Where is eveyone at.. havent heard anything in a while


kinda new to the site... live near walled lake/novi... :D

Still here.. It's just now we have entered our 10 months of winter :(

I live in Dearborn.

yah, well I'll be driving thou the winter... picking up snowtires in a few weeks.

Still here, live in Lansing

Here Byron Center MI ,,West Siiiide :D

Don't forget to hit up the MI Rotary Club website (especially while winter snows us all in)!

http://mirotaryclub.com/forum

Also, I just uploaded some RX8/RX7 vids from last year's Rotary Revolution. I'm sure the MI club will be bringing down a large group again in 2005. You can catch them in the Rotary Revolution section on this forum.

Here Byron Center MI ,,West Siiiide :D

I know Byron Center, I dosn't have a side.

anyone got any recommendation on a good detailing (for interior) shop?

I'm here in Westland. I'll be installing my winter wheels and tires at the end of this month or early December. I'm sure we'll have some snow soon.

echelon: I've used Ziebart (www.ziebart.com ) for exterior detailing before, and they've done a pretty good job. I've never had any interior detailing performed, though.

I'm relatively new to Michigan, having moved here from Ohio last summer. Does anyone know of any good places to take your car for a nice hand wash? What do you guys do about washing your car in the dead of winter here? I'd like to avoid mechanical washes, though I used one 5-6 times last winter.

By the way, GO BUCKS this weekend! :p

There is a touchless carwash on haggerty and 8mile. also one around livonia area..

:) I'm here in the mighty metropolis of Dexter (just west of Ann Arbor). Getting ready for a last visit the dealer for a "burning smell" post oil change and flash....then it's off to hibernate until spring for my baby.. :(

:) I'm here in the mighty metropolis of Dexter (just west of Ann Arbor). Getting ready for a last visit the dealer for a "burning smell" post oil change and flash....then it's off to hibernate until spring for my baby.. :(

which dealer do you go to and will you recommend them?

i used to go to mazda cook in farmington hills. but it's too far and heard some negative feedback on them. Was gonna bring my car in to sesi mazda in ypsi next week.

Ann Arbor here. I'm going to switch to all season tires this week. I would rather not have another broken TPS, and certainly don't see the point in buying new rims and snows... if my father could drive a mustang gt all winter long on all season, i can sure drive my 8 with all seasons. Going with Toyo Proxe 4's (225/40/18).

Ann Arbor here. I'm going to switch to all season tires this week. I would rather not have another broken TPS, and certainly don't see the point in buying new rims and snows... if my father could drive a mustang gt all winter long on all season, i can sure drive my 8 with all seasons. Going with Toyo Proxe 4's (225/40/18).
Anything is better than the OEM tires. You'll be okay with all seasons. What do you mean about broken TPS? Doesn't that usually happen from mounting/dismounting tires? So using the stock rims would actually increase the chance of a broken sensor, right?

Anything is better than the OEM tires. You'll be okay with all seasons. What do you mean about broken TPS? Doesn't that usually happen from mounting/dismounting tires? So using the stock rims would actually increase the chance of a broken sensor, right?

Well, here's the story.

I had a sidewall puncture and the tire had to be replaced. When they removed the old tire, somehow they broke the valve clean off. The tps fell into the rim. I was pissed. They said no problem, we'll put a new valve in and you'll be fine. They didn't understand that it was a attached to the tps. They tried a simple rubber valve stem, but it would seal. They called to get a new tps from the dealer, and they didn't have any at the local dealer. I ended up going to another dealer 45 minutes away to get a new tps, bring it back to get my tire mounted. What a pain.

So, I had chosen all seasons so that I wouldn't have to deal with the possibility of another broken sensor when they switch my snows, back to summer tires. I would rather not disable the tps system by buying new rims without them...and I certainly dont want to pay for an extra set of tps's for the new rims. Selection of new rims is limited anyway if you intend to keep the tps active. They only fit on some rims. If I were to buy a set of rims, I would probably get a set of BBS lightweights, and I would certainly want them on the car in the summer and not the winter. Unfortunately, snow tires....Blizzak LM-25's are $230 a piece.

