http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/04rx8.htm

 

Great find. Although there's one or two inaccuracies (Blue light at night? Sort of I guess). It's by far the most thorough and accurate review I've seen. Ann Job could learn a lot from reading this.

 

This is a valid complaint...

To make matters worse, adding oil requires removing the plastic engine shroud to expose the engine. It’s odd that the filler cap is not easily accessible, given the frequency with which you’re expected to top up the oil.

 

Good review, I agree with his many points, for the most part. But I am tired of people complaining of the gas milege (It's a SPORTS car, an Accord is a FAMILY car after all) and this silly oil CONSUMPTION thing.... it's how the rotary is designed, maybe a 1/2 gt every 1000-2500 miles, depending on how you drive. Yeah the dipstick is in a somewhat difficult place, but gosh, is it all that to take a piece of plastic off to get at it?

Life could be a lot worse, and fortunately, he got his heart in the right place, if he'd not started and ended on such a sour bunch of gripes, it would have been more balanced IMHO.

"But at the end of the day, should you care? Really, if you want to bust out of your routine life, and you’re looking for a four-seat car in the mid-$30,000 range, then you can make one major statement by buying an RX-8 over a standard four-door sedan.

Hear, hear!

 

A pretty good review, but I was getting annoyed after the second mention of the optional 5-speed automatic. Can't anybody double-check their stats? It's just a 4 speed. Pretty basic info to get wrong...

Regards,
Gordon

 

I don't think it just taking off the engine cover that makes the position of the dipstick so bad. I also have to use a flashlight to see to put it back in. I'm sure i wouldn't have that problem if I was checking outside, but I think most people check the oil when the car is parked in the garage. I've never had to use a flashlight on any other car. Additionally, it was hard to read the stick until I was over 4k miles. The color of the stick was not a good choice.

 

Well, I haven't checked my oil yet...

In the IT industry, "issues" has a special connotation. So when someone says they have "issues" with something, to me it meansl: "This is FUBAR and needs serious attention!!!".

So... having to remove a plastic cover to check the oil doesn't seem like an issue to me. Low gas mileage? Whatever... it's a sportscar. Oil use? Whatever... it's a rotary.
In context these aren't issues; they're just notable for someone who hasn't driven a sports car. Or, in particular, a rotary.

Blue hue at night? 5 speed auto? EH?!

 

this review was one of the most accurate by far. I've noticed a few minnor errors.... such as the blue interior lights.

But other then that, another great review for the rx8.