Any complaints or minor glitches with your 8?

bgparsons3 · 07-26-2003, 01:43 PM

Picked up my Ti GT last Thursday. Directly from the dealership I hit the highway for a 1500 km road trip back to St. John's. I am thrilled with my new car! Smooth, fast, well-appointed, very slick car....

There are a few things that, if corrected, would make the car something even closer to perfect. My items so far:

1 - the AC indicator light cannot be seen in sunny conditions
2 - the volume control is too coarse, 2 is too low to hear, 3 is too high to have a normal conversation

That's all I've got so far .... anyone else? Maybe Mazda is listening ....

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Jasper_the_2nd · 07-28-2003, 02:30 PM

I noticed the AC indicator thing on Saturday as well.

The only problem I've been having is that I tell the car to do 120, and, if I don't keep my eye on it, it likes to sneak up to 140.
Now how am I supposed to convince the cops they don't need to pay extra attention to it if it keeps doing things like that? :D

Quick_lude · 07-28-2003, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bgparsons3
2 - the volume control is too coarse, 2 is too low to hear, 3 is too high to have a normal conversation

I think I read somewher that turning the auto mic feature helps with the volume issue.

Redshift · 07-28-2003, 02:48 PM

I almost never use my A/C, so I hadn't noticed the light, but I don't find it too surprising.

Other then the fact that I have to plan for every stop to take twice as long as I expect (due to getting mobbed) I don't have any real complaints.

It was interesting rolling through the car-hangout at Point Pleasant Park on Saturday night here in Halifax and having 200 people's head's swivel in unison as they watch the car drive in and around.

bgparsons3 · 07-30-2003, 06:17 AM

Anyone else know anything about "tuning" the automic?

Quick_lude - I guess you're talking about the AutoPLT feature....

Jasper_the_2nd · 07-30-2003, 06:29 AM

The only tuning I've done with the audiopilot was to turn it off.
I couldn't find a level that was right both at low speed and highway speed. And I kept forgetting it was on and turning the stereo up or down, then having it adjust it right after I got it where I liked it.

It's more fun to play with the thumb buttons on the wheel anyway, especially at night. So many red buttons, so little time :D

Redshift · 07-30-2003, 06:46 AM

Hehe.. I know what you mean Jasper.
But, if it's made by Bose, and it does some sort of signal processing, I'm turning it off... that's just good sense. Damn I hate Bose..

But, as for real complaints, I finally noticed one last night.
The rear-view mirror... it's huge, and mounted too low.

Whenever I'm attacking a right corner, or even sitting at an intersection looking for traffic coming from the right, I have to slouch down, lean to the side or otherwise look around the rear view mirror. It totally blocks out a huge range of my forward vision, whilw, due to it's enormous size, I get a great view out the back window of my car, the side of my head, my passangers head, the headliner and the back seats. What's wrong it w nice, slim mirror just big enough to look out the back window with?

I can see it.. if I ever get into an accident with this thing, it is going to be from somebody coming from the right side that I couldn't see....

Quick_lude · 07-30-2003, 02:03 PM

Americans also complained about the rear view mirror, especially with the Homelink feature. Is it really THAT big and intrusive? That would drive me nuts too.. absolutely cannot stand anything hanging from my mirror in my sightline.

Midnight Flyer · 07-30-2003, 02:39 PM

As I mentioned in the other thread on the RVM, try moving it up. That is what I did in the Miata and now no more blind spot to the right.

wakeech · 07-30-2003, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Midnight Flyer
try moving it up

i NEED to do this in nearly every car i drive... low RVM's just drive me crazy... they have to be well out of sight line.

mac · 07-30-2003, 02:58 PM

I guess it depends on how tall you are. I'm only 5'6" so the mirror is fine :D

zoom44 · 07-30-2003, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Redshift
But, as for real complaints, I finally noticed one last night.
The rear-view mirror... it's huge, and mounted too low.

Whenever I'm attacking a right corner, or even sitting at an intersection looking for traffic coming from the right, I have to slouch down,....

the mirror is double hinged so just push it up high to get it out of your line of sight.

Bulldog6670 · 07-30-2003, 08:33 PM

I found one little minor glitch in 1700 kms. I put too many CDs in the hinged storage bin. It allowed the cover to move forward and backward all right, but the storage bin would not open up because the CD was preventing the latch from opening.

I brought it to the local dealer in Sudbury to look at it. Everyone came out because they had yet to see an RX-8. The mechanic pried it open enough to slide one of the CDs out freeing the mechanism.

Everything else worked OK. I did notice the AC cycling on and off, but it seems to be better now. The volume is touchy at 2 to 4 setting. If you want to listen at low volume, you do have to turn the autopilot off. The NAV worked really well until I got to northern Ontario. No maps for Sudbury or Manitoulin Island. Works really well in the GTA.

TJRX8 · 07-30-2003, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bgparsons3
1 - the AC indicator light cannot be seen in sunny conditions
2 - the volume control is too coarse, 2 is too low to hear, 3 is too high to have a normal conversation
....

1) it's WAY brighter than my Eclipse and bigger so it's fine.
2) I found this also. Try using a slight variation on the fade when listening at lower volumes. Worked for me..one notch either way.

