Anybody up for a gathering in San Diego? I figure we should give it a few weeks so everybody can get their cars broken in and ready to tear up some twisties. Maybe on a Saturday towards the end of July - start of August? What do you guys think?

Do it! I went from a wannabe to a first-run groupie so I should have my car by then. Let's head for the hills, like the long way to Julian or Mt Polamar! It'll give a chance to stress my nav system! What part of town you in?

Heck yeah, sounds good to me!

Let's plan it for first few weeks of August - give us the opportunity to get them broken in...

That's great and all, but maybe everyone should wait till the cars start being delivered first. There might be more delays :mad:

Wait!? Heck, I'll do the 8 rally in my old honda minivan if I hafta! jk, but let's keep our fingers crossed that we're days away from delivery.

Yeah, we won't set a final date yet.... I just wanted to make sure that there was enough interest that we could get a fun, head-turning, OMG-WTF-are-all-those-bad-ass-cars group together. :D I work in Carmel Valley and live in La Mesa. I'm up for just about anything, but I'd say let's meet somewhere central (Mission Valley?) and cruise up to the mountains. Maybe stop for lunch in Julian or something and just get to know our fellow, local RX-8 owners....

That would be way cool. I hope we can recruit a few more locals.

I know there's a few other people anticipating 8 ownership from the San Diego area (who are on these boards), perhaps they don't read this forum. Mayhaps we could risk the wrath of the Mods by creating a thread in a more prominent forum, even if it gets moved relatively quickly it should be on the front page for a few days.

I think I know most of the San Diegans that post here. If they don't find this thread, I'll PM them....

I'm in, but will wait for my 8 first....
norats

Originally posted by RotorMotor
I think I know most of the San Diegans that post here. If they don't find this thread, I'll PM them....

Any guess as to how many San Diego owners there are in the first shipment or two?

Cool...Ill show up with my 7 :cool: My bro should have his 8 next month

Originally posted by 8_wannabe


Any guess as to how many San Diego owners there are in the first shipment or two?

Probably about 10 or 12... That post here at least.

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Probably about 10 or 12... That post here at least.

Cool; I can see it now. Maybe a half-dozen 8's plus a 7 or two cruising through Julian. We could raise a few eyebrows. Looking forward to it!

Tentative Date: Sunday, July 27
I know we're all anxious for our first little outing. I want to make sure that everybody has their cars and is ready before finalizing a date, but I've also got a number of trips coming up soon, so if we can nail down a date now, that'd be fantastic.

7/27 may be a little to aggressive. I don't know. I plan on having my car fully broken in by then. Is anybody NOT expecting to have their car by then? For those who aren't you're still more than welcome to come along. I know I'll have at least 2 extra seats :D and would be more than happy to chauffer any of my future club co-members. If nothing else it would give you the opportunity to feel the car before yours arrives. Respond and let me know what you guys think....

I'm up for it, and no the 27th isn't too early. It'll be hard to wait that long but you're right we need to let everyone get their car first. I'll be able to take 1-2 with me if they're still lacking cars. We gotta meet somewhere prominent so those non-rotary slugs can drool while we assemble before the ride. See ya there! :D

edit It's not my call, but i'd say 7 owners are welcome, too. They seem to be opening up their clubs to us as well.

Originally posted by 8_wannabe
edit It's not my call, but i'd say 7 owners are welcome, too. They seem to be opening up their clubs to us as well.

Oh, absolutely! It's not anybody's call! Anyone who wants to come along can. I would just like to get to know my fellow rotary enthusiasts, so as far as I'm concerened, whether you're planning to buy the car or not, as long as it interests you, by all means, cruise along.

I've been trying to track down all of the SD owners, but the members search function doesn't let you search by location (so I've been going through and looking at each member individually, DOH!) When you see Barb today, mention the gathering to her. She can inform lots of ppl. She posts on this forum too, but I don't know if she'll see this or not...

RM

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Oh, absolutely! It's not anybody's call! Anyone who wants to come along can. I would just like to get to know my fellow rotary enthusiasts, so as far as I'm concerened, whether you're planning to buy the car or not, as long as it interests you, by all means, cruise along.

Thanks for clarifying. I've never done this before so I wasn't too clear on rally-etiquette. I've never been an "enthusiast" before, per se, driving honda's etc. just cuz they're reliable. The 8 is making me an enthusiast so I'm really looking forward to getting together with the rest of you.

