UK observations:

I bought a HiPo (231BHP) late 2003 - sold it after 7 weeks because it has major flaws. My initial reactions were "WoW". The car had all I dreamed of after 30 years of ONLY running performance cars (mainly RWD such as TVR's, Porsche 944 Turbo etc). Performance was adequate, handling superb & the smoothness of the powertrain was a dream. However, in the UK gas is hyper expensive at approximately $6.70 a gallon! My first complaint to my dealer was why were Mazda UK putting stickers on their showroom cars claiming a "combined" mpg of 24.8? The most I ever achieved was 20.82 - & this using a pussyfoot & avoiding 6th gear (there's a good reason for this). Dealer connected car to Mazda "Worldwide Diagnostic Computer" & said no problem. Technician who carried out the test spoke to me privately & said that there WAS a problem as he'd worked on RX-7's since '88. He decided to disconnect the battery to reset the ECU to factory defaults. That was when my mpg went from 17 to 21mpg. - Still not good.
On 28 Jan it snowed heavily in UK. On 28 & 29 Jan my RX-8 got stuck on icy flat & level roads several times. It was severely embarrassing to be slewing around, getting nowhere & blocking traffic in both directions in a brand new "state of the art" performance car fitted with Traction Control. Mazda's traction control is crap. On ice/snow it MUST be switched off or you will just get horrible judders from the rear end & the rear wheels won't even turn. The stock Bridgestones are totally unsuited for "all weather" use. They are great on a dry road but even with a slightly damp surface they cause the ole' ticker to suddenly go hot/cold when you realise that you're not in 100% control of the car.
I have many other issues e.g: Heated seats are pathetically lukewarm - try a German car! Without the A/C on the heater is pathetic - the A/C costs mega mpg... In damp weather the interior windows mist up immediately & actually have running water inside. Front & rear lenses mist up - illegal with xenons (HID in US?). Build quality is suspect - after 7 weeks in UK weather my wheels (rims) were corroding.

I traded the car immediately I had the safety problems on 29 Jan. Bought a new Golf R32. I smile every time I fire this car up, it leaves the RX-8 for dead, the quality is better, I can drive safely (4WD) anytime & I'm getting 32mpg.

Don't let love be blind. The RX-8 is seriously flawed. Just visit WWW.RX8OWNERSCLUB.CO.UK & read the comments. - Clutch problems, serious engine flooding, new engine needed on the day of taking delivery, nasty smells for 3500+ miles, catalysts breaking up, undriveable (unacceptable in 2004) in slippery conditions & totally unacceptable fuel economy in the UK where fuel is expensive.

I lost a lot of money on this car but I'm now happy with my R32. All you people should approach your dealers or Mazda USA about these issues, 'cos they won't go away & when word gets around, the residual value of your RX-8's will plummet when nobody wants to buy them. Mazda UK 'phoned me 2 days ago & expressed their concern at the wet/snow/ice problems & said they were discussing the issues with Mazda Japan. I have no faith 'cos commercial interests (profit!) apply above safety. Bet the RX-8 is taken off the market very soon though & I also bet that Mazda will abandon the rotary engine..........


Regards to u all


Satan666

HAHAHA!!

Sorry, but your funeral. A VW? Yeah, because *those* have wonderful long term reliability. VW/Audi products are garbage, from my parents 50k a6 to their 72K s6, all have been mechanical nightmares. Enjoy what *you* have bought into.

And to take issue with the traction control? YOU are the one who tried to drive in the snow with a summer tire, and you dare to blame Mazda for that? After "30 years of running performance cars" you should have something resembling a clue!

And did you even *imply* in that message that a TVR is more reliable? Oh man, that'll keep me laughin all day! So long, and don't let the door hit you.. well, you know where ;)

Dont worry, this troll was kicked out of rx8ownersclub.co.uk anyhow.


Shame he slags of the car because he sux.

We seem to have a problem here. Perhaps it is because I am English & you are obviously not very conversant with either the English language (spelling, grammar etc.) or you are, as I would suspect, just an uneducated moron. Am I right to assume that you are under 25, have never had the finances to buy a "decent" car & in fact know nothing about machinery? Old son, "Trolls" do nothing for me.
I professed an honest opinion on a car that I owned (outright - not on your US culture of "finance"). What possesses the likes of you to be so rude to somebody you don't know? Is this the latest American thing? I'm interested in comments from the rest of you out there 'cos the way things are going, these sort of unprovoked attacks & Bush's insistance on Visa's for UK citizens to visit US are a killer to UK tourism.
From your comments I suspect you are a nobody. I supported your US aircrew in the last 2 Gulf wars. Never again. If you represent the views of the majority in the US (which I suspect u do) then the US is dead in the water.

