Hi All,
I am new to the area...moved near Leominister. I brought my new RX8 with me...wondering if anyone else has one around here. Do we have any meetings around here where we can show off and talk bout these hot cars? I have had it for just over a month and almost have 4500 miles on it...can u say I LOVE TO DRIVE!

Rxgrl:

Keep and eye out in the NE section. A bunch of use from MA and NH have gotten together on runs. I think we need a tech day sometime soon. I need to install my front grill, rear aero flares and side strakes. Justin? Roy? Chris? Pat? You guys game?

rxgrl,

Welcome to the club and NE. As Kevin said, there is a group of us that gets together ocassionally to do a cruise, enter a car show, autox, etc... We don't have any upcoming events planned right now but I'm sure that we'll try to meet up after the 4th of July. We try to keep everyone informed by posting a message on the NE forum so keep an eye on the forum. ;)


Kev,

My schedule is pretty open so just let me know when you want to meet up and I'll give you a hand with the mods.

I'm in too.....just let me know when:)

i live about 75 miles from where you are i could meet up with you and some others sometime.

Welcome rxgrl.

If you really want to explore the limits of your car, there is an Autocross this weekend at Devens airfield in Ayer this weekend.

You can check out NER Solo II ( Autocross ) (http://www.ner.org/soloII/soloII.html ) for details. I'll be happy to answer any questions. I'll be there this Saturday, but not Sunday. Then I should be at every event after that.

Mark

Welcome to the board rxgrl - and the NE!! :) Where do you hail from?

Mark, what is 'normal' summer attendance at Devens autox, as in, how many runs can one typically get in? 3? 6? more? Also I think you mentioned to me once it is a longer run then Louden, like 60 sec or so, yes?

Depending, that might be a place to meet.

For the Memorial day weekend we had 180+ people and got 4 runs. I expected a small turnout being a holiday, so I'm not going to make any predictions for this weekend. But to get 4 runs with that many people was nice.

That weekend my times were in the low 70's / high 60's. The fastest of the class was mid 60's. So while you might get only 3 - 4 runs, its about the same seat time as Louden.

The courses at Devens are 1 - 1.2 miles long.

The other nice thing about Devens is you pretty much stay in the power band in second gear. Very fun. :D

Mark

Meeting up and going for a group drive soon would be Sweet...

Welcome rxgrl! Happy to have you with us. I am in the Boston area (Auburndale/West Newton to be exact) so not too far from you in Leominster. Like everyone else has stated, we get together every once in awhile. Tech days are usually pretty fun since there are a variety of mods and 8s around. One we had was me, my10ae, and Speed Racer to install K&N Intakes. The last one was basically me, my10ae installing the B&B Exhaust on my 8. The next one should be big cause I know my10ae has a lot of stuff to put on. I have some rear mudflaps, Espelir springs, and (hopefully in this lifetime) a CZ Stage 1.1 to install. Watch this forum often cause we communicate here.

Oh yes, and if you don't already have them, start saving for snow tires/snow rims. I know its June, but never too early to start thinking about it, you will DEFINITELY need them :)

I'm in Brockton..........

Come auto-xing this weekend... even if just to say hi and see what it's about.

(This goes for all of ya.. it's a holiday weekend!)

Originally posted by Spin9k
Welcome to the board rxgrl - and the NE!! :) Where do you hail from?

Mark, what is 'normal' summer attendance at Devens autox, as in, how many runs can one typically get in? 3? 6? more? Also I think you mentioned to me once it is a longer run then Louden, like 60 sec or so, yes?

Depending, that might be a place to meet.

Bummer, I've already got plans for this weekend. :(

Maybe we could meet up on 7/11 or 7/18 and take a cruise over to Widefoot Racing in Hillsboro, NH and see what progress they are making.

What is this tech day that you guys are talking about? Do you guys just meet in some shop and watch somebody work on your cars?

I'll most likely have another run at Ft. Devens again this July 4th weekend. Not sure which one though, maybe both days. There's not a lot of autox events left for the year, at least for ones in MA. Not too enthusiastic about NHIS though, because I'm not a morning person :)

The tech days are really informal and we just get together to lend a hand with working on each others cars. So far it has been really simple stuff because there is not a lot available for our cars but I'm sure that will change. :D

hey wuz up , I'm from Randolph , (braintree area) , see ya around

I might stop by the autox this weekend to watch. I want to get the springs on the 8 before I autox it. We def have to get a tech day going. I'd also be up for a cruise to Hillsboro, any excuse to drive, i'm in :)

we should schedule somthing for like the middle of july or early august...pick a date! There are a bunch of nice roads around here with some curves!!

