Teacher

Hello, awesome forum with tons of information and passionate people. I have some concerns I hope you guys and gals can help me address before purchasing an RX-8.

(BY THE WAY, I HAVE USED THE SEARCH MANY TIMES).

The whole engine replacement is a big concern for me. I have read numerous posts about people with less than 10,000 miles on their engines having them suddenly lose power and die.

Caused by: idling in a hot climate, insufficient oiling, wrong octance, wrong oil (synthetic) or an overlooked poor engine design? Either way something is not right.

I have read that some people have taken their cars to Mazda dealerships, where they are compression tested, where your car either passes or fails.

a) A pass and they may give you a new flash update, or state that if they can't reproduce the same problematic situation that you experience than nothing is wrong;
b) Or fail, get a new engine put in (wait several weeks while driving a rental), and have it blow up or die once again.

My Concern:
1. The whole point of buying used is to save $$$, but if I buy used, with a warranty that is soon to run out, I DO NOT WANT TO FOOT THE BILL FOR A NEW ENGINE. Especially when some people have gone through 2, 3, and even 4 new engines. This is why I feel its a design flaw, as people in other areas of the world that do not have excessive humidity and heat are still having problems.

So....
Has Mazda fixed the problem yet? Can I buy a used 2004, 2005, 2006 and not worry. Meaning I can take it to the dealership, get a flash, a part, a cooling system upgrade and be on my way?

And lastly, are the 2007's designed differently, or are they, I hate to say it, cursed as well with marble/detonation syndrome?

I want an RX-8 for many obvious reasons, but I do not want to buy a potential lemon that has no solution.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

tell me again why should be convincing you of anything? sorry, i just don't care for people that say here are all the problems, here is where i've searched, now tell me what to do.

Red Devil

Sigh...just purchase the car, read the owners manual to properly care for it, and stop worrying.

That's from a completely trouble free 2004 RX-8 owner with 41K on the odometer.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

okay, maybe i wasn't that fair in that first response. the new engine issue is not an issue - a small number of engines were replaced but it was blown out of proportion. buying used is fine just make sure the TSBs were done. flooding isn't usually an issue if you get the new starter, battery, and plugs. plus just just know not to pull it out and shut it down cold for added warm and fuzzies. the only thing different with newer models is that they have had all the TSBs done prior to being sold to you.

Teacher

What I want to know is if their has been a solution.

As in are the 2007's fine, and the 2004-2006 have a 'new' recall or flash etc. to address any engine related problems.

To me, it seems foolish to buy a car, no matter how baddly I want it, if it has no solution to a serious problem.

DaveCM203

I am not going to try to convince you to buy an 8. I personaly have not had one real problem in 43,000 miles. I drive very aggresivly but take good care of my car. I only run 93 octaine, use dino oil, keep a close eye on the oil and get it changed often. I do not believe that the problems are the rule. People who go through 3 or 4 engines I find very curious.

What is your motivation for buying an 8 in the first place? If you truely want the car and plan on keeping it for a long time then look into purchasing an extended warranty. I assume they are available in Canada also.

Mazda-Rati

I have an early build (late summer 03) and have yet to have a single problem with my 8. I'm at 35K miles. My motor mounts are good, no abnormal transmission problems, no marbles sound, No oil build up in my intake track and I can easily get 24mpg on highway trips. If you're that worried, do what some of us do and get a cheap second car in case a problem may come up.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

if you're that hesitant, don't buy it. you're going to have one small problem and then read into it everything you have read from a lot of people that like to complain about this car and then you will become another. please don't do that so either buy it knowing what you know and enjoy it or stay away from the extra TLC the 8 prefers.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Mazda Certified Pre-owned sometimes come with extended warranties that are double the new warranty. Mine did. Buy a used one from a Mazda dealer and they will honor the warranty (to varying degrees of satisfaction).

When buying used, avoid the '04 models. As the first year model, it had a few bugs. Also, make sure you have had all recalls and TSB's before it leaves the lot, it'll save you a lot of headaches.

The engine recalls that you're concerned about mostly affect only automatic transmission RX-8's. I don't know exactly what you mean by "marble/detonation syndrome"... "marbles" are a common symptom to several problems, everything from a heater core failure to a blown apex seal. These problems are less common than some people on the forum would have you believe. The root of many of these problems is pre-detonation, or "engine knock", which hurt rotaries far more than piston engines. Use the proper octane gas and it shouldn't be an issue.

Teacher

So are you saying that if all the recalls and TSBs are done, the issue is now a non-issue? Mazda has fixed the problem?


I don't really care about the flooding issue, if it happens its my fault (not letting it warm up before turning off etc.)

I'm just concerned because I've read that mazda has replaced engines, and not allowed the car to be given back to the customer (i.e., because they are waiting on a fix).

I remember reading how one member here had 4 engine replacements, and how several have followed the manual, proper procedures and still ran into problems.

Maybe I"m overreacting, and I thank everyone for their input.

I'm not bashing the car as I DO WANT ONE, I'm just doing my research and being realistic.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

i wouldn't agree with that statement. there are plenty of us with '04s that are doing just fine.