I love the British :) ............. they are just so .....British.

Uh you seem to have completly missed some facts.

I'm a member of the UK owners club. And a UK citizen. Please take your American hate somewhere else.

Own an RX-8. Outright, no loan.

Have done 5000miles in 3+ months of ownership.

Recieved the first rx-8 from my dealers, one of the first handfull in the country.

I have a degree (BSc in Software engineering, so am well educated).

Here is mazda UK's official respnce regarding the tyres :

"The Tyres on the RX-8 are designed to provide the best possible performance over a variety of surfaces and conditions. Due to the power the car develops and the cornering forces the chassis can generate, a wide footprint is required to give the maximum amount of traction between tyre and road. Unfortunately, this is at odds with what is required in snow and ice conditions. The greater surface area that usually benefits grip actually prevents the tyre from "biting" through the top layer of snow. This is demonstrated on the snow covered stages of the WRC World Rally, where the vehicles use very narrow tyres (sometimes half as wide as standard) to gain some level of grip. If a consideration was made for the tyres to perform in snow and ice for the very rare occasions that we suffer in the UK, the compromise would be in dry weather performance which would inevitably suffer."


I get above the official stated MPG for urban driving which is 90% of my driving, and have achieved 26mpg with mixed driving.

Don't let love be blind. The RX-8 is seriously flawed. Just visit WWW.RX8OWNERSCLUB.CO.UK & read the comments. - Clutch problems, serious engine flooding, new engine needed on the day of taking delivery, nasty smells for 3500+ miles, catalysts breaking up, undriveable (unacceptable in 2004) in slippery conditions & totally unacceptable fuel economy in the UK where fuel is expensive.

1 engine faliure, nothing like VW's problems.

Flooding? once or twice out of 1000's of cars - I've never had a problem in 5k miles, often short (less than 1 mile) trips.

nast smell? sure for a few hundred miles, a protective coating for shipping, burns off withing 1000 miles.

Catalyst breaking up? never heard that one, more info please.

"undriveable (unacceptable in 2004) in slippery conditions " Do some research here, the car is great in icy conditions iwht the correct tyres, as ANY car is.

"totally unacceptable fuel economy in the UK where fuel is expensive." Uh, I accept them, I knew about it when I bought the car, ist poorer than my focus, but its also a 6 sec to 60 sports car. I'll admit I wont ever see the stated figures (up to 32mpg) because I just cant drive it economicaly, I always drive it like it should be. I'm sure you can achieve close to the stated figures (which are the govenments NOT mazda's) if you try.

I get just as good/better MPG than my brother in laws 2.5v6 saab - which is slower. Thats plenty good enough for me.

"Bet the RX-8 is taken off the market very soon though & I also bet that Mazda will abandon the rotary engine.........."

Not a chance in hell. Its a big hit, selling well, lauded by all the motoring press, awards everywhere. The renesis is an absolute gem of an engine, stats on paper do not tell the whole story, its so smothe its incredible - way better than a v6, I6 or v12.

I called you a troll because thats what you were onthe UK owners club forum. Honestly I believe you've owned neither the RX-8 or a 'new' golf R32. As they dont MAKE golf r32's anymore and they sold the last new ones in november.

What a load of old bullshit from Mr "Rob Dickinson". (Please excuse this argument between Brit's).
Rob, you both know F*** All & haven't even bothered to do your research before opening your loud mouth! I traded my 8 in for a "brand new" R32 on 30 Jan. If u had the intelligence, which u patently don't, u would have looked at WWW.Volkswaen.co.uk.

If you had gone to "used cars - Golf R32" u would have seen that there are over 40 R32's - Brand new- but pre-registered still for sale. I think your credibility just went out the window.................

geez Mr. satan66...you have got to be one of the biggest jackasses I have ever seen post here...and we've had some doozies. 3 threads slimed by you in just a matter of minutes. I cannot wait for you to be shown the door here also. Enjoy your VW.

Complaints about mileage in the same paragraph that states he wouldn't use 6th gear.

Wow, I'm shocked. (Not.)

Then again, driving in snow on the stock summer tires and being surprised they suck?

If you really dumped the car after seven weeks, it must not be your money as you just lost at least 20% of the car's value the millisecond you drove it off the lot...

Also for "Rob Dickinson": Today I posted the comments on why I could not live with the RX-8. These were honest findings. I do not understand why people find the need to get upset & post offensive views. Why? It is not necessary - these forums are here for people to learn & perhaps solve their own problems.