PS. thanks, I started saving up for rims already...I need the radar dectector first though...I think....

Originally posted by Imp
Come auto-xing this weekend... even if just to say hi and see what it's about.

(This goes for all of ya.. it's a holiday weekend!)

would KC but I'm working my 32hr shift this weekend- can't wait until I have weekends free again- hopefully when some dope of a school system employs me:D

oh yea, and I'm in Oxford- most don't even know where that is

Originally posted by Reaper Man
oh yea, and I'm in Oxford- most don't even know where that is

Ooh ohh!! I know! I know!!! They have that.... school, right? And it's right near that place you can buy gas from, right???

Heh, I am so SMRT.

Originally posted by rxgrl
we should schedule somthing for like the middle of july or early august...pick a date! There are a bunch of nice roads around here with some curves!!

PS. thanks, I started saving up for rims already...I need the radar dectector first though...I think....

Welcome Rxgrl


I'm sure we'll sqeeze in a ride or two before the summer is out. I'm in Billerica....and there is a few Rx8club forum members in the area.

See you around!

Newton Center... Winning Blue, frequent the MA Pike from Newton to Framingham on a daily basis.

S

Hey Brit, I'm in Auburndale also with a Winning Blue 8. How long have you had yours, amazing I haven't seen you on the Pike.

Only had the car for 3 weeks, bought at 128 mazda, previously had a WRB 04 STi which I fell out of love with and sold privately to get into the 8. I haven't seen that many RX8's around the metro west area, it would be great to meet up with some fellow 8 people to check out different mods etc , been considering the B&B exhaust myself.

Simon

Originally posted by RPIRX-8
Hey Brit, I'm in Auburndale also with a Winning Blue 8. How long have you had yours, amazing I haven't seen you on the Pike.

Keep monitoring the NE forum. Whenever we plan something, we post it here. Between those of us in NE there are a wide variety of mods. The ones i can think of

Exhausts - B&B, Racing Beat, Borla
CZ Stage 1
JIC Coilovers
KN Intake

plus numerous cosmetic ones. You and I are not to far from each other I'll give you a holler sometime.

If I ever get the rest of my parts for the Random Tech hi-temp cat I'll change the maps to make it a CZ Stage 2. :D

P.S. I have the cat but they installed the wrong resonator on the mid-pipe and I had to send it back. Grrr...

OK guys... anyone have anything planned for 7/11 (Sun)? I saw we meet over my house to have a mini tech day. I need some help installing my rear aero flares and Hymee front grill. If my front splash guards ever come in, I'd like to install those too.

How's Sunday July 11th sound? Anyone else have anything they want to install? Drop out a post.

Kevin

Mini tech day thread...follow it here:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33306

Kev,

Well I won't be bringing my car down for the tech day as some twit decided to cut me off in the middle of an intersection.

At first glance it looks like the front bumper, hood, intake, radiator, engine cover, windshield, front air bags, and seat belts need to be replaced. I'm so pissed off right now it is not even funny. At least it wasn't my fault and I have about twenty witnesses that saw the accident including a couple of reporters from the local paper. :mad:

Roy:

That totally and utterly SUCKS!!! I feel your pain. I was t-boned in my Miata when it only had 6K on the clock. She was fixed up and still runs like a top. Find a GOOD repair shop and tell them you want it back in new condition. Keep us posted...

Kevin

Roy,
Sorry to hear about your car. I'm assuming you are OK. Hope everything goes easy for you in getting your car back together.

Kevin,
Have plans on Sunday ( being my birthday ).

Mark

Thanks for the support.

After the accident everyone seemed fine but one of the kids riding with me said his neck was a little stiff so the paramedics decided to err on the side of safety and took him to the hospital for evaluation. Hopefully he'll be fine and be no worse for the wear.

Today I've spent my morning on the phone getting the insurance claim started, rental car reserved, towing lined up and the hardest part is trying to figure out which body shop I want to work on the car. I'm a little concerned that the car will never be the same because none of the shops in the area have the great of a reputation.

Roy:

I know its kinda far but I've heard great things about Prestige Auto here in Manchester. They are located right off 293. Actually they are about a mile down the road from Talarico Mazda. We are getting a fender repaired on the Lexus next week and I was VERY impressed with their facility and professionalism. Email me if you want their number/info.

Glad everyone was ok. I take it the other driver was faulted and ticketed?

Kev,

Thanks for the suggestion but my insurance company said that I'd have to pay for the towing if I went to a shop outside of this area. Hmm... I wonder how much that would set me back?