So far I've found the following SD members:
8_wannabe
DisneyDestroyer
Lex
norats
RacerX7FB
mostron8
N20SA22C

If you are or know an SD member not listed here, please reply with their user names. The more the merrier... :p

mp5, I believe, is in the SD area.

I am on the fence about the 8 but I would be down to meet with a group. I "tentatively" have my name on an RX8, through some good hook ups. I would also love to take a bunch of photos (burgeoning hobby). I live in SD as well! How bout a meet at Dave and Busters?

Dave and Busters is a great meeting place. Probably the highest density of drooling staggering car fans you'd find anywhere, and I mean that in a nice way.

Came home in my Velocity Red GT just now. Got some great pix plus my son was shooting video from the right seat as we took the long way home from Escondido. What I mean by the long way home was Escondido to La Jolla via Barona. Awesome roads, and he shot some great video with Nirvana playing and my running commentary on car performance. If we find time to do some editing (he's busy with summer school chemisty) we'll find an FTP site to upload it for your enjoyment.

Some idle observations, much of which you'll see elsewhere on this web but I gotta make my contribution:

1) That turbine-sounding whine really kicks in above 5500 rpm. It motivates you to keep the revs high just to hear it. It is soooo cool. I tend to run at 4000 rpm from prior cars and I know I should go higher. BTW, my dealer said there are no rpm restrictions while breaking in the car. Still, I barely made it to 6000.

2) No concern about shutting the front door then slamming the rear door on it. If you shut the front door first, it simply won't latch. It bounces back and its very obvious it didn't shut by sound, look and feel. If you still slam the rear door on it, the plush interior bolster of the rear door impacts the front door and the impact is very cushioned. No worries there.

3) I found the red LED display under the nav screen easy to read and comprehend, even in direct sunlight. Lots of data posted there depending on what you're doing (climate control, sound system, etc.)

4) As alleged before, the A/C system might be slightly underpowered, but I've found this to be true on most cars since they abandoned freon. It was 82 degrees outside and I was comfortable as long as the vents were blowing directly on me. The circular vents rotate 360; better than any I've ever seen you can point them anywhere and get comfortable.

5) I haven't driven stick in about 8 years. After I got out of the parking lot it took me about 3 blocks to get comfortable. If you see the video from my ride home I was able to drive aggressively immediately afterwards. I know I will improve with practice but I had no problems. It is not as short throw as the RSX which I test drove. That car was ridiculously easy to shift; the 8 takes a little effort but to me that is part of the charm of stick. The pedals and left foot rest are incredibly comfortable.

6) Somehow I missed this in all the noise, but the moonroof doesn't retract into the roof. It tilts up and back, totally exposed in the wind up on top of the roof. Kinda weird, but it gives you more headroom. I'm sure pix of this abound; I just never noticed.

7) I got the $500 college grad rebate. Not a discount, but they said they'll send me a check in a few weeks for my masters degree two years ago. So, all told I came in below MSRP. Sales rep and sr sales rep said the 8 didn't qualify; the manager said it did and I didn't have to argue my case. Thnx to whoever posted that thread before.

Anything else I might post is widely reported by others. Except my sh*t-eatin' grin all the way home. It was so fun. And, hey... there is a Red GT no nav sitting unsold at Cush, there since yesterday. Jump on it, lads!

san diego here..i have a 94 rx7 fd3s...i know quite a few fd guys that would come. =)

8_wannabe, you are required to post that video here. :D

Remember the SocalRX club's annual beach bbq is coming up on Aug 16 at Bolsa Chica beach also. Highly recommended...
;)

Originally posted by Toadman
8_wannabe, you are required to post that video here. :D

Remember the SocalRX club's annual beach bbq is coming up on Aug 16 at Bolsa Chica beach also. Highly recommended...
;)

We'll plan on the video over the weekend. My kid is the master editor and he has a chemistry test to study for. I'm the mean ol' dad who made him take summer school while buying myself a sportscar. :mad:

I am totally planning on the Bolsa chica thing. hey, do we want to meet somewhere in SD county and convoy up together? They have a web site where we're supposed to RSVP. Plus, we're setting up a rally to Julian on the 27th (I told Barb at Cush so she can pass the word around) plus someone is talking about a meet. I will make every event till I get my fill which'll take awhile.