Mr Dickinson, I sold my 8 because it was crap. That is MY opinion & I'm entitled to it. - End of story. You represent the UK RX-8 Owners Club on this US forum & your narrow minded opinions are unworthy of a British view.

Get outa here!

SATAN666-

Sorry you had such a bad ordeal with the RX8, just the wrong type of car for your needs.

Don't like your attacks towards AMERICANS. Then I look at your name and it tells all.

I just want to know why does anyone even bother to reply to threads like this. Just let it drop. RX-8's Rock!

Guys, just ignore him. It's like all troll posts. This post has nothing constructive to add, does nothing but criticize the car, and in a very snide indirect manner, Americans in general (you know what they say about assuming stuff right satan666?). That is called flame bait.

Dont waste your time with this as the thread will either be locked or deleted.

Originally posted by satan666
If you had gone to "used cars - Golf R32" u would have seen that there are over 40 R32's - Brand new- but pre-registered still for sale. I think your credibility just went out the window.................

"Used cars". Hmm a hint there I think.

BTW I dont represent anyone except myself.

I dont mind honest opinions or due criticism of the rx-8 , but you just rant. No car is perfect, else we'd all be driving that car instead of any other car.

For me the R32 is to lardy, 4wd and front heavy, and every fast VAG i've driven (including the 225tt) has been teribly dull to drive.

Each to their own I guess.

satan666....

I have blood-Brits in my family, and I'm frankly ashamed to see what you're saying here.

Cars aside, your contempt, random stereotyping, and politicizing of events is foolish. You claim to have a lot of money and criticize people for financing? That shows a lot of character...

I have my own concerns about the car, which I have expressed here and received many a constructive reply to. Why don't you try something in that vein instead of insulting the entire nation of 300 million people, oh whom I'm sure you likely know only a handful. Your intolerance and quickness to judge is what leads to unnecessary conflicts, not our president.

Just cool it, and think before you speak.

Originally posted by satan666
Also for "Rob Dickinson": Today I posted the comments on why I could not live with the RX-8. These were honest findings. I do not understand why people find the need to get upset & post offensive views. Why? It is not necessary - these forums are here for people to learn & perhaps solve their own problems.
So why did you feel it necessary fill one of your posts with a lot of insulting generalisations about Americans??? Honestly, what kind of a response do you expect?

Its just like that saying..

Dont waste your time or your breath..

Satan666: Perhaps you do not understand internet etiquette. You've arrived on a forum where most people like their cars, and you slam it for what appear to be pretty silly reasons (you use SNOW tires in SNOW & ICE- NOT performance tires. We've all gone over this repeatedly- take a look at the search button). And then you attack members who have been making valid contributions for months. You don't have to like the car, but you do have to be polite. Your points are valid, your approach is not. Please refrain from the attacks (this goes to all of you), whether personal, country-wise, or any other such.

Originally posted by satan666
The most I ever achieved was 20.82 - & this using a pussyfoot & avoiding 6th gear (there's a good reason for this).

Simple, the rotary engine needs some break-in before achieving its best results. I've got 24-26 MPG Imp. quite often.


On 28 Jan it snowed heavily in UK. On 28 & 29 Jan my RX-8 got stuck on icy flat & level roads several times. It was severely embarrassing to be slewing around

Maybe YOU should have been paying attention! There's been dozens of threads here on this forum advising that the high performance SUMMER tires are useless and treacherous on snow and ice - many of us have fitted real winter tires and are getting around just fine in winter mountain conditions - I've taken my RX-8 skiing in the Rockies several times, it's been great.

The stock Bridgestones are totally unsuited for "all weather" use. They are great on a dry road but even with a slightly damp surface they cause the ole' ticker to suddenly go hot/cold when you realise that you're not in 100% control of the car.

That would be because they're NOT all-season tires, they're high performance summer tires. Duh!

undriveable (unacceptable in 2004) in slippery conditions & totally unacceptable fuel economy in the UK where fuel is expensive.

So you must feel that Porsches, TVRs, Ferraris, Nissan 350Zs, etc. should also not be sold because they get poor gas mileage and have performance summer tires fitted? Take some responsibility for yourself and stop blaming everyone else for your own oversights. The RX-8 mileage was heavily discussed here and elsewhere, and every single review points out that the car is thirsty. The driveability issue is simply the nature of high performance SUMMER tires, and every single other car on the market with similar tires will have identical issues.

Bottom line - you didn't do the requisite research before you bought the car, and you are woefully ignorant about the performance characteristics of tires and the compromises inherent with the different types of tires. Neither of those would appear to be Mazda's fault, now would it?