Actually it was a little odd. The officer wasn't going to write a ticket until he had a chance to recreate the accident but he did say that he was 99% sure that she would be found at fault.

Roy:

If it cost a little more out of pocket to get it to place that will fix the car up right, I would suggest doing that. It would be better than bringing the car to a place that is not reputable and having it repaired to less-than-new status.

Just my .02.....

There is one shop in the area that is a little better than the others and I'm planning on heading over there this afternoon to check out their work in person. If it looks questionable I'll probably be towing it some where else to get it done right.

Damn, Roy!! I hope everything works out ok.

That sucks....

I took a closer look at the car today and the frame looks a little tweaked even though the front fenders still look perfect. The gap between the fender and the driver's door is off by about 1/8".

When I looked under the bumper it was easy to see why that happened. The front cross member was split and both of the longitudinal crash beams are bent.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/6/web/498000-498999/498315_74_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/6/web/498000-498999/498315_76_full.jpg

Roy, sorry about the accident.


A couple thoughts about the repair;

One thing Ins. companies do that is pretty shady is try to force the body shop in buying aftermarket parts. By aftermarket I mean OEM replica. They are usually up to 50% cheaper. They somehow get away with this (here in Mass) even though the law is written "the repair should bring the vehicle to pre accident condition". Ins companies will usually fight it tooth and nail. Most people have no idea that this occurs and accept their car back from the body shop with lower quality, poor fitting OEM replica parts.

Thats the bad news. The good news is that it takes a few years for the aftermarket body panel companies to start stock in a paticular car (as demand dictates) so I dont see any panels being even available yet for the RX8. Also, if the car is less than a year old, they tend not to go the OEM replica route, so you should be all set. Just be specific on this point that you wont accept anything but Mazda factory parts.

I'm a little worried about the paint matching. I bet you anything the Velocity Red Mica is not an easy paint to match. It has a two step base coat to give that gold flake effect. This is not to say the body shop will do a bad job, its just more important to get a very detail oriented shop. Also, it might vbe a good idea to have the dealer do the repair on the seatbelts and airbags.

again....sorry about the accident. Your car will be like new when done. Just think, no nicks and chips on the nose!

Roy:

Man I feel for ya. Make sure you get the car to a good repair shop. Find any good ones in your area yet?

Kev

I have found one place that looks promising and the car is on its way over there to get an estimate. If they don't look like they are going to pan out I'll probably have it towed diwn to the same shop that Gyro has used in the past. That guy does an amazing job.

Roy I'm so sorry man, my heart goes out to you. Let me know if you need anything.

I know the towing will be expensive, but I never will use a body shop that isn't the dealer or dealer sponsored. When I had to get my Celica repaired a couple of years ago I took it to the Body Shop at Ira Toyota in Danvers, MA. Top notch, no complaints at all. Plus they used all Toyota Genuine parts. I hope everything turns out ok.

First let me start by saying hello to "rxgrl"... I live just up in Nashua, and work in Billerica, someday I will hopefully hook up with Gyro! if I get enough time to pick up the phone and give him a call.

If your in the area and want to get together, please PM me!

And on a much gloommier subject, that of poor ZIA... I actually haven’t been on the forum in a while, and found out about your accident just this weekend from a friend who drove by shortly after it had happened, then I saw the newspaper article.

If you are in need of a little help with a body shop, let me know... I can recommend an excellent shop in the area... and they already are familiar with the front end of an RX-8 as mine has been there to get its new bumper. (Though they still need to do a little more work, next time I can schedule it).

These guys are excellent and will do a very good job with the paint as well... you can’t see any difference in the paint on my new bumper, which also has the gold fleck.

In addition to my 8, they fixed my sisters Miata, that she used to have, after it took a small off road outing through a cow field, barbed wire and all (ouch). They are very good.

The bad news... well you don’t have to worry about aftermarket parts yet... the time it takes to get any parts at all will probably kill you. It took over two months to get the parts for my car. With a little luck that as changed now that Mazda is not as behind in production.

Good luck and give me a call if your intrested in a local place to check out.

I feel your pain. Not that it helps, but I stopped less then 5 inch’s short of performing the same horrific disaster, only a few hundred feet away from where you got cut off. I was heading from the Staples plaza down route 12 towards McDonalds when a women decided to leave her side of the road and go for food... If weren’t for the breaks on the 8, I would have “T’d” her for sure.

