Whenever I downshift into 1st gear there is a weird whining type sound. I am new to driving a manual and was wondering if this was a problem. The RX-8 is also new and has 230 kms on it. Should I take this down to the dealer and get it checked out?

I think that's normal -- something to do with the synchros. At least I hope so, because my car does it, too! I had a couple of lessons on manual, and then basically I've been teaching myself. I usually hear the noise when I'm shifting from 4th to 3rd or 3rd to 2nd before going into a turn. Sort of a whirring noise coming from the gearbox, right? I can avoid the noise if I slow down a little more before shifting. I think it's the gears getting themselves all in agreement. I don't know the technical details. As long as they're happy, I'm happy.

For some reason, I never find myself downshifting into 1st, at least not when the car is moving. I just leave it in 2nd. Am I doing this right?

Whenever I downshift into 1st gear there is a weird whining type sound. I am new to driving a manual and was wondering if this was a problem. The RX-8 is also new and has 230 kms on it. Should I take this down to the dealer and get it checked out?

Sounds relatively normal if it's at low speeds.
As long as its not a rough grinding noise.

um... i thoght ur not suppose to downshift into 1st?

I mean, when I am coming to a stoplight I press the clutch and put it into 1st when im rolling at about 10mph. That is when I hear the whine sound. 1st is the only gear that does this.

I think if you slow down a little more before you downshift, you won't hear the noise, assuming we're talking about the same noise. I'd describe it as a light whirring sound coming from gearbox. You can feel a slight resistance in the shifter.

I think you'll hear the same noise next time you're in say 4th and you slow down to make a turn and shift from 4th to 2nd.

I think it's normal. If the noise bothers you, you could just hit the clutch and stop (without shifting through the gears). That's what I do. It seems like a waste of energy to be shifting through all those gears when you're coming to a stop.

I love that sound

Normal as long as not grinding...I have to agree with popular opinion.