Regards,
Gordon

"Used cars". Hmm a hint there I think.

BTW I dont represent anyone except myself.

I dont mind honest opinions or due criticism of the rx-8 , but you just rant. No car is perfect, else we'd all be driving that car instead of any other car.

For me the R32 is to lardy, 4wd and front heavy, and every fast VAG i've driven (including the 225tt) has been teribly dull to drive.

Each to their own I guess.


Says it all really. If you are ignorant enough not to read what I said previously about "pre-registered" R32's then you deserve what is coming to you in the way of rock bottom secondhand values of the RX-8. This car is going to be (is?) a salesmans nightmare.

However, I am trying to do you all a favour by publically pointing out that the RX-8 is not a safe car on anything other than perfectly dry roads. I am both old & bold enough not to give a poo for disparate comments made personally against me. Do yourselves all a favour & READ the first comment of this thread. There will be no more observations by me as my complaints are being dealt with by Mazda.
In the UK there are a couple of sayings: "Charity begins at home" & "Don't shit on your own doorstep". From the replies I've had today to this post I think that the good 'ole boys of the USA just shat on their doormats. Nothing against Uncle Sam except that he did'nt help me when I needed air support over BiH in 1993...
Mazda do not want to address what are quite obvious problems & unless you complain to your dealers nothing will be done. Quid pro Quo.

Originally posted by satan666
... I do not understand why people find the need to get upset & post offensive views. Why? It is not necessary ...

Mr Dickinson, I sold my 8 because it was crap. ...


So why do you feel it neccessary to post your offensive views? Classifying it as "crap" is offensive, and is why you're getting the reaction you are.

So please - go away and use your energy for some more constructive purpose.

Simon.

Maybe Uncle Sam already knew of you personally and decided that they didn't want to give you support. :)

And if Mazda is the one to address, why complain to us?

Originally posted by satan666
However, I am trying to do you all a favour by publically pointing out that the RX-8 is not a safe car on anything other than perfectly dry roads.

Speaking of ignorant enough to not read what was previously said - are you just deliberately ignoring the statements pointing out that it's not the car's fault that summer tires don't work on snow or in slippery conditions, and that every car on summer performance tires will have the same issues? It's up to the OWNER to fit appropriate tires for conditions, not Mazda (or TVR, or Porsche, or Nissan, or BMW, or Ferrari, etc.).

Care to directly address this point, or would you prefer to continue to make an ass of yourself by blustering away in ignorance?

Mazda do not want to address what are quite obvious problems & unless you complain to your dealers nothing will be done. Quid pro Quo.

The tires are not Mazda's issue any more than they are TVR's, Porsche's, Nissan's, BMW's, Ferrari's, etc. issue. You do realize that with an attitude and approach like yours, Mazda will simply be saying to themselves that they don't want an ignorant whiner like you for a customer anyway, good riddance, and after you go away they'll be laughing because they know that the competition (VW) is going to be stuck with having to put up with your whining...

By the way, what tires does your R32 have? Tried them in the snow yet? Ahh, I thought not.

Regards,
Gordon

See, here is where you are WRONG. But god forbid you should listen to anybody else. Like Gord said, you didnt do your research, and now it's everybodys fault but yours.

Originally posted by satan666
However, I am trying to do you all a favour by publically pointing out that the RX-8 is not a safe car on anything other than perfectly dry roads. [/B]

If you want to talk about cars, let's talk about cars.

But bashing one country, or another, as stated above, "Nothing against Uncle Sam except that he did'nt help me when I needed air support over BiH in 1993..."; that has no place in this thread.

I think what people are referring to when they call the R32 "used" is that this is the last year they will be available for a while since the Golf IV with the V.

Satan666

Sorry for the inconveinence you endured with your 8. But it is not a reason to start spreading hate!

First...I do not know what tires your car was delivered with but if it was the Potenza 040 then the issue you endured with the tires was brought on by yourself and has nothing to do with Mazda. It is clearly stated and well known that the Potenza RE 040 is not an all season tire It is not designed to drive on snow and ice. It is designed for SUMMER USE ONLY! Someone that has owned performance cars in the past should have had the smarts to figured that out before you drove it off the lot! There is a switch to shut off the DSC. Just like people complaining what is on the TV. If you do not like what you see just shut it off! Simple!

Two... I will never own another VW/Audi product for as long as I live.

I have owned the following consecutively so I can speak from experience:

'95 Passat GLX VR6
'99 Passat GLS 1.8t
'01 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8t
'02 Passat W8

The latter two were repurchased under the auspices of the Virginia Lemon law. The A4 was in the shop 10 times in 12 months for electrical problems with 7 times because the interior lights refused to work. The W8 was in the shop 14 times with 32 job orders and out of service for 60 days in the 13 months that I owned it. During the last 6 months that car had to go into the shop almost every week....for electrical problems.

