I recently read an article about Mazda either buying back the 8 or giving customers free scheduled maintenance for the first 50,000 miles.

http://www.infobeat.com/index.cfm?action=article&id=49757

I recall reading through a thread where they talked about the same thing but can't seem to find it. I've tried searching but with no luck. Does anyone know where I can find that thread?

That article is one year old. The buyback/free maint program was for purchases prior to Aug 26, 2003.

If you do a search of this forum using

mazda buyback letter

you'll get a page of threads that talk about the program.

thanks. So I guess if i bought my 8 recently, they'll say they've "fixed" the lack of power which makes me ineligible for the program.

They haven't given your 8 any extra power. There was nothing "broken" with the car that needed to be "fixed". Instead, they pulled all the advertising which stated the motor produces 250hp at the crank, and replaced it with 238hp. Perhaps if someone reproduces the same testing conditions in which this 238hp figure was determined and comes up with a lower figure, the case can be reopened.

And it seems that most people seriously doubt that the Renesis is putting out even 238 hp at the crank.

If that turns out to be true, Mazda could have a real public relations disaster on their hands.

Someone here has to have an 8 laying around they can just put on an engine dyno! I would love for mazda to buyback my car, so i can get it in white :D

power numbers aside, why would you buy a car if you didn't think it fit your needs?

I can understand the mileage issue, as most of us never got to spend a weekend with the car before buying, but hp NUMBER seems like something only asshats would want to go after.

Me personally, I'm interested in the rush I get when I drive it ... nothing more. Who cares whether it's 238, or 225 or whatever.

It does have an assload more power of all kinds - torque, HP, chick magnetism - than my '85 RX-7 had!

SC

No doubt! Straight line speed/horsepower is something you get used to so easy.

Case in point my 95 Eagle Talon TSi came with 210hp stock and with fuel system upgrades/computer/ T3/T4 hybrid Turbo and big Greddy front mount intercooler pulls 390hp. After a couple months I was already used to the new power!

More important to me is a cars' chassis, handling, interior ergonomics and luxury/features and value that the RX-8 cant be beat on by any car near its price!!

Does this guy own an RX-8? I doubt he's even driven one.

My Alde-troll-hyde filter is workin' overtime! :D

I joined this forum on 8/7/03. Read all the crap about HP numbers and such. I got my first test drive on 8/12/03, second test drive on 8/18/03 and third on 8/20/03. I KNEW about the madza buyback or free maintenance offer and the cutoff date. I put down a $1000.00 deposit on 8/28 and the car I wanted was transported to my local dealer and I paid for it in full on 8/29 (at MSRP to boot). The fools that ran the dealership at THAT time told me that I qualified for the free maintenance program... I knew better, but let them give me two free services. Dealership went to a new owner and they discovered the flubb.... no more free maintenances for me.

So why did I buy this vehicle, when I could've gotten the Z plan price on a Cobra or another FORD product...

1. This car is HOT.
2. First car that gave me WOOD. (yeah, yeah, Ferraris and Lambos SHOULD too... but I can't afford those vehicles.)
3. Rotary Power!
4. 3 road tests and my butt dyno would not have noticed the missing 12HP.
5. This car is freaking HOT.
6. On my 3rd road test... I took the demo around a 35mph curve at 55 and "felt like the car drives on rails"
7. Mustangs are a dime a dozen here in FORD country.
8. Did I mention... THIS CAR IS HOT SH*T
9. Local Nissan dealership wouldn't let people road test their 350Z... great marketing idea (morons), but I did get to drive one in a larger city (90 miles away)
10. All other cars I looked at in this price range... didn't make me go back for more road tests.

holy cow - this thread is referring to something that is a YEAR OLD. PLease just let this thread die in peace.