rxeightr

Being one of the first to get an RX-8 in the 1st pre-order group, here are my quick notes after 8,800 miles.

Avg 21-22 mpg with 85% highway, spirited take-offs and cornering routine.

Stock tires lose traction with cooler temps, even in Alabama.

CEL came on for my 1st time yesterday (on its 6 month anniversary), and will be taking her in to see why, as there is no obvious change to performance.

Heads turn as much as when I 1st brought her home. I have only seen 3 others on the road, even after 6 months. People at work STILL compliment me on the looks of my RX-8.

Clear bra is looking good, with no changes to report.

No other issues noted beyond what is mentioned above.

So in summary, I am much more comfortable with driving her, even though this is a very forgiving vehicle. I continue to test her limits when in a safe environment, to continue to learn her capabilities.

brownchiro

It is had to believe ordering was already a year ago; January 8th was the day we could order the unknown RX8.

Outlaws eXtreme

10.5k Wreck? OMG.. That sucks.

8_wannabe

Six months indeed; I got my car the same day as you. As far as I know, I was the 2nd person in San Diego County to get my '8 and that's because the first person was sitting in the showroom getting his and watching mine roll off the truck. I got word from him on this forum that my car was on the lot even before the dealer called me!

The cool thing was, I didn't even reserve my car till late June (knowing many of you did so five months earlier.) That was because some guy ordered it, then got tired of the delays, finally bagged out and got a Lexus. Again, I heard on this forum that a first-allocation '8 was coming with no owner; it was configured exactly as I wanted except for the spare kit, which I later sold. I was at the dealer that day with $500 deposit in hand, and 3 weeks later had my beautiful new car.

This is my first "enthusiast" car and I am now a true believer. No more boring sedans or minivans for me! Once the kids are out of the house (2-3 more years) the '8 goes and I'm getting a roadster. I am so hyped and never before experienced this joy of driving. And I am 46 years old next month.

Other than an odd series of maintenance/repair issues discussed in this thread my experience has been flawless. I still love this car; waxed it yesterday and damn did it shine up good. A nice, clean Velocity Red under bright sunlight looks so nice it is almost orgasmic.

I do maybe 50/50 hiway/city driving, but hiway is brief, like 12 miles each way. I get 16.8 mpg. I firmly believe mileage is 90 percent how much hiway driving you do; the other 10 percent is how aggressive you drive, and only if you are extreme. Factors like gasoline type, "grandma driving," temperature, DSC on/off, etc. count for something like zero percent.

Like you, I have seen 3-4 on the open road, plus others in two get-togethers I've attended. Finally, and most importantly, RX-8 owners are cool. Despite all the a-holes that come out of this forum (myself on occasion) I've met like 15 in person and they are without exception just plain nice and fun to be with.

I look at it like this: At home I'm John the dutiful father and faithful husband. At work, I'm John the industrious manager. Visit my parents, I'm John the "good son." But in the RX-8 I am John, the only place my true self really comes out. It is such an invigorating experience everytime I get behind the wheel.

Doug Green

Well said John!!!!

mikeb

I'm 8 days away from six months
I'm loving this car
no tickets yet
mpg around 18
10,250 miles on the car

8_wannabe

Thank you. Personally, I think that was one of my best posts. :D I've been looking for an excuse to say some of that stuff anyway so thank you to rxeightr for giving me a good excuse.

btw, he has a typo in his sig: It oughta be "Alabammer Slammer." :D

hotpot

John, now that you have had your 8 for 6 months, shouldn't you change your nick? Unless you wanna another 8.

8_wannabe

Yeah, but how can I change it and not lose my esteemed senior status? Otherwise I would. When I started posting I never really believed I would buy the '8.

allstate

Funny how we can remember our 8's anniversaries but have trouble remembering our spouse's/girlfriends

Aratinga

July 16th, 2004 -- six months, four days, two oil changes, and 6,640 miles ago. She's an amazing car! She doesn't get the looks like she did at first (Southern Californians are pretty jaded when it comes to seeing exotic automobiles), but that's not why I bought her anyway.

No tickets yet, but I definitely drive this car a bit more... uhh, assertively that I drive the Miatas. Speed is seductive.

SQ88

Almost 6 months at 7000km and still enjoying and loving it just like day 1.:D

rxeightr

Picked up my RX-8 today after getting the PCM flashed (had solid CEL light), and there was another RX-8 in for service.

Soon we found each other, and he was in for a 3,000 mile oil change. He had bought his 2 months prior, and came from a C5 Corvette. Previous to that he had a C4 Vette, and (3) RX-3's in the 70's (he is somewhere in his mid-50's in age I'd guess).

Said he stayed away from the RX-7's, as the old Wankel's in his RX-3's would only last 50,000 miles before the seals would blow.

He was perfectly happy with his C5 Vette, until he saw an RX-8 in the flesh - and determined it was time to put a rotary back in his possession. He said he PREFERS his RX-8 over the Vettes he has owned, because of the nimbleness the RX-8 gives him, and the much wider powerband.

I asked about the difference in torque, and he is of the type to prefer better handling over more torque. He also averages 22 mpg, basically the same as me.

And 8_wannabee, I'll consider your suggested change for me