See these threads from clubB5 and VW Vortex:

Number of warranty jobs (http://www.clubb5.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=47658&highlight=)


http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=725295

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=916694

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=907714

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=869873

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=942240

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=839434


Good luck with the R32 but I would never pay that kind of cash for a friggin Golf! No matter what was on the damn thing. With till the coil packs start going out or the loose gas cap starts triggering a CEL!

:mad:

Originally posted by satan666
What possesses the likes of you to be so rude to somebody you don't know? Is this the latest American thing?

actually no. we have been generally rude for more than 200 years and are quite good at it. pompous git.

Originally posted by satan666
[BHowever, I am trying to do you all a favour by publically pointing out that the RX-8 is not a safe car on anything other than perfectly dry roads. [/B]

i live in the Northwest of the US. In the state of Oregon. It rains everyday for about 8 months. I have never had any traction problems on wet roads this entire rainy season.

Thanks for pointing that out - snow and rain are two different beasts. For rain, tires need to be designed to channel water away from the point of contact. For snow, tires need to be able to bite through the snow to make contact with the road. I think these tires, while not specially designed for rain (how many are?) should not have a problem on wet roads. I have not seen any complaints on the board about problems on wet roads, but the "Top Gear" review (a British show) did mention that it felt twitchy on the wet roads. Maybe this subject deserves its own thread, or a poll.

actually, search for "tire siping" you'll find some talk there abotu wet weather traction. i had mine done. not because they needed it as i have had no traction problems. but since it also prolongs the life of the tire and gives a little smoother ride i went for it. any extra traction is always nice. and in light snow it will get you home.

Originally posted by satan666
UK observations:

I bought a HiPo (231BHP) late 2003 - sold it after 7 weeks because it has major flaws. My initial reactions were "WoW". The car had all I dreamed of after 30 years of ONLY running performance cars (mainly RWD such as TVR's, Porsche 944 Turbo etc). Performance was adequate, handling superb & the smoothness of the powertrain was a dream. However, in the UK gas is hyper expensive at approximately $6.70 a gallon! My first complaint to my dealer was why were Mazda UK putting stickers on their showroom cars claiming a "combined" mpg of 24.8? The most I ever achieved was 20.82 - & this using a pussyfoot & avoiding 6th gear (there's a good reason for this). Dealer connected car to Mazda "Worldwide Diagnostic Computer" & said no problem. Technician who carried out the test spoke to me privately & said that there WAS a problem as he'd worked on RX-7's since '88. He decided to disconnect the battery to reset the ECU to factory defaults. That was when my mpg went from 17 to 21mpg. - Still not good.
On 28 Jan it snowed heavily in UK. On 28 & 29 Jan my RX-8 got stuck on icy flat & level roads several times. It was severely embarrassing to be slewing around, getting nowhere & blocking traffic in both directions in a brand new "state of the art" performance car fitted with Traction Control. Mazda's traction control is crap. On ice/snow it MUST be switched off or you will just get horrible judders from the rear end & the rear wheels won't even turn. The stock Bridgestones are totally unsuited for "all weather" use. They are great on a dry road but even with a slightly damp surface they cause the ole' ticker to suddenly go hot/cold when you realise that you're not in 100% control of the car.
I have many other issues e.g: Heated seats are pathetically lukewarm - try a German car! Without the A/C on the heater is pathetic - the A/C costs mega mpg... In damp weather the interior windows mist up immediately & actually have running water inside. Front & rear lenses mist up - illegal with xenons (HID in US?). Build quality is suspect - after 7 weeks in UK weather my wheels (rims) were corroding.

I traded the car immediately I had the safety problems on 29 Jan. Bought a new Golf R32. I smile every time I fire this car up, it leaves the RX-8 for dead, the quality is better, I can drive safely (4WD) anytime & I'm getting 32mpg.

Don't let love be blind. The RX-8 is seriously flawed. Just visit WWW.RX8OWNERSCLUB.CO.UK & read the comments. - Clutch problems, serious engine flooding, new engine needed on the day of taking delivery, nasty smells for 3500+ miles, catalysts breaking up, undriveable (unacceptable in 2004) in slippery conditions & totally unacceptable fuel economy in the UK where fuel is expensive.