Toyo Proxes 4's are the answer.

Okay, I see now. I went with a set of 17" wheels and Blizzak WS-50 tires for the convenience of being able to swap them out myself whenever I want. I didn't get the TPMS sensors on the new wheels to save some money. I can deal with the flashing light for a few months. The WS-50s definitely give up some dry road handling, but they're not as bad as I thought they would be. I guess it depends on your driving style. Next time around I'll probably try the Blizzak LM-22s or Dunlop M3s, but the WS-50s will work fine for me in the mean time.

Representing Dearborn here...just got my RX-8 a couple weeks ago, I'll get pics up soon I hope! (I have old pics but since then I got the tint and some new rims/tires for the winter so I want to put up some new pics)

Ya, I'm representing Taylor here, I work in Woodhaven (Next city over) about a 1/2 mile from the Sterling Mazda dealer. I work in the Comcast office right on the corner, You can always see my Red 8 in the back corner of the parking lot.

Okay guys, did any of you drive your 8's this morning? My drive to work was not easy. Plows hadn't touched the 6" of snow on Michigan Ave. I finally figured out that the only way to avoid getting stuck in certain situations was to turn off the DSC/TCS. Otherwise, the system cuts the throttle when it senses wheel spin and it makes the situation worse. So, from a stop or when going up an incline, I turned off the DSC/TCS to allow for wheelspin to build momentum. Once I got up to speed, I turned the sysem back on. However, anytime I hit a loose snow pile the system would kick in and cut the throttle, and I'd lose speed and run the risk of getting stuck again. It was a constant on/off thing, but amazingly I made it to work. I saw 4 (no exaggeration) Mustangs that were completely stuck.

I did, I started a thread about it. lol

Buckeye, you mention turning the TC/DSC on and off. Were/are you able to turn it back on without shutting off the car? If so, how? Thanks.

CharlesCharles: I didn't completely disable the TCS/DSC by pressing and holding the button for several seconds. By simply depressing the button one time, the TCS/DSC is "partially" disabled (enough so that I could generate wheel spin to get out of deep snow). Pushing the button again reactivates the TCS/DSC. It is not necessary to shut off the car unless the TCS/DSC system is completely disabled.

I know this seems stupid but are any of the rx-8's around here girls? I'm curious to see, I know there is one girl around my area with a red one I just dont know if she is on the boards.

What's up Redfusion3 ? Yes and I live in Ann Arbor and I drive a Black 8.

Wow, I didnt think I'd get a responce..

You go to College there?

Seriously sometime next spring/summer I hope there will be a Michigan meet or something for us.

Seriously sometime next spring/summer I hope there will be a Michigan meet or something for us.

The MI Rotary Club will have a meet in spring/summer, but the one you don't want to miss will be the meet my partner and I run down in Indy (you know the one in my signature, lol).

Ask any of the MI club members that attend (about 30+ last year). The cruise down to the event is part of the fun, but then you are part of over 200+ rotary vehicles. And the RX-8 was meant for the road course and autocross tracks, she handles them like a dream.

I hope to meet all of the MI RX8 owners there!

Wow, You don't mess around do you?

I have been a long time forum visitor but infrequent poster. I bought my yellow Rx8 in July of 2004 and live in Plymouth. I am sure some of you will see me flying around town now and again. Can't be missed in a yellow! I love this car!

Wow, You don't mess around do you?

Nope, we work very hard to put on the best event possible. Right now I'm trying line up meetings with Mazda while they are at the NAIAS to have them commit more resources to this year's event.

I am truly a rotary fanatic. I have 79/91/94 RX7's, and the only reason I don't have an 8 yet is it only seats 4 (and I need it to seat 5). Of course, once the oldest turns 16 that might change.

