Hi all,

My first post, just like to introduce myself to the club. I own a Honda Civic, and it's treated me well but it's time to move to something more fun, I've done my research and I've become really interested in the RX-8..

however, I'm skeptical about this car. After browsing through this forum and elsewhere online, CEL issues, problem with the airbag, throttle not working.. the list goes on.. do a search on youtube I'm sure there's already video's demonstrating them.

Don't mean to step all over this car, but I'm just being cautious before proceding to buy this car and what to look out for..

Any feedback is appreciated

 

Every car has its drawbacks the only problem with using forums as your research to buy a car is that the people who have problems with there cars are far more louder then the people who are happy and content with there cars.

FYI: I have owned my RX8 for 4 years now and I have never had a problem with my CELs (unless it was a bona fide issue IE Mis Fire at 48k Kms which is when I had to change my Coils, Spark PLugs, and Wires and I had a CEL for a carbon build up which was a easy fix), my Air Bags (the 04's did have a recall for it which was fixed by Mazda a LONG LONG TIME ago and the new cars are no longer having this issue, and my throttle has never not worked)

 

The words of salesman and mechanics from the dealer I dare not trust.. I'd rather go to owners themselves to get their opinion on how reliable and happy their RX8 has been treating them. Anyone like to share their story on bringing their car back to the dealer for any kind of issue? warranty?

But I will agree, even Honda's have problems and I've seen many people post their issues online. Too bad I don't know any RX8 owners or I'd go straight to them with questions. Hopefully this board will guide me into buy'in an RX8.

 

If you are thinking of buying used, stay away from the 04 model....


Funny you should mention the airbag...I waiting on my 4th replacement.

 

I feel for Rotten42 with all the problems he has had with his 8, but I don’t agree that you should stay clear of an 04. I have one and, besides recalls and regular service, have never had a problem.

 

I think if you get the car your complaints will be about mileage than it would be about engine failure. :-P There are a few who get a bad seed like Rotten. So try to get as new a model as you can...

 

Read through the tech forum to get a feel for all the technical issues on the car. This car will never be as reliable as a Honda, that's a given. But since Honda doesn't make a RWD coupe, there really isn't much choice.

 

Get S2k. Put a hardtop and u're set. and you still can worship at Temple of VTEC. Does it still exist?

 

No probs here with my car and I'm almost at a year...

 

Well, really and truly, there are problems with every single car out there. Sometimes it's luck, and sometimes it could be a defect from manufacture... You just never know.

I know some owners have had their fair share of issues on the 8s but me for example, I've never experienced any type of problems what-so-ever. Never personally flooded the car, not to mention the issues with airbags (I never heard of that issue myself)... the only time that I've had my problem with CEL is the gas cap... that's about it..

You have to know if that's the car for you, and find a good deal then take good care of it.. that's all there is to it!!

Enjoy~

 

I was actually looking at an S2K, but it's just not practical enough for me. an STI would be nice but it's just too much of a family sedan.

So Stay away from the 04 model, how many recalls are there for the 05+ models? how are the dealers in terms of service on recalls? I'm around the Toronto area, and the dealers I've gone to take forever to schedule. and yes I am looking to buy one used.

I had a recall on my civic for the ignition switch. The dealer said it would cost me have the part changed because I had an aftermarket alarm, I didn't even bother changing it and haven't had a problem with it so it'll stay as is

 

Getting an Rx-8 seem slike a bad idea for you.
If your not totally in love with the car, then you won't
want to deal with the things that will come up.
Its not that I dont want you to have a sweet *** car like the Rx-8
but much like the Rx-7, there's alot of potencial problems, even though I've never had a serious problem with a rotary car.


Pistons on the other hand..........................

 

mines an 04 and I've had it from new, no problems except the water in tail lights and very minors. love the car and will run it for a long time problem free.

 

I have an 04 6mt that gets driven in a spirited fashion very regularly (in the summer) and I have never had an issue of ANY kind with mine. I have indeed had a couple of recall upgrades but the dealer fixed 'em right up and treated me like a king at the same time........and it wasn't even the dealer I bought the car from!

 

Well so far what I'm getting from this board is stay away from the 04 model, I do rev the car high occasionally so carbon build up shouldn't be a problem for me.

However I also hear the RX8 has bad oil consumption. Topping up from time to time isn't a big thing but I hope I won't have to refill 3 Liters of oil before my next oil change.

I'm looking into getting the '05 GT model w/ 6 speed.

 

Dude, I have an '05 GT (Velocity Red) with the 6 speed manual, and I absolutely love it! I've only owned the car for approx. four months so far, but I haven't had any major issues, except for a few warranty replacements (both my tail lights were replaced due to condensation, and the milky white substance on the dipstick issue will be fixed this week God-willingly). So, if you're getting an '05 GT/6 speed, you should be happy.

 

^^^Ben I wouldn't sweat the milky white dip stick thing. I had that for awhile and then it just went away.
It doesn't cause any issues.

 

Thanks dude, and yeah I thought of that, but since it's free and a warranty replacement, why not get the new hoses and fixtures (which they shipped from Japan, so it took approx. a months so far! ) while I'm still under warranty and get my car up-to-date right?