Some final feedback as Day 1 comes to a close. I took the family to the outdoor film festival at Balboa Park to watch The Black Stallion. They show the film projected on the wall of the Art Museum; everyone sits on blankets or lawn chairs outside. Had to park behind the Spreckles Organ Pavilion. I met more people in the parking lot as I parked and later when I went to get the car. You could tell people just wanted to come up and ask about the car and several did. They'd say something like, "Hey is that an extra set of doors there?" None had heard of the 8 nor knew the Rotary was back, but they were so pleased. As one guy said with his gf hanging on his arm, "That is the coolest car I've ever seen."

Haha, yeah, I got quite the reception at my local Starbucks last night. It was pretty cool.

I'm really pleased with the DSC. I was afraid about it interfering with agressive but after driving the car for a day and a half, I was starting to wonder if I had accidentally turned it off. I had been cornering like I had my hair on fire and couldn't get it to come on until I finally took a 20mph S curve on-ramp at 45. Finally, on the last curve of the S the DSC light came on for a split second. Man, this car just HUGS the road. :D

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Finally, on the last curve of the S the DSC light came on for a split second. Man, this car just HUGS the road. :D

Concur, but I don't know how it is you were looking at the dash while taking turns like that. I'm not that good -- yet.

See, I know a lot of people knock the digi speedo, but I like it because I can glance at it (I can almost see it in my peripheral vision without moving my eyes, but not quite) and know exactly how fast I'm going. Now, that said, I looked down during the back of the S where it wasn't so curvy and saw that I was doing just over 40 and then I continued to accelerate through the turn, and I was up to 50ish pulling out of the turn, so 45 sounded like a nice, even number.

You want the DSC to come on, try peeling out. I did it accidentally (only took ~4000 RPMs in 1st at a stop sign) and the DSC came on pretty quickly.

Just FYI...There will be a dyno day at Autotech Motorsports all day Saturday the 26th with quite a few RX-7 Forum guys turning up. Also earlier that day the San Diego RX-7 Club will be having a canyon cruise.

I'll be hangang out there with my silver GT. See ya there!!!

By the way guys, this NavTech thing, is there a way to rig this so that it can play DVD's other than the NavTech DVD?

Originally posted by rx720bt
By the way guys, this NavTech thing, is there a way to rig this so that it can play DVD's other than the NavTech DVD?

You can't, unless you install your own DVD player and do some wiring into the display. Look for Hacking Navigation under the Electronics section.

Originally posted by RacerX7FB
Just FYI...There will be a dyno day at Autotech Motorsports all day Saturday the 26th with quite a few RX-7 Forum guys turning up. Also earlier that day the San Diego RX-7 Club will be having a canyon cruise.

Where's Autotech and where can I find more information about the SD RX-7 club? Are they accepting RX-8 members? I've heard of the So Cal RX-7 club, but it seems like most of their events are up in LA....

www.autotechmotorsports.com

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/8255/sdrx7club.html

SD Club does joint events with So Cal RXs..The site needs updating.. and yes Rotaries of ALL makes are welcome :cool:

Counting down the days gentlemen.

How about a departure time from D&Bs of 11:00? We can spend an hour or so cruising around the mountains, stop and get a bite to eat, then some more twisties? :D

Any updates from the guys that are still waiting (norats, etc.)?

I'll post here again and send everybody involved a PM when we finalize everything. If you would like an email as well, please send me a PM with your email address. Remember, we're open to RX-8ers (both with and without their cars) and anybody else who wants to attend.

RM

I'm still up for it; this Sunday, right? You'll be able to recognize me; I'm the one in the RX-8 and the big grin. I'll invite some rotary afficionados from work with their 7's and Miatas. I'll PM my email addy to you.

Hey, I'll have my kid charge up his FRS walkie-talkie things so we can communicate between cockpits (if you have a pax to act as communications officer.) Once off the freeway, my Sprint phone doesn't work up in the Julian twisties.

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Counting down the days gentlemen.

How about a departure time from D&Bs of 11:00? We can spend an hour or so cruising around the mountains, stop and get a bite to eat, then some more twisties? :D

Any updates from the guys that are still waiting (norats, etc.)?

