Jazer

As much as I don't want to admit it... I didnt really like them back then, I thought they were kind of weird looking... and also had no idea what the hell a rotary engine was or how it worked. Then one day a few years ago it popped into my head and I looked at them and was like wow I ******* love these things. THIS is my next car... didn't stop reading/learning about them until I found one a year and a half later.

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

These cars grow on you quickly. I have a few different cars that I drive to work and by far it seems that everyone likes the 8 the best. It still draws attention and still looks as sexy as ever. Those curves...mmmm, lol. The car was designed to look as though it were in motion and I think it achieves that look quite well. I just have a thing for these cars. I've been a rotary owner since 1999 and there's no going back for me. I love restoring these cars and I love the feeling that a rotary gives the driver. Simply nothing out there like an RX. And this 04, while being sold as a parts car to me by the previous owner, has come a long way from what it was and I will continue to love and cherish this car for many years to come. Parts car my ***!

wannawankel

I stopped for gas/oil check at the gas station today and I got the look - and after talking to the "looker" who hadn't "seen" an RX-8 was totally sold on it. "Where has this car been" was one of his statements.

New Yorker

Love it when that happens, and it happens often. And the funny thing is, you can sense they're thinking it must be some rare, exotic supercar worth somewhere north of $60K. I love telling 'em all about the car, and that oh yeah, I bought it new - after it sat for a year on the dealer's lot - for about $28,000.

NorCalEight

Hey mazdaverx7, I just caught up on your whole thread (a good read!) and I wonder if you cleared the NVRAM after installing the replacement engine? When I replaced my motor earlier this year, I was also plagued by a P0301 (rotor 1 misfire) check engine light until I used the super secret memory clearing routine. Turns out there was nothing mechanically wrong but the NVRAM data from the old motor was conflicting with the new motor. Below is some info from elsewhere on this site. Damien (2006 Phantom Blue, Manual, Base)


NVRAM (Non Volatile Random Access Memory)
NVRAM is a rather unique feature. The system memorizes the profile of the eccentric shaft plate on the e-shaft pulley. It basically knows how the e-shaft spins, on an individual basis, 2 cars NVRAM will generally never be absolutely identical, they're pretty close to unique.

As you'd imagine with such a specialized system you wouldn't want this information relearned and forgotten very easily, relearning the profile isn't a short process (drive cycle, dont worry you dont do anything special to relearn it). So this info is kept in a special area of the PCM it CANNOT be cleared in any way EXCEPT the proper procedure, you could disconnect the battery and do a jig for a year and it won't erase.

When/Why should you erase the NVRAM?
Realistically there are only a few times, generally the only times it's really needed is when replacing a motor since you'll be installing a new e-shaft position plate. Sometimes you'll also repair a misfire, yet the misfire code will return even with you not noticing anything, in those cases clearing the NVRAM will sometimes help. Also during PCM replacement it's good to clear it.

How do you reset NVRAM?
Here it is straight from mazda:

NOTE:2004-2008 and 2009 and later model year procedures are different.

2004-2008 Method

1. Turn ignition switch to "ON" position, but do not start engine.
2. Pump the brake pedal at least 20 times within 8 seconds after the ignition switch is turned ON.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

Man. You're lucky yours smells like New Mazda. Mine smells like smoke. One of the previous owners was a heavy smoker. Always enjoy reading this thread.

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

NorCalEight, I did have to reset the NVRAM. There was no actual misfire but the CEL would flash as though there was a catalyst destroying misfire. The memory clearing worked and I haven't had a light back on since. I learned that this is a standard procedure when replacing the engine.

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

The black car still does have a new smell to it. I don't eat or drink in the car and I always keep the carpet, seats, and dash swept. The cabin filters are new as well. If you haven't changed them I strongly suggest that you do so. My 05 GT's interior has a mixed smell to it. The previous owner had a bunch of "black ice" air fresheners in there and made the car smell awful IMO. I got an odor bomb from the Toyota dealer that I work for and used that in the car on several occasions and that's helped a bit. When I get the car back from Mazda (currently there to see if they will cover the engine under warranty) I plan on taking the car to work and having our detail department clean the carpets with their extractor and that should give it a neutral smell. Then I'll use Griot's leather care on the seats, steering wheel, and shift **** and boot and that should give the car a smell of rich leather like my BMW.

MANIACman

Darn my faulty memory there is a product that looks like an oversized hockey puck or extra big show polish can. Anyway you unscrew the lid and put it in the car (After you give it a good clean) and by some process removes all the smell. I had to drive a car that a smoker owned and that just makes me gag.

My RX-8 was driven by someone who apparantly fumbled one of those big gulp cokes.... everywhere... I realize I moan and groan about working on the mechanics sometimes but the truth is that I just do that. The results more then pay off for the minor grumbles about oil dripping in my mouth or whatever. Cleaning sticky $hit however drives me up the wall. So one tool that I haves used with success (And the only thing that I've found that works) is a small steamer. You put distilled water in it and it will make things "new" If you have cola "slime" on metal you will have to have a supply of paper towels to sop it up with but when your done you won't have that skin sticking to the center console (Or dash, ceiling, trunk etc) Did I mention I hate sticky drink messes?