To keep myself busy until then I've picked up a few of the better RX8 radio controlled cars. :D I just wish they made a rotary engine noise when I run them around the house chasing the cats.

The event really is a passion. There is nothing like waking up on Saturday and watching 250+ rotary vehicles roll through the gates. The only better thing is watching all the smiles on everyone's face when they get out of their car after a spin on the autocross or road course.

Hope to see all of you there. If you are a member of the MI Rotary club you'll get a $10 discount off the online registration price.

Rotary Revolution sounds intriguing. Although since my wife is not interested in cars and I've got a budding family, I don't know if I would be able to attend. But sounds like a great event.

check another one off for Plymouth. I just bought my titanium 8 about 2 weeks ago. unfortunatly I have not been able to drive it that much because of the snow.

I'm gonna go cruise around Plymouth and Ann Arbor and go look for you guys sometime when it gets nicer out.

Rotary Revolution sounds intriguing. Although since my wife is not interested in cars and I've got a budding family, I don't know if I would be able to attend. But sounds like a great event.

Well...downtown Indy and it's huge shopping area is a short 10 minute cab ride away... There's also a 5-story children's museum that is very popular in the downtown area. :D

Then everyone has a great time.

I just can't wait to see Jim Downing's 4-rotor LeMans car...

What exactly happens at these Events, in detail?

Well, for starters you drive down from MI with a group of rotary vehicles. I think last year we had over 30 cars come down from Michigan.

The hotels are about a 5-10 minute drive from Indianapolis Raceway Park where the main action takes place. IRP is where they hold the NHRA Drag Nationals.

On friday night we have planned the Rotary Challenge. Which is heads-up drag racing against the local piston vehicles. One lane (the good one) is dedicated to rotary vehicles only.

On Saturday we head back to the track and the event becomes rotary only. Spectators are allowed, but are not allowed to park with the rotary vehicles nor may they participate in the drag racing or TWO autox tracks. There will be a large sponsor exhibit area setup along with an audio/visual tent showing various rotary videos throughout the day, a reception tent for attendees, and a seminar tent for the various rotary seminars we have planned. There is also the Rotary Review car show that is voted on by the attendees (winners to be featured in RX Tuner magazine). On Saturday night the local Indy club is scheduling a downtown cruise of Indianapolis (if you're still able to lift your arms up to the steering wheel). The drag racing and autox are unlimited runs as long as they are open (autox closes at dusk).

On Sunday we return to the track where the sponsor exhibit area is once again open and the seminars continue. There is also an opt-in Road Course/Drivers School event on Sunday (limited participation and an added fee).

That's the shortened version. We haven't even announced numerous other features that will keep you very busy all three days. Not to mention how cool it is to look out your hotel window Saturday morning and see all rotaries filling up 3+ hotel parking lots.

You can click my signature for the official website and see schedule/etc...

I mentioned this event to a friend and he replied with

"Why would you wanna go?
Everything on your car is stock anyway."

I then got too mad to finish the conversation

Haha, I gotta find someone to go with. All my friends have Piston cars.

Well...downtown Indy and it's huge shopping area is a short 10 minute cab ride away... There's also a 5-story children's museum that is very popular in the downtown area. :D

Then everyone has a great time.

I just can't wait to see Jim Downing's 4-rotor LeMans car...

Thanks for the tips... I had always heard Indy is a pretty cool town. I'll have to see how everything shakes out.

I mentioned this event to a friend and he replied with

"Why would you wanna go?
Everything on your car is stock anyway."

I then got too mad to finish the conversation

Haha, I gotta find someone to go with. All my friends have Piston cars.

If I decide to go, everything on my car is stock too, so we would be in the same boat. I'm going to assume that it wouldn't be a big deal...

If I decide to go, everything on my car is stock too, so we would be in the same boat. I'm going to assume that it wouldn't be a big deal...

It's tough to estimate the number of stock cars there. A lot of them that's for sure. Your RX8 in stock form will handle the two autocross tracks and the road course really well right out of the dealership. If you've never drag raced before after a few tries and figuring out the best times to shift you could easily be down in the 14's which would beat all the non-turbo RX7's out there.