RM

I'm up for it...car or no car! I'll bring my 88 Conquest if that's ok? Also, where exeactly are we starting from? Where/what is D&B?
Thanks,
norats

I'll do my best to make it.

D&B is Dave & Buster's. It's off the 8 freeway in Mission Valley. Your best bet is to take the 8, get off Texas Street and turn north, and turn right at the first street (I believe it's Camino Del Rio N), D&B will be on the right hand side.

Originally posted by norats
I'm up for it...car or no car! I'll bring my 88 Conquest if that's ok? Also, where exeactly are we starting from? Where/what is D&B?

Look forward to seeing you there. D&B = Dave and Busters. It's off Qualcomm Way; you should be able to find it online or in the phone book. If not, let us know. BTW, Dave and Busters is like a Chuck E Cheese, except for guys. Big guys who like cars, so our rally oughta be a big hit there in the parking lot.

Any RX-8 owner that wants a FREE dyno, let me know. I can hook you up this Saturday at Autotech. Of course, ONLY IF the car has already been properly broken-in and have rock up a considerable amount of milage ~(4000+ miles - at least one oil change).

Originally posted by rx720bt
Any RX-8 owner that wants a FREE dyno, let me know. I can hook you up this Saturday at Autotech. Of course, ONLY IF the car has already been properly broken-in and have rock up a considerable amount of milage ~(4000+ miles - at least one oil change).

4000+ mi in a week and a half will be a little hard to cut. I'm getting an aftermarket alarm installed tomorrow regardless, but thanks for the offer. If you're still looking in a few months, I'd love to bring mine up!

Anyway, we're 2 days away from our run. PMs will be going out this evening. The address for D&B's is 2931 Camino Del Rio N. It's right underneath the 8-805 bridge. I also attached a map. Meeting time is 11AM. We'll hit the road around 11:30 or so. Anybody with questions, please PM me.

See you all on Sunday!!!

Hi, gang. I'm bringing along a couple more wannabe's to the rally. Two folks from work. One guy has owned 5 Mazda's in his time; he'll be driving his Miata Sunday. Plus a real nice lady who totally admires the car. Both of them have talked their respective spouses into getting 8's after seeing mine parked outside day after day. So, we have RM, DD, NR, RX and 8w coming plus my two friends? Anyone else? This'll be quite a ride.

What mountain are we going to for the twisties???

We were looking at a ride to Julian. I could see going to Palomar someday, too.

Hey guys! Just wanted to say thanks again for making yesterday so fun! I had a blast and can't wait to do it again. It was great to meet our brothers in rotordom fact to face (although I have to admit, I remembered everybody's forum names better than their real names...haha :p). If anybody is planning on attending the SoCal RX Club's BBQ in OC, let me know and we'll try to plan a caravan for the drive up.

I expect to see all your pics posted here soon!!! ;)

As far as I know, this was the first organized RX-8 run anywhere, certainly the first in California. With five 8's and a few other cars along for the ride, it rocked. Pix and video to follow. All I can say is, RX-8 owners are as cool as their cars. It was a great run.

Too bad DisneyDestroyer didn't make it...I really wanted to see the Nordic Green..have yet to see one in person
Once we ditched the highway patrol, we all had a blast!! Those turns were very fun and everyone was just blazing through like crazy.

Can we do it again?
I'll get some pics up as soon as I can

Zooooooooommmmmmm <shift> Zoooooooooooommmmmm
norats

Originally posted by norats
Too bad DisneyDestroyer didn't make it...I really wanted to see the Nordic Green..have yet to see one in person
Once we ditched the highway patrol, we all had a blast!! Those turns were very fun and everyone was just blazing through like crazy.

Concur with all! Coming back through the twisties, I was second in line behind Elliot. Now I understand the difference between driving and driving well. I was humbled and awed. It is clear that I have a lot to learn if we can ever set up a training session at a local track, something Elliot said he would look into. I found our missing Miata crew. When Elliot turned left in Ramona and the rest of us went straight, the two "missing" cars turned right (intentionally) and had a great ride home. Everything worked out, and we ended the day with as many souls as we started with, which I'd say is the definition of a "successful" run.

I really appreciated the "southern" hospiatlity shown to me by the S.D. memebers. The ride was awesome. As we were going thru the final set of twisties on Old Julian Hwy, I kept on thinking "It just doesn't get any better than this."

