^it is I the ghost of CHRISTMAS PAST.........:LOL

 

^ Well.....I'm boned......

 

Hey im new posting here and I just recently bought an 04 rx8. I live in the baltimore area,and find this site great for tips and faqs about the car....soo thanks for that.


I know how people love to share stories and heres whats been going on with my 8 recently. I bought this car about a month and a half ago,and have had some issues. First the heat. Ive read a few threads about the soldering,and its been back to the dealer 3 times. The first time they replaced an actuator,and now a new control unit. The funny part is I even went as far as to print out the detailed instructions from a poster named wingnut and gave them to the dealer because they couldnt fix my heat.

In the 3 times its been in the shop since Ive bought it,I had new engine coils,a new cat convertor and now new heater control unit. Im picking it up today and hopefully with the new cat itll feel fun to drive.

I knew there was an issue after reading numerous posts here and I got a little crafty...while my 8 was in the service dept I had my girlfriend take me to a carmax...where i basicaly drove the same car and saw what it could really do. Then I called the dealer and said if this isnt fixed I want to buy the rx8 from carmax.....I guess ill find out this afternoon if its in good shape.

the car has 45,000 and had only flooded once im guessing due to a clogged cat?

 

My $55 salad WAS delicious....and I got meat too sheesh, I just got so flustered when 3 guys would be offering me meat all at once...

...

I'm not going to say how wrong that sounds, but I'm sure you can connect the dots

I'm sorry about your 8 man, I hope things get better. I personally find dealerships to be ********, in every sense of the word. Just need to find a good repair shop, that won't screw you over, which is a lot easier said than done. However, if this carmax 8 is running better and you still can't get things figured out after today, it sounds to me like this carmax rx8 may be a smoother transition in the long run.

Thats not to say that you won't have any problems with the other 8. Maintenance is key, and unfortunately, cars wear down, either way you're going to have to get things repaired, your decision is if you either want to deal with it now, or later...

my personal opinion, but I'm sure SOMEone will find SOMEthing wrong with my input...*glares* not naming any names, but you know who you are...

 

I just didnt think it was fair that they could atempt to sell the car without heat. The worst part and I didnt include this above...some tech left a u-joint down inside the motor. They didnt want to pay for the heater control unit,but after a nasty email and threats to return the car...well its a different stroy now.

 

what carmax is it at? I work at the carmax in white marsh. i sell cars there. let me know whats up with the one you looked at.

 

Did you get the car from the dealership? or from a different carmax, etc.? and the U joint bs is unacceptable, clearly there's some incompetent staff there and at this rate, I would seriously start considering another shop. the only thing that would pull me back to the dealership would be if the heating unit is still under warranty, and if that's the case: three strikes: you're out. if they can't get it right on the third effing try, return the car and get the other 8.

People don't have the time to leave their car in the shop for something as simple as that. People have things to do, please tell me they're providing a loaner, free of charge.

Did you ask/know about the heating when you got the car? Did they notify you about it at all, or were you supposed to read the fine print on your own?

 

No they did not give me a loaner. I bought the car at a dealer in laurel off 198...ourisman.

The reason I went to carmax is because I didnt feel too impressed by how the rx8 drove,so I pretended as if I were buying another just so I can get a free test drive,and of course to see how another 8 ran..same year and all.

The shop im speaking of is the actual dealership...Im no mechanic but my job (running a printing press) deals with quite a bit of mechanical challanges,and I just didnt trust thier shop...if the work wasnt getting done for free I would have taken it elsewhere.

I took a photo of the u-joint,because I figured they would act like they had no clue how it got there. I just used a magnet/antenna looking thing to pull it out,gave it back to them and he said we would track this down. Can you say DOH!!

I got a really good deal on the car...even though its automatic(g/f would complain if she couldnt drive it too). I cant wait to drive it again....I feel like the dealer has had the car more than I have in the past month.

 

well good luck with everything. if you decide to get rid of that one let me know : )

 

Good to see I'm moving up in the world.

