I made the investment and bought wheels and tires from Tire Rack for about $1200. But man, what a difference. I live on an incline and I wouldn't be able to get up the driveway without these. Good luck Nick.

IGOZMZM, I haven't washed mine for a couple weeks now. I'm sure that layer of salt is geat for the paint. :D

 

Thanks Though, even if I did get wheels and snow tires, I think I'd miss the beautiful stock 18's too much, especially on those dry, clear days that we are bound to have lots of if I were to prepare for the snow

 

Wow....I fall asleep on this thread for a couple weeks and look what happens. Welcome to the club, Nick, although it looks like you've been pretty active for a while already.

I'm in the South end of the valley, too, down in Riverton. I work in South Jordan, too. I see 8s every now and again, but there's enough that I can't really pick them out by owner, anymore. I think I'm the only Utahn that has been dumb enough to throw 20" heavy-a$$ chrome wheels on my vehicle as of yet, so I'm pretty easy to pick out, Velo Red, red calipers, and half of a mazdaspeed kit (going to be finished, someday) Somewhat of a "sore-thumb" in the RX8 community. Oh well, it'll be done soon, hopefully.

Hope to see ya around!

--Landon

 

Sweet... nice to "meet" you

I saw a red 8 up on South Mountain today. I think he waved, but I was facing the sun, couldn't see for sure. Anyone on the bored live over there? Oh, he also had a "Tire Rack" decal on the windshield.

 

I'm sure the "tire-rack" decal detracts from the vehicle ALMOST as much as Casey's (IGOZMZM) HUGE Mazda decal on the front windshield. j/k, Casey.

--Landon

 

Okay guys, this is a long thread, and I'm too lazy to read all of it (okay, I skimmed through most of it, but not all of it), so I really apologize if this has come up before I've heard of these flooding problems a lot before, and really they kind of concern me. Its not really something that I want to deal with, especially when I pay $30,000 for a car. Sooo, my question is, how many miles do you Utah (or anywhere else it is cold for that matter) guys have one your cars? Have they ever flooded, or have you ever had a hard time with them running in the cold weather? Thanks guys (I'm a girl, and as hard as I try to understand cars, I don't usually pick up on it as fast as you guys!)

 

Well, I just got mine in August and have 5000 miles. I haven't had any problems with it. And as for cold weather, it has heated seats, which is more than I can say for the S2000. I think most of the issues were with the ealry builds (beginning of 2004 and earlier). One of my friends at work also has one and he got it when they first came out(back in 2003). I believe he's got about 15k miles on it. He's had all the flashes and applicable TSB's, but hasn't had any problems nor has he ever flooded. And he races in the SCCA events too.

I think the biggest issue people have is the gas mileage. Both of us get about 18mpg, but can pull 21mpg with just straight highway driving. I don't care about it, but there are plenty of threads on the subject.

Let us know if oyu have any other questions...

 

Nick that was me (nice to meet you)
I autocross and that tire rack sticker is required for national events. You should come autocross this year.

 

I've got about 11k on mine and never had a problem. I havent been in to get my reflashes since I got the notice after I put my car in storage for the winter. I'm very particular about revving to 3k before turning off though. I'm so used to doing it that I do it by habit when driving my girlfriends 3 hehe.

 

Hey guys... just bought (on 1/17/05) a new RX8 at Freeway Mazda. Bought a 05' titanium gray with the 6 disc changer, navigation system, and the grand touring package. Its a blast! I love the car! Just saying hi!

Also to let you all know I am the finance manager for for Wasatch Front Kia (don't laugh), Freeway Mazda is part of our automotive group, and I've got the hook up for all your Mazda needs! The Mazda store is right next to mine and I can get stuff from the Mazda store and sell at cost out of mine!

 

NICE. Definitely good to have you, financeguy. :D I'll be calling you on that claim for mazda parts very shortly, I'm sure. Congratulations on your purchase, and welcome to the cult!!

I've got over 24,000 miles on my velo red, Traci, I don't rev to 3000 when I turn my car off (like I'm supposed to), I don't let my car warm up before turning it off, and I have never flooded, not once. Keep in mind, the only people that post about problems and respond on posts about problems, are, uh, the people having problems. People who can't relate to the problem don't usually care enough to voice their opinion on the matter.

The actual ratio of people with flooding problems versus the people without is VERY low. Flooding wouldn't be a reason to avoid purchasing this awesome vehicle......in my opinion.

--Landon

 

Very jealous! I want one SO bad!