I now have 700+ miles on my car. I'm hooked.

Hey fellas, I posted my pics from Sunday in this thread (http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=85513#post85513). Figured I'd put them in a little more prominent a forum for others to enjoy as well. Post yours up there when they're ready!

RM

More Pics!

http://www.eastcountybiz.com/jim/RX-8/July%2027%20Rally/

norats

Wow
It looks like I missed all the fun. I just received my black RX-8 and I am ready to go. Glad to see so many others in San Diego. Please keep me informed on the next meet.
Matt & Patty Blecha
2004 Black RX-8
ROTRPWR

Way to go, Matt. We oughta do this again sometime. I'm thinking a drive up Palomar Mountain would be cool. We'd probably have to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the top. Let us know when you've got your car broke in.

Palomar sounds like fun! I should be ready within a week or two. I had a BIG nail in the left rear tire today and the tire shop told me that the tire is no good. :>( So, I am going to get four new runflat tire on her. I think Michelin has the Pilot Sport. A little pricey but what the heck. Since there is no spare I like the thought of having the runflat tires. Keep me up to date on any meets you might have. Sure love to see more RX-8's.
Take care
Matt

Let me know how much the runflats cost. I got the spare just cuz the guy who really ordered the car got it. By the time I took over his order, it was too late to change the order. This weekend I removed the spare for the first time and was amazed how roomy the trunk it. With runflats I could remove the spare for good and maybe see it.

Well I found out that they don't have the run flats in our size. I also found out that a replacement tire is almost impossible to get. I ordered a new tire from the Tire Rack and I am waiting to see if I can get one. I called John Hine Mazda and they located a replacement up North. The only problem is they want $473.00 for one tire. Ya, that’s right one tire. If I can get two from the Tire Rack I will. They are selling theirs for $213.00 and that includes shipping. I am hoping to have the tire by Friday. I don’t think I can go two weekends without driving the RX-8. I sure wish I had gotten a spare when we received our RX-8. I am going to look around for a spare wheel so I will have a backup. :cool:

Wow, that's horrible. Looks like it would behoove most of us to have a spare in the garage. I got the spare with the car, but it's not full size. You can't go far or fast with it, but at least it's something.

I have heard these low-profile tires won't last long, maybe 20,000 miles. anyone have any experience with that? As costly as they are, maybe we should arrange some kinda of bulk purchase. Many of us first buyers will be coming up on tire replacements more or less the same time.

Sound like a great idea. Count me in for the bulk purchase. I was considering plus sizing to 19 inch but I think I will stay with these wheels and tires for now and just see how things work out in the future. Maybe these tires will start to become more readily available. I think if we get enough people to make one big order we might be able to save a big chunk of money. :D

So when is the next SD rx8 meet? Me and a couple FD boys are gonna show you guys that we still rule. :cool: muhahahahha J/K

Originally posted by rx7 rage
So when is the next SD rx8 meet? Me and a couple FD boys are gonna show you guys that we still rule. :cool: muhahahahha J/K

I'll be happy to set something up again. I checked out the San Diego RX-7 club's site (http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/8255/events.html ) to see if they have any events coming up soon, but they don't... When should we go? How about the weekend after Labor Day (Sept. 6 or 7)? I'll try to get a hold of Elliot (from the last run) since he knows A TON of back roads and he'll school all of our driving abilities... Whadda y'all think?

Do it!

Count me in. I have my baby broke in and ready. Can't wait!
Matt

I MAY try to make it down again.

Have Blue RX8 for 3 weeks.
Had RX7 for ever, gave it to my son and he finaly sold it. It ran great and was one of the top cars I ever owned.
So far the RX8 is the best car I have owned. Every day a stranger walks up to my car and ask about the car. I get to show off my new toy. People are always yelling "great car !" or thumbs up. I think this is going to be one of those classic cars that always will stand out.

I would like to meet other RX8 people, let me know about the next trip.

Paul

pcorsaro@msn.com
:D

Originally posted by pcorsaro
Have Blue RX8 for 3 weeks.

I would like to meet other RX8 people, let me know about the next trip.

Dude -- Welcome to the forum and hope to see you 'round.

John

we are bringing out our rx8 and some rx7's and a few protege's for our mazda fun run and BBQ if any one wants to go...
http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9551
there is the post with more info..