 

Welcome!!! Sounds like the dealer you bought it from knows two things about 8's, Jack and ****. And Jack just left the building. If they keep f-ing up, just return the car and buy one for a little more that is in good working shape. As for your gf and the stick vs auto issue, just get a stick if this one doesn't work out and teach her how to drive a stick.....well.....a new kind anyways

This..... is nothing new for you....


Let me know if you get a GT Manual WB with nav through your place

 

return it. buy a manual. women can learn how to drive stick.

then you'll REALLY find out what an rx8 can do.

the manual version is much faster in a straight race.
1/4 mile
mt: 14.4 seconds
at: 16.0 seconds

 

^ plus the 04 AT is only a four port. IF you are gonna get an AT, get the 6 port

 

Last I checked I only have one guy, and I'd prefer to keep it that way

As for the gf and the AT/MT....go Manual...I may not know yet, and despite everyone teasing me for it, I'll learn it someday, and if that means I need to learn it the day I buy my 8, I will drive it off the lot learning...

She will learn!!! it's far more fun!

Yes Earl, You've moved very high up in the world I worship thee, thine pearly-ness

 

I agree. Buy manual. Besides, once she gets a taste of driving stick, she'll never wanna go back.

Sorry I didn't make it to the meet....I guess I'm not a true Marylander yet. My daughter just got back into town and I spent the weekend decorating for Christmas. Hope ya'll had fun.

 

It's okay Molls <3!! Decorating with the daughter is def a much more memorable occasion than having Fogo with us and waiting for greg to get out of the bathroom from puking it all up.

I find it funny that Earl and I are true marylanders, considering neither of us live there, we just travel there a lot. Of course, I was born and raised in MD, so I guess I am a Marylander at heart...but I digress!!

You are a true marylander Molly, you just lack time for these occasions, which I know exactly what it's like! <3 we'll see you around

BTW!! When was the last time we had a wings meet? are they fading with the arrival of the new season, just like the other meets?

 

yay for girls who drive stick!lol

and i dont understand why you would get an auto just for your gf to drive?? tell that chick to learn so she doesnt spoil your driving experience. good job looking out for her though. lol

 

we have lots of WB. just no nav :/
just keep checking carmax.com. you can register on there to get emails for notifications when we get a certain car in stock.

 

i have an ex whose first car was a 1986 bmw 325, 5 speed. and i taught my current gf to drive manual in my rx8. of course, i dont let anyone drive my car now that i have a new transmission in it. and especially not teach anyone.

my mom has been driving manual, off and on, since she was 16. her current car is a subaru outback, 5 speed. she even downshifts for turns.

oh, and i was taught to drive manual by 2 people. both were girls.

being female is no excuse.

i would never let someone else ruin my driving fun.

 

I'll take it, Delaware sucks ***. Besides the company I work for had a connection to a Maryland company so who knows, maybe I will live in Maryland someday.

 

SWEET!!! I shall hope for the day, maybe I'll find a job up in MD someday, but for now, I'm stuck in VA...and OMG!! I finally found someone in VA who modded his 8!! hardcore, was selling it on craigslist, said he was tired of getting tickets of course he was up in fredericksburg, which is literally 5 mins from the MD/VA line so...yeah

but I have accomplished the FINDING of a VA 8 owner who took stock to put mods into his baby

 

spotted a VR with HIDs in the fogs yesterday. looked like a RB or greddy exhaust.

rockville pike at 1:53pm.

dont think he is on the forums though.

 

^Man, I don't know who to look for anymore, I run into other 8's all the time but they act shy. Kersh, what color was the VR?



Oh yea, does anyone from maryland no of any junkyards/cheap places that might have a RX8 6 speed tranny?? If not I'll just order it lol.

 

^ VR = Velocity Red


Try a local junkyard. just do a search on google.

 

spotted a WB with mazdaspeed front end this afternoon around 12ish in annapolis. right next to the courthouse. i waved. just wondering if it was someone on here.