After she was safely in the McDonalds Parking lot, I swung around the back entrance to McDonalds and asked if she was ok, the first words out of her mouth were of course, “Yes, thank you, and you?”!!!! NOT! Infact, I thought/wished those would be her first words, but in fact her first words were really, “I didn’t hit you, and besides you were speeding!” all in a very nasty why are you bothering me tone of voice. I informed her that I actually wasn’t speeding and that in fact I hadn’t even left first gear yet but I was glad she was ok, and I drove off wondering why I had even bothered to make sure she was ok.

That stretch of road is really becoming one of my least favorit places to drive. Someday, someone is going to cut off one of the trucks halling cement, he is going to swerve, loose control, and it isn't going to be pretty.

Keep me posted, and if I can help with anything, you know how to reach me.

Lastly, Kevin, keep me posted on this Sunday... I was already informed by my office, before the holiday weekend began, that I would probably be needed for one day this upcoming weekend... but I would love to swing by, give you hand and maybe go grab a beer with a couple 8 owners, if there are any in the area that would like to get together for an afternoon.

And as I know there are a couple of great places to grab a pint and a bite to eat, in your neck of the woods... coupled with the fact that I certianly love 8's, food, and the occasional pint! I figured maybe a few of us could grab dinner after we finish up your car? :-)

Hey Kev,

If I'm free I'll stop by in my uber rental car (Toyota Prius) and give you hand with your mods. At least this why I'll be able to live vicariously through you guys. :p


Tigger,

I sent you a PM.

Roy:

Sorry about accident. Glad you have a rental to at least get around in. Where did you finally have the car taken too?

So far it's Roy and Chris for Sunday at my house. Anyone else?

Hey Tigger, I see your RX-8 almost everyday parked out in the middle of the lot. I work at that Canadian networking company just next door :)

my10ae: What kind of help do you need? I'm not mechanically inclined but can pass a tool :) I'm most likely free this Sunday and would be interested to see an RX-8 being worked on, if you don't mind that.

Downshift:

You are more than welcome. All 8 enthusaists are welcome. I'll be wrenching with Roy to remove my front bumper to install the lower grill. A handy "tool-passer" is always welcome. :)

Kevin

OMG, that is awful. I had a couple close calls and then made me nervous... I am glad everyone is alright...
I wish I could hang out this weekend, but I have a concert to go to...next time, keep the posts coming.

Heather,

You can't back out on us now, remember you're the one who started this thread. ;)

So what concert are you going to see?

Sucks, just about any other weekend and I am in (kenny chesney consert). I am not going anywhere...next time!

rxgrl ever go to downtown springfield i see another sunlight silver sometimes, also a grey and yellow one.

Hey downshift, took a brief tour of (at least a few) parking lots over by that Canadian company in the corner... but no 8's, saw an Acura NSX... though :-)

Do you have an 8? and I simply missed it as I was touring one of your tiny little parking lots? Sorry for not doing a complete search, limited time frame here. Is your 8's delivery still on hold? Or do you have the pretty blue Mazda I spotted in the back lot?

Either way, we should get together sometime and grag a beer... being as we are so close!

I actually live up in Nashua, so it's pretty much on the way this Sunday, if you want to commute, let me know. (You will have a PM shortly).

--Tig!

Originally posted by Tigger
Hey downshift, took a brief tour of (at least a few) parking lots over by that Canadian company in the corner... but no 8's, saw an Acura NSX... though :-)

Do you have an 8? and I simply missed it as I was touring one of your tiny little parking lots? Sorry for not doing a complete search, limited time frame here. Is your 8's delivery still on hold? Or do you have the pretty blue Mazda I spotted in the back lot?

Either way, we should get together sometime and grag a beer... being as we are so close!

I actually live up in Nashua, so it's pretty much on the way this Sunday, if you want to commute, let me know. (You will have a PM shortly).

--Tig!

We met briefly outside Stephanie's where you asked me if I know this forum. So, you've seen my car but you probably missed it since it's a Ti Gray. If you checked yesterday, I took advantage of covered parking and parked the '8 in the garage. Today, I parked close to the building on the same lot where the blue Mazda 3 is parked. Yep, the red NSX is nice. There's also a nice, black G35C on that same lot too.

Of course, I remember meeting you at Stephanie's... had forgotten all about it... food was on my mind at the time.

Didn't check the covered parking... may have missed you in there :-)

You've seen the pictures of my wrecked car. Does anyone want to take a guess at the estimated damage?

$5,000?? higher or higher?

I wish it was that low.

My bumper, a headlight, and an Oil cooler was 2k+

Add to that a windshield at 800, a hood at probably 1500?? another head light at 500??, radiator, plus AC radiator 2000??, Air intake 3000?? Air bags at 1200?? x2, a lot of little parts. You said you thought the front Quarter panels were ok... but for good measure 3000?? x2 plus all the frame structual damage, realinment... I'm going for between 11k and 15k.

