I have had my RX-8 for 7 months. Tonight i was driving it to a bar, to celebrate st paddys day (i was the DD) and after pulling into the bar and after getting into the parking lot it acted weird. Well it wont shift. I have put 1500 miles on it since i got it. I purcased it used, and it had a new clutch put in by the dealership where i purchased it (also where i sell cars). The clutch pushes in normal, and with it running it will not shift into gear. When i push the shifter twords first, it would crawl very slowly. Is this the clutch? It was driving perfectly normal ealier in the night. I dont engine break or downshift, i usualy go N and use brake. What could be wrong with it? Im freaking out.

Sounds like the clutch isn't releasing.

would that be a mistake i made? i dont drive it hard, but i am new to a manual.

No based on this quote:

...and it had a new clutch put in by the dealership where i purchased it...

so what could be wrong? i mean it was a new clutch when i purcashed it

I have had my RX-8 for 7 months. Tonight i was driving it to a bar, to celebrate st paddys day (i was the DD) and after pulling into the bar and after getting into the parking lot it acted weird. Well it wont shift. I have put 1500 miles on it since i got it. I purcased it used, and it had a new clutch put in by the dealership where i purchased it (also where i sell cars). The clutch pushes in normal, and with it running it will not shift into gear. When i push the shifter twords first, it would crawl very slowly. Is this the clutch? It was driving perfectly normal ealier in the night. I dont engine break or downshift, i usualy go N and use brake. What could be wrong with it? Im freaking out.

I bought a used rx8 with a new clutch too. Did the dealership show you all the proper paperwork for the 'new' clutch? Cause if it's a new clutch this shouldn't be happening by any means. ...

Every manual transmission I've had sometimes locks out shifting into 1st gear from a stand still. I usually shift to 2nd and then it normally allows me to slot it into 1st gear. You shouldn't have to force the gearstick into gear. Is your clutch hard to depress?

When i push the shifter twords first, it would crawl very slowly. Is this the clutch?
If at this point you have the clutch pedal pressed all the way to the floor, the problem is that the clutch is still engaged as w2aew said. That could be due to an improperly installed clutch disc/pressure plate or it could have to do with the clutch hydraulics. That is, the clutch master cylinder and/or clutch slave cylinder. The fluid may be low or there may be air in the line. Check the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir (fluid is shared with the clutch hydraulics) and if that is full, try bleeding the clutch hydraulics to get rid of any air in the line.

If that fails to resolve the problem, get the people that installed the clutch to do the job correctly.

I bought a used rx8 with a new clutch too. Did the dealership show you all the proper paperwork for the 'new' clutch? Cause if it's a new clutch this shouldn't be happening by any means. ...


I work at the dealership that i purchased it from. The shop is known for messing up things, so maybe that is the problem. It wont shift into any gear, and someone here at work today said he thinks it might be a syncro? Oh well ill find out tuesday when they get it in the shop, it was sad to see my 8 on the back of a flat bed, i already miss it.

Every manual transmission I've had sometimes locks out shifting into 1st gear from a stand still. I usually shift to 2nd and then it normally allows me to slot it into 1st gear. You shouldn't have to force the gearstick into gear. Is your clutch hard to depress?


No, it feels normal when i push the clutch in.

Sounds to me like they messed up the clutch installation, and its not disengaging when you depress the clutch. Maybe they didn't properly bleed the hydaulic lines or something like that. The key is that you said that it feels like the car wants to move as you push the shifter into gear - this means that the syncros are trying to move the car - very bad on the syncros!

What happens if you shut the car off, put it in 1st, depress the clutch, then try to start the car. I'd bet it tries to lurch forward (if you have the e-brake off). Again, confirmation that the clutch isn't disengaging.

Most likely the shop didn't install the clutch correctly. Have it towed there and get it repaire.d

throw-out bearing is the verdict from the local mazda shop.

the Mazda dealer who did the install should be held accountable then, that should always be replaced with a new clutch ...