Aust/NZ spec - Issues list

pepe · 09-01-2003, 06:59 AM

Lads/Ladettes

Would like to start up a thread for any 8 owners in Aust/NZ who're having any issues with their car (not with Mazda).

Don't want this to turn into a whinging thread, just curious to see if anyone is having any issues with their 8s.

Admins - This might be a repeat of threads in other forums, but I want to see if anyone's having issues with the Aust/NZ spec cars... hence I've posted it here.

So, I'll start off with the following :

- Creaking noise coming from the centre console or drivers seat (and no, I'm not a fat bastard :P)... seems to occur mainly when turning left.

- Rear windows rattle, particularly the drivers side one, really annoying because being tall, I need the seat back pretty far, so it's really close to my head.

- Back window rattles a bit, at least, I think it's the back window.

- Not sure it's an issue or something that the car is supposed to do, but every time I fire up the car and leave a parking spot, after I've rolled about 1 car length, it makes a bit of a "clunk" sound.

- Bit hard to get into reverse, doesn't feel like the stick sits very well... not a big issue, spend 99.9% of my time going forward anyway :D

Anyone else had any of these issues? I think it'd be useful to see if any problems people are having are common with others or one offs, could be useful for posting issue fixes too.

PS, I love this car, despite these flaws...

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sco · 09-01-2003, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pepe
Not sure it's an issue or something that the car is supposed to do, but every time I fire up the car and leave a parking spot, after I've rolled about 1 car length, it makes a bit of a "clunk" sound.

This is an ABS self test... yes it is a little disconcerting if you don't know what it is. It's better than the 1 or 2 second whir my other car makes just as you take off though.

Annoying things for me (which are by design, not faults):
- the thunk you get when sliding from neutral into first when stopped.
- the fact that sitting in neutral puts a load on the engine and makes more noise than when the clutch is depressed.
- The engine is so quiet I hear other things in a car that I have never heard before

No squeaks, creaks or body noise for me yet. Reverse is much better than my other car, which often needs to be pushed into second to cause reverse to engage properly.

Z88M · 09-01-2003, 10:15 PM

DRIVER's seat issue:

I had my drivers seat fixed by the dealer which corrected the creaking noise. Apparently they put in a nylon sleeve and grease where it bolts in. The MX5s apparently have a similar issue with the seat. Probably depends on how hard you drive (and maybe weight) for this known problem to arise.

Now I also have a creak around the right rear door hinge or roof area which seems to be associated with body flex/twist when driving over say large humps/dips on an angle. Back to the dealer again.

And these things are incredibly thirsty when driven hard - 200km to the fuel warning light from a full tank. But it's worth it when the R34 GTR Skyline you've been pressuring on the Old Road (Sydney) pulls over to let you go past after loosing it in the dirt on successive corners trying to get away ;o)

Mazda has done a really awesome job with this chassis, it's just that this highlights the need for more power from the little RENESIS donk. cmon Eaton ...

Hymee · 09-02-2003, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Z88M
But it's worth it when the R34 GTR Skyline you've been pressuring on the Old Road (Sydney) pulls over to let you go past after loosing it in the dirt on successive corners trying to get away ;o)

I don't think I would have any complaints at all with any car if I could do that racing a R34

Z88M - You da man! ( your not BS'ing me are you? It wasn't a datto 1600 now was it :p )

Cheers,
Hymee.

Z88M · 09-03-2003, 05:49 PM

Well my mate was "navigating" and struggled with the RX8 doing the R34 so rather than give the RX8 (or it's driver) the credit he gave the thumbs down to the GTR driver instead. The 8 is about entry/mid corner speed, poise on the bumby stuff, and is great under brakes, the R34 had more acceleration out of and between corners.

All within legal speed limits of course ;o)

Hymee · 09-03-2003, 08:21 PM

New issue for the list:

RPM Warning buzzer very faint. And it is not too much different in tone to a 13B at WOT and high RPM!

Cheers,
Hymee.

pepe · 09-08-2003, 01:39 AM

Took mine in today to get this and a few other issues fixed... first left hand turn and the bloody thing starts creaking like a leaky old boat... the mechanic said they didn't hear it while they had it, but I wonder how that can be when they drove it for 15kms!! Bloody hell I'm not happy Jan. It just doesn't feel right now...

Quote:

Originally posted by Z88M
DRIVER's seat issue:

I had my drivers seat fixed by the dealer which corrected the creaking noise. Apparently they put in a nylon sleeve and grease where it bolts in. The MX5s apparently have a similar issue with the seat. Probably depends on how hard you drive (and maybe weight) for this known problem to arise.

Now I also have a creak around the right rear door hinge or roof area which seems to be associated with body flex/twist when driving over say large humps/dips on an angle. Back to the dealer again.

And these things are incredibly thirsty when driven hard - 200km to the fuel warning light from a full tank. But it's worth it when the R34 GTR Skyline you've been pressuring on the Old Road (Sydney) pulls over to let you go past after loosing it in the dirt on successive corners trying to get away ;o)

Mazda has done a really awesome job with this chassis, it's just that this highlights the need for more power from the little RENESIS donk. cmon Eaton ...