--Tig!

All wild guess's I might add...

Im in Kingston...next to Plymouth......had the 8 for 9000 miles but new to this site

Tigger,

Hey, your good! The quote was for $10,700 but after he wrote the quote we noticed that both headlights are scratched. So that will probably add another grand. Ouch!

The body shop was very impressed by the construction of the car and noted how the removable crash beam absorbed 90% of the impact. The frame is only slightly tweaked and he'll be able to get it straight as an arrow. The only thing that he is worried about is matching the Velocity Red paint.

Josh,

Welcome to the club! :)

A few of us are going to meet this Sunday in Manchester, NH to help my10ae with some mods. If you're free on Sunday you should stop by. You can find more info on this thread (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33306).

I tried to log on earlier... and got told the sight was MIA... know I guess I know why...

Guess the changes must be for the better... so I'll get used to them.

More imprortantly... what time are we all meeting up on Sunday?

--Tig!

start saving for snow tires/snow rims. I know its June, but never too early to start thinking about it, you will DEFINITELY need them :)


The thought to drive in the Maine winters has NEVER crossed my mind,and I can tell you from one early spring test drive in an 8 on a lighly-snowed road,that traction-control,ABS,and the rest don't do anything to improve the 8's loose rear end-when you're dealing w snow and ice.
(My 1980 RX-7 wasn't much worse,lol!)
For $1000 get a 'winter-beater'....
**There's FAR too much salt on the roads,it'll WRECK an 8 in a few short years....
I bought a nice lil' truck that I drive in the winter,when it rains,(nope,I don't intentionally drive my 8 even in the rain!)....Oh,yeah,and when I have to park on the street or in a parking garage....you guessed it-I don't drive the 8....it's mah' bay-bee :D ....I drive the beater....
(I got rid of a super-clean,forest green SR5V6 Limited 4-Runner and replaced it w a beater,the SUV's are pigs-all the way around....and the beater doesn't need to be washed.....just beaten.....)

Heather,

Sorry you can't make it... there'll be another meet up soon... but since you can't make it, make sure to post us a picture of yourself up on stage and your 8 outside the stadium looking longingly at the concert awaiting your return :)

--Tig!

Well, I agree with Preacher, putting a beautiful 8 through a New England winter should be a crime... I'm afraid a beater is just not the practical thing for me... I need a reliable car, and beaters, all be them great for beating on, just aren't there for you when you need them.

Having said that, I'm inland so I don't have quite the salt the New England coastline has (which is like 360 days a year isn't it???). We do have the salt on the roads, and I try and keep my 8 as clean as possible, yet I'm afraid it goes out in all weather.

I've driven my whole life in New England (minus a bit of time in Australia, the UK and Ireland)... and the best advice I could give anyone about winter driving is STUDDED SNOW TIRES, and PRACTICE!

People really under estimate what a good pair of tires will do. My last two cars were Golf GTI's, front wheel drive, and I was frequently taking home the drivers of the big, all wheel drive, SUV's that lived at the top of the hill that my house sits at the base of. They’re always a couple of nights a year my driveway turns into a used SUV lot with cheap all season tires.

No, the golf’s aren’t some incredible snow demon, though they do pretty well... I just used the right tools for the job... Studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta's!

The difference on the 8 between the stock tires and the snows it beyond night and day... with the stock tires I couldn't roll out of my garage and get back in on 1/4" of snow... with the Snow's I'm happily passing the ultra slow drivers in the not so well maintained passing lane on the interstate in the middle of a snow storm with confidence (and cautious care).

No, the 8 is not going to overcome a properly equipped all wheel drive Audi, but with the Traction control, Stability control, ABS, excellent weight balance, and the proper tires... it will get you most places, in safety, even in the winter, as long as you don't live at the top of Mount Everest! (if you're really worried, throw a bag of sand in the trunk as well...)

Get a cheep set of 17" rims (more side wall to help with potholes, and a lot cheaper to replace when they do get wrecked). The 17's will also make your tire selection a lot greater and cheaper. After buying two sets of winter tires, you will have paid for the 17" rims. If you have a base model that didn't come with the larger front breaks... you can get 16" rims... but they won't fit over the caliper on most of the 8's :(

Then get a great pair of Snow Tires, I always get studded on all four wheels (yes you could stud just the rears for traction/acceleration... but I'm more interested in stopping,when I have to... and besides you will probably want to rotate your tires.) I love Nokia's, driven a number of others... and they are the best, Hawk I's (discontinued) I really love... but they've been replaced with the Hawk II's which are a bit quieter and smoother. I've got Hawk II's 225x55 R17's.

