfectly on startup, so it does sound like the plugs fouling or fouled. I may drop it back because the problem has been there all the time and it does seem to get worse not better. I've never had it NOT start, but it feels at times like that is just around the corner.

Termite

Termite - one thing that is clear is that this car needs to be driven and driven at high revs, that is what the engine is made for. My dealers advice from day one as to tank it. His demo which was trashed from day one goes better than ever with good mpg in the mid 20's.

If you stuck in traffic all day and not really allowing the engine to rev freely then this would explain the problem you are having. Go out in the midle of the night and give it a good thrashing.

rael