*Note I kind of did this in reverse order. I suggest the steam cleaning (For a smokers car) before using the product whose name I can't remember. All I know is I told the local ACE hardware store that I needed the ultimate smell remover or a box of trash bags for me to throw up into.

While a neutral smell is great I have to admit I bought a can of "new car" to spritz. Its new to me and I'm never going to buy a brand new car.

Every Parts car is a OCD level restored car waiting to come out!

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

Drove the car to work yesterday and tossed some tires on the car and changed the diff fluid. I also found a ground strap by the muffler that was hanging, so I reinstalled the strap. Took some pics while I had the car at work:

kevinmonty

Wow nice

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

Here she sits now all tucked away:

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

I've been driving the car sparingly this year due to the heat and this car needing an evaporator core. Every time I drive it, it puts a smile on my face and I'm proud to call it my own!

Drove it to work the other day:

MANIACman

I realize this first admission puts me into the bucket head moronic mazda owner but... I've had Blinking CELS and tried the new coils, wires and plugs. This didn't change anything. Then I had a dead selonoid which caused several errors. I eventually replaced all the selenoids (And learned how to get at the bolts that are not too easily unscrewed. Anyway - back to blinking cel light. So I haven't been driving it other then to check to see if my latest attempt did anything. I tried re ordering the new coils to see if the misfire would follow the coil. Nope. I can't easily do this with the wires but they are brand new and they are just wire. So, last night I took out the plugs in rotor 1 (Brand new) and noticed the gap on one was "rong" Or at least looked bent in. Then I remember all the trouble I had trying to get the plugs in and think to myself Ahhhh I bent it myself. So I tried to regap it by putting it under a microscope and looking at the other plus (I don't have a gapper) And the CEL keeps blinking. I can go get a spark plug gap to measure it but I'm not sure this is the right way to deal with these high tech plugs? I'm tempted to switch the rotor 1 plugs to rotor 2 and see if my unbending is not good enough. You mention doing something about ram to get it to really reset the error. Would that type of thing be what I should do when I'm changing and swapping things to try to diagnose things or??? Any help would be MOST appreciated. I miss driving my car and it kills me to see it sitting in the garage doing nothing but test drives.

MANIACman

L U C K Y ! I'm so jealous

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

Happy to help. First off though, a flashing check engine light is VERY bad. Its informing you of a catalyst destroying misfire. I would not drive on the car with the flashing CEL. I would replace the plug that you bent. There's no getting it back to where it was originally. Have you done the ECU reset with the brake pedal pump? I'd try that after installing the new plugs. You can't detect a misfire's movement in a coil without being able to hook the car up to a scanner and reading live data. So it is possible that you do have a bad coil still. New coils can be dead on arrival unfortunately.

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

Took this dirty girl out from under her cover yesterday and my daughter and I took her for a drive. Love this car!!

MANIACman

I'm sorry to leave people hanging on what the eventual solution was. Took out the plug that was gapped (Bent) wrong and it was black indicating super rich mix (Too much fuel / air) so even though the cars computer wasn't indicating it I took out the other two selenoids to check them. They both "clicked" but both leaked air. The too rich mix should have been obvious when I got blinking CELs when I let up on the gas. Revving burned enough fuel to keep it running "ok" but with the foot off the gas it just dumped in too much. So - long story made short. I replaced all three selenoids and it ran great and has kept running great. Like REALLY great. Like 0 to 60 in 5 something seconds great. Or burning rubber in several gears when I gave a friend a drive in it. SO COOL OF A CAR. Why didn't I have this midlife crisis before??? I brought it into the dealer to have the airbag update (And all the other ones I missed because it was sitting for a long time before I started working on it) Anyhow the guy that did the updates asked me "Who did the work on this car" I admitted I did and he smiled and gave me the thumbs up so maybe being an OCD level loon was good for once. Anyway I've been driving it as often as I can. Still not sure what 6th gear is good for other then large speeding ticket fines but wow.... I'm so pumped up that its all come together. My car needs a name. Any ideas? I was leaning to "Jamie" my favorite Weezer song but... Thats more the fight song for my Lawyer and I. Anyway HUGE thanks to everyone that helped me get her rolling. Rolling? Screaming down the ramps. We have those slow to 25 MPH cloverleafs. I don't dare admit how fast an RX8 an go but its SOOOOO cool.

Reoze

This is what sold me on my first RX8. It handled more like my bike than any car i've owned.

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

Have really been enjoying driving the car this summer!! Figured I would share a few pics of the car since its been awhile since I have:

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

Been driving the car for the last couple months and I have to say that I am in love with this car as much not as the day I bought it. Its an absolute gem to drive and I'm very thankful to be able to own it!!

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

I had been driving the car as much as possible over the summer and since fall hit, I have been driving it here and there. I had the car out yesterday and the weather turned to crap on me. Love the 8 and I love the fall, but I can't stand the rain. Have to admit though, that driving this car brings me so much joy!

Xiozee

Wish I had the pop up GPS part, much more convenient lol

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

Only had it in one 8 that I owned and it was not the most accurate GPS unit that I've used.

UnknownJinX

Like most of the older DVD factory navigation units, it sucks.

I had one for my old Accord(works kinda like the one in S1) and I now have the touchscreen one for my S2. At least Honda rolls out updates. Mazda DVD updates are non-existent after 2015.

Buy an aftermarket unit or your phone and it will be 100× better.