I don't have an RX-8, but am very interested in getting one. I think what Mazda is doing with this engine technology is amazing. I have read alot about the new engine and about the old one (RX-7) too. My main question is about overheating. During long trips (or even short ones), does it overheat or has anyone experienced overheating the RX-8?

Its great for long trips, no obverheadtingh
and you gte decent mileage too

Two weeks after taking delivery of my RX-8, I set out on a two week road trip to Monterey for the Historic Races at Laguna Seca. Total distance was over 4000 miles, and the temperatures were in the high 80s to high 90s the whole time. The RX-8 was extremely comfortable driving for long periods, and never gave a hint of overheating. The AC isn't the strongest (it would take a while to cool the car down if it had been parked in the sun), but did eventually cool it off and I didn't have to run it at full fan or full cold even when it was 95F outside. The only possible downside for long trips is that the range is a bit less than other cars - for ~22-24 mpg US highway, the fuel tank is not huge, so you might need to stop for fuel a bit more often.

Regards,
Gordon

did my trip to Laguna and other parts of Cali the week before Gord. plenty comfy. no overheating. no problems at all.

On my 6000 mile trip across the US and back, it seemed as though I was stopping twice as much as my other cars to fillup.

Other than the excessive stopping for gas, it was great! Very comfortable.

Just drove from San Fran to Los Angeles. I used 30 gallons of gas ! I need better driving habits. Does MPG increase after the break in period ?



Thanks

Depends on the road.. I was on some broken concrete roads and thought the ride was somewhat bouncy.. but on asphalt its golden..

I drove from Spokane, WA. to Santa Cruz, CA. over the holidays and it was just fine. Total round trip was like 3,100 miles. No overheating or other issues. The car was great. I would do it all over again... Hey summer is coming up and my bodyboards haven't seen the ocean in a while...

Heh. Everyone drives to CA! :D

My wife is from Santa Cruz and I am from Santa Monica. We both were born and raised there.

I just did a 1153 mile trip of nothing but curvy mountain roads. 5 days with 10-15 hour work each day then a few hours of driving each night.

The best part of the trip was when I got to drive from one place to another.

Mountain roads are great even with snow. (As long as you've got good tires)

I just put on some Toyo Proxes 4 245/40/18

By the way adverage MPG 23.5

The reason that Mazda made the gas tank so small is so that gawkers have more chances to catch us at gas stations and tell us how nice our cars are.

Ray

I oriinally got my Probe GT back in 1993 because it was so comfortable and fun for long trips -- it still is.

I can't comment yet on potential tranny tunnel heat (which ocurs in every car to a degree). The A/C appears very strong (so far). The car I got was built in December, however, so it may have experienced some mid-year "tweaks".

After having only had the RX8 for just two days, I've been able to conclude that the RX8 is easily an order of magnitude more comfortable for long trips than the PGT-- the interstates and roads around Montgomery AL are some of the WORST I've ever encountered, so they make great test roads at highway speeds (65-80+).

The seats (we have the standard cloth) are extremely stiff -- they DO NOT FLEX. At the same time, they are very form-fitting -- you sit IN them, not ON them. You really feel everything the car tries to tell you through the suspension. This might be detrimental in a car with a lesser suspension or design (the 350Z comes to mind -- very stiff seats, very jarring ride, transmitted right to my neck and back), but the RX8s suspension travel is silky smooth, without being "soft". I was extremely surprised at the smoothness, especially wih 18" wheels -- amazing!

Finally, I just have to say something about driving "environment". I've driven dozens of cars over the past few years, looking for something to replace the PGT -- nothing till the RX8 was compelling enough (it was sooooo nice not having a car payment!). I know it's a matter of individual taste, but to my wife and I the RX8's interior hits a "sweet spot" with an optimal mix of flash, color, functionality, comfort, styling "cues" (rotors, circles), ergonomics, and materials. It's engaging and fun. By comparison (again, my opinion), the G35 is plain and stodgy; the Z is chinzy; the Mini seems cartoonish... you get the drift. Anyway, there's a lot to be said about the overall "environment" presented by the car, and it is a factor in keeping you comfortable and alert.

In short I would contend this car exudes the highest "kewl factor" of ANYTHING on the road right now.

