LOL

Um.... that's kinda of how a car company works, they make the cars and we buy them. you'd rather them do what... pay for it by having banner ads on the nav screen? lol

I have complained to Mazda about reliability issues. They gave me the company lines, “oh were sorry,” “just let us know what we can do,” “if you ever have a problem call us again.” Amidst all the BS they never managed to find the time to answer one of my questions directly. Next time my car needed service I called and asked if they could get me a loaner, and they couldn’t help. They suggested I try asking the dealership again. NO! You ask the dealership, I don’t have time to argue over this kind of stuff. Those are the things that customer service people do. If you can't help me get a loaner, then what exactly do you do for a living.

With this experience in mind I’m not going to complain to Mazda about performance, they will probably cut and paste the same company lines into a new letter. Forgetting to address my issues, all along hoping I get lost in the amazement that someone actually wrote me a letter. The bottom line is that they don’t really care about anything but their company, and if they don’t think you can hurt them, then they will not go the extra mile.

Finally, I read through the entire thread. I don't find it surprising that someone here is not 100% satisfied with their RX-8. Power out of the box seems to be an issue with you, and apparently 238, 225 or whatever this mystery pump produces isn't sufficient. I really don't understand where you're coming from, or what you even like. What were you looking for prior to buying your RX-8? Were you looking for something fresh, or perhaps you were trying to dump your old car somewhere?

You're also obviously afraid to really race your car. You seem to be only concerned about the Stoplight 400, which not only is childish, but dangerous. Granted, I've pulled a few stoplight drags in my few years of driving, even in the RX-8, however it seems to be the focal point of your debate. You went off topic by bashing your own car, which you make monthly or bi-weekly payments. Why drive at all? I would tell you to go to a driving school or some sort of track event, but you're seem very reluctant to push the car. It's okay to push the RX-8 to its limits every once in a while, however you have been disillusioned to the fact that going over 4000 rpm will blow your car up.

Now, you're here trying to tell everyone that Mazda's intention is only for profit? Mazda, while they are here to make a profit, also explores new ways to be innovative, whether inside or outside the automotive world.

Most recently, UC Berkeley designed the world's smallest rotary engine, possibly inspired by Mazda's. My materials science prof. showed us the little P-port nanoengine in class, and quite frankly, it was extremely fascinating. Also, they are working on alternative energy sources, such as their hydrogen rotary engine. They are setting precedents, not just ripping off people at the dealership as you so kindly put it.

I'll close by saying, if you're dissatisfied with your car, then by all means sell it, or trade it in for something that does satisfy your needs. It's beyond me why you bought your car, but you need to examine your options.

3000 lbs > 3600 lbs.

I don't see why this thread even exists :).

I'm glad the turbo kits are coming out, we can finally hear less about the lack of power and street light racing issues.

I have to agree with PKskull a little on this. The RX8 was supposed to have 250 hp. After the hp wars (in which we the consumer lost) the rating was dropped to 238. Now we all pretty much agree based on the dynos that we don't think it's even making that. My honest opinion is that if the RX8 was truly making 250 hp like Mazda originally marketed, there wouldn't be any talk about a performance defecit with this car. I'm a little upset with many of the owners on this forum who are retecint to say anything negative about this car as if Mazda is going to get mad and take them back. We owners should be making a united front in regards to the hp and mpg issues, the latter being a larger issue for some. My opinion is this. Don't market a car as having 250 hp and getting 24 mpg when it is not getting either. I must point out though that with a rotary engine to get the max performance out of it you must rev it high. But in doing so you get less mpg, more so than with other engines. That's one issue that the RX8 has that other cars don't. Regarding a MS RX8, I don't care. I'm not going to buy it. I've got too many other things on my plate, like getting a ring for my girlfriend. I'd rather see Mazda get the base 8 where it belongs. Now I'm tired of beating this handling thing. I will never drive my car on the track and am tired of you nitwits who keep saying "we'll take them on the track", obviously you want to take them somewhere, that's what it's about, taking the other driver. If the track is the only place where the RX8 is competitive then that's sad. The owners of the other cars are laughing at you saying "who's going on the track and regardless, once on the track it's the driver who makes it or breaks it."
Overall I love my RX8 but am getting more dissapointed with it as time goes by and even though the hp issue is big with me, overtime I must say the mpg issue hurts me the most because it hurts me in my pocket. When I think of the car not giving me the power it should have and at the same time giving me bad mpg I cannot think that the car is anything else than a letdown. I still love it. That's emotion, not practicality. The car still has some great traits, but I don't feel I owe this car or mazda anything in owning it, except my honest opinion.

Oh and I forgot. I was one of the first to buy one and I must say that my car was faster (or felt faster) before I received the new flash. it was as if Mazda got me a little more mpg at the expense of some power. It ran smoother after the flash and 3 and 4 gears felt a little quicker, but before the flash 1st and 2nd felt lightning quick. JMHO

it was the epa that said 24 mpg, not Mazda. And under similar conditions to the epa tests, i get 24 mpg or better.

Well thanks for resurrecting a dead horse--obviously Talan this wasn't the car for you--and I'll extend the same advice that others have extended to folks with similar complaints--either sell the car or boost it. You aren't forced to keep the car.