I lost a lot of money on this car but I'm now happy with my R32. All you people should approach your dealers or Mazda USA about these issues, 'cos they won't go away & when word gets around, the residual value of your RX-8's will plummet when nobody wants to buy them. Mazda UK 'phoned me 2 days ago & expressed their concern at the wet/snow/ice problems & said they were discussing the issues with Mazda Japan. I have no faith 'cos commercial interests (profit!) apply above safety. Bet the RX-8 is taken off the market very soon though & I also bet that Mazda will abandon the rotary engine..........


Regards to u all


Satan666


Sorry big guy, one can't judge the Traction control on the RX8 by using it in the snow with "summer" performance tires.

Originally posted by satan666
"Used cars". Hmm a hint there I think.

BTW I dont represent anyone except myself.

I dont mind honest opinions or due criticism of the rx-8 , but you just rant. No car is perfect, else we'd all be driving that car instead of any other car.

For me the R32 is to lardy, 4wd and front heavy, and every fast VAG i've driven (including the 225tt) has been teribly dull to drive.

Each to their own I guess.


Says it all really. If you are ignorant enough not to read what I said previously about "pre-registered" R32's then you deserve what is coming to you in the way of rock bottom secondhand values of the RX-8. This car is going to be (is?) a salesmans nightmare.

However, I am trying to do you all a favour by publically pointing out that the RX-8 is not a safe car on anything other than perfectly dry roads. I am both old & bold enough not to give a poo for disparate comments made personally against me. Do yourselves all a favour & READ the first comment of this thread. There will be no more observations by me as my complaints are being dealt with by Mazda.
In the UK there are a couple of sayings: "Charity begins at home" & "Don't shit on your own doorstep". From the replies I've had today to this post I think that the good 'ole boys of the USA just shat on their doormats. Nothing against Uncle Sam except that he did'nt help me when I needed air support over BiH in 1993...
Mazda do not want to address what are quite obvious problems & unless you complain to your dealers nothing will be done. Quid pro Quo.


Maybe uncle sam had heard about his repugnant, satan driven, personality, and decided not to give him air support. Face it, hero, there are people who didn't want you to come out of that armed conflict alive. That is what happens when you put your trust in the devil!

the originator of this thread brings back fond memories of
Dana Carvey- Church Lady on SNL "Could it be ..... Satan?" :p

OK, I went to the UK forum that "satan666" offered. Its a nice forum, similar to this one, good comments, and ideas. I didn't see posts that made a compelling case for "seriously flawed". They are also sorting out the summer tires in the snow problem. I pointed them to a related thread here.

Originally posted by satan666
UK observations:

I bought a HiPo (231BHP) late 2003 - sold it after 7 weeks because it has major flaws. My initial reactions were "WoW". The car had all I dreamed of after 30 years of ONLY running performance cars (mainly RWD such as TVR's, Porsche 944 Turbo etc). Performance was adequate, handling superb & the smoothness of the powertrain was a dream. However, in the UK gas is hyper expensive at approximately $6.70 a gallon! My first complaint to my dealer was why were Mazda UK putting stickers on their showroom cars claiming a "combined" mpg of 24.8? The most I ever achieved was 20.82 - & this using a pussyfoot & avoiding 6th gear (there's a good reason for this). Dealer connected car to Mazda "Worldwide Diagnostic Computer" & said no problem. Technician who carried out the test spoke to me privately & said that there WAS a problem as he'd worked on RX-7's since '88. He decided to disconnect the battery to reset the ECU to factory defaults. That was when my mpg went from 17 to 21mpg. - Still not good.
On 28 Jan it snowed heavily in UK. On 28 & 29 Jan my RX-8 got stuck on icy flat & level roads several times. It was severely embarrassing to be slewing around, getting nowhere & blocking traffic in both directions in a brand new "state of the art" performance car fitted with Traction Control. Mazda's traction control is crap. On ice/snow it MUST be switched off or you will just get horrible judders from the rear end & the rear wheels won't even turn. The stock Bridgestones are totally unsuited for "all weather" use. They are great on a dry road but even with a slightly damp surface they cause the ole' ticker to suddenly go hot/cold when you realise that you're not in 100% control of the car.
I have many other issues e.g: Heated seats are pathetically lukewarm - try a German car! Without the A/C on the heater is pathetic - the A/C costs mega mpg... In damp weather the interior windows mist up immediately & actually have running water inside. Front & rear lenses mist up - illegal with xenons (HID in US?). Build quality is suspect - after 7 weeks in UK weather my wheels (rims) were corroding.

I traded the car immediately I had the safety problems on 29 Jan. Bought a new Golf R32. I smile every time I fire this car up, it leaves the RX-8 for dead, the quality is better, I can drive safely (4WD) anytime & I'm getting 32mpg.