Now they have Hawk IV's out as well. I'd have gone with a narrower tire... but they're not many out there, and none were studdable... maybe there will be a better selection this winter when you get your's... and make sure you get them early, they got real hard to find once winter started last year!

Then, find an empty parking lot in a good winter storm (or a frozen pond is even better) and practice... start with the traction control on... then turn it off and see how much the traction control really does!

The down's... snows, especially studded snows, are really loud and handle like a brick on high heels... they don't corner, but they do what there meant to.

Just my 2 cents :)

And no I don't get sponsored by Nokian... just love them!

--Tig!

No problem! What else was I going to do on a Sunday afternoon?

P.S. Titaniumgray was a no show but Downshift was there to lend a hand. :)

Rxgrl:

You missed a good tech day over my house this past Sunday. Where were the rest of you RX-8 owners this past Sunday that live in the area? :confused:

ok, i saw a sunlight silver RX8 with a guy and girl in it on 190 and headed onto 290 east (Mass.) on friday afternoon...was it anyone in this thread?

Silver yes...

190 on friday?...Nope :cool:

I have a Nordic Green Mica... the only one I've seen in these parts :)

So if you see a Green 8, give a wave!

I did see two 8's out this weekend with in a couple of miles of my place, a nice red one, and a very abused black one... what a crime.

--Tig

Tig:


You know that black one was not mine!! :)

Kev,

Are you sure? The last time I saw your RX-8 it was in pieces! :p

Roy:


I know that, but we got her all back together without the help of all the kings horses and all the kings men :) The new grill has alreayd done its job... stopped a decent sized moth from slamming into my radiator. Bravo Hymee!!

I really like that new grill.... think I may have to see if Hymee is still shipping!

I think the black 8 belongs to someone in the apartment complex down the road from me... he has a vanity plate... Hell or Kill something, I think... as I have no memory, that is all I remember (was born with out one, so for all those of you who lost yours, I wish I knew what that felt like:) )... oh and of course I still can't get all the awful looking white scratches everywhere, out of my mind!

I walked by it in a parking lot, at first I thought it was a really rushed and poorly done wax job... as I got closer, it became apparent it was a lot worse then a bad wax day...

Sad.

Besides, I know you know how to wax Kev, and there were none of those gorgeous black strakes to be seen on this one ;) .

--Tig!

RX8 Guys,
ok, so how long (many miles) did it take your all to get your car to start getting more than 21 miles per gallon average? And when you do, are you still using 93 octane, and what type of driving...mostly highway with cruise control right?

21 MPG average!!! :eek:

I have 22k miles on my car and I average between 16-18 MPG (primarily city w/ a moderately heavy right foot). They only time that I have seen above 20 has been cruising leisurely on the highway. On the flip side, you can expect less than 7 MPG and a quart of oil per tank while bombing around a track. Zoom Zoom :cool:

Ok, sadly... and with a :) on my face for every mile... I may have more miles then anyone on the east cost...

OK, I'm not the most aggressive driver most days, and I have to deal with more traffic then I think they have cars where I grew up but I do enjoy pushing it a bit, pulling some high revs and finding a nice set of twisties when I can!

I'm at the latest flash... and it did help, a little.

I'm getting between 16 and 21.5 mpg on 93... of course as soon as Speed Racer gets me out on the track... I may be looking at 9 and 21.5 mpg!

For the most part, on the highway if I have the cruse control set at 73 on a long trip... I get 20.5, 21.5 on a good day...

Most of the time my mileage consists of a mix of 75 mph to 10 to 75 to 12 to… ok rt. 3 sucks in the morning, on my commute, from Nashua to Billerica... and with the AC on I'm averaging more like 18 – 18.5. If I get stuck in traffic, creeping along sitting in neutral idealing... I think I can actually watch the needle dropping. That's when I get off at the next exit and find a back way to work... it may take twice as long as sitting in traffic would (probably not possible), but lets face it... the 8 wasn't meant to sit in traffic... and it will let you know with it's thirst and your itching hand on the 6 speed.

Well I don't know if that helps or makes it worse... just what I’ve been seeing. How bad is your car sucking down the 93???