That's the beauty of the event. You bring your stock car out enjoy the comraderie and learn what your car does, what it can do, and what you can do to it. After that you go home grinning from ear-to-ear and try and decide if you want to make it a little faster before next year.

And if you leave it stock that's fine you know you are going to have a great time anyway.

Here's a great article for you from a 2004 RX8 attendee:
http://www.rx8tristateclub.com/articles_revolution.asp

Does a auto rx-8 in manual mode count? lol

Does a auto rx-8 in manual mode count? lol

I guess the only way to find out would be to show up, huh? ;)

Lol, You got me!

hey, just bought a titanium rx8, I am here in Farmington hills mi, cool to see there are others out there, cant wait for this crapy weather to be over,

b

supsup Brian, nice. Detroit RX8 is planning on some local meet in March just so the rotary people can get together and kick it, check out http://mirotaryclub.com/forum/ when you have a chance.

Paul

hey, just bought a titanium rx8, I am here in Farmington hills mi, cool to see there are others out there, cant wait for this crapy weather to be over,

b

Hello from another Farmington Ti8 owner. Did you buy from Cook Mazda?

supsup Brian, nice. Detroit RX8 is planning on some local meet in March just so the rotary people can get together and kick it, check out http://mirotaryclub.com/forum/ when you have a chance.

Paul

I didn't see any posts over on the MI Club website. Are there any updates? Not sure I'll have the FD back together in time, but I can always bring the FB.

Charles - I'd be interested :)

Blah the only Modifications I made to mine are exterior.

http://mirotaryclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=687

Hey guys, just discovered there were some locals here. I'm from the Novi/Northville area. Good to see some RX-8 owners toughing out the winter like myself.

Oh by the way, I see like 4 or 5 8s in my parking lot at work. Any you guys work at the Ford Credit building in Dearborn?

I've worked at various buildings within the R&E Center in Dearborn. There are A LOT of RX-8s around the area. If I had to guess, I'd say Dearborn has the highest concentration of RX-8s in the country, especially now that it's available in the management lease program (4 options for mid-life crises: Mustang, Miata, RX-8, Jag XK).

Mazda is sending out a mailing/invitation to attend Rotary Revolution 2005 to 4000 new RX8 owners in the midwest.

When you MI owners receive it will you let me know so I get an idea how long it is taking to reach mailboxes? The letter is supposed to go out from their midwest region office in Chicago.

Thanks!

New RX-8 owner here. Just picked up one of the last fully loaded 2004's(velocity red) left in the Detroit area. Added fender strakes and rotary center caps. Can't wait till spring!

Welcome to the V Red club here in Detroit MI, where abouts are you?

Thanks for the welcome. Living in Macomb north of Detroit.
Wow, tons of information about our RX-8's on this website!

MI - Where in MAcomb? I know MI Family guy is out there as are my parents (25 & Van Dyke).

Yeah, that's cool. I've seen a few other Reds out there lately.

With the warmer weather I finally managed to get out of my driveway to loosen things back up a little. Man, it's amazing how much I miss driving this car! Welcome MI RX-8, and see you on road sometime...

We almost all have red 8's, lol

I'll break the "red" trend... I have a black GT 6 speed. I know that's a little masochistic for the lousy weather we have. Impossible to keep clean, but I'm a sucker for a shiny black car. If you roll your windows down in Orion Township (North Oakland County), you'll hear my nonstop streaming obscenities lamenting the Siberia-like weather here :mad: . This forum, & the knowledge that there are fellow Michiganders counting down the days 'til spring keeps me going!

Sure does Charles... thanks! I too drive mine unless excessive snow is flying... just can't resist. I've only been stuck in my driveway or in front of my house. I once left the stuck car in front of my house & took my fwd to work. Someone asked if I was worried about leaving it on the street. I said "if a thief can move it in the snow, he can have it!". Needless to say, the car was there upon my return. Happy motoring!