Don't let love be blind. The RX-8 is seriously flawed. Just visit WWW.RX8OWNERSCLUB.CO.UK & read the comments. - Clutch problems, serious engine flooding, new engine needed on the day of taking delivery, nasty smells for 3500+ miles, catalysts breaking up, undriveable (unacceptable in 2004) in slippery conditions & totally unacceptable fuel economy in the UK where fuel is expensive.

I lost a lot of money on this car but I'm now happy with my R32. All you people should approach your dealers or Mazda USA about these issues, 'cos they won't go away & when word gets around, the residual value of your RX-8's will plummet when nobody wants to buy them. Mazda UK 'phoned me 2 days ago & expressed their concern at the wet/snow/ice problems & said they were discussing the issues with Mazda Japan. I have no faith 'cos commercial interests (profit!) apply above safety. Bet the RX-8 is taken off the market very soon though & I also bet that Mazda will abandon the rotary engine..........


Regards to u all


Satan666


I wonder who is more pissed off at this jackass, me, my fellow americans, or the fine citizens of the UK being slandered by this trollish twit...

Originally posted by Elara
Satan666: Perhaps you do not understand internet etiquette. You've arrived on a forum where most people like their cars, and you slam it for what appear to be pretty silly reasons (you use SNOW tires in SNOW & ICE- NOT performance tires. We've all gone over this repeatedly- take a look at the search button). And then you attack members who have been making valid contributions for months. You don't have to like the car, but you do have to be polite. Your points are valid, your approach is not. Please refrain from the attacks (this goes to all of you), whether personal, country-wise, or any other such.

Come on, let me at this guy, pleaseeeeee??????

Well, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I cannot comment on the effectiveness of the RX8's traction control, as mine doesn't have it. I guess the fact that my car handles the snow and ice just fine WITH WINTER TIRES FITTED just contradicts all that is reasonable and logical.

Yeah, the rear tires take a bit to hook up sometimes, but handling and braking have been predictable, and accelleration on slippery surfaces has been pretty good. I don't think my WRX would have done very well with summer performance tires in our winters; Subaru fitted it with marginal all-season radials, thus compromising handling in dry conditions.

Yes, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Unless they are wrong.

An RS32 with 32 mpg? Yeah, right. The RS32's V6 is a known boozer. It averages 14 liters per 100 KM on sporty driving. If you push it to the max, easily more, according to various Volkswagen boards and their RS32 owners there, that I've been reading the past 8 months. That's 17 MPG (if using 3.8 liters per 'US liquid gallon' .. as a metric person, I'm never sure what you use in these MPG figures). An overall average on the Rs32, with a lot of sensible highway driving etc, is around 12 liters/100 KM, i.e. 19 MPG. 32 MPG would equal 7.5 liters/100 KM, a value a 130 hp diesel engine approaches. There's absolutly no way you get that with an RS32. You may get it to 11-12 l/100KM, if never reviing it up and never going past 120 KM/h or so .. but certainly not, if you claim not to be 'pussy footing', which I assume, giving the negative term used.

The RS32 is a good car, fun to drive .. but 32 mpg? In your dreams.

Reliability???I can't wait to read his response after he figures out that VW hasn't figured out electrical systems yet.

Quite possible we're all just talking to ourselves at this point, as with any luck, this idiot has likely crawled back into the hole from whence he came.

I think he did, my bung is feeling full..

"Troll" here.........

Firstly I apologise for my any comments that caused offence to the US. They were made to provoke a response, which they clearly did. Thankyou. I have no axe to grind against what, in hot climates, is a fantastic car. The first post on this thread clearly laid out my observations on the RX-8 flaws that need to be FORCED to be addressed by Mazda. My initial responses were directed at those who chose just to directly personally attack me without even discussing the issues I raised. Secondly, several postings were made by "RobDickinson" of the UK RX-8 Owners Club inferring that I "knew nothing", "had never owned a RX-8" & "didn't own a R32, because VW stopped selling them in Nov 03". This has been dealt with. Mazda are selling a superb performance machine, but with serious limitations to everyday RELIABLE use & NOT properly adapted to all worldwide markets.

1. Fuel consumption: In the UK showrooms, Mazda salesmen are EXTREMELY happy to point out a "combined" i.e. overall figure of 24.8 mpg. My average was about 19. The best I ever achieved was 20.82. Some UK owners (see WWW.RX8OWNERSCLUB.CO.UK are only getting 17mpg!)

