Hi there! My name is Callum and I am seriously interested in buying an Rx-8. I love the designs and the rotary engine idea. I have read many reviews before stumbling upon this site.

My main concerns lie with the darker side of the car. As I am thinking of buying used, mainly 04-05 I have some questions as to these early generations. I come from the West Coast and currently find myself in training with the Forces. This means I will be moving around quite a bit for the next year or two.

My principal concern is the issue of engine flooding and such. This would be a daily driver of mine and I do need something reliable. Being that I am in the military, they tend to put you in the coldest places in Canada. How does the Rx-8 perform in cold weather conditions -25 to -30. Possibly outdoors. This is the worst case and I by no means intend to treat this as the norm. How does the vehicle respond to life in a harsher climate? temporarily of course.

Furthermore, I may be required to travel from time to time over a somewhat-lengthy distance, is this suitable? I must stress that these would be absolute worst case scenarios but they are still plausible.

I would also like any additional information about the 8 of 04 and 05..I know about the TSBs/Recalls but if you know of any other nasty habits of the cars let me know!

Thank you for your help!

Callum

 

Those temperature is not even good for a human being let alone the RX-8. What you need is a Bombardier ski-doo.

 

Flooding is no longer an issue.
Furthermore flooding typically only occurs when you start the car cold and move 5 feet then immediately turn it off.
If you are paranoid you just allow the car to warm up or take it around the block.

I wouldn't buy an 04.

V.Cold starts shouldn't be anymore of an issue then any other car. Everyone that has a car in Northern Canada has a block heater, makes sure you put one in your 8 as well.

 

If you'll be driving in the cold you'll need to use synthetic transmission and differential fluid and add heaters to your oil pan and transmission. See ebay for the oil pan heaters.
The 8 is a great road trip car (except for the mileage)
As for flooding, just warm it up before you shut it off.
Expect to change coils around 50K miles
Buy it and have fun!

 

Car drives fine in the cold.. make sure you wax it well, cause it's really dirty from salt and all.

 

Hi Callum, we have 05 in Fairbanks AK. We have been driving it for two winters, and there is no problem above -30F. I had flooding issues in the first winter, but this appears to be related to a weak battery. After putting a fresh battery, there has been no problem at all even at -40F. If you are putting heaters, put an oil pan heater under engine, another under transmission, and battery warmer and/or onboard charger. It's easy to do it by yourself. There is no frost-plug type block heater for rx8. Radiator tube type coolant heater can be installed, but you probably don't need it.