Redshift · 07-31-2003, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zoom44

the mirror is double hinged so just push it up high to get it out of your line of sight.

I'll be damned! I tried that this morning and it helped a lot.
It's still in my line of sight, but at least pedistrians crossing from the right side aren't in immediate danger of being run over anymore.

Evolv · 08-01-2003, 05:43 PM

Although mine is on order I have had a few hours to look over and drive the Red 8 being held at one of the local dealers here.

Here's what I noticed

1. The small breather holes in the front air dam (with the fog lights in them) expose the radiator's to the elements. More importantly, the sensitive veins could be easily damaged by rocks. I will be protecting this area the day my 8 comes home.

2. The oil dip stick is set below the engine cover and way too far down for easy access. I like to follow the "5 minute maintenance rule" (the one where at every gas fill, lift the hood and check all your fluid levels). I now have to lift the protector hood and pull the dip stick, without possibly burning my hand or getting my clothes dirty. I wonder how long it will be before the cover just stays home? And where do I buy an extension for the stick?

3. I have noticed that the lever for the central air vent was disengaged from the veins. Was this an over sight at the factory, or did it break when being moved by a customer?

4. The rear wheel wells are covered with a lite sift fibrous material. What will these look like after a few years? Weird material :D

MadJoker · 08-01-2003, 10:13 PM

Hey all,

Like the car alot and all the attention is getting..

)

One of the things I noticed ( maybe its just me cause I never had Mags like this ) is all the dust rust from the brakes, I was looking the car over and after only 3 days, its full of rust dust , and its a pain to wash. Any tricks on this by the way ??

The RVM is kinda huge, and the difference in the air vent strengt when u shoot the air either feet and body or body only. Body only gets your hair all FU.. up , and when u put it body and feet , u can hardly feel it..

But damn , gotta love that handling!

Madjoker

Oh yeah , another glitch..... My wife keeps wanting to drive it!!

Evolv · 08-01-2003, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MadJoker

Oh yeah , another glitch..... My wife keeps wanting to drive it!!

This one of the best reasons to stay single.. LOL

Wing · 08-02-2003, 06:28 AM

I had a what seemed like a rattle over hard bumps on the test drive. But it was the driver side mirror?? Or so it seemed.

Anyway, 1 glitch the cars too damn fast :D

Man, I took a rather sharp turn at 120Km/h and it felt like nothing, as if the car was laughing at my futile attempt to remove it's strangle hold on the pavement!

fasteddy · 08-02-2003, 06:43 AM

I was also bothered by the low rear view mirror, but the tip provided (above) was way too obvious (which is why I missed it) and it has improved the sight-line tremendously - thanks!

Small nit: I'm not a fan of the location of the trunk release button. It's way down low on the driver's side below the left knee and you really can't see it while you are seated in the driver's seat - you just have to "feel" for it, and it's pretty flat. Good thing there's a trunk release on the remote!

Bulldog6670 · 08-02-2003, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MadJoker

Oh yeah , another glitch..... My wife keeps wanting to drive it!!

I do not have that glitch with mine. My 4 kids were drooling to drive the care. The youngest is 21 and currently drives my '85 IROQ Z28. Anyway, I let the 4 of them take her out for a spin, with me in the car of course. I also told them that was the last they were going to see of the drivers seat for a long time. Each of them loved the car, how can you not. My wife though would not even touch the keys, let alone get in and see what it feels like in the drivers’ seat.

Bottom line, she's my car! I even purchased personalized license plates that say "BOBS RX8" just so there's no mistaking whose car it is.

Deep Blue · 08-05-2003, 08:52 PM

Haven't picked mine up yet, but when I test drove it tonight, I did notice that the moonroof is a bit of a joke? It opens about 5-6 inches (ie. you can't fit your head out of it). It reminds me of the MX-6 Mystere I used to drive.

What I 'do' like about the moonroof is the "sliding up" motion it displays. and how aerodynamic it makes it.

Just a small item...I'm used to much larger moonroofs, with much larger openings.

Pete · 08-06-2003, 12:46 AM

I would have to say the only problem I find with my RX8 would be when i start it. I don't know if anyone elses RX8 does this........ but does it idle at 2000 rpm and then calculate to just under 1000rpm over a short period of time (about 20 to 25 Secs) ?. Other then that...... the car rides like a dream.

I went on the hwy, and it felt like I was doing about 110KM. Meanwhile, the car is pushing at 140KM.

eccles · 08-06-2003, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pete
I don't know if anyone elses RX8 does this........ but does it idle at 2000 rpm and then calculate to just under 1000rpm over a short period of time (about 20 to 25 Secs)

Yep, that seems to be SOP.

blkrx8vancouver · 08-06-2003, 10:22 PM

Driving for over 1100km's now. Its black with GT package, moonroof no nav system and auto, so my wife can drive it also. the auto paddles on the steering wheel are fun, and seems after 1000km the car has been more responsive using the sport shift especially after hitting 4000 rpm.

I notice though that gas consumption is pretty well like what i was getting with my 540i and its v8 engine.

I also heard, that as the motor gets broken in it will get better consumption.

Also of note is the fact at 4000-5000km 1 litre of oil ll probably required, from past experience with high performance engines this is nothing new.