I'll break the "red" trend... I have a black GT 6 speed. I know that's a little masochistic for the lousy weather we have. Impossible to keep clean, but I'm a sucker for a shiny black car. If you roll your windows down in Orion Township (North Oakland County), you'll hear my nonstop streaming obscenities lamenting the Siberia-like weather here :mad: . This forum, & the knowledge that there are fellow Michiganders counting down the days 'til spring keeps me going!

Here's a great story for you RX-8 owners in Michigan (and elsewhere). The Rotary Revolution was listed in Autoweek magazine in their calendar and of course they printed my cell # (ouch). Actually this is only a mild ouch since I haven't been getting 2 am phone calls from drunken V8 owners yelling "Rotaries Suck" and hanging up.

One call I did receive was from a gentleman in Clarkston, MI who had recently bought an RX-8, doesn’t have internet access and wanted to know more about this event. So I mailed him an early version of our part of the letter Mazda is sending out this week personally inviting new RX-8 owners to the event along with the tentative schedule and mail-in registration form.

Two days later he calls me back and is extremely excited about both his new RX-8 and attending the event. His 77th birthday is Monday April 25th (the day after the event) and he let’s me know he is telling his wife, kids, and grandkids that they have to move his birthday party up to take "the best car I’ve ever owned" down to the Rotary Revolution.

I tell him to keep my cell number on hand, and when he mails in his registration to call me so I can make sure he gets in touch with the MI club president so he can follow the caravan of rotary vehicles down to Indianapolis. His response to me, "Well, this car gets up and really moves; I hope they can keep up with me."

Every time I tell this story it makes me grin from ear-to-ear.

Feel free to download our part of the letter Mazda is sending out here (http://lat-g.com/pdf/RotaryRevolution.pdf). (Even though we are told you will receive the entire letter in your mailbox early next week.)

Would it keep you going to know that I have driven my 8 all winter except in cases of more than a couple inches of snow? How about the fact that mine is also black?

CRH

Looks like there are a lot of us.. I have driven the 8 on the stocks all winter regardless on amount of snow (I have a very short drive to work!).

Well I live off the same street fairlane grounds is on so thats usually not too bad, the only bad road is usually Hubbard and I'm only on that for about a mile.

Looks like there are a lot of us.. I have driven the 8 on the stocks all winter regardless on amount of snow (I have a very short drive to work!).
You've been driving stocks all winter?! I don't if I should be impressed or call you crazy...

I've found the couple of times I've run over snow/ice that the Potenzas were ok in the light snow if you kept your momentum going, but on ice, or smooth snow they are hopeless.

I think here in the Detroit area we are able to get our cars on the road pretty often, assuming you can get out of your sub.

Why the hell does Ford have management leases on Mustangs? They're selling the best...that's messed up.

Damn Ford, flooding the market with nice cars driven by middle-aged men in mid-life crises...(sorry if that pertains to you :P)

All the RX-8s in Dearborn...gotta do something to make yours stand out ;-)

Only the V6's are currently available for delivery on a managment lease. From what I heard the GT's can be obtained on a management lease but they will not be delivered until summer (expected time when original retail orders will be completed).

I am getting more pissed about the 8 on management lease tho.. 99% of people I see driving them around WHQ are either older women or late middle-age men who dont appreciate the car.

Oh yeah for real! I feel jipped...I mean, the last thing I want is for them to turn this into the next Miata! Ford's ruining the image of the RX-8...pretty soon it'll be the old man's mid-life crisis car along with the Miata. Why don't they do more management leases on the Five Hundred or the Freestyle? lol (I'm sure they are but come on now)

Oh yeah for real! I feel jipped...I mean, the last thing I want is for them to turn this into the next Miata! Ford's ruining the image of the RX-8...pretty soon it'll be the old man's mid-life crisis car along with the Miata. Why don't they do more management leases on the Five Hundred or the Freestyle? lol (I'm sure they are but come on now)Okay, calm down man :o. It's only in the heart of Dearborn that there is an abundance of 8s. Go 5 miles outside of Dearborn and it's still pretty rare to see an '8--at least that's my experience living in the Westland/Canton area. It's a pretty strong statement to say that Ford is ruining the image of the 8!