Originally posted by SpacerX

The seats . . . you sit IN them, not ON them.

Well said, SpacerX. I'm 5' 10" and fit in the seat as if it was a glove. We have leather seats and they're very comfortable.

In August we took a couple of long trips through Canada north of Spokane, WA. Great gas mileage (25mpg US gallons), had the AC on most of the time and not a sign of overheating (in fact the temp guage remained 1 click left of center the entire trip). Kept within the speed limits (with a few exceptions) via the cruise control.

I used to drive a Miata for 13 years but got leg cramps once in a while. Not so with the RX8. I've owned 22 cars and used to park cars when I was a teen. Other than a '91 Olds Riviera I used to own, the RX8 is the most comfortable car I've driven.

Yea I think they did a great job with the seats... and the back seats as well... I dont think I will have a problem going camping with the guys in this car this spring...

The RX8 is great! You can travel forever with it anywhere with no problems. Of course like any other car it needs gas. Oh well, you need to wait for the hubrid RX8 coming soon! In the mean time enjoy the ride! I own so far 18 cars and I'm telling I'm not changing this (exempt for another RX8 with 400hp+).

Its great fun and comfortable on long trips....i have not experienced ANY overheating at all. i think Mazda fixed that problem with the last generation RX-7. however, when you run it hard, you can experience some natural heat coming up through the shifter and center panel. (Almost like that of the viper......not;)

My only real complaint about the Miata was how it felt on interstates: it wasn't that it felt too small or dangerous, but rather it somehow felt like it didn't "like" being there; the Miata felt like it wanted to be on smaller, snakier roads. (And the Miata also quickly became fatiguing on interstates - mostly from road & engine noise, I suppose (I never had a problem with leg cramps or anything like that).

Anyway, is the RX-8 better than the Miata for interstate travel?

Originally posted by Three37ny


Anyway, is the RX-8 better than the Miata for interstate travel?

Absolutely!

Nothing beats the Miata for sunset casual drives to the beach or stuff like that, but at speed 80+, you take a beating, especially with the top down. On a long trip, even 3 hours, there is a fatigue factor.

The 8 is a road trip monster, eats the miles, comfy and secure at any speed, and you arrive refreshed.

About 2 weeks after I bought my Miata (in May 1990) I was watching a weekly TV show where they review new cars. To my delight they were reviewing the Miata. The only negative statement they made was the following.

"The Miata shares even the slightest bump with all its passengers."

How true! How true! ... but, that didn't keep me from loving it for more than 13 years. One of these days I'll try out the new Miata to see if the ride is any different.

The only negative I've found with my AT/GT RX8 is the road noise from some of our concrete roads that were roughed up from studded snow tires.

Other than that - it cruises smoothly, quietly, and comfortably. I've found the AC works well when it's hot out and the heated seats warmed up quickly during our colder than normal winter.

After graduating from NC State (this was my graduation gift from me to me), I set off from Raleigh to Mission, TX by way of San Antonio. All the way down, the cruise was set at 80. 21.53 mpg every time. All the way back between Louisiana (I10) and Atlanta (I85) was rain, so I kept it right under 3750 at 73 mph. When it wasnt stop and go due to traffic, I got 22.5 mpg. Most I have gotten was

There were three of us: me always driving, and my brother and my gf traded off front and rear passengers. The other rear seat was filled with in car conforts, and the trunk was packed. The rear springs were definitely loaded. The ride was great. In fact, my gf pretty much slept most of the trips each way. She slept great in the backseat upright. My bro kept dibs on how many people we drove by checking out the car. And I didnt want to stop nights to rest. We averaged about 650 miles/day ( we werent rushing ourselves). My back welcomed the seat, and craved it

The car was a joy to drive. The tires did well at speed in the rain. I felt little if any give over wet roads (although they were interstate grade). The engine had enough kick that downshifts to 5th werent neccessary when opting to 'go faster.' I didnt mind the more frequent stops for gas as I enjoy off/on ramps to no end :)

My only qualm was that I used two quarts of oil for about 4300 miles round trip. I knew this car used it before the fact, but it is a discomforting feeling.

So if anything were going to happen, it would have been this trip. Temp needle never danced, little oil got consumed, and everything ran like it should.

My CEL light came on during a short commute last weekend, but the car still acts beautifully.