KellyLee

Anyone here bought your RX8 from a parallel importer?

I would like to get one in 6 months' time and looking for a good, honest parallel importer.

Thanks!

sqflyer

Non-existent... ha ha ha... :D

Sorry just kidding, couldn't resist. :p Seriously though, you can ask around for those guys who bought their 8s from PIs and you would probably get a mixed response (with most leaning towards the negative). I think one of the more established and reliable PIs is Garage R, but even if you are willing to pay a slight premium to get it from them, I heard they have stopped selling the RX-8. I think one of the cheapest is HY, but their after sales support is questionable at best (some would say almost non-existent). I've not heard anything bad about WOW though. Which PI are you intending to buy your 8 from? Anyway, hello and welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place and done the right thing! Research as much as you can before you commit.

darkelfin

quite a number of threads on it already. one quite recent asking the same question. feel free to take a look ard.

morganoh

Honest = never lie before or do not lie.

And thats very difficult to find :D

evolvix

If you are willing to pay the premium, you can consider Garage R. I bought 2 cars from them and so far, I find them pretty responsible in dealing with recalls and warranty claims. The only problem is that you will have to service your car there during your warranty period and their HKS lubricants are very expensive :D

darkelfin

evolvix, i heard gr no longer bring in the 8.

NG_LEON

Well, depends on which model you are looking for:
1. 4AT version which is the lower power one
2. 6MT version which is the high power

Personally I recommend to get the 6MT version. Heard that the 4AT version has some gear jump issue. If you want new, get 6MT from Mazda. Try to hunt around for used (1~2yrs) could save some money... I got mine 3 weeks ago used(only clocked 5.3K for 2 yrs)... :D

Emperor

Got mine from Vincar. Quite good, reliable and professional.

Mines AT. There are pos and cons to both the AT and MT. Its up to personal preference. IMO, if i am rich enough, i will get both. One for track and one daily driver.

coupe07

since when did the 4AT has gear jump issue?? u heard from who???

y not hear from all the horses' mouth here who own the rx8 4AT??? I believe wat u heard all mostly myths.....

evolvix

Well, mine don't have such a problem :D Saying that, if it wasn't for the ladies in the house wanting to drive an auto, the 6 speeder will be my choice. More power for less $$ and you get to row the stick

lohsk

Gear jump ???

As in 1 jump to 4 or 4 down to 2 ??

Is that gear jump ??

If got gear jump, yesterday all the autos die already.

Emperor

Upward shifts are real smooth with the exception of a noticable different from gear 1 to 2. Because gear 1 has a relatively low gear ratio and the difference of gear ratio between 1 and 2 is quite wide.

In manual mode, up shifts are smooth but the is a certain jerk in downshifts (you can actually minimise this by blipping the accelerator) but this is actually normal in all cars downshifting, high to low gear ratio there must be engine-braking.

In a nut shell, the AT transmission is well-built and good compared to other ATs from other makes. IMO the 8 AT is good enough to take a fair bit more horse-power and occasional abuse. It would not make sense to put a crap trans in a sports car doesn't it?

rayshaw23

i got mine from vincar too....

emperor, where do u service ur 8?

Emperor

MBM. Still under warranty. Too bad they cannot let me use my own oil.

rayshaw23

same here, u driving auto right? do u manage to solve the vibration problem?

evolvix

Yup, mine's an AT. The vibrations seem to have gone for now...keeping my fingers crossed Now, I'm just worried abt the high oil temp and high oil consumption. I'm seeing almost 110C during the morning traffic jams and has to top up 0.5L every 500km

sgrenesis

what gauges do u use to get those readings?

evolvix

HKS RS guage with the oil temp sensor mounted at the oil sump.

Emperor

What vibration problem? Are you talking about the rattling when you engage rev? I thought it was normal?

I did not have any problems with my AT 8. In fatc i was very please with all the trims, build quality and such. Best buy i ever made. In fact if i have the cash, i will buy one more MT.

rayshaw23

dont know leh, mine vibrates when i engage in D and step on the brakes. more severe when the engine haven warm up, put once warmed up, then okay liao....

Emperor

You mean when your foot is still on the brake and you engage D.

Personally, i have experienced anything out of the ordinary that i consider is a problem. I only get a little rattling or jerking when engaging from D to R; i did not think of it as a problem though.