--Tig!

rxgirl it was probably me you saw that day i tried to tell you in a e-mail i thought i saw you. plus i also replied into the wrong post last time.

rxgirl it was probably me you saw that day i tried to tell you in a e-mail i thought i saw you. plus i also replied into the wrong post last time.

ahh the confusion is all better... I didn't get much sleep last night... thought I had just missed something in the other thread... http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=34549

:)

21 MPG average!!! :eek:

I have 22k miles on my car and I average between 16-18 MPG (primarily city w/ a moderately heavy right foot). They only time that I have seen above 20 has been cruising leisurely on the highway. On the flip side, you can expect less than 7 MPG and a quart of oil per tank while bombing around a track. Zoom Zoom :cool:

ain't that the truth :D

or if auto-x is your thing- sub 10mpg and about a half a quart

awesome, i bought my car on May 20th and I will hit 6000 miles by this weekend...wahoo
I am starting to get better and better milage...about 21 to 22 depending on my shifting habbits. Better that that 15 when i started driving....but you get on it and the miliage DIES. oh well, i love my car.
was anyone on rt 13 heading to nashua on tuesday in a silver rx8...that was me going north.

So everyone here is in the area... anyone else joining us this Sunday?

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=34549

--Tig!

when are we reschudling the run?i want to drive.
tty all later

There is an autocross Aug 28th and 29th at NHIS. The 28th is a charity event that you buy tickets for each run you want to do. So its a more laidback / fun event. Plus you don't have to drive your car for each of your runs, so you can drive other cars if you can talk the owner into it.

see: http://www.ner.org/soloII/jgc.html

Mark

Mark,

The charity event sounds like it will be fun. Hopefully I'll be able to make it this time.

Hey Kev,

Have you picked another day for the Beach Run?

Roy:


Nope unfortunately I have not. Not real sure when I will be able to fit it into the schedule actually. August is pretty filled up and Sept is out with the Wedding. I will keep all posted if we do set a date. Sorry! :(

At least you are giving me the chance to get my car back on the road. ;)

They started to work on the car on Monday and have already made a fair amount of progress. All of the damaged parts have been removed and the new parts are waiting to be installed. They did a laser check on the frame today and only found the radiator support was out of spec and that has already been fixed. The rest of the frame was less than 2mm out (tolerance is 5mm). Tomorrow they are going to play around with painting the old hood and will continue to do so until they can perfectly match the Velocity Red paint. If all goes well I should get my car back by the end of next week! :)

Oh, what a terrible sight! Poor Zia all in pieces!

Atleast you don't have that funny empty space on the left had side, in front of the right front tire... like the last 8 I saw with no nose :)

Hope to see you back on the road soon!

We will have to get together when Zia is back up to snuf!

--Tig!

Oh, what a terrible sight! Poor Zia all in pieces!

Atleast you don't have that funny empty space on the left had side, in front of the right front tire... like the last 8 I saw with no nose :)

Hope to see you back on the road soon!

We will have to get together when Zia is back up to snuf!

--Tig!
Hey! Hey! I resemble that remark!! :p Nows the time to add a Hymee grill if you want. I can attest that it works great. I have already pulled many a bugs outta the grill and a few decent sized stones. Hate to think that these things would have smashed into my radiator if I didn't have the grill! :eek:

Good to see your 8 getting back to the way it was Roy. Let us know when its finished. Have al the parts come in from Japan?

I'd like to install the protective grills and I'm curious to see what D MENAC will come up with.

If anything is going to hold it up, it is going to be paint. They forgot that they were going to spend some serious time practicing with the Velocity Red and may not have enough left over to actually paint my car.

I'd like to install the protective grills and I'm curious to see what D MENAC will come up with.

If anything is going to hold it up, it is going to be paint. They forgot that they were going to spend some serious time practicing with the Velocity Red and may not have enough left over to actually paint my car.
Those sum bitches!! :p I guess that would give you time to order up some grills and get them installed before the bumper goes back on.

I'm waiting for the fog light strakes myself :cool:

I'm waiting for the fog light strakes myself :cool:


fog light strakes???? am I being thick? What the heck are fog light strakes?

Maybe I missed somthing :(

Tig:

Take a look here: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=34058&highlight=fog+light+strakes

D MENAC 7 has been busy experimenting with different ideas. Right now he is working on side vent strakes, oil cooler strakes, and protective screens for the oil cooler and radiator. The oil cooler strakes are kind of cool because they mimic the styling cues in the head/tail lights.

More info (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=34058)

hello everyone, just noticed NE section. Picked up rx-8 yesterday at Seacoast Mazda down in portsmouth. startin to think what kind of winter tires to throw?

Welcome to the club! Cool, now Spin9k is no longer the only RX-8 in Portsmouth.