I have dealt with Freeway Mazda a couple of times with my mazda protege....they are an awesome dealership. They have never been rude, or anything. So, when I buy my mazda (hopefully in the next 6 months), I will definately be heading your way!

 

Hey, awesome! I didn't think you were actually on the board, but that's cool! Do you remember seeing me?

 

When/if any of you come up to Freeway to do any business let me know. The RX8's have quite a bit of markup on the invoice compared to most vehicles and I have the ability to save you several grand.

Travis

 

I do remember. I just live below the South Mountain golf course. Do you live in South Mountain?

 

You guys are stongly making me think about Freeway Mazda. I recently when dealer hunting based on recomendations from here. Well, I was really impressed with Bountiful mazda, clean and orginized shop, and a really nice show room, and the salesman talk to me, not my dad. Which I liked because I was the one interesting in the car. They treated me as a 20 year old adult. Murray, I know some recomended this dealship to me, but I was not impressed, their view on me was a 20 kid not a 20 year old adult. The salesmen avoided me. I will check out Freeway when I get a chance, poor Murray for miss reading me, As I currently have enough for a commanding down payment, have the same amount ready when I visited Murray.

 

No, I live in Draper, but over by the freeway.

 

They treated me as a 20 year old adult. Murray, I know some recomended this dealship to me, but I was not impressed, their view on me was a 20 kid not a 20 year old adult. The salesmen avoided me. I will check out Freeway when I get a chance, poor Murray for miss reading me, As I currently have enough for a commanding down payment, have the same amount ready when I visited Murray.

Hey I know what you are saying man. I went into the Murray Mazda dealership as a 19 year old. They didn't give me the time of day. When the dealer came back with my credit pull he tried to make up for it. I scored high enough to qualify with elite credit and have no co-signer. Needless to say I still bought the 8 cuz it is a beautiful car.

 

That sucks to have that sort of interaction. However, I've NEVER considered the salesmen when I'm rating a dealer. You interact with them only once, and just by the nature of what they do & how they make their money, I usually never find myself very fond of ANY salesmen. I look at the service department, parts department, etc., the parts of the dealership that you have more than just a one time interaction with. Salesmen are salesmen. They come, they go, some you hate less than the other one.

Regardless, welcome to the board, Corndizzo!!

--Landon

 

So who do you suggest for service in Northern Utah? I bought my car at Freeway and have taken it in 3 times now. I have been somewhat dissappointed on how they treat my car. I now have a scratch in the doorwell, they installed a '05 HU panel in my '04, they leave fingerprints all over it, I have little broken plastic pieces in the center console, and I forgot to tell them not to wash it. They took a perfectly clean car and left spots all over it.

 

I take mine to Bountiful Mazda and they have always done a good job for me. Although I really haven't had them do anything more than a oil change. Their shop is spotless. I did consult with them on winter tires (but ended up buying frolm tire rack) and their staff was very knowledgable.

 

Thought I'd post my 400th post here.



--Landon

 

Ahoy mateys!

I haven't checked in with you guys for a few months. Any casualties while i was gone?

Also, I haven't been too impressed with Bountiful Mazdas shop. I took it in to have the creaking rattle in my moonroof looked at as well as the swishing behind my glovebox under acceleration. The rattle they said was caused by 'dry tracks' which they 'lubricated'. The swishing they said was completely normal and did absolutely nothing about. When I got my car back and opened my moonroof, the rattle was still there only it was about twice as bad...

Also I was in an accident that bent a wheel hub and cracked the wheel last winter. They replaced the hub and the wheel and called it good. Everything seemed great at first but gradually I've been noticing a thrumming road noise and a regular vibration in the steering wheel that increases with speed. I asked them to check it out worried that I may have bent my axle as well and all they did was tell me the wheel hub wasnt bent (no ****, you replaced it with a new one!) and that its tire wear causing the vibrations. Now I realize that tire wear COULD be a cause of this problem but it seems to me they didn't do a very thorough job of investigating my concerns.

I'll probably keep taking my car there for engine related issues because I don't know who else to trust with a rotary but thats about it. Any of you have any recommendations on a good shop?

 

Hey Project....Good to hear from you again!

Casualties= Jercs (Guy), sold his 8, but he has a 1st or 2nd gen Rx7, now.

That sucks about the bountiful shop. The Murray shop has been good for me...? Modern Garage is also a good aftermarket/rotary shop(where we met before the porcupine pub meet) if you're beyond warranty. Otherwise, I'd suggest sticking with Mazda, even if you have to go to another dealership.

--Landon

 

I'm still here. Who's up for a meet before the annual meet?