2. In the UK it is totally unheard of to buy a separate set of winter wheels/tyres unless you are wealthy enough to spend 3 months skiing in the Swiss Alps. It just does not happen. A UK buyer of ANY car expects the tyres to cope with dry/wet & ice/snow conditions. Bridgestone RE040's are dry tyres. Mazda UK are aware of this now (I hope) & discussing it with Japan. To address several comments on this thread: My last car was a BMW Z3 2.8 on Michelin Pilot Sports. Whilst they were not the best tyres for wet/snow conditions, they coped admirably. My NEW Golf R32 (4WD) has Michelin Pilot Sports & without exageration I feel safe at over twice the speed on ice of the RX-8.

3. Most (older) people think that if you can get into the highest (6th) gear at the earliest opportunity & reduce the revs, you will improve mpg. - Wrong!!!! With modern engine management systems the ECU will recognise that when u accelerate from 30mph in 6th the engine is labouring & therefore enrich the mixture. I experimented this week with my R32. If I did not use 6th gear I got 31.58mpg from a tankful. Using 6th at low speeds in slow traffic I got 18.34!!!!! (I am 47 by the way)

4. The number of posts worldwide ( I will stress that I did not look at a RX8 forum until after I purchased my car) claiming flooding problems frightened me. The RX7 clearly suffered this problem.

5. Other issues: In damp air conditions the RX-8 drips water on the interior windows unless the A/C is on full (reduces mpg dramatically). Headlights & tailights mist over - Headlights misting in the UK is illegal on Xenon lights, hence the mandatory fitment of headlight washers(?) to UK cars. RATTLES to interior trim.



The bottom line is that Mazda (Worldwide) have made extraordinary claims for this car but the car is totally unreliable for personal use. It's OK if it is a company car & u can get a hire car when it won't start (flooding). Within 12 months all these complaints will have reached the motoring press & none of u will be able to even get a decent trade-in price 'cos nobody will want the car - just like the RO-80.

Remember the Edsel?


I wish you all the best ( even those who resorted to abuse - for whatever strange reason)

Satan666

666

The RX* is the best car I've ever owned and oozes with personality. It's exotic. different and unique. It would appear the car has more personality than you do. Some people just hate anything different or new. Your one of them. I find none of your claims valid. I love this car. Hope you stay happy with your little Golf thing. VW is not a reliable car, and ugly to boot.

Originally posted by satan666
The bottom line is that Mazda (Worldwide) have made extraordinary claims for this car but the car is totally unreliable for personal use. It's OK if it is a company car & u can get a hire car when it won't start (flooding). Within 12 months all these complaints will have reached the motoring press & none of u will be able to even get a decent trade-in price 'cos nobody will want the car - just like the RO-80.



We'll see.... I trust you'll be back here after those 12 months have gone by and your predictions haven't come true?

Folks

I know it's difficult when provoked but it really is best just to ignore this guy.

He appeared on the UK Owners forum a while back under the name "Turn n Burn". He was just as offensive there then as he is being here now.
(Said we were a "bunch middle aged, clueless losers" if I remember correctly!)

Initially people tried to discuss his claims but it quickly became clear that the guy is just 100% troll.

When I read his parting claim on the UK Owners forum to be an ex RAF pilot who was off to buy a Porsche GT3 to replace his RX8 my bullshit meter went off the scale. ;)

Lol, Murphy. That's a good one ... :)

Originally posted by KKMmaniac
Yes, everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Unless they are wrong.
Good one! LOL :D

Originally posted by loco4rx8
We'll see.... I trust you'll be back here after those 12 months have gone by and your predictions haven't come true?

He will not be back...During an accident at the KLEGGSPEED skunk works, one of our test rats anal polyps was subjected to a dose of gamma radiation...it crawled forth, a new and hidious form of life, somehow learned to use a computer, and became self aware..

it calls itself SaTAN 666.....but I have coated it with preperation H, AND prep I and J. that should shrink his swollen head, and releive the itch I feel when he talks..

Oh wow - you got this guy !
He's a bundle of joy dont you think ?

As Murphy says , ignore him.

Hopefully he will either
a) Go find an R32 forum and contribute something positive
b) His mum will ban him from using the computer.

Gotta say though , as Trolls go he is determined....

Good luck guys!

Rather here than at our pad.

AKA "turn and burn" also upset a few at the RX8 Owners Club.

I've had mine since mid November and don't consider it an unsafe car at all...............In fact it handles better than many cars on the road today!

Sure, it's got summer tyres on it, Mazda answered the Owners Club question in an honest and proper manner and with the amount of snowy days per year in the UK it makes sense.

I think that the comments about it being an unsafe car all the time are wearing a little thin and Mazda's Lawyers may well be watching very carefully!

Cheers
Oilman