BlueRenesis82

+1, but i have 30k on mine, with a lot of track driving

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

the number of replaced engines is minute. it may not seem so b/c you're on a board with people looking to air their problems (which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you can read it properly). most aren't going to get on and post that they don't have problems or for the average joe just buying it for looks, isn't going to search out a forum to say that they like it and it hasn't given them problems.

the TSBs take care of most of the issues and after that it's just like buying any other used car. sure you may run into someone else's problems but that was probably due to their driving style and not issues with the car. just don't assume that you have read some problems that most cars have it.

Joel Ramsey

I also have an early 2003 build date RX-8 and no issues with 25,000 mile on the odometer. Like everyone is saying READ THE OWNERS MANUAL.

I will say this, you should go buy a Camry. The rotary engine is a unique engine and has a STRONG following. If your main reason for buying this car is for any reason OTHER than the engine, don't buy it. The engine is the soul of this car and makes it one of the greatest ownership experiences out there......but you have to know how to care for it.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Do you know how many dead Altima 2.5 engines out there ? Far more than you can imagine. I dont get this, people would consider ok with piston engine failing and when a rotary engine fails people making such a big fuss about it.

Seriously speaking if you dont have the confidence, dont buy this car.

Like me, first time new car buyer, first time rotary engine owner. 05 model with 24 almost 25K miles. Use only Full Synthetic Oil. Zero Issues.

msrecant

Yes, you are overreacting a bit. The vast majority of RX-8s do not need a new engine. As with any car, there are a very small percentage of engine problems that require replacement. If all the recalls have been done you should be fine. If you are worried, have the dealer pull up the vehicle's service history to see if there have been engine problem complaints or an engine replacement.

That said, you still want to get a car that is still under warranty. The bumper-to-bumper warranty runs for 48 months and 50K miles. The drivetrain warranty now extends to 60 months / 60K miles). Particularly for 2004's you want to be able to bring the car in for a TSB issue to be repaired for free, which will only be done while the car is under warranty.

In general, used RX-8s are great values. You get a lot of car for a low price.

RedSheDevil

i have an 04 and have had almost every problem except needing a new engine. i dont care. i spend too much time driving back and forth to the dealer to get things fixed, but oh well.

and as far as "has mazda fixed this yet" no one knows cuz mazda isn't talking about it. there are people who have had numerous engine replacements (a tiny minority in the grand scheme of things) and people who have had not one single problem (a huge majority).

this car *can* be a crapshoot on whether you get one that is issue free or not. if you're not willing to accept that, move on to another car...

Smokin_LaLa

I think in Canada only about 2% of people who own an 8 actually had to have the engine replaced, Also I have a 06 GT never had flooding issues and I have started the car moved it into my garage and shut it off without reving it because I forget sometimes and never had any problems, I like how people overblow these tech issues, makes people want to stay away from this car so I can be more exclusive heh heh heh :p

½mv²

I bought a high mileage 04 RX-8 used that was obviously owned by someone who had no clue what they were doing. It was built late 03 (at least I'm assuming that based on the VIN), and the CarFax report shows that it's been subjected to damn near every recall & TSB that Mazda ever released.
About the only part on my car that hasn't been replaced is the motor, and let me tell you - that motor was built on a freakin' Tuesday or something because I'm BONE STOCK and I'm launching/trapping/accelerating faster than just about any other stock RX-8 out there. After the first month of owning the car, and regretting my purchase after every sqeak and sputter, breaking into a cold sweat everytime I turned the key, I realized that (like you) I let the negativity get to me. If it's broke - they'll fix it; that simple. Take a breath, enjoy the ride, and take care of your car - there's not much more to it.

GT34

I recently bought an 04 myself with 8100kms. I originally bought the car over the fd rx7 for reliability reasons. If any problems come up after you bought the car, just take it into the dealership and everything will be taken care of promptly. That's what you get with the warranty. Pretty much if you go in for regular oil changes, everything on the car that could go wrong as a result of the car itself and not driver error will be covered. The biggest problem with me was getting an out of province done on the car in time for me to register it.

Trust me, if this is the car you want, you won't be disapointed after you buy it. I garantee.

Shinka-Dono

I wanted to chime in and say that just yesterday my engine was not replaced.

Rotary engine = Good.

TheKDog

Just get an '05 or '06 if you are so worried. First year models tend to have more problems. '04s are pretty good deals right now though.

msrecant

I agree with the "don't worry" intent and that '04s are very good deals. I disagree with the view of 2004s.

I have a very early 2004 (I bought new) that was built in May 2003 and its has been a great car. Anything that has been a problem Mazda has fixed under warranty. Besides, the engine recall issue effects 2004s, 2005s, and early 2006s.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

nicely put.

if it didn't have a rotary engine in it i probably wouldn't have bought my 8. which means i KNOW of the possible quirks associated with a rotary engine going into it, but i was willing to take the chance. and so far it has been very rewarding experience

about to roll over 50k miles in a couple weeks...