Check out the Dunlop Wintersport M3 or Nokian for winter tires.

Welcome!


Yes if you are thinking of driving your 8 in the winter time, get a set of wheels and good snow tires. I have Pirelli Snow Sport's myself on Kazera KZ-R's (I think).

Roy: u don't like your Pirelli's?

Kev,

The Pirellis were OK but I had some problems with heavy wet snow, the treads would get plugged with snow. I think that the open tread design of the Dunlops and Nokians would work a little better in this area.

I've only seen two rx-8's in portsmouth one red with zoom-zoom on plate and a grey one, i got a black one with spolier rotary accent and refuse to put on front plate. I heard the blizzaks are great snow tires, and i'll be pullin rims and puttin on steel wheels, was wondering if thats going to screw with tire pressure monitering???

hello everyone, just noticed NE section. Picked up rx-8 yesterday at Seacoast Mazda down in portsmouth. startin to think what kind of winter tires to throw?


Welcome! Hope you can join us the next time we all get together.

As for snow... I agree with Speed Racer, the 8 will definatly go in the winter if you give it the right sneakers... If you've read this whole thread, then you already have probably seen my thoughts on the matter! :)

Enjoy your new toy!

--Tig!

Hummm... you caught me in the middle of posting... as far as the steel rims go... if you can find a set, and you don't mind looking at the a tire pressure warning light all winter... then go for it. Other wise you will probably need alloys to work with the pressure sensor... of course then you need to decide if your going to bite the bullet and buy a second set of sensors, or simply move your current sensors back and forth... at the cost of mounting and balancing the 18's, not to mention the risk of damage, you might as well just get a set if you want them.

I got a cheap set of alloys off Tire Rack... and though they didn't carry them at the time, I belive they sell the sensor now as well.

--Tig!

The red RX-8 with +ZOOOM+ is Spin9k. I think he just changed his plate to RENESIS.

If you are going to drive the car this winter I'd suggest a cheap set of 17" alloys. They'll set you back about $125/rim. The tire pressure sensors are $100/each and you need one for each wheel if you want the TPMS to work otherwise you'll have a blinking light on the dash all winter. I bought a set of sensors off another forum member for half that price. So you may want to ask around before you lay out the cash.

Blizzaks are a great snow tire when they are brand new. They are made up of two types of rubber, with the outer most layer being very soft and porous. This is great for snow traction but it wears off in a few thousand miles and then the tires are just ho hum and that is why I wouldn't recommend them.

Wow, I kinda like the Fog light strakes! I'll have to keep my eye on that thread...

I would really love an affordable set of side strakes!

RXgirl!?


Are you alive? We haven't heard from you in quite sometime. Got a Miata/8 tech day tomorrow and you are invited :)

Please post up...

The tech day was a lot of fun and it gave me a chance to install a set of stainless brake lines on the car. Bleeding the brakes turned out to be an experience that will not be soon forgotten. FYI make sure that the car is level before bleeding the brakes.

RPIRX-8 also had his lowering springs installed with more than a little help from Chris Huot. At the end of the day we still had to remind him that his car looked like a monster truck in comparison to my10ae's miata. :p

Yeah, after a 1.1 inch drop front and rear I think my10ae still had to push up out of his seat to see in my front window :-) The tech day was definitely a lot of fun, and thanks to EVERYONE for the help on the spring install, couldn't have done it without you. The car feels unbelievably better with the new springs, body roll is all but gone and the ride comfort is still very good (judging from having my mother in the backseat for a 2 hour road trip and her saying "your car rides so nice in the back seat" when she got out). Also, and this is prob the butt dyno talking, but it feels like the car is transferring a little more power to the rear wheels with the stiffer springs.

And even better news! FINALLY my CZ Stage 1 is in the mail, should have it Thursday. So sometime this month there might be a mini-tech day to install and tune the Stage 1!

Anybody got a black 8 on rt. 28 in reading yesterday?

I'm originally from the Boston area but recently got married and bought a house out west in Templeton. I just bought a black 8 last month. So far all I have is clear corners but I have a set of Tein S techs in the mail. I'm also looking at a new set of rims. Can't wait to start modding this great car.

Pete

:eek: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=39611

:D Portland,Maine,here :p

pcld,

I think the black 8 in Reading that you're talking about may have been mine. I go around the reading/stoneham/woburn/wakefiled area for different stuff.

I think I'm gonna take the plunge this week on a Nordic Green, non-moonroofed, sport package. My other car is sold.... and I think I can get a decent deal on Thursday with end of the month and all. ;)

Wish me luck!

So is this going to be your car for the team challenge?