blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

Hello everyone - On 09/01/2012, I became the owner of an RX-8. I have owned several cars in the past, but never a rotary. Frankly, I was scared of them.

In the last few months, I found it harder and harder to enjoy my s2000. My wife and 3 year old cannot ride in it at the same time and I decided, it was time to find something similar, but has a back seat.

I looked at the mini Cooper S, G35 coupe, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, 128i, older E46 M3 etc, but none of them really made me feel good and like I was making the right move or was financially wise in the long run.

Anyways, I post on a different car board about my predicament and a friend suggests the RX-8. I am like hmmm "What did I not even think of that before"? It is RWD, has back seats, high revving, good looks and great in auto-x which I also do - I couldn't believe I had completely spaced it off. HP ratings are close and TQ (or lack of it) is another common theme...

Anyways, with that out of the way, I decided to research the car and my mind was set on an 09+ and I really wanted the R3 Edition. But, I could not find a R3 close by to Iowa.

So, I reluctantly decided to settle for a grand touring and begin the search for one with the lowest miles and decent price within 300 miles of me. I found one in Nebraska. Strangely, color was listed as aura blue which is a R3 color. So, I called and asked the salesman some questions without leading on - He said it had racer seats and fancy wheels...Mmm okay. He said 3 others had called from out of state and asked the same questions, so he asked me why this mattered. I tried to be coy and said I was looking for this color combo without telling him all about the R3.

I asked him what he would give for my s2000 and was pleasantly surprised at the trade price without even looking. I told him I would drive out there today and come look at it etc.

So, I rolled out there with a friend and yep, it was a R3 with 24000 miles. As a part of the deal, they also certified it with mazda, so I get a 12 month, 12000 mile bumper to bumper and a 7 year/100k powertrain warranty. We worked everything out in a couple of hours and I got to bluetaping...




Here are my thoughts on the drive home - almost 4.5 hours. It is deceivingly quick. While not fast by any means, it does get moving quick. I noticed that on on-ramps, I am having to brake and lay off throttle as it is over 90. Also, it likes being revved, that's for sure. Its steering is slightly less twitchy than the s2000 and evo, but still responsive. Brakes are quite good and it has impressive grip. The suspension is stiff and borderline jarring and gets choppy on rough patches, but rides smooth on normal roads. Minimal bodyroll when cornering hard compared to the s2000, could be due to the wheel/tire combo. Interior is refined - recaros are more comfy than the s2000 seats - My back did not hurt on the way home - the way out there, I was in pain for the last hour. While cruising along at 85, its very quiet and refined and less road noise since its not a vert.

Here she is in her new home after I peeled the tape off. I need to wash, wax and detail it - They did a **** poor job! Sorry about the messy garage



I hope to be a contributing member of this site and learn more about this car. I only wish the white was offered in the USA.

I also am hoping to find the previous owner here, I will make a different thread about that, since this is plenty long. Thanks for reading!

djfa

iTrader: (3)

Gratz man!

That is an R3 and the car looks great! The color is amazing, and pretty rare. Make sure you redline it. At 26000 miles I would change the spark plugs as precautionary measure.

A mazdaspeed exhaust on this would be the shizzle! My buddy had one on his r3 and it has a nice deep tone. Not too loud unless you rev it high.

Enjoy it!

ZOOM-I-DO

Welcome to the addiction! Looks great.

One question? You blue taped it for the 4.5 hr drive home? Lots of rocks or trucks?
Just wondering.

Be sure to check out the new owner sticky in the forums. Big help with rotary newbies.

Good luck with your Autocrossing.

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I will make sure I look into the exhaust. Racing beat seems like a good option too from my initial research. I don't want too loud at all. I almost wonder if i should replace the mid-pipe first since the cats get clogged anyway eventually! I will research it some...

Are plugs easy to do by myself? I need to download or buy a factory service manual so I can learn to work on these things. Should be fun...

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

Well, it had a few amount of chips already and I didn't want to make it worse. I have had the worst luck with rock chips in the past after buying a new car. Plus, I-80 corridor had a ton of trucks and construction. I was glad to have taped it, I could hear sand and rocks getting sprayed on the front. It might be excessive, but its precautionary and peace of mind (like life insurance, I suppose).

Thanks

RobGraz

I'd check the oil in the car as well as the aforementioned plug change.

The new owner sticks are a really good read.

G_ man

iTrader: (2)

Nice ride and welcome to the club.
I also have an R3 and love the car. I have no mods to really speak of yet, execpt for some Racing Beat screens and window tint.
Hoping next year to get the car lowered with coilovers and a extra set of wheels and tires for some track days

JamesD31

Good luck with your R3; as mentioned the stickies in the DIY and even in this forum are good reads.

Sparks are easy, just jack it up and plop off the driver side wheel, they will be straight ahead of you on the right side you will see 4. Again re-read the DIY for the spark plug sticky and you will do fine.

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I found the DIY. I will probably order coils and plugs to be safe. Just need to find an online OEM parts retailer cheaper than local stealership and I will do it. I will probably change oil at the same time as well just so I know it was filled correctly and such. I found a DIY for it as well.

xexok

Coils + plugs + ngk wires (there is also a more expensive set on here that has "oem" wires from mazda, but I think they are from ngk also)

Coils + plugs

I got my coils and plugs there, you can also buy the plugs at most auto stores for $80 a set but they are special order items and take a few days.

You can go cheaper and get coils from autozone or advanceauto, lots of people don't have any problems and they are way cheaper than those. I went with OEM when I changed because I figure they are better quality than some cheap ones but who knows for sure.

Myardor

iTrader: (7)

You do not really need a SM.

There tons of DIY here on the forums. And best of all, they are step by step by someone
who has done the job himself.

monchie

At first...I said...what's up with those tapes...and the last picture made me breath again, lol

Anyway, welcome to the club and enjoy the ride. Oh yeah...it's my favorite color too.

kster

Congrats on the new car. I also have the dual Racing Beat exhaust and it's not that much louder than stock; just has a deeper sound.

I'm a former AP1 S2000 owner myself and do regular track days in the RX-8. The RX-8 is well balanced and gives plenty of feedback as either the front or rear tires begin to slip.

GatorGeek

Congratulations, that's a beaut!

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, all. I appreciate the kind words. I will miss my s2000 and someday pick up another. It really was a motorcycle on 4 wheels, wish it had back seats . I will pick up another someday I hope...

cpenner

As a long time sport bike rider, when people ask me how my RX8 drives, I answer with "It's the closest thing to riding a motorcycle I've found."

Chrishoky

iTrader: (9)

Congrats! And welcome!

blacksheep515

iTrader: (1)

I agree that the RX8 is very similar. The S2k offers the wind in your face freedom feeling that the RX8 does not, but the RX8 is the closest to the S2000. I looked at FR-S, BR-Z and they did not move me. The RX8 even though older and used, somehow made me want to buy it once I drove it...