Okay, calm down man :o. It's only in the heart of Dearborn that there is an abundance of 8s. Go 5 miles outside of Dearborn and it's still pretty rare to see an '8--at least that's my experience living in the Westland/Canton area. It's a pretty strong statement to say that Ford is ruining the image of the 8!
True dat, Buckeye... true dat...

Blue 8 in Pinconning

Yea so when I go down Michigan ave hopeing to see one of you guys...It never happens. I'm going to have to spend the whole day out the and go 8 hunting.

Anyone interested in Waterford Hills on June 6th? A guy from work is trying to get me to go, and I am unsure at the moment. Maybe a couple more 8's might sway me...

Hey F.M., I would like to be included in that trip to Water. Hills in June. I got back from two days of HPDE in Atlanta and had a blast running my engine between 6-9K all day. I wanna do it again. You might be surprised to find the cars that the RX-8 slays all day on the track!

Also, the summer cruise season is about to get started in a few weeks. Anyone interested in watching me show GTOs and Mustangs that they aren't as fast as they think?

CRH
Hey Charles, sorry I haven't responded yet. If you can believe it, I haven't been on the site for a while. Sounds like you have a lot of experience tracking your 8.

I for one, would be very interested in seeing you and your car out at Waterford Hills on June 6th. Let me look up the link to the club and their website where you can sign up. I'm sure you will be in a different class as me, but I would love to watch you around the track, and see your setup.

So where exactly do you show these GTOs and Mustangs what's up??? :eek:

Charles, the website is: www.saac-mcr.com/tracks/

The event is being held by the Shelby American Automobile Club, Motor City Region.

I haven't officially signed up yet, but the guy from work has and as long as I get my "final" approval, I would very much like to plan on it. Let me know what you end up deciding...

Ha, that wouldn't be me buying a nitrous system...

In fact, everything about learning more about my RX-8 and how to gain a comfort level working on it sounds incredibly appealing to me. However, since I've got zero experience driving on a track and zero experience working on cars, I probably wouldn't be the right guy to help you lead a Detroit area group and organize events.

But if there was enough interest amongst others in the area, I would definitely be a willing participant. But as I go through my "baby steps" phase unfortunately, I have to admit that I have much less to offer others than what I might gain from being a part of some of the events you mentioned.

To be honest, I don't know how "hard core" I might become with regards to cars in general and my RX-8, but only time will tell. I may just start with this first "driving school" and see what develops.

I'll search for some of that footage when I get a chance, and maybe I'll see you flying up and down Telegraph someday...

Agreed. You make a good point. I guess I was just attempting to display my insecurities about the technical knowledge I possess of my car. As far as driving it, I am totally into that. I think it would be great to learn how to drive it even better.

Keep me posted, and we shall see ... thanks.

So far it's just you and me talking about organizing something. Either we're missing a boat somewhere else or we are the only ones willing to talk right now. Sad to think it might be easier for me to go South to meet up with an RX-8 group when you and I hail from the Motor City.

CRHI'm listening in. I'd consider participating in a meet if one gets organized--it's just that I don't want to make any commitments considering that I have a wife who is, let's just say, "not as enthused" about the RX-8 as some of us :).

So far it's just you and me talking about organizing something. Either we're missing a boat somewhere else or we are the only ones willing to talk right now. Sad to think it might be easier for me to go South to meet up with an RX-8 group when you and I hail from the Motor City.

CRH

Hey, don't forget about us "other rotary" owners. Sheesh, I setup a meet with plenty of RX-8s there and you aren't even going. ;)

(I know, I know, you have a good reason...)

